The business of selling books gets trickier all the time. That’s why bookstores more and more resemble clubs these days; rare is the bookstore that does not design or adapt space for what is fast becoming the standard for selling books: author appearances. It’s not just doing Oprah, either. Authors are often being booked on tours that reach well beyond traditional venues and homey little reading circles. It’s a resounding reminder that while the pursuit of art is noble indeed, the bottom line is whether a book will sell. And what makes a book sell can be very much dependent on the writer’s aplomb with the public.
The idea for the Chronicle‘s “In Person” portion of the books section has its roots in the music section’s “Live Shots” reviews; with so many writers on tour, why not review or recommend the appearance as well as the book? It’s been an enlightening venture: Authors are every bit as colorful and varied as musicians — maybe more so. A number of these reviews unexpectedly piled up over the last few weeks, so many that they seemed to take on a life of their own. Or an entire book section, anyway. — Margaret Moser
This article appears in October 3 • 1997 and October 3 • 1997 (Cover).