Anti-Zooming

Books are always already virtual

Someone asked if I would write about on the shift to virtual book events, zoom readings, and other pandemic-friendly moves that publishers have taken to publicize their books in my newsletter. My first response to these events, when I saw others hosting them for their launches, was: blech, nope, not doing that.

Why? Perhaps because this is, often, my response to *actual* events. Often, when I attend them, I am amazed and beyond gratified at how many people have come out of their houses to be together in a room to hear an author talk. As I am wont to say as I look at a crowd: “If it were me, I would not have showed up. That’s the beauty of books; you read them alone, at home.” (This bias against readings excludes launch parties, which I adore.)

I understand why publishers and booksellers and libraries host events, and I do not begrudge them for so doing, or others for attending, and am grateful and supportive of anyone who offers to host one for a Belt author It’s a just a personal pr…