I do want to say that the author in question is a personal friend. Although, you are probably right. Find something else to do that day. And in all honesty, even though we are friends he will never wonder why I wasn't there.

Thank you.

I'm simply grateful to learn you know any number of published authors.



Edit !important: Didn't realize this convo was happening in Fiction(Group), so my published reaction likely lacked crucial context.

I have often made a complete idiot of myself because I did not pay attention to what group a particular thread was in. Trust me, your response is not at all offensive.

It's always a treat to see him.

I went to the event when the first book of this series was published, and purchased a copy because I really couldn't get away with not purchasing it.

And the amount of money involved is not a sum I can't afford. It's just that I will probably never read any of them, and the volumes dedicated to me will never have any value, because I will never be a famous author. I mean, it's not like I'm Ernest Hemingway and my friend F Scott Fitzgerald is inscribing a book to me. I'm Poindexer Oglethorpe, and random s-f author's inscription to me is nice, but not important.

Although someday, someone else will want to read the book and will not give a flying fuck about any inscription to some anonymous person.

I think that's a pretty simple decision.

Is there some reason you think he expects you to attend?

Honesty is the best policy. Be truthful. It may harm some feelings but that will pass if the person is a real friend.

And you are right. He would not really expect me to attend, although I'm sure my presence would be appreciated. You make me realize that I don't have to attend, and don't need to explain.

I hang out in the science fiction world, and know any number of writers. While I generally like them all personally, I don't always appreciate what they write, and don't always want to read their works. It's a fine line. I generally handle it by saying as little as possible.

I am myself a rarely published writer. I only have a handful of short stories out there, so if I ask you (or anyone else) to read my work, I'm not asking for much of a commitment. And in all honesty, I have no problem if you say you are not a fan of my kind of writing.

Because I attend various science fiction things, I run into authors who are great people but whose writings I'm not very interested in. It's a dilemma, and I am thinking of one well-published author I'm friends with that I could probably consult on this.

Any further advice is appreciated.

1. Skip the event and plead a conflict of interest to avoid hurt feelings.
2. Stop by and buy a book to give as a gift to someone who may enjoy it.
3. Stop by and be honest, that this sub-genre or series isn't your cup of tea, but you wanted to show some solidarity.

I am a published author and one's big fear at a book signing is that hardly anyone will show up. Maybe stop by with a cup of his favorite coffee drink or cookies, even if you don't buy a book.

except I don't think you need to voice your opinion on the sub-genre.

I think you should go because it's important for writers to show solidarity with each other.

If you don't go, lose the excuse. That's lame. It will undoubtedly lead to false assurances and awkwardness, so just don't even say anything.