I have attended several literary events lately - sometimes as the interviewer, sometimes as the author, and sometimes as an audience member. And I've noticed some serious problems with etiquette lately.
First, a woman at an event with a famous presenter and author informed the author - in front of the audience - that she didn't agree with the ending. She was rude, abrupt, and oblivious to the effect she was having. She also didn't seem to realize that she was speaking to a real live person who might have been hurt or upset by her opinions. I couldn't decide if she honestly didn't think about that, or if she just didn't care. Either way, she was convinced she was right and the author of the book (!!) was wrong.
And that wasn't the worst thing I've seen. At another event, a woman took the microphone at the beginning of the question and answer session and proceeded to give away the ending! She answered the central question of a 700-page book in a single pithy sentence, and then asked the author why he decided to frame it that way. This, to a room full of people who had JUST BOUGHT THE BOOK. Obviously, people reacted with gasps and protests. One person actually started to cry, and the woman was completely confused. She didn't understand the reaction at all, until her friend said 'spoiler alert'. And then she shrugged and asked the question again.
Just for anyone who hadn't heard.
Since people don't seem to know how to behave at literary events any more, I have some advice. You're supposed to a) praise the author b) ask intelligent questions about writing that do NOT give away plot points and c) allow the author to be the hero. It's not about you, it's about them.
It's pretty simple, really. Be nice.
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