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.
