Authors in person

Just about everyone who gets an opportunity to meet with an author in person ends up feeling mildly let down, and in some cases, grievously disappointed.

Neal Stephenson, Some Remarks

Heroes can disappoint us. Writers who spend hours crafting perfect sentences may not be nearly as engaging in person. I understand what Neal Stephenson is saying above. I just don't agree with him.

I have met and spoken with many authors over the years as a book reviewer and as a frequent attendee at literary events, and for the most part, they have impressed me, or at least not disappointed me. Most of them seemed like ordinary people, and I liked that. It was reassuring somehow. I don't want my heroes to be superheroes.

Novelist Ann Patchett has appeared at a couple of events I have attended. She was the key speaker both at an event at Kenyon College in Ohio and another at Eckerd College in Florida. I found her bubbly and personable and intelligent. Whether giving a prepared speech or answering questions, she had something interesting to say.

Jess Walter

Jess Walter is an introverted former journalist, just like me.

Laura Lippman is another former journalist who loves reading books, again just like me.

Mark Winegardner grew up in northwestern Ohio, also just like me. His high school was one of my high school's rivals.

I enjoyed talking with Alan Hlad, Cathie Pelletier, Tony D'Souza, Dandi Daley Mackall, Christopher Moore (a phone interview), Walter Tevis, Jack Mathews, Les Roberts, Donald Ray Pollock, Carla Buckley, Thirty Umbrigar and others.

I was impressed listening to talks by Richard Russo, Russell Banks, Alexander McCall Smith, David McCullough, Stewart O'Nan, P.J. O'Rourke, Susan Isaacs, Lee Smith, Amor Towles and others.

I can't think of any author who actually disappointed me in person. Perhaps if you don't put authors on a pedestal when you read their books, you will be less likely to be disappointed when you meet them in person.