Speaking to Promote Books

Eric,

As you know, I recently became the VP of Programs for the Civil War Round Table of NYC, and will just post about some things on this side of the fence.

Like you and Brooks have said, most RT’s I know of can not afford to pay an honararium. I was very surprised here as to the cost cutting that goes on, and yet they expect me to line up a slate of top notch speakers. It’s hard to understand for me, as the NYC RT is the second oldest in the country, and yet eyes rise here when I mention I have speakers coming from Ohio, PA, GA, and TN in the next few months.

I am one of the lucky ones, as some of the guests I have coming here to speak are friends of mine, and know that they are doing me a huge favor. Brooks makes a very good point about not hawking his books around with him to sell. Before I got this job, if there was speaker appearing here, I made it a point to buy books at local stores or via the internet so I could get them signed. It’s not that hard to do.

I have had one meeting here, and was astounded by how many members expect books to be available for sale, and one even asked me where I got my copy, and I said Amazon. 🙂

Am sure it is the same in many of the groups around the country, that a certain number of members complain about this and that, and yet never take the leap to get involved. Frankly, I was one of those, and decided to just shut up and volunteer for the post. To be honest, I never thought I would get the job in the first place, as I am one of the younger members of the group, and I know many feathers were ruffled when I was elected to the position throughout the old guard.

In many ways it is a rewarding experience, but I can do without the constant phone calls I seem to have gotten since I accepted the position. My first thought was I volunteered for this?? I had to remind those folks that I don’t work for them, which comes as a shock to some of them.

As I told you after the first meeting, I knew I was not in Kansas anymore. I have sat with the same group of folks at the same table for the past 10 years, and yet there I was at the Head Table watching my friends relaxing and having a good time, and I was sitting there wondering if it would look good if I had a beer before the talk started. That’s not me at all. 🙂

For those in my position, it takes a lot of work to schedule speakers, and I can imagine how much harder it must be for those who try to do so for the many smaller RT’s around the country. I have talked to quite a few of them recently, and I guess the one thing we all share, is the determination to do the job correctly. It has its ups and downs, but then I got a message from my very first speaker this evening thanking me for inviting her to speak in NYC, and how much she enjoyed the attentiveness of the group, and that I was a gracious host. It made me smile when I read that, and that for the first meeting I did good. 🙂

As for your decision making on where to speak, I think Sam’s answer sums it up well.

Hope you don’t mind me sharing my thoughts on this, but as one who is in the process of scheduling guests, I just wanted folks to see what goes on in my world Round Table wise.

Hope all is well.

Regards from the Garden State,

Steve

A couple of comments about not only Eric’s blog post, but the responses so far.

I haven’t spoken to as many RT’s as Eric, but the number is probably 20-25, and geographically is probably as diverse. And I only have one book published, so perhaps my view is colored a bit by that fact.

If I drive to a speaking engagement, I take a box of books. By and large, unless the person who invited me, or the person who introduced me, says I have books for sale, I don’t mention it. I’ve never gone to a speaking engagement, other than one at a Barnes & Noble, where the purpose was to hawk books. My attitude is that if someone is interested enough to want to purchase one, I’m interested enough to sell them one.

Steve, I was program chair for the Cincinnati CWRT for over ten years, and I hear your pain, pal. It is, without a doubt, the most thankless job an RT has, including newsletter editor (which I did, too). We all approach the position with our own Civil War biases and interests, which are going to clash with those of other members. Just remember – they can have the job, any time they want it. Trust me, they won’t.

Why speak at a Round Table? For me, it’s simple – I have a good time. I like to do it. I don’t speak as much as I have in the past; divorce, re-marriage and other intersts have an amazing way of changing things. It’s kind of neat to have the opportunity to have a group of people interested in what you have to say. In the case of the Pemberton book, it’s a somewhat unique story and talk, so it’s fun just on its own.

Eric, I feel your pain, too. I don’t buy, but respect, Sears’ view of the whole thing. But it works for him, and hopefully he balances other aspects of his life with it. But I do understand, having been on Steve’s side of the game, how difficult it is to be a program chair, so I have respect for his side of the talk as well.

From my perspective, you travel more than I’d want to. If you decide to cut back, I’d totally understand.

Dave

Guys:

I used to go wherever I was invited–I once drove six hours and paid for a motel room to speak to five people. It actually was a pleasant evening. But as I approach the big 5-0, I’ve settled into a new policy. I speak to local groups because Auburn strongly stresses outreach to the Alabama community, as it should. And I fly to interesting places I’d like to visit. That’s it. But wherever I go, I don’t take books, simply because university publishers don’t provide lots of books for direct sales, and I simply can’t get a lot of books on a plane anyway. The best thing round tables could do for speakers is to contact stores or publishers ahead of time and have several copies there on consignment. Steve Basic’s wonderful CWRT did that for me a few years ago, for example, and it was a great help (and a great weekend in NYC and CT).

I’ve spoken to over two dozen round tables, in addition to many other groups, and Brooks does raise some good point, in my opinion. All RTs are very different, it’s really a fascinating phenomenon. Steve and Dave Smith represent two of the friendliest. But I’ve also been asked to speak while people were eating, or jammed into a corner next to the bar so that I could have the “privilege” of signing books. That night I think I sold one book and two scotch and sodas. That’s no way to treat a guest, and I would not go back there.

Ken

Mr. Corbett,

I would disagree with your “most suthors are not good speakers” statement. In my tenure as “Historian General” of the Central Ohio Civil War Round Table, the authors have been fabulous. I do, however, agree that many RT members do not want to “get involved” yet are very suggestive of who you should get to appear. Steve & I have talked about this in multiple E-mails. I recently received an E-mail, from a nearby RT, in which the “Programs Chair” is literally begging for help because he can’t do it all.

I am very honored when an author speaks to our group & I try to treat them accordingly. Eric you have raised another issue that I need to consider.

Mike

Eric:

Great comments by all. As you know, I’m a first-time author and am still, quite simply, flattered to be asked to speak. I promised myself when I got the book published that I would do my best to support it, and that includes speaking–not only to Round Tables, but also historical societies, etc. I’m too new to have established any firm rules, but (like the movie says) here are a few emerging “guidelines”:

1. I visit RTs to share what I think is a compelling Civil War story; if I can sell some books along the way, that’s great. I differ from Prof. Simpson on that point–I don’t find it humiliating to “peddle my wares” and am surprised how pleased some folks are to get a book signed or to chat with the author for a couple of minutes. Locally, I toss a box or two in my car; out of town, I try to put the RT in touch with the publisher in case they want to have books on hand. It’s purely up to them. Results vary: I’ve sold one book; and I’ve sold out of books.

2. I certainly don’t expect to be paid or to receive any honorarium, but a non-local speaking engagement is usually costing me (at least) a vacation day, so it’s difficult for me to accept speaking offers unless travel expenses are reimbursed.

3. I show slides and speak without notes to keep it fresh, and in general have had good experiences. A couple of times I’ve had a questioner wanting to demonstrate that they know more than me about this or that (last week at a railroaders’ group, someone held forth on their encyclopedic knowledge of the Confederacy’s various track gauges, which was nice for them), but most of the time I enjoy the Q&A very much.

4. Scheduling is very difficult. As you know, most RTs schedule many months or even a year out, and–given the uncertainty and travel schedule that my “day job” often entails–it’s difficult to commit to a weeknight months in advance. I do the best I can–check with my wife, be sure there’s no school calendar or vacation schedule conflicts, and then set the engagement down just like I would any other business meeting.

5. I agree with Eric that a great fringe benefit is the opportunity to travel to various destinations. In November, I’m fortunate to be the guest of Steve’s excellent RT in New York and am tagging on a few days afterwards to show my daughters the Big Apple. If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere.

For all these reasons, I agree with Don’s point–speak to Roundtables, but pick and choose those that are most appealing to you and fit best with your schedule. I think a small handful in a year are plenty–unless one is in full-blown newly released book promotion mode, in which case you can surely find me at every Kiwanis and Rotary Club luncheon in the Atlanta area. Not to mention the SCV. [insert Rebel yell sound effect here]

Thanks much, and kind regards,
Russ

Someone remarked:

“I differ from Prof. Simpson on that point–I don’t find it humiliating to “peddle my wares” and am surprised how pleased some folks are to get a book signed or to chat with the author for a couple of minutes.”

Let’s recall exactly what I said:

“There are plenty of ways to obtain my writings, and frankly I think it’s somewhat embarrassing, even humiliating, to assume we are there to peddle our wares.”

There’s a significant difference. I have no problem signing books, but I’m not a travelling bookstore, and no, I would not care if someone saw my appearance at a RT as an effort by me to sell books. They would be wrong. Let’s not confuse motivation with consequence.

Just a few more comments on this…

Dave Smith…10 years? Now that deserves a medal. 🙂 Not surprisingly, I have already told members here who have complained that if they think they can do better, you can have the job. No takers yet. 🙂 Some have actually questioned me as to why I will be having 2 female speakers this calendar year. Some attitudes never change, I guess.

Ken Noe’s talk here was one of the better ones we have had in my 10 plus years as member of the RT. Main reason why is because it was on a topic that is rarely discussed here, being the War in the West and of course the Battle of Perryville.

David Corbett, Your point is well taken, and have asked members to talk about certain subjects, and all say no, as in they don’t have the time etc.

I am very grateful to have the chance to talk to folks like Mike and others as to how their RT’s work and it has been helpful to network this way. Mike and I have talked quite a bit about getting speakers. Good way to blow off steam as well. 🙂

Thanks to all for the kind words, and I look forward to having Russ and Jim speak in NYC in the next few months.

Regards from the Garden State,

Steve

Russell — I understand that in some cases, especially when it is not always easy for someone to obtain a copy of someone’s book, that someone might want to bring some copies along. However, in my neck of the woods, that’s counterproductive in many ways, and it’s very easy for someone to obtain my books, given the publishers, etc. One size does not fit all, that’s all.

But I think that a reply I posted in Civil Warriors to a comment made in response to a post I made and from which Eric has quoted is useful in understanding my position:

“I think members of CWRTs are not always familiar with the lives of
professional historians. I get plenty of opportunities to speak in public, sometimes for rather good compensation. Speaking before CWRTs forms a rather small part of my speaking schedule: currently I do it for good friends or as a professional favor. Moreover, between the advent of the internet and C-SPAN, there are ways for me to reach a far larger audience at less cost. Historians now often participate in conferences open to the public for a fee, which also has an impact on CWRTs. And there are plenty of people who do not belong to CWRTs (and many more who do belong to CWRTs) who can interact with us directly at these public talks or via the internet.

People pay all the time for the professional expertise of all sorts of people: only when it comes to historians does there seem to be an assumption on the part of people who do not even know the historian to assume that they are entitled to the same level of professional insight for no charge. I think Mark {Grimsley}’s outlined the costs we bear in talking to CWRTs, and as an economic proposition, it’s a losing one without any compensating professional benefit (except the notion of local service).

One question that I think needs to be addressed is why do you want us to speak to you, and how much is that worth to you? If the appearance of professional historians comes at the expense of exposing local talent, as you suggest, well, that’s a matter for the CWRTs to address. But I think those members of CWRTs who think they are doing us a favor by inviting us might pause to reconsider that premise. It’s much easier to obtain our
books nowadays; we don’t gain in prestige among our peers for these speaking opportunities; as an economic proposition, it’s a losing one (and, frankly, an honorarium may bite into that, but it still remains a losing proposition). We come to speak because we love our work and we want to share that with you; you underestimate how much we view our vocation as an
avocation if you think otherwise.

I am a member of a small roundtable in Florida so having national authors as speakers is almost impossible. We would love to have you speak but we cannot afford airfare. Our programs are members who can speak or discussion. When we have a non-member speaker, we try to give a gift card. This isn’t always possible and the trade off can be supporting the new CWPT fundraiser or buying a Borders card.

Speaking once or twice a year, I can relate to the problems you encounter. In our defense, most roundtables have a member that should be kept in a cage. It is almost impossible, for us, to keep someone from spewing their theories, implying they are smarter than the speaker, asking off topic questions or just rambling on. I agree that no one should be invited to speak unless a speaking area can be provided. We will not ask an outsider speaker during the slow months because we don’t want you to see six people.

Getting programs together is a thankless task. For many of us, getting to meet an author and getting our books signed is an event. Keeping that in mind might make the hours of travel, bad meetings and fools a little easier to handle.

James — It’s good people like you that explain why I speak and why I enjoy it.

Note: BTW, this is not an effort to negotiate a speaker’s fee for a non-profit group. Sometimes, in fact, we get very nice things. I’ve already mentioned previously my Red Wings jersey. 🙂