Thanks to reader JES for sending along this link to An Introvert’s Bill of Rights, which appears on Shrinking Violet Promotions, a blog dedicated to providing book marketing ideas for introverts. It’s too early to say whether or not the execution of the IBR will match the concept, but idea-wise I give this an A+.
Typically, book marketing advice is geared toward either teaching you how to follow the rules of the system, or, in some cases, how to game the system.
For example, because Amazon sales rankings are based on the rate of book sales, some people will tell you to have everybody you know buy your book at the same time, thus catapulting your title up the charts (even if it’s only for a moment). That’s gaming the system.
As for following the rules of the system, you know what that looks like:
Join Toastmasters and learn how to be a public speaker! If you have an upcoming television appearance, practice in front of a mirror! Take an acting class! Try beta blockers! Practice mindful meditation! Do everything humanly possible to become someone you’re not!
What I like about the IBR is that they’re saying to hell with all that. In the world they’re creating, introversion is a virtue, a badge of honor, a strength. Introverts need to band together, articulate their shared experience, and stand up for themselves (albeit introvertedly). Why change when you can organize?
I am usually on the side of adaptation, but in some cases the play is to bend people to your will rather than submit to theirs. It’s not easy, but the long-term rewards can be great.
As Jack Nicholson’s character says during his opening monologue in The Departed, “I don’t want to be a product of my environment; I want my environment to be a product of me.” (Never mind that he gets killed at the end; he had a great run.)
8 Comments
October 20, 2008 at 9:41 pm
The rules for acceptable, normal or expected behavior in any context are inherently flawed because they are typically defined by extroverts, for extroverts. (If any introverts were consulted about these rules, I’m sure they were reluctant to voice an opinion.)
I don’t know a thing about book marketing, but trying to become something you’re not seems foolish. What’s the best-case scenario? Looking like a phony?
October 20, 2008 at 10:38 pm
I’m no joiner. But even I confess that the idea of enlisting in an army of introverts carries (for me) a lot more appeal than marching alone up to an editor and agent, smiling, sticking out my hand, and angling for a contract.
Remember on the old site, the thought exercise (or whatever it was) about how to sneak into a popular club, because doing so would be the only way to achieve Goal X (whatever it was)? Thinking about that flat-out gave me the willies.
October 20, 2008 at 10:39 pm
P.S. Thanks for providing your take on the IBR!
October 21, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Just to toss another idea on the pile — What about taking the idea of trying to become someone you’re not and gaming that?
Like sort of considering your “author self” a character you’re playing. Kind of like “Lemony Snicket. You could let your audience in on the joke if you took it far enough. Alter-egoishly.
Of course this approach would be ridiculous if you were promoting serious literary work, and you’d have to be able to pull it off.
October 21, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Great suggestion, pseudosu! Creating an “author self” is a fine topic. I’m on it.
October 21, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Because we are forced to adapt, sometimes it’s too easy to think you’ve got to keep adapting before you’ll get anywhere, especially when the overall culture demands to know, in 30 seconds, why you are fabulous. Which seems to give advantage (mostly) to the outsize personality. Thanks for writing about this site.
October 28, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Authenticity. It carries more weight than anything else when making connections, and vulnerability is the key to unlocking it. The mutual discomfort that results from the desperate attempt to play an ill-fitting role is a profound hindrance to producing any constructive communication. If you are an introvert, be an introvert. Own it. Be it. Admit it. Let your “weakness” be your strength. Your work is good enough to speak for itself, non? Let it be your voice.
November 13, 2008 at 12:03 pm
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