A new writer tweeted about a low book signing turnout, and famous authors commiserated

Chelsea Banning watched in disbelief as authors like Neil Gaiman and Margaret Atwood told her of their experiences with low turnout at book signing events. (Chelsea Banning)

Nearly 40 people had RSVP'd to Chelsea Banning's first official book signing at an Ohio bookstore on Saturday. She told the store owner to brace himself for a full crowd. But when the doors opened for her event, only two showed up.

"For a while I felt like I was throwing my book into the void and getting nothing," she told NPR. "This felt like last straw."