The news these days is often depressing at worst and frustrating at best. It’s easy to let it get us down. Never fear… The News Blender has you covered. Once a week we feature Something Good and, in return, all you have to do is tell us something good that has happened to you this week, something you are thankful for, a joke, a cute animal story, an inspiring tale of heroics, a Random Act of Kindness… SOMETHING good.
Today’s something good is how quickly a person can go from absolute discouragement to being overjoyed.
Librarian and new fledged author, Chelsea Banning, was discouraged after a dismal turnout for her book signing for her first book last week. All of two people showed up, leading Chelsea to take to Twitter and lament about it.
But somehow her little tweet venting about her disappointment turned into magic. Big name authors and celebrities found her tweet and shared their own dismal (and sometime humorous) book signing stories, as well as encouragement. Stephen King, Margaret Atwood, Jodi Picoult, Neil Gaiman, and Beth Moore all shared their author stories.
At my first SALEM'S LOT signing, I had one customer. A fat kid who said, "Hey bud, do you know where there's some Nazi books?"
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) December 5, 2022
Terry Pratchett and I did a signing in Manhattan for Good Omens that nobody came to at all. So you are two up on us.
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) December 5, 2022
Join the club. I did a signing to which Nobody came, except a guy who wanted to buy some Scotch tape and thought I was the help. 🙂
— Margaret E. Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) December 5, 2022
I have sat lonely at a signing table many times only to have someone approach…and ask me where the bathroom is.
— Jodi Picoult (@jodipicoult) December 5, 2022
Chelsea, during my last trade book tour (early 2020) maybe 4 people showed up for one of the locations. It is embarrassing but it surely does happen. Publishing is such a vulnerable process. It’s a rare author who has not experienced a signing no-show. Keep getting out there!
— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) December 5, 2022
Shaun Cassidy, Henry Winkler, and Flavor Flav all chimed in with encouragement as well.
YOU WROTE A BOOK.
— Shaun Cassidy (@shaunpcassidy) December 5, 2022
YO,,, Here to hype up ya next signing!!!
— FLAVOR FLAV (@FlavorFlav) December 6, 2022
That is the beginning .. then word gets out and they come ! https://t.co/SA4hCI5BYL
— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) December 5, 2022
Understandably, Chelsea’s reaction to the unexpected attention from celebrities is much what anyone’s would be.
I am freaking out
— Chelsea Banning Author (@chelseabwrites) December 5, 2022
Since her tweet went viral, her book “Of Crowns and Legends”, has soared up the bestseller list in the Arthurian Fantasy category and Chelsea is using her new-found platform to boost other authors and artists. Then Stephen King boosted her again, tagging the other celebrities and authors to promote her upcoming book signing in January, so more than two people show up.
This is Chelsea Banning's signing. Pass the word, you guys so EVERYBODY SHOWS UP! Be there, Ashtabula! https://t.co/4BepEdEwGj
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) December 11, 2022
This episode shows off the best of Twitter and the best of humanity. It’s so easy to lift someone up when they’re down and a little effort just makes a world of difference to that person. The ripple effect from Chelsea’s dismay and subsequent joy has helped other authors who thought they were alone in feeling the sting of failure from a poor showing at their own signings when, in truth, it wasn’t failure at all. Just a great example of how we aren’t alone, no matter how alone we feel.
Now it’s your turn… Tell me something good!
