Ben Thompson
An author has won the support of the internet after she revealed that she cried 'all the way home' when nobody turned up for her book signing.
Suzanne Young tweeted out an image of an empty bookstore, alongside the caption: "If you ever want to see a career low point, this is it.
"Crying my entire way home."
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The New York-based author had been waiting for fans to show up in a Barnes and Nobles on March 29th.
Young had been there to promote her new book In Nightfall, described as a 'creepy vampire horror novel'.
Since tweeting about the disappointing turn out, Young has been hit with a wave of support from across the internet, as her tweet gained more than 28,000 likes.
Many authors publicly made their support known, and reassured Young that she wasn't the only writer to have experienced such disappointment.
Michael Northrop, a bestselling graphic novel author, offered reassurance, tweeting: "It stings, but it’s a blip."
Author Lija Fisher chimed in by saying: "I was at an event with two other authors, nobody came, so we photoshopped in an adoring crowd."
Young herself was blown away by the support and thanked her well wishers in a follow up tweet: "I’m overwhelmed by your kindness and support! Thank you—thank you so much!!
"We have a new link to my dear local bookstore for signed copies of IN NIGHTFALL!"
Many reassured Young that she would one day have a room full of people, whilst others enquired about buying her latest book.
Young isn't the first author to have experienced crushing disappointment at a book signing before.
In December 2022, authors such as Margaret Atwood and Neil Gaiman shared their own humbling moments in a Twitter thread.
It all started when fantasy author Chelsea Banning tweeted: "Only 2 people came to my author signing yesterday, so I was pretty bummed about it.
"Especially as 37 people responded ‘going’ to the event. Kind of upset, honestly, and a little embarrassed."
In response, Gaiman tweeted: "Terry Pratchett and I did a signing in Manhattan for Good Omens that nobody came to at all. So you are two up on us."
Atwood, best known for The Handmaid's Tale, also chimed in: "I did a signing to which nobody came, except a guy who wanted to buy some Scotch tape and thought I was the help."
If Gaiman and Atwood are anything to go by, Young can be encouraged by the thought that humbling book signings are part of the journey to being a world famous author.