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AIBU?

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Original poster

To expect people I know to read my book?

464 replies

bethc765 · 04/02/2022 15:32

In October I released my first book. It's something I've been working on for a long time and something I've dreamt of since I was little.

It's been really well received, got a brilliant critical reception and I've had excellent feedback from readers.

But not a single person apart from my DH has even bought it. I was out with a friend recently and we went into Waterstones and I pointed it out and she remarked "oh i didn't realise it was a proper book and in shops and stuff".

I have a signing event coming up in March and mentioned it in passing and my friends seemed perplexed as to why anyone would want a book signed by me.

I support my friends with their endeavours so I'm a little bit hurt that nobody I know has shown the slightest bit of interest in something that was really important to me. I'm not even asking them to read it- just pretend they have!

OP posts:
JinglingHellsBells · 04/02/2022 21:59

It's more usual to say 'My first book/ debut novel/whatever book was 'published' (not 'released')
Music tends to be released but maybe I'm being picky.

But not a single person apart from my DH has even bought it

Well clearly a LOT of people have bought and read it as you also wrote

It's been really well received, got a brilliant critical reception and I've had excellent feedback from readers

So which is it?

Clearly you mean no friends have read it?

They aren't obliged to read it, but they give you a big pat on the back.

There are quite a few rather odd things in your post like when you say they could pretend to have read it (to make you feel happy.)

Why would they risk doing that? If you ask them about it, or try to discuss it, how could they? Why would you encourage them to lie to you?

Sorry but there is a lot here that sounds rather odd.

Franticbutterfly · 04/02/2022 21:43

YANBU congratulations on your book!

(I imagine if I did something similar I would get the same response).

Wreath21 · 04/02/2022 21:37

@SoosanCarter

If you paid to have it published, it’s probably awful.
Not necessarily these days (and even back in the day, people who self-published sometimes wrote good books that were just hard to market).

Though it's clear from this thread that OP was traditionally published.

EezyOozy · 04/02/2022 21:34

I think you're being unreasonable. I do loads of ace things that nobody gives a shit about, they're too busy with their own lives. Be glad that others people genuinely interested in it and aren't just reading because you're their mate!

Wreath21 · 04/02/2022 21:32

@strawberriesarenot

Having worked in publishing for the last 30 years, have to say, that except to the author and the publisher other people's books have about the same charm as other people's sticky kids/dogs/holiday photos.

Friends and relations often kindly volunteer to read them, but being expected to go out and buy them is a bit much. And as I said earlier, you'd better check your contract, because you should have had gratis copies. Between 12 and 20, depending on hb or pb.

But every book a reader buys is some 'other person's' work. If you don't think anyone likes books except the author then maybe you should be reconsidering your career choices...
stuntbubbles · 04/02/2022 21:31

@SoosanCarter

If you paid to have it published, it’s probably awful.
Try reading the OP again instead of inventing stuff that didn’t happen.
RainbowZebraWarrior · 04/02/2022 21:31

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ChubbyMorticia · 04/02/2022 21:24

@IvanaTrumps

If you had a friend who was a plumber, would you expect them to redo your bathroom for free? If a friend was a chef, would you expect them to cater a party for you for free? Or an artist to paint a mural on your wall for free?

You won't get much plumbing or a refit of a bathroom for the cost of a book (£12 hardback?)

What a ridiculous comparison.

Exactly. So, months/years worth of someone’s work, for a mere $12, and people balk at it.
RainbowZebraWarrior · 04/02/2022 21:22

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whiteworldgettingwhiter · 04/02/2022 21:18

*sneery, not set

whiteworldgettingwhiter · 04/02/2022 21:17

@SoosanCarter

If you paid to have it published, it’s probably awful.
It's stocked in Waterstones, you tit. How many books have you published? Why are you so set and judgemental?
Sparklingbrook · 04/02/2022 21:17

There is a bit of a tone to some of these posts. About a book nobody on here has read. Well knowingly anyway.
Maybe the thread is full of frustrated authors all green with envy. Envy

charlotterousse · 04/02/2022 21:15

@SoosanCarter

If you paid to have it published, it’s probably awful.
She didn't pay to have it published. That much is obvious from her opening post. Waterstones don't offer book signings to people who pay vanity presses to print their work.

I'm astonished by the amount of sourness on this thread. Sneering at someone's book as "probably chick lit" (the insinuation being that it's not worth reading), suggestions that the OP is making it all up, and the question marks over whether she actually has a proper publishing contract - all this feels like asking an architect who's just completed their first project if they're sure it's an actual building and not just Lego. So patronising and mean-spirited.

SoosanCarter · 04/02/2022 20:59

If you paid to have it published, it’s probably awful.

BluebellsareBlue · 04/02/2022 20:57

Congratulations on your book!!! My friend wrote a book, well he was a work colleague who moved to England so I only ever see him on Facebook and we don't chat, it's just a liking of each other's posts. The first book he wrote was a fictional book about a period in time I had no interest in but I bought the book! I didn this to support him and it turns out the book was great, his second book was again fiction but included football which I love, it was bloody brilliant! I'd travel to go to a book signing by him, because I want to support friends and people I know. I think your friends are dicks x

Itsalmostanaccessory · 04/02/2022 20:54

@Hankunamatata

Wouldn't you give your close friends free copies?
Read the thread. This has been explained.
ferntwist · 04/02/2022 20:54

YANBU. I hope your family has read it if not your friends?

Hankunamatata · 04/02/2022 20:52

Wouldn't you give your close friends free copies?

mathanxiety · 04/02/2022 20:50

It seems you number among your friends a good few very ungracious people, OP.

@theleafandnotthetree, I agree with you - some spectacular obtuseness apparent here.

charlotterousse · 04/02/2022 20:45

@Silvershroud

OP is being very modest. I would give links to my book in the hope that MN would generate interest- this thread is free publicity- it is very odd.
How is it odd? She didn't say she wanted publicity on Mumsnet for her book. She said she wanted friends to take an interest in her achievement. If she were to share her real name anyone who knows her would be able to find this thread, and maybe she doesn't want friends and family to see she feels hurt.
ABitBesottedWithMyDog · 04/02/2022 20:37

Imagine if the author friend were Catherine Alliot or Jo Jo Moyes, though. I'd have to emigrate lest they ask me what I thought of their book.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 04/02/2022 20:34

it is very odd.

It is indeed.

Silvershroud · 04/02/2022 20:32

OP is being very modest. I would give links to my book in the hope that MN would generate interest- this thread is free publicity- it is very odd.

Pinotwoman82 · 04/02/2022 20:31

Oh my goodness if one of my friends had written a book I would def buy it even if it didn’t appeal to me. I’d love to know what it is I’m looking for a new book to read

babyjellyfish · 04/02/2022 20:28

Oh I would be sad about that too, OP.

Congratulations on being published. What an amazing achievement. Wine