Since I re-entered the publishing world in 2007, I’ve learned the following:
Time is of the veriest essence. There just isn’t enough time to go around. Thus…
Authors are a very supportive bunch, for the most part. Yes, there’s the occasional bitch-fest, but generally we’re more like cheerleaders. Way to go! Touchdown! Score! I do participate as much as I can, but ladies, it’s tough to acknowledge every single wonderful thing that happens involving your careers when I’m struggling to find the time to finish a single WIP. So…if I don’t give you that friendly pat on the back, or rah-rah, that’s why. It doesn’t mean I’m not happy for you.
I’m still wondering if newsletters are worth it. I like the way Alexis Morgan does hers - a simple email when she has a new release, complete with a blurb and buy links. How many of you out there actually read those long author newsletters? Be honest. If you follow me, you probably know by now that what you see is what you get. I mean, in my case, it’s in the brain out the mouth. Do you want me to continue with my newsletter or would you prefer a simple email announcing upcoming releases? I guarantee you’ll be the first to hear about new releases!
Familiarity breeds contempt. Tooting your own horn all the time is not only boring, it’s counterproductive. Here’s an example, well, two examples. What ever happened to Paris Hilton? That’s hot. Over-exposed. After a while, you stop seeing the person or worse, you actively avoid seeing the person. Rachel Ray is another example. I like her, can’t say I don’t like her. She seems bubbly and genuine, although one never really knows. I used to watch her on the Food Network. But now her face is everywhere. She has her own talk show, her own magazine, cookbooks, several shows on the Food Network and I think she participates in the Next Food Network Star on occasion. I no longer see her face in that sea of faces at the checkout stand in the supermarket, and I’ve lost all interest in watching a single show she’s on. There is something to be said for, hmmm, what’s the word? Reticence? Maybe demure is a better word. No, the best word is measured. Measured exposure. That’s it. That’s what I’m trying to say.
I write on two other blogs aside from my own - with two very different and very lovely groups of writers, Seven Sexy Scribes and Nightwriters. You might want to check them out sometime. I’m not all that cool, but you would be introduced to some very unique authors. Remember time is of the veriest essence? Yeah, it’s hard to keep up, but I do love these women.
What else?
I don’t give a shit about author branding.
I’m as sick as I can be of hearing about building ‘platforms’ and ‘social networking’. If I spent as much time building a platform and networking as I’m supposed to, I’d never write another word. I do as much as I can reasonably do, and that requires 2-4 hours per day, time that could be spent writing. Don’t believe anyone who says you can build a ‘platform‘ in fifteen minutes a day. That’s a load of crap. I’ve been in the platform construction business for four years now. However, I’m not going to kill myself networking. In a perfect world, my work would speak for itself. The world is far from perfect, but to some extent, my work is going to have to speak for itself.
I love my readers and if you ever want a signed book, all you have to do is ask - bloody ask already! I have to give a shout out to Dana, the very first fan who wrote to me. Dana - ask for books!
I have a big girl crush on so many women, authors and bloggers, but some of you have gone above and beyond. I hope you know who you are because I think I would make you self-conscious by singling you out, and God forbid I should pull a Jennifer Aniston ala The Golden Globes and forget to mention the most important person, but in my mind, I’m heaping you with praise and gratitude.
Last, but not least, watch your back. Not everyone in this business thinks it’s nice to be nice to the nice. (Frank Burns, MASH) I’ve learned this lesson the hard way. Read your damn contracts, don’t sign away your soul for all eternity. Learn to edit or hire a good editor so reviewers don’t make fun of you. Don’t blab on and on about your new WIPs everywhere because other authors, God love ‘em, just might be running on empty and trolling for a good idea.
P.S. There is always room for improvement. The minute you think you know everything there is to know, you’ve screwed yourself. A good writer never stops learning to be a better writer.
P.P.S. I’m a rotten advice giver and an even more rotten advice taker.
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Great post - I love what you said about author branding.
Wow what a great rant! I think it’s really more of a manifesto!
I couldn’t agree more. I just wish I hadn’t done almost all those mistakes listed! lol
I’m on quite a few newsletter lists, and the best ones that I do read are infrequent, sometimes twice a year, announcing a new release or a personal appearance at a book convention etc… That’s all you need.
XXOO Kat
I’m not much of a newsletter gal. I figure between my website, blog, facebook, and Twitter - you’ll end up knowing everything lol. I used to have one, but yeah…I need the time to write. I’m still trying to get a hang of the social network stuff. Must be that shy girl in me
Great blog - and hey, I think you’re cool - so there!
Like Kat, I cringed thinking I’d made most of those mistakes. LOL! I don’t subscribe to newsletters because I totally wouldn’t read them. Which has left me wondering if I should do the email thing like you mentioned. Hmmm…
Fantastic post…There are too many what you should do and not enough does it really make a difference or do people care…Love your honesty…
Thanks, Rebecca. I appreciate your support.
Hi Kat! I read Alexis Morgan’s newsletter, glance at the others. I think even my own would bore me.
Ann - yup, we are all so busy and you’re like me - it’s all here on my blog! I think you’re cool too! Very!
Nina - we learn from our mistakes - if we don’t we’re in big trouble!
Savannah - I really do get tired of all the advice telling me what I should do. Every author really has to find her own way, but if you can avoid some of the biggest stumbling blocks, it’s a good thing.
Any writers who are “running on empty and trolling for a good idea” need to quit this business and get another job. If you can’t come up with your own original idea for a story, you don’t have enough creativity and imagination to be a writer.
Rah, rah, zis boom bah! Okay…no more encouragement from this old broad today. I recall well the days when you were stuck in that net, and I recall that you decided to leap out and start clawing to the surface. Congratulations on your rousing success, and I wish to hell I had your energy, girl. Right now I am back sliding two steps for every four I leap forward. You have been my friend through all the crap that has gone on, and I will always be your staunchest supporter. Bless you, love.
Awww…geez and I just started my newsletter.
Good to keep in mind that my job is writing the damn book!
I have always found you open to writing advice. Life advice I don’t know so much.
Did Aniston do that too?! I saw Swank do it when she was married to Chad Lowe at the Oscars. Heart you! Steph
Go Julia! I love this post. You’ve addressed so many subjects I think about. Especially the networking and branding. I don’t have the time if I want to write.
As far as the newsletter - I wonder the same thing. I didn’t send one out for 2 months with all the sickness and such I’d been experiencing. No one seemed to miss it and I don’t think it affected my sales in a negative or positive way.
Ah, Julia, you’re a woman after my own heart. I’m with you on the promo. Promo is a full time job in itself, and none of us can both write and do all the promo we’re supposed to. I never did believe those people who say “I promo only a half hour a day”. More likely, it was 6 hours, time they could have been writing.
I think the best thing we can do is write our books. People have to find you, so we all have to do some promo. But at the end of the day, readers will come back if you write a good book.
Thank you Linda. Yes, promo is almost a full-time job all by itself. And it’s pretty much on our shoulders.
I’m thinking just a newsletter when I have an upcoming release, so my subscribers get the news first.
Yeah, Steph. She forgot to thank Brad!
haha! Sharon, I just don’t know. I do have a lot of subscribers and I value each person who takes the time to subscribe so I want to like…I don’t know, give them presents or something! I just don’t want to bore them!
I’m in your corner, Fran. We all have to start somewhere! This has been a tough year here too. Not getting much writing done. Hang in there. I’m hoping next year will be better.
Penny - oh very yes! Get a new job!