Blogger: Wendy Lawton
I’m just back from a ten-day, twelve-event Lauraine Snelling Book Tour. We drove 1585 miles, made hundreds of connections and listened to just as many stories. As I posted several of the events on Facebook many commented that it seemed above and beyond for an agent to accompany a client on an extensive tour. It’s not unusual for me– I went with Julie Klassen on tour just six months earlier.
So why do I go, aside from the fun of road trips and the connection with my clients? Why that many days out of the office? And does it take away from my other clients? Absolutely not. It’s one of the most important things I can do. It is The Listening Tour. An agent needs to know what is happening at retail— what struggles the stores are facing. What is working? What can we do to help? What trends do they see on the horizon? As my clients are autographing books and visiting with readers I’m talking to the store owners, studying the shelves, questioning the frontliners– the sales staff. I jot notes so I can remember everything to bring back to our agent meetings. I’m listening. Hard.
The library events are equally important. We’ve met some of the most savvy book lovers among librarians. They know books and they know their patrons. They are pros at answering questions. And they are generous in sharing their expertise. All the time my writer is at work, I’m asking and listening.
The third population I listen to are the readers themselves. I need to know what they are reading, thinking, buying. This is the fun part. Those of us in the industry are many layers removed from the end user. Nothing is more important for an industry professional to get out there and listen. To soak it up.
Next Tuesday– my weekly blog day– I’m going to talk more about author tours. Which authors can be successful at them and which cannot. I’m also going to talk about what makes an outstanding tour. So stay tuned.
The crazy part of this story is that Lauraine’s tour came just a few days after I got home from ICRS– our grueling annual trade show, The International Christian Retail Show. All the agents from our agency attended. Before we ever stepped foot on our airplanes we dubbed this year The Listening Tour. We had projects to pitch and issues to discuss but our primary purpose this year was to sit down with the editors and publishers and listen. What are their challenges this year? What do they need? What trends are they spotting? What’s working and what’s not. We came away a whole lot smarter, equipped to guide our clients to meet the needs of the market and the publishers. It’s all about listening.
So was it worth it? I’ve slept in six or seven different hotels over the last month, packed and unpacked dozens of times, schlepped half a ton of bookmarks and gifts, driven hours each day, walked miles on convention floors, rushed to and from meetings, grabbed Dairy Queen at 10:00 PM because it was the first chance we had to stop and the only restaurant open, come home to over 500 emails and dozens of phone messages. Was it worth it? Yes! A resounding yes. I’m so much smarter now than I was a month ago– well, at least so much more well informed. I have valuable information to pass on to my clients. Things that can only be known when one sets out to listen. I highly recommend The Listening Tour.
But I’m preaching to the choir, right? If you didn’t believe in listening you wouldn’t be one of our blog followers. Tell us about your own listening tours.
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Jesus walked with his friends to prepare them for their mission and achieved infinitely more through such engagement than a thousand mass-production seminaries ever did. I would rather be a mile deep and an inch wide, than a mile wide and an inch deep. Do anything with this kind of intensity and it will bear fruit for years. Do it the other way and it will generally burn out quickly. You are an inspiration Wendy.
Thanks, Peter. We forget how powerful listening is. I love that you thought of the listening opportunities of jesus’ friends.
Thanks Wendy, but I must say the listening part was eclipsed, for me, by how far you went to support your writer … so gracious.
Thank you, Wendy. I am a little smarter every day because of the information shared here. A lot smarter than I used to be. I look forward to your next installment in my education.
And the truth is, Shirlee, we are smarter because we listen to the wisdom shared by our blog family.
Wendy, I love getting a sneak peek at your tour with Lauraine. It’s so sweet to see an author make such a sweet connection with their readers. I’d love to know what she talks to them about … her next book? Or maybe she answers questions? I’d love to hear her.
My listening tour? As many have said before, I look forward every day to learning what B&S has to impart to writers. And well, I speak a few times a year on surviving hardships victoriously … and I never forget the ladies that come to me afterwards to share their difficult stories with me. People are hurting. And I think if writers can offer something to make one smile, laugh, release those tears, and trust God more, they are living a wonderful tour.
Next tuesday I’m going to talk about Lauraine’s tour specifically. Stay tuned.
The one literary tour I did was a series of book signings locally when “Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart” came out (that went well enough that the managers asked me to come back for a second and third event).
* What I learned was that there are a lot of people whose lives are touched by PTSD, and who never thought they’d find a realistically hopeful novel on the subject. I talked more in those 3-4 hour sessions than I usually do in a month, but I listened far more than that.
* What I also learned is just how much I like, or perhaps love readers. I want them to be happy; I want my words to give them hope, faith, and the ability to face life with a smile.
Andrew, if you loved doing the event and love readers you are blessed. Too many writers find it excruciatingly painful.
In a culture where we’re directed to stand out, to be heard, listening seems to be a lost art. I love that you ladies Listened at ICRS, and that you Listened on Lauraine Snelling’s tour. It’s not surprising you learned so much!
Some of my best listening tours are unrelated to writing. They’ve come as I’ve set aside other tasks and focused on listening to my children. When they’re struggling, when they need a chance to connect, that listening knits our hearts together. Listening to friends, family work through the knots of life . . . Listening as mentors show me how to make my stories stronger . . . these have been some of the best listening tours I’ve been a part of.
You know, Jeanne, my oldest daughter’s favorite times with me are when I sit and listen to her. She loves to talk and share her heart …. It’s not always easy to talk little and listen lots, but it’s rewarding. Those are the moments my daughter treasures.
Shelli, how wonderful that she still wants to talk and share her heart with you. You’ve obviously done a lot of things right in raising her. My prayer is that, as our boys hit the teen years, they’ll still talk with me on a heart-level. Trying to nurture that now. 🙂
Brava, Jeanne! Those hours spent listening to your kids are gold. I used to love long rides to town with one of the kids– something about being seated next to each other was non-threatening– the perfect chance to listen.
They ARE gold, Wendy. My boys are fanatical readers. Right now, they usually prefer to read in the car rather than talk. 🙂 Hopefully, as they grow they’ll either engage more, or we’ll find those other opportunities to talk.
I’ve had the honour of spending time with my Navajo mentor and his family, and will see them again in September. One thing I learn roughly 20 minutes into a road trip with Ted Charles and his wife Evie was that Ted could tell a story, and spin a yarn!
Evie learned something in those 20 minutes also, At about minute 21, his wife laughed and looked out her window and said “Ted, I think you’ve met your match.”
I haven’t listened, laughed,and learned as much in 6 days as I did in that time with them.
In a culture that values elders and their wisdom, you can bet the stories are breath-taking. Yes, I recorded many of them.
After ACFW, I’ll be flying to New Mexico to spend more time with the Charles family. AND I’ll be taking part in a “focus group”, which is a nice way to say I’ll sit in a circle of Navajo readers and hear what they have to say about my work. I cannot wait!!!
You’ve joined a long tradition of storytellers. (Surely that doesn’t make you the red-headed stepchild?)
Listening seems to be a lost art, yet how can we learn or form a relationship or contribute to anything in a meaningful way without listening? I love everything you wrote in this post, Wendy, and I’m grateful that you and all at Books & Such are willing to share your new and improved smarts with us here.
It’s one of the reasons we all came back from ICRS feeling hopeful and energized. We listened and we like the signs. I noticed that many who are wringing hands and talking about the sky falling did not attend our trade event. It’s so important to listen to the big picture– to get an overview.
Wendy, once again, a great post. I feel I’m in a season of listening. As a not-yet-published author, I am soaking up everything I can from resources like this blog (thank you!), agents/publisher sites, Twitter, etc. There is so much rich information. I guess you could say I “tour” about half a dozen sites every morning to see what the new topics are…then check in with the rest from my RSS feeds. Remembering that listening is hearing that requires action (if only active understanding), the hard part is DOING something with what I listen to on a daily basis. Such as applying suggestions to my own writing.
Teresa, I can relate to the season of soaking it up pre-published. Hearing does require action, and it’s encouraging to know we have a community to travel the publishing path with.
I’m so glad you pointed out that listening is active not passive, Teresa.
You have no idea the difference between pre-published writers who are seeking to understand publishing by joining the online community, learning and listening; against those who don’t have a clue and stumble in with a sense of entitlement. They haven’t a chance. They have no idea how impressive their competition looks comparatively.
Wendy, well that’s good to hear. 🙂 You and the other agents at Books and Such are making this season so rich and productive for me. Thanks for that!!
Wendy – such an overlooked and critical piece of this business — any business, really, like maybe family? By the way, I’ll bet you have packing down to a science.
Except when it comes to the final unpacking at home. For some reason that one seems insurmountable. 🙂
BTW, welcome to the Books & Such family!
What a fabulous idea, Wendy. Everyone loves to be listened to. It gives me a thrill to know that you guys put such a high value on listening to those who are closest to the customer and therefore the customer herself. I guess attending a writer’s conference every year for eleven years, reading agent blogs, and writing books comprise my own Listening Tour. I also chat with our local librarian and the workers at our local Indy book store. Looks like I’m listening more than I realized. I can tell you that I have learned so very much just from being a fly on the wall in blogs like this. Thank you.
You know, it’s funny but we are finding listening a new “secret weapon” in getting solid work for our clients. When we hear a publisher express an interest or a need we are able to turn ourselves inside out to meet that need. Of course it is our brilliant clients– they’ve learned to turn on a dime.
Wendy, it’s apparent the Lord has blessed you on your listening tours.
Most the time when I feel most overwhelmed, I need to listen better.
I’m scared that I’m doing everything wrong as I become a better advocate for my daughter’s learning differences. Listening to parents who have been through similar experiences helps.
My heart wrenches over and over as I face the reality that my husband has turned from his belief in Almighty God, from a god of any kind. But I’m learning to listen through the tears and the soul ache. Most importantly, I’m heeding God’s words of hope.
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Jenni, your words made my heart ache for you, as I could so relate to your tears and “soul ache.” I just wanted you to know that I’m praying for you and your husband–and for your daughter.
You are so wise to heed to God’s words of hope. Truly, that makes all the difference. He is so good to give hope upon hope.
Hugs to you!
Bless you, Judy. Your prayers are powerful.
Jenni, I know that no words can assuage the grief and fear you’re feeling now, nor can words provide comfort through the dark and icy nights that seem to spill over into the day. Please know that you, your husband, and your daughter are in my prayers. And please, even if you can’t trust to hope, nurture the mustard-seed of belief that there IS hope, and that the sun will shine on your family again.
Thank you, Andrew. Your vulnerability and words of encouragement on this blog are life giving.
Jenni, I am praying for you.
Shelli, I appreciate your prayers and compassionate heart.
Aww, Jenni.
My heart goes out to you.
And since your heart is ENORMOUS, I feel extremely cared for. Thanks!
My dearest Jenni, I’m so deeply sorry for the burden you’re carrying. As we know, God is indeed a God of miracles and, yes–hope (always and forever). I’m praying for your strength, resilience, and witness during this life season, and I’m praying, too, for the heart and mind of your husband to be receptive to the Truth.
Let it be so, Father! xo
One of the greatest things that has come out of this painful time is the wonderful communication between me and my husband.
Thank you for your kind words and prayers, Cynthia.
Jenni, I don’t know a better listener than you. I think it comes naturally. And I know you are covering each challenge with love. We can’t rush to the end of the book but I’m pretty sure there’s a hope-filled ending. (And a great story along the way that will end up being fodder to encourage others for years to come.) God’s not done with this yet, y’know.
Thank you, Wendy. What a great blessing you are.
What a fabulous journey! Sharing, learning and seeing!!
I’m not published yet, so my Listening Tour isn’t about my book. But My Sweet Husband and I attended the 108th Rinehart Family Reunion in Oregon recently. Oh, my…lots of listening going on!! Several presentations from cousins on wonderful adventures! One family took a 51 in 50 Days trip…they visited 50 State capitals in 51 days!! Yikes!! But loved listening to their story!!
The one that touched my heart was a grandmother telling about spending the summer as a nine-year-old with her Alaskan bush pilot uncle. He was recently inducted into the Oregon Aviation Hall of Fame.
Watching and listening to people is inspiring!!
Thanks for your story Wendy!
Collecting those stories is pure joy. that’s the kind of listening I love. Advice? Write it all down. I can’t believe how many details I’ve forgotten and there’s no one to ask this side of heaven.
Wow, how awesome that you go on those tours with your author. I really appreciate that you would do that. It shows your value and investment in their career.
I’m looking forward to your post next week.
Pretty impressive, huh? 😉 Of course I stress the work– sounds much more impressive– but my clients are my favorite people and a road trip with my favorite people? Pure fun.
Wendy, I loved hearing about your tour with Lauraine–especially a joy since I know both of you and can just imagine the delightful laughter between you two on your road trip.
Thanks for all your listening to so many and for the resulting encouragement you imparted today.
And you know road trips, Judy. I used to wish I could join you and Karen road tripping to Mount Hermon.
Such a fascinating blog post, Wendy! My listening tour happens here and on other industry blogs. It also happens when I visit authors on tour and I get a chance to listen to their wisdom and experience. I recently went to hear Julie Klassen on tour, as well as Lauraine (as you know!), and I learned so much from each one. I try to listen and learn as much as I can from all kinds of sources.
We loved seeing you in Upsala, Gabrielle. Especially since you were just coming off a writer’s retreat hosted at your house and book signings with your partners in crime. (Talk about fun!)
It does help to see how different people do this. Each writer needs to find his or her own way of connecting to the readers and the smart writer listens and observes.
Welcome back. Sounds like an amazing trip. I can’t wait to read next week’s post.
Listening is something I’ve always struggled with. At my last writer’s group meeting I think I cut people off at least three times (naughty me). Active listening is an art form. It needs to be practiced. My motto this year has been “Silence is Golden.” I’m still working on it.
Detroit Lakes??? I was just in Detroit Lakes! My grandmother turned 90, and we stayed at a hotel in DL.
So the real question is this: how many mosquitoes bit you while you were there? 🙂
none. amazing I know. I saw one in a cabin in ID at the retreat I led after the road tour. My friend smashed the bugger immediately. I consider myself blessed. Mosquitos scream in delight when they see me. “Fresh blood! Get her.”
We love Detroit Lakes and were so wishing we could have stayed there longer. Great people, lots going on. And they love to read.
LOL, Lauraine! Mosquitoes love me in the same way. Glad they never cornered you. 🙂
Let me tell you Wendy worked harder on this tour than I did as she did all the driving, besides listening like she said. Each tour we’ve learned a lot about how to make it better. It seems strange that we need to train our venues on how to do a great job. Some already know how, but more don’t. From advance promo to setting up, to getting books in place if they are not a bookstore. Word of mouth is as always, the most successful way to get the word out. The same holds for any book signing event you do. Make is as easy for the venue as possible and a helpful list of possible to do’s a good way to start. Forget the bookstore only idea and brainstorm yourself a list of possible venues. We did libraries, book stores, Historical societies, Sons of Norway lodges, luncheons. Make your list and start working it. Every presentation is good training for the next one.