When I picked my son up from preschool the other day, he told me his teacher had called me “the famous author Jim Heskett.” That got me thinking about writers and fame.
Because I am clearly not famous. But, as a working author, the concept of “famous” authors is amusing in general.
How many famous authors are there? JK Rowling, Stephen King, Lee Child?
You could say Dean Koontz and Andy Weir are “famous,” but would you recognize Dean Koontz if you saw him standing in line at Chipotle in a ballcap and sunglasses?
Maybe if you were a diehard fan who’s watched every interview he’s done on the morning news shows.
Otherwise, probably not. The average person would absolutely recognize Will Smith or Meryl Street asking for extra corn salsa at Chipotle.
John Grisham, though? Maybe.
This whole concept of “fame” for 99.9% of authors is a myth. It got me wondering where it came from. I’m thinking of old TV shows, with authors in tweed coats and suede patches (or is it suede jackets with tweed patches? I can never remember), smoking a pipe and living in a big mansion with a gate and a bodyguard…
…that was the plot of Magnum PI, right?
In reality, it’s not like that at all. Most authors are not even close to being rich and/or famous. The vast majority of authors still have day jobs, because selling books is a tough, tough business.
I’ve been in this publishing game for quite a while, and I’m nowhere near famous. I’m nowhere near rich. I don’t get recognized at Chipotle.
I mean, I drive a Honda. I’m not living rap video chic over here.
(NOT PICTURED: MY LIFE)
So why do people think that being an author automatically makes you famous and/or rich? Is it because the average person assumes that if you have a book out, that you’re on private jets, flying to book signings in Monte Carlo, and attending high society parties in New York?
If only that hypothetical average person only knew that 90% of being an author is spent hunched over a keyboard, trying not to get carpal tunnel :)
In the internet age, anyone could theoretically become famous. Anyone with a phone and an internet connection can make and upload a video that could potentially be seen by millions (or even billions).
It’s a strange time we live in when almost half of the accounts on Instagram are influencers, that is, there to sell you something.
So, what’s my point? Authors are regular people. No different than construction workers or restaurant dishwashers or social workers or call center tech support reps… all of which are jobs I previously held before I became an author.
Except I have the unique ability to take someone, put them in a story, and kill them on the page. But only if you cross me.
So, I suppose that’s my actual point: don’t cross me, mortals, or I shall kill you in my fiction. :devil emoji: