I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned this before, but when I attend book signings and meet the authors I was dying (or curious) to meet, I feel, well, awkward around them. Like, really really awkward.
I get all shy and stiff, automatically clamming up. Most of the time, all I can spit out is, “hi! I really like your book!” and that’s it. They sign my book and I literally almost sprint out of there. (The big crowds always ruin my successfully sprinting.) That’s how awkward I am.
To be fair, I think that’s how I would act around new people I’ve just met too, although I won’t act as awkward as I am when I’m meeting any author. Even dragging one or several of my friends with me to attend book signs doesn’t help decrease my awkwardness. In fact, it’s kind of worse to see them interact with the author so easily while I’m a mumbling fool around them.
I know that authors are people too, but I just can’t help it, I just clam up when I’m around them when really, I want to talk about how much I adore and love their books. I want to chat effortlessly with them face to face like other people do. Instead, when I’m put into the situation, I desperately want to hide from them and escape as soon as I can.
Are you guys like this too? What’s your advice on how to handle situations like this?
I’m sorry that I can’t help you but I am exactly the same way! I get so nervous around authors and I either end up being really quiet or I giggle like crazy which is a huge problem. Next time you go to a signing, try breathing exercises, it might help you feel less awkward/nervouse
Breathing exercises sadly never work for me. ):
I hope they work for you though!
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [44]
I’ve never actually met an author before, except for Melina Marchetta a couple years back. She came to our school for a talk, but to be honest, at the time, I had no idea at all that she was such a famous author (I’d never heard of her books before). However, if I met an author that I love right now, I’m pretty sure I’d just melt into goo and not be able to say anything except an awkward “You’re awesome” or something.
Nara recently posted…ARC Review: The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon (Nara)
That’s exactly me! I’m just like “I love your book!” and promptly can’t think of anything else to say.
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [44]
I’ve never met any traditionally published authors, but I went to UtopYA Con this summer and met a lot of the self-pub authors that I love. I didn’t think that I would be so awkward, but I totally fangirled. I met Amy A. Bartol and could barely speak. I started shaking, turned red, began stuttering when I spoke, and then almost cried. IT WAS BAD. However, when I met Shelly Crane, who I also love, I was completely fine. It didn’t make sense, because I love both authors equally.
I’m just kind of awkward in general, so I have no idea how to handle situations like that. I would like to know as well!
Aww, I totally feel you Kaitlyn! I feel my face turning red too and I start to tremble – but unlike you, I do that with every author I’ve met. ):
I want some good advice too! We both desperately need it.
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [44]
Sadly, I am like this when meeting anyone new so it’s almost certain I would be even worse when meeting an author. Unfortunately I don’t really have any advice to give as I could use it myself. I just never know what to say when meeting someone. I suddenly begin questioning anything I was going to say to them, worried that it will be something stupid or awkward (umm…obviously this happens anyway BECAUSE of doing this very thing!). You are definitely not alone in this! :)
I feel bad for saying this, but I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way. :P
It shows that we’re not alone in this!
But yeah, I wish there was a way to prevent all this from happening. ):
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [44]
I am SO like this Kelly! I do better if I have a friend with me to use as a buffer, but I don’t have many to bring along to bookish events and I am completely awkward. But I’m awkward with new people in general. Which is crazy, because I never ever used to be like this! I realize this doesn’t help at all, but solidarity sister! You are not alone. LOL.
Jessica@Lovin’ Los Libros recently posted…Review: Take Me Now by Faith Sullivan
I was sadly always like this. I try my best to avoid making friends because I get all shy and stutter sometimes when I meet new people. It really sucks. ):
Ha ha, don’t worry Jessica. I like your input. ;D
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [44]
SAME WITH ME. I’m always afraid that I’ll end up saying something really embarrassing. It’s normal to get nervous, but I hate that dreaded awkward feeling. I’m sure it may not be awkward for the author, but I feel it! For once, I want to be able to talk to authors (and new people) without going into full freak out mood in my head.
Yeah, I don’t want the author to remember me as the awkward person who tripped/stuttered/turns all red/made a fool of themselves.
We need some confidence! If only we can buy it on ebay. :P
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [44]
I have yet to meet any authors, mostly because this is the first time in quite a few years that I’ve lived in a city where authors might go on tour or for visits (apparently they don’t wander into the middle of nowhere very often), but I have to admit that I’m VERY nervous because I have several opportunities to meet authors in the next few months. I’m afraid I’m going to clam up too!! A huge part of this is that authors are the equivalent of celebrities to me and I think I’d be so dazzled I wouldn’t know what to say or do. I wish I had advice to give you! I guess I’ll see what happens when I get my chance ><
Paola @ A Novel Idea recently posted…Born of Illusion
Aww Paola, I hope you won’t be as awkward as I am! Hey, you never know, you might be super comfortable with them and can make them laugh effortlessly like my friends can. (Yes, I’m jealous of them.) :P
Both of these sound good. I hope you enjoy them.
Ellen recently posted…Review: Revival (The Variant Series #1) by Jena Leigh
I take it as you meant to comment on my Shacking the Shelves post? ;D
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [44]
Am I ever…when I met Julie Kagawa and Aimee Carter….I turned into a mumbling fool. And my friend was totally fine. Grrr. So, yes. Muy awkward.
Jackie
Jackie recently posted…I Breathe You {Relase Day Book Blitz!}
Hey, at least you got to meet them! :D
But meeting Julie Kagawa was totally fun, she was SO friendly and smiley.
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [44]
I usually try to have a question to ask them or an observation about their work handy (other than I liked it) before I get to the front of the signing line or before Q&A starts at the end of the event. It doesn’t totally alleviate my nerves, but it gives me something to say when the time comes. I’ve found that most authors are very kind and receptive and respond well to my questions/comments. Signing lines can add pressure to keep the conversations short, but I’ve had wonderful chats with Sarah Dessen, Sonya Sones, and even a five minute conversations with Maggie Stiefvater about red appliances when I was the only one in her signing line (at the time) at the National Council of Teachers of English Conference. These authors, and many others, do their best to make their readers feel at ease. However, what’s worse to me is when I go up to an author armed with my question or comment, and they don’t engage with me. They just listen politely, say thank you, and I feel dismissed. I’ve had this happen twice, and no I will not say who. I don’t want to point fingers, but I do think it behooves an author to at least respond positively to their readers even if they are short of time.
Kristin recently posted…Book Timeouts
Thank you so much for your advice Kristin! I’ll definitely have both a question and a comment prepared the next time I meet an author. Hopefully I won’t be as awkward then. :D
Don’t worry, I won’t ask who. :P
But yeah, that seems kind of rude, especially since we are the people that supports them and their books. :l
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: A Tale of Two Centuries – Rachel Harris
I hope it helps! Faking confidence usually turns into real confidence. :-)
Kristin recently posted…Book Timeouts
I have a feeling that it’ll totally, 100% help me Kristin! :D<3
Kelly recently posted…Summer Road Trip Giveaway Hop
That happens to me too! When I went to my first mega-book signing (a Breathless reads tour) — I immediately crept into my shell the moment I stepped in front of the long table featuring Beth Revis, Marie Lu and more. I was so nervous that I could barely say hi. I’ve gotten better, but it’s so much harder to be composed face-to-face than it is through Twitter. Author anxiety!
Becca @ Nawanda Files recently posted…Sexy Sunday: Ricochet by K.B. Ritchie + GIVEAWAY + Blog Tour Sign-Ups
I know! Through Twitter, you get to read your words over and over again to see if it’s okay to say, but in real life, what you say is out there…FOREVER. And first impressions are always hard to change too. So, like, if you stutter and nervously say an embarrassing thing, it’s too late to take back. ):
I’m glad you’re getting better though Becca! :D
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: A Tale of Two Centuries – Rachel Harris
I get this way a little, too. I try to come with questions in my mind so there is something to talk about. Once the conversation is going, I love talking to authors! And if you go in groups, you have more time to get the guts to say something to them. :) This post was so adorable. Love it!
Jessica @ Books: A true story recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday (13): Things That Make Your Life As A Book Blogger Easier
For me, being in groups is awkward because all my friends talk and find awesome things to talk about, but I’m left alone, struggling to think of something to say. ):
And yeah, I’ll try to think of questions to ask them next time. :P
Glad to hear that you enjoyed this post. ;D
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Things That Make Your Life As A Reader/Book Blogger Easier