Keep at it, Rob. In my experience here on Substack, people are always buzzing about your work, precisely because it's well-written and strongly argued and still has a readability for a wide audience. If bookstores won't seize on and benefit from that kind of audience-in-waiting, well... fuck em', then. All the best furthering your studies and writing!
Rob, I’m a bit older than you, from the ‘hood, although with good (albeit divorced) parents. We have a similar trajectory, which includes military service. You’re finally coming to grips with the reality that even with all of the economic mobility in the US, it’s not about money; it’s about class status. The progressive elites do not want people like you - or me - in their clubs. They want tokens - step and fetch types.
People like you, by speaking the truth about how you crawled out of the muck, violate all of their shibboleths by your mere existence. And that is unacceptable.
Just keep singing your song. And trust me when I say this: you wouldn’t be comfortable in their clubs anyway. They’re insufferable close-minded, racist and classist, d-bags.
My guess would be there are two separable things going on here:
1) It's obvously true, as you say, that there are social signals that largely derive from one's adolescent schooling, to indicate you are part of the elite in-group.
2) You've broken some very serious taboos on what you're allowed to say about the progressive orthodoxy.
In my experience (see below), elites primarily use 1) to answer the question - "do I want to hang out with this person socially?".
But I bet it's the broken taboos that are the full explanation for your lack of bookstore invitations. They would not be hanging out with you, but they would be giving you a platform.
I wonder - could we start some sort of petition to a selected bookstore that would make it embarrassing for them not to invite you?
I should say that I speak with some knowledge about elite signalling, as I just couldn't be more elite in the UK sense - there are baronets in my extended family, my father is an Oxford-educated retired Cambridge lecturer, I went to private schools in Oxford, university in Cambridge, and I've been studying or working in various elite institutions since then.
Where can I find your email address? This book- and bookstore-loving Angeleno, who routinely ate from Dumpsters before landing in the 11%-graduate-college category above, would be deeply grateful if you got a chance to share your important, moving insights in these parts. I'm more than happy to connect with the bookstores I frequent on this.
Wow, this really sucks... And the next time I will go to one of the bookstores here in NYC, I will plan for at least 30 minutes and will ask to speak with someone who is responsible for events hosted there to leave a comment about your experience in person. As someone who has been able to sample your writing, I can attest to how much it has already impacted me, and how much more interested in the topic and open toward evidence I have become in general. And is that not what books can provide for people: an opportunity to meet and enter a world they could otherwise not encounter?
I will keep my fingers crossed, Rob, that you will make it to NYC -- not only because I, personally, would like to see you at such an event, but because I believe that your book is very much one of those needed in our current times to provide this essential service that books offer!
I apologize for my naïveté in advance, but have you contacted bookstores in “flyover country”? I’ve attended a book signing or two, and they were not attended at bookstores but were held within malls or department stores (for reference the city was Miami). Our local library also hosts author meetings/signings with authors promoting values and self reliance…. I have never attended a bookstore signing and coincidentally there were a few bookstore signings at the big Barnes and Noble (North Miami) (about once a year) and never once did I have any interest in the author or the book, they all seemed to be very “niche” and sort of radical or pretentious content with unlikeable authors. The signings were not well attended. The signings I attended in the other venues had quite long lines and almost a party atmosphere.
Scholastic books sells quite a lot of books and your title in particular would be quite a good fit. School libraries (I’ve been in a lot of high school libraries) have books that feature similar hopeful coming of age books that are stocked with multiple volumes that are always checked out with a waiting list. The kids really gravitate to those stories and even talk amongst themselves about the content and it’s something that the librarians and staff see, recognize and place the books prominently in stands and will also recommend them to the youth, including the very troubled children who are struggling. Low reading skill students are motivated to read the books and consequently are motivated to read, and read more. It’s a fascinating phenomenon and I think your book belongs to the masses and not the elite.
Disappointing, but not surprising. However, take heart; I must hear/read “luxury beliefs” with a mention of Rob Henderson multiple times per week which demonstrates the impact you’re having and the fear these elite intersectionalists have of you.
Rob, I admire your work. However, I don’t think bookstores refusing to host your events is because of elite gate-keeping since there is nothing elite about bookstores. (Publishers like Simon & Schuster are much more elite and they are publishing your book). I do think it’s because bookstores esp independent ones in big cities are run by people from a homogeneous milieu in terms of beliefs - many are woke conformists at this point. They don’t want anyone from their tiny world to criticize them. Separately, I think you are better off doing a bunch of cool house parties. Book events at bookstores can be nightmares since you are responsible for getting a lot of strangers to show up - there is nothing delightful about them. Whereas if you do house parties or events held by your fans you will get all your host’s friends and connections as well as people from your following who would love to see you.
"...one of the many dying legacy media outlets. " See, that's part of the equation as well. The bookstores consider themselves part of that crowd, and hold to the delusional hope that they are still the "real" media. It is not just not recognising your politics and culture that is at stake here, it is part of what they think of as defending the tribe from overthrow.
I just re-upped for another year Rob. Love your stuff.
Didn’t read all the responses here so sorry if I’m being redundant. But when you publish your book tour schedule I’d love an accompanying list of your bookstore refusals.
I can't say that I'm surprised. Most of the new bookstores in my top left corner of the US seem to be left-coded spaces, in terms of signage, inventory and employees. Some of the used booksellers are not although they seem to be a minority. I think its a bit of a captive industry Rob, and your unwillingness to support the "luck, privilege and systemic forces" worldview is just unpalatable to the people scheduling these events.
That said, in the last year I've heard your name from people and places I certainly never would have expected to. Your reach is growing and your ideas have real weight.
Pre-ordered. I grew up below the poverty line and worked nights and weekends through secondary and post-secondary. Today I'm a physician surrounded by millionaires who view themselves as aggrieved victims. We can't spend any time at hospital board meetings talking about how the public rots in hallway stretchers for days, we have to talk about anti-racism and anti-colonialism. These mf-ers want you to be their pet mascot, how dare you shit on their simplistic ideas for eutopia and world peace.
Keep at it, Rob. In my experience here on Substack, people are always buzzing about your work, precisely because it's well-written and strongly argued and still has a readability for a wide audience. If bookstores won't seize on and benefit from that kind of audience-in-waiting, well... fuck em', then. All the best furthering your studies and writing!
Rob, I’m a bit older than you, from the ‘hood, although with good (albeit divorced) parents. We have a similar trajectory, which includes military service. You’re finally coming to grips with the reality that even with all of the economic mobility in the US, it’s not about money; it’s about class status. The progressive elites do not want people like you - or me - in their clubs. They want tokens - step and fetch types.
People like you, by speaking the truth about how you crawled out of the muck, violate all of their shibboleths by your mere existence. And that is unacceptable.
Just keep singing your song. And trust me when I say this: you wouldn’t be comfortable in their clubs anyway. They’re insufferable close-minded, racist and classist, d-bags.
My guess would be there are two separable things going on here:
1) It's obvously true, as you say, that there are social signals that largely derive from one's adolescent schooling, to indicate you are part of the elite in-group.
2) You've broken some very serious taboos on what you're allowed to say about the progressive orthodoxy.
In my experience (see below), elites primarily use 1) to answer the question - "do I want to hang out with this person socially?".
But I bet it's the broken taboos that are the full explanation for your lack of bookstore invitations. They would not be hanging out with you, but they would be giving you a platform.
I wonder - could we start some sort of petition to a selected bookstore that would make it embarrassing for them not to invite you?
I should say that I speak with some knowledge about elite signalling, as I just couldn't be more elite in the UK sense - there are baronets in my extended family, my father is an Oxford-educated retired Cambridge lecturer, I went to private schools in Oxford, university in Cambridge, and I've been studying or working in various elite institutions since then.
If you extend your plans to include Toronto, I would be happy to arrange a book talk at a community college campus. We’ve hosted such events before.
Where can I find your email address? This book- and bookstore-loving Angeleno, who routinely ate from Dumpsters before landing in the 11%-graduate-college category above, would be deeply grateful if you got a chance to share your important, moving insights in these parts. I'm more than happy to connect with the bookstores I frequent on this.
Yep. Sounds about right. These are not good people.
Wow, this really sucks... And the next time I will go to one of the bookstores here in NYC, I will plan for at least 30 minutes and will ask to speak with someone who is responsible for events hosted there to leave a comment about your experience in person. As someone who has been able to sample your writing, I can attest to how much it has already impacted me, and how much more interested in the topic and open toward evidence I have become in general. And is that not what books can provide for people: an opportunity to meet and enter a world they could otherwise not encounter?
I will keep my fingers crossed, Rob, that you will make it to NYC -- not only because I, personally, would like to see you at such an event, but because I believe that your book is very much one of those needed in our current times to provide this essential service that books offer!
I apologize for my naïveté in advance, but have you contacted bookstores in “flyover country”? I’ve attended a book signing or two, and they were not attended at bookstores but were held within malls or department stores (for reference the city was Miami). Our local library also hosts author meetings/signings with authors promoting values and self reliance…. I have never attended a bookstore signing and coincidentally there were a few bookstore signings at the big Barnes and Noble (North Miami) (about once a year) and never once did I have any interest in the author or the book, they all seemed to be very “niche” and sort of radical or pretentious content with unlikeable authors. The signings were not well attended. The signings I attended in the other venues had quite long lines and almost a party atmosphere.
Scholastic books sells quite a lot of books and your title in particular would be quite a good fit. School libraries (I’ve been in a lot of high school libraries) have books that feature similar hopeful coming of age books that are stocked with multiple volumes that are always checked out with a waiting list. The kids really gravitate to those stories and even talk amongst themselves about the content and it’s something that the librarians and staff see, recognize and place the books prominently in stands and will also recommend them to the youth, including the very troubled children who are struggling. Low reading skill students are motivated to read the books and consequently are motivated to read, and read more. It’s a fascinating phenomenon and I think your book belongs to the masses and not the elite.
Disappointing, but not surprising. However, take heart; I must hear/read “luxury beliefs” with a mention of Rob Henderson multiple times per week which demonstrates the impact you’re having and the fear these elite intersectionalists have of you.
The tower of cards falls at the slightest breeze. It seems impossible to find a Progressive willing to discuss or debate a topic.
Rob, I admire your work. However, I don’t think bookstores refusing to host your events is because of elite gate-keeping since there is nothing elite about bookstores. (Publishers like Simon & Schuster are much more elite and they are publishing your book). I do think it’s because bookstores esp independent ones in big cities are run by people from a homogeneous milieu in terms of beliefs - many are woke conformists at this point. They don’t want anyone from their tiny world to criticize them. Separately, I think you are better off doing a bunch of cool house parties. Book events at bookstores can be nightmares since you are responsible for getting a lot of strangers to show up - there is nothing delightful about them. Whereas if you do house parties or events held by your fans you will get all your host’s friends and connections as well as people from your following who would love to see you.
"...one of the many dying legacy media outlets. " See, that's part of the equation as well. The bookstores consider themselves part of that crowd, and hold to the delusional hope that they are still the "real" media. It is not just not recognising your politics and culture that is at stake here, it is part of what they think of as defending the tribe from overthrow.
I just re-upped for another year Rob. Love your stuff.
Didn’t read all the responses here so sorry if I’m being redundant. But when you publish your book tour schedule I’d love an accompanying list of your bookstore refusals.
I’m both sad and mad reading this.
I can't say that I'm surprised. Most of the new bookstores in my top left corner of the US seem to be left-coded spaces, in terms of signage, inventory and employees. Some of the used booksellers are not although they seem to be a minority. I think its a bit of a captive industry Rob, and your unwillingness to support the "luck, privilege and systemic forces" worldview is just unpalatable to the people scheduling these events.
That said, in the last year I've heard your name from people and places I certainly never would have expected to. Your reach is growing and your ideas have real weight.
Pre-ordered. I grew up below the poverty line and worked nights and weekends through secondary and post-secondary. Today I'm a physician surrounded by millionaires who view themselves as aggrieved victims. We can't spend any time at hospital board meetings talking about how the public rots in hallway stretchers for days, we have to talk about anti-racism and anti-colonialism. These mf-ers want you to be their pet mascot, how dare you shit on their simplistic ideas for eutopia and world peace.