This is the third post in a series of 12 ways to help authors (and your writing) by reading. 
I know most authors aren’t rich and famous. Heck, most people don’t even mention an author by name. I’m guilty of this too.
You’ve overheard this or been a party to that conversation about a book, right?
“You know the book about the sheep quitting?” {Can’t Sleep Without Sheep by Susanna Leonard Hill} or “That book where the kids are put in an arena to kill.” {The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins} Most comments are followed by “It’s on the tip of my tongue” or snapping fingers. The speaker can’t remember the title or the author’s name.
I’m sure many authors don’t mind that their name {or title} is forgotten. She simply appreciate the reader remembers the story.
Not naming an author won’t break the universe, but it doesn’t help an author trying to get established. When I hear a title or an author mentioned, I often look up other work. One mention and suddenly, I’m checking out multiple books. There’s value to naming an author to a potential reader.
This is one thing I will do this year — I will name authors and the titles of their books. For picture books, I’m trying to add the illustrators too. To accomplish this, I will use Google or Amazon or my library’s catalog to complete a quick search. If I can’t remember the title and author or find it, I will bow out of a conversation in person or on social media. It’s early in the year, but so far I am on track.
Do you name an author when you talk about book titles?
Reading: I continue to read Divergent by Veronica Roth. I fear I may have a difficult time skipping over Roth’s next novel Insurgent, but I have The Book Thief by Markus Zusak next on my list. I know my list is so 2012 or 2013, but this is why I’m trying to read more. I’m behind!
If you missed any of the Reader University posts,
- I share why I’m doing Reader University here.
- My first post Reader University: Try
- My second post Reader University: Read
My first post is being published on the Pikes Peak Writers Blog — Writing from the Peak today. Nothing like repurposing our work to feel like real writers.
I am terrible at names (it’s why, or one of the reasons why, I hang out with the food at a party instead of mingling and socializing). But I do try to remember an author’s name if I want to bring him or her up in a conversation. I want people to be able to look the author up and, as someone who hopes to have a book out and be remembered for her own name, I feel like it’s the courteous thing to do. 🙂
I can’t imagine you terrible at anything! Good that you always remember the name of the author.
Not always but if I can’t remember, I look it up before I start a combo. 😉
And you’re too kind. I’m terrible at a lot of things!
I really do try to remember names for precisely the reasons you mentioned, Stacy, but I too am better at authors than illustrators I’m embarrassed to say. As for skipping Insurgent, good luck 🙂 I’ve got Allegiant on my list and the only reason I haven’t devoured it yet is because I haven’t had time! I love Veronica Roth’s stories! Also Suzanne Collins’s, and thank you very much for putting my name in such close proximity to hers – it makes me feel a little bit famous 🙂
You are famous Susanna! I stayed up way too late last night and thought … I’m not sure I can wait either.
Guilty! But I’m really trying to be better. I remember a lot more authors than illustrators. And it’s not that I don’t love the illustrations. In fact they get credit for the art that leads to pick a lot of books off the shelves.
Funny about what you’re reading. I just finished Divergent last week and started The Book Thief! I’m skipping over Insurgent for now, too, even thought I loved Divergent. Great minds 🙂
I know with the movies Divergent and The Book Thief have received a lot of press. I added them to my list along with a few others when the big publishing houses dropped some of the ebook prices. I loaded up on several books. (Plus I had a story idea that seemed similar to Divergent. After reading it, yep, I’m no where near that story line.)
I want to read The Book Thief too and terrible with names thingamabob.
Yep. That name thingamabob is tricky sometimes!
You make a great point about mentioning author names and being a part of establish the author. There is something really good, progressive about that. Words are energy and we spread it, with goodwill. Nice. I will remember to do it too. I am not great with names so this is a great reminder to be mindful about it. I am reading “Radical Acceptance” by Tara Brach. It is helping me!!
Should have edited. I was Tony the Tiger -everything was ‘great.’ Which means I was woken up by a random iPhone alarm blaring downstairs.
At 5am.
True Sue “Words are energy and we spread it, with goodwill.” Thanks.
I TRY to name the author and title when recommending a book verbally, but sometimes, one or the other is “on the tip of my tongue” while I snap my fingers for a couple of minutes, and then give up. And then, usually, after the person leaves, I remember the title/author/whatever (this happens a lot). I never thought about naming the illustrators. I like what Ms. Hill says. 😉
I always remember things after the people leave Erik or it pops into my head at some random moment. Thanks for stopping by.
Sometimes I can remember details about the author, from an interview, but not their name. I did that with Hunger Games, remembering a statement she’d made about why she wrote the book. But I couldn’t remember her name!
I understand about the Hunger Games book. I believe I heard the story and first blocked it out of my mind. Now, I’m a huge fan of the series.