To expect people I know to read my book?

I would be happy for you but depending on the genre would depend if I would read it.

I have been to some book signings and have enjoyed them but what kind of book have you written?

I think you can expect excitement and congratulations but not reading. My cousin has published two books. Both Horror. I got to page 5 of her first book, and stopped. I can’t believe my adorable cousin wrote such dark stuff. We joke about it and she never expects me to read her stuff. But I’m thrilled for her.

Whaaaaat?? Even if it was a genre that I didn't really have an interest in, I'd at least buy a copy!

You should definitely get some new friends.

Congratulations on your publication :)

A friend of my DH wrote a book. He hasn't read a book in the entire time I've known him but he has a copy of hers. I'm sorry your friends aren't so excited. I love to read so would love to be a writer but wouldn't know where to start in knowing how to write anything, let alone something worthy of publishing. Huge congratulations on your success!

Aw I wouldn’t EXPECT anyone to read it. But I would hope they would want to. Sounds like you’re doing well OP

[quote LoisLane66]@JustLyra
Yes thanks, I feel fine. Y'know, if someone writes for a living it's pretty well the same as someone working Tesco tills or any other non-author job.
In my working life I used to appear in court but I didn't expect my friends to gush over my cases or ask for my signature. Being an author doesn't confer a special mantle around your shoulders.
It's a job which may or may not receive plaudits, just as any other job has its feedback. To wonder why friends aren't basking in the glow of one's achievements is narcissistic.[/quote]
Well done, I’m glad being needlessly nasty to the Op made your day

I wouldn't expect friends to buy my book. I would gift my closest friends a copy but also not think they HAD to read it.

Other than that, I would absolutely expect a lot of support for something I have achieved that is very important to me. Do you think they may be jealous? If someone showed me their book in Waterstones and said they had a signing I would be absolutely over the moon for them! I don't even know you and I'm chuffed for you!

Well done that's a great achievement op. I have to say your entitlement attitude does stink a bit. Why would you expect all friends and family to buy it just because they know you. It's similar to any other product, it may not be their genre or type of product Saying that, I would probably do a skim read and If it interested me I would buy it, not just because I know you. I do think your friends are rude though tp ve so dismissive to your face.b

@JustLyra
Yes thanks, I feel fine. Y'know, if someone writes for a living it's pretty well the same as someone working Tesco tills or any other non-author job.
In my working life I used to appear in court but I didn't expect my friends to gush over my cases or ask for my signature. Being an author doesn't confer a special mantle around your shoulders.
It's a job which may or may not receive plaudits, just as any other job has its feedback. To wonder why friends aren't basking in the glow of one's achievements is narcissistic.

Congratulations! That's amazing, I'm v. jealous!
Some people really don't read though, and some will be worried about whether they'll like it etc. I always worry that I won't be able to give a good specific compliment about people's creative endeavours and that sometimes stops me reading/listening to/ watching their work so it could be that

Congrats, op!! That's a fabulous accident! Can you share what your book title is?

Yanbu at all. I'd be really hurt if my firms didn't all want to read my lovely book.

Maybe they are not readers?? Can you ask them?

Ignore sourpusses on here who say you're being precious wanting your friends to share in your achievements 🙄

[quote psychomath]@theleafandnotthetree would you also feel it was your duty to support a friend by playing a video game they had a major part in designing (if you weren't fan of gaming), or going to watch their weird experimental monologue that lasted ten hours, or anything else you weren't particularly interested in that took just as long? I probably would read a friend's book because I like reading but not everyone does.[/quote]
For a close friend, certainly I would. I have a friend in theatre and have on occasion suffered through 'pieces' which certainly FELT 10 hours long!

Her husband bought her book to be supportive, folks. Because that's what you do, when someone you love has their debut out - even if you've already read it when it was a lowly Word document and there are half a dozen proof copies knocking around the house, you buy the book. Because sales numbers for most books are low enough that 20 of your family and friends buying it in the first week or two can really make a difference. They don't actually have to read it.

I'd be disappointed in that friend's response too, OP. I know only too well how difficult it is to get a novel traditionally published - it's quite possible your friend has no idea, but her response is still a bit off.

It's a wonderful achievement, and I hope it's the start of a fabulous career for you. Congratulations

YABU to start a thread and not come back.

Hardly the sign of budding author 😂

I run a business (not MLM) and decided on day 1 not to care if my friends bought from it. Some have, some show support through sharing it with their friends and in other ways. But I have zero expectations. As long as they support you more generally, then let it go. Congrats on the book by the way!

I have several author friends, and happily read any and all books they bring out. However they write books in a style and genre I enjoy, and seek out anyway. Also we met due to a love of reading and/or writing ... so it kind of just goes hand in hand.
I'm trying my hand at writing a book this year, but I would never ask or expect my friends to read it unless they wanted to. It might not be their thing, they might have other things that they feel they'd rather spend their money on and that's totally cool.

This actually fills me with hope! I've been scribbling away at this and that for years, but am very much of the 'write what you know' mindset (well, within reason), so I have a mental block about writing some stuff in case I offend friends/family members. But if they aren't going to read it ...

But, being serious, I would be a bit hurt too. I would be really proud of any friend who had a book published and would be happily bragging about them to all and sundry.

@Wheelz46 I was being tongue in cheek when I wrote it.

... However someone sent me a PM, I assume by mistake, asking for details on my book so they could get a copy, and there's a few others said they'll buy one, so they may make a few sales.

Unfortunately I don't have a book which I could sell to them.

Do you feel better now? Brightened your day by being needlessly snide?

Congratulations, I'd read your book if I was your friend

@LoisLane66 Why the assumption that it’s chick lit and why the snobbery around chick lit?

Get used to it is all I can say! It would be nice if people did but honestly it's just not something most people, however loving will actually get around to doing. Taste in books is a very personal thing and we are all so time poor even reading the books that really appeal to us can take time! And wouldn't you rather people read something because they wanted to based on the content as opposed to feeling like they had to? Chin up though, it's a great achievement so bloody well done xxx