Are a lot of authors recluses?

Question

As in never giving an interview or done a book signing?

Answer 1

I know of some that are, and some that are extroverts.

I'm somewhere in the middle. I'm basically quite shy. My instinct is to edge to the back. When I'm centre stage, I'm not comfortable, but I've done it. I had a book signing and even suffered a radio interview (can be accessed from my blog). I was quite nervous but I got through it.

One of my writer friends is just the opposite. She was a teacher, and is quite at home in front of a crowd, in fact I think she relishes centre stage.

Maybe more are shy, or at least comfortable with their own company, because it is rather a lonely business.

Anthony James Barnett - author

Answer 2

I'd say a lot of unsuccessful authors become recluses partially because nobody really cares.  ;)

Some writers like Salinger become recluses after enjoying some initial success.    In terms of fiction writing, I think it's easy to underestimate the difficulty and time-commitment of the work.    One can easily spend 80-100 hours a week (for many weeks at a time) working on a story or chapter.   When you're really 'in a groove', I think the last thing you're thinking about are interviews or book signings.