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I'm a big "un-fan" of the sudden-appearance blog comment (or Facebook stream intrusion) promoting a book during a good conversation about some semi-related topic. It's kinda like your in real life example of passing out info during someone else's presentation or speaking only of your own book rather than talking craft or whatever. It's always better to be part of a community rather than the selling intruder....

Hey I don't post here often. I just wanted to say that I like your content and I agree with this list. I'd also love for you to check out my new book. Click here to buy it on Amazon.

That. So annoying.

#10 Can't pay the vet bills for your ailing orphaned kitten? Why not buy my book and club the useless moggy to death with it? At $5.99, it's way cheaper than that kitty colonectomy.

I also love the constant stream of RTs that consist of nothing but other people's compliments about you. Sure, if you get a great review or a high-profile blurb, by all means RT, but every single blog post in the universe in which someone said they liked your work or thought you were swell? Yeah, no thanks.

Hi Gregory,

The first time someone in the audience started waving their own book around during one of my presentations, I just stood there, gobsmacked. I'm still not wuite sure how to handle it.

I recently jumped on the Twitter bandwagon and all of a sudden I understand all the impatience with self-promotions, RTs, and shameless plugs within inappropriate contexts.

It IS difficult, especially for those self-published, to find appropriate means to market their books. I get that. I'm a writer. But pushing aside relational courtesy, no matter the reason, is probably never successful.

Austin, you had me worried there for a minute :)

Hi Jenn,

It's a shame we can't have a set official guidelines so folks can see where the line is between 'Well-intentioned (but misguided) self promotion' and 'Annoying the heck out of potential readers' :)

This isn't one that affects me so much as friends who've self-published, but I've gotten a few:

#10 Hey! I'm an author, too. You buy my book and I'll buy yours. We can trade 5-star reviews. AUTHORS SUPPORT AUTHORS!!!

Yes, authors support authors, but not like this.

The implication is that buying a book is a favor - or worse, a service - someone does for an author. The review is payment - something owed to the author. And in theory the two book sales would cancel out the profit/loss aspects of selling/buying. So, there's no much to be gained from the system for the author.

Hi Julie,

I'm with a small, traditional press, so as far as book-promotion goes, I'm pretty much in the same boat as self-published authors. It's not easy to get form people's 'Never heard of him/her list to their 'Name rings a bell list,' but when we do finally make it there, I think it's important they remember us in a good way.

As you say, no matter the reason, when it comes to sales, a lack of courtesy rarely gets you what you want.

Thanks for sharing :)

Hi Josin,

I totally agree. The mutual 5-star review (or it's equally obnoxious cousin, the self-review under a sock puppet identity) give all writers a bad name :(

What a great post. This is exactly what turns me off Twitter.

Bravo!

Good article. It's true. It's easier to get someone to NOT buy your book, then to get them to buy it.

I like your examples, Jon.

Nathan,

I do enjoy the posts you have on your blog and frequently visit. However, this post covers quite a few examples of soft-sell marketing that is one of the few avenues left. Yes, half of the list is obnoxious, but several points (2, 4, 9) are fairly standard and accepted practices. Past that, other writer websites have lists that cover many other “taboo” points.

I hate to say it, but we, the self-published author, have scorned ourselves to the point that there really are no avenues for gaining readership without someone shouting “Shameless self-promotion!”. In all honesty, these listed taboos do sometimes go into the tasteless category, but we have become such promotional snobs as a collective group that we are killing all forms of free promotion.

And, let’s be frank, professional advertising agencies, hired by major corporations, have no such scruples and will employ any means necessary to perform, as long as the avenue is cost effective. Where this article talks about unhealthy practices, it’s really a veil for “you are too broke to be an author, so stop being my competition!”.

We have become our own worst enemies.

What Jenn said about the constant retweets whenever someone compliments you. So. Annoying. Unfollow!

Ha! I'm willing to bet a small amount of cash that the people who do these things don't have books worth reading.

anon-

On 2 and 4 I don't think it's that Jon is saying "Don't do it," just saying there's a way to do it.

I agree with him on 9 - I feel like an auto-reply with a book link is off-putting when you get it the second you follow someone. I tend to not be in favor of automated solutions in social media - it's supposed to be about the human touch.

And Anonymous 2:16pm: 2, 6, and 9 are some of my particular pet peeves. ESPECIALLY 9. I usually unfollow immediately if someone does this to me.

Engaging audiences on Twitter takes more effort than this. I'm much more likely to look up someone's work if they answer one of my tweets or respond when I answer one of theirs.

Thank you, Jessica, David and Mira :)

Thanks, Jessica, David and Mira :)

I don't know how completely this falls under marketing techniques but recently I've been seeing authors with fund-raising campaigns, promising sponsorship lists inside the front cover &/or free copies of the completed work for each donation.

Maybe I've been living under a rock but I've never encountered this before and it just seems very backwards and odd to me. I don't mind supporting a writer by buying his book after it is completed. But sending funds to support the writer's jobless state until a book is published? (or for the editing, covers, etc.) I don't get it & I find it very off-putting.

I've seen #2 referenced on several Amazon forums, where this sin is second only to self-promotion outside Meet Our Authors.

It serves no useful purpose, because there is absolutely no way of knowing whether or not authors are telling the truth.

Forum participants tend to err on the side of caution. They assume the offer is a scam, and the author is a dishonest ** who will never get a cent of their money.

Wow, all those marketing techniques would definitely be annoying. It shows that some writers have a strong sense of entitlement; they think that they "deserve" readers and success. They don't think that they have to earn them, and they're wrong.

This comment has been removed by the author.

I have a friend who recently self-published a book of poetry. This person is a good friend whose company I enjoy, but who seems not to know when to stop promoting said book on Facebook. It got to the point where I had to hide the person completely from my news feed inorder to avoid popping off and saying something I'd regret later. :/

Hi Anonymous,

If you're doing 2, 4 and 9, and they're for you, then great. However, when it comes to self-promotion, I've a feeling most writers simply copy what they see others doing (or what they think others are doing), then wonder why their sales aren't through the roof.

Self-promotion is hard work, and we have to get out of our comfort zone to do it. The trouble is, I think too many people focus so hard on getting out of their comfort zone, they don't pay attention to the zone they're getting in to.

I think I covered my main concerns about method #2 in enough depth with the actual post so let's look at #4 and #9.

#4: Pimping yor work at every opportunity, during a talk or panel discussion on writing.
Personally, when I go to a talk or panel discussion about writing, it's the subject which interests me, not the author - though if I know the speaker(s), it can make a difference. Of course I expect the author to mention his/her book, but in passing, or perhaps at the end of the talk. I've sat through presentations in which the speaker refers to his/her book at every opportunity. I've yet to buy from such a person.
On the other hand, I have a whole stack of signed books purchased from speakers whose talks I enjoyed.

As for #9: Instant 'Check out my book' message to all new social media friends and followers Most of the ones I receive are from people who chose to follow or friend me first. Since I follow back as a matter of courtesy, it makes me feel they only 'friended' me in the first place, so they could pimp their work. Aside from the basic rudeness of trying to sell someone something as soon as you've met, I really don't think it works.

I hope that makes sense :)

Haha "someday he hopes to figure out how to switch it on" :D great list! Sometimes I feel like writers are too desperate to get sales and couldn't care less about the quality of the writing, itself. Stay classy, people; writing is an art FIRST, business SECOND. Always has been, always will be. :D

I've had a few people over the years come to the writers group I facilitate just to try to advertise their book (I don't allow that). I also have people show up to receive a critique of their work, but then they leave before they can give feedback to anyone else. Some people write solely for acknowledgement. It generally shows in the quality of their writing.

10: Pitching a review for their book through a misspelled Twitter @ message, when it is not hard to find my email address.

11. Misspelling my name and saying "I'm a big fan" when... my name is in the email address. That I understand is something that could happen by accident, especially if you know a Sarah not a SARA that you see every day, but come on, pay attention to detail.

This is more subtle, but authors who join Goodreads and then rate/review their own books and NO OTHERS just annoys me to no end. Negates the whole point of the site and often makes that author look completely self-serving to me.

Facebook is evil. :)

One technique that's been annoying me lately is when an author "invites" me to an release event that emails me with every posting. It's bad enough to be mass-invited at all (especially if it's for a B&M release party that's nowhere near me), but I can deal with deleting one email from them. However, when the event sends out spam with every update, I'm forced to "decline" the invitation, and I hate feeling like I'm not being supportive of my friends. Boo.

Number 3 happened to me and my very busy critique group last thursday. I was in the middle of an important discussion on whether I should do so and so to character A or character B. I needed the imput and it was an important conversation. All of a sudden some chic walks up to our table and starts handing out her cards. She interrupts me, mid-sentence mind you, and says, "I'm promoting my new book and overheard you talking about writing. I'm sure you'll be interested in my novel." She points at her card. "I'd love it if you'd LIKE me on Facebook. The link is right there."
No excuse me, no I'm so sorry to bother you. She just butts in, and interrupts us. I was so annoyed with her I lost my train of thought and still can't recall what I had wanted to say to my crit group.
Grrrr!
I tore the card up.
I won't be LIKING anything that author does.
Thanks for the list. It's awesome.
Have a great evening :)
Tamara

Begging family and friends to purchase your book online unless you stand over their computer with them at the keyboard and a 45 pointed at their head. Then it seems to work.

#1--I think I'd be too nervous to do this even if a news event were eerily similar to something in a book I wrote, just because it seems so opportunistic and dismissive. "Oh, that shooting that killed all those people? Something JUST like that happened in my book! I bet you'd love to read about it during this time of shock and grief!"

#2 appalls me. It's exploitative unless it fits one of the conditions you listed, and sometimes it feels like the recipient of the charity is a hostage. "Buy my book or this kitten dies!"

I got hit up by a guy at the airport this summer. I thought something was up. He would study everybody who was reading a book in the waiting area, then move in to where he was sitting next to them. Then he'd wait for them to look up and offer them a slip of paper with his name, title and URL on it. I had a pretty good idea what he was doing by the time he got to me. Really, really strange airport behavior, though.

A new one to me is someone using an Amazon review to plug a similar book. Under my other pen name, someone (who clearly hadn't read the book, but only the blurb) left a 4 star review (I'm grateful it wasn't one star! lol) but then mostly talked about how they'd enjoyed this similar book (with the link 2-3 times). When I looked at their reviews, all of them were doing this for a few other books. Not only is this annoying, but it's also deceptive.
Many well-known self-pubbed authors say the best promotion is your next book...while this may not be 100% true, it seems better than risking making a nuisance of yourself. :)

Great post. There's another I would add, not because of the strategy, but because of its seeming abuse by certain authors. On twitter, some writers will put an intriguing line from their book. I actually find this interesting...until you see ten more tweets from the same author about the same book within a few minutes. I think it would be more effective to space those out.

The self-published authors (or any authors, really) who are constantly complaining that they MUST do these things to sell the puny handful of books they do should try listening to the people who actually self-publish for a living and spend their time **writing more books**. Works for me and a couple dozen of my writer friends, no exaggeration.

Wonderful tips, but unfortunately the publishing world is changing and they are closing bookstores faster than certain internet connections. If the book has Simon and Schuster as the publisher, the author can finally go on a world cruise or sit at home feeding the cat. Independent authors on the other hand, will have to get creative and sometimes creative is annoying. I guess it boils down to technique, slight of hand and magic.

I went to Bouchercon last month & attended a panel where one of the authors, when answering a question, would hold up a copy of her book & precede to tell everyone what she or her protagonist did in that book, even though it didn't even slightly relate to the question. It was embarrassing to watch & provided fodder for a weekend full of jokes at her expense. She killed any interest in her book. Perfect example of what NOT to do.

I have started getting e-mails from authors of upcoming releases through Bostick Communications. I guess this is a little different as they are trying to distribute ARCs for reveiw but I REALLY don't need any more e-mails and I have no idea how I got on this list in the first place. :-(

#10 - Send a newsletter about you and your book(s) to people you don't even know and who never signed up for it. I really, really hate this. I get so much email already, then to add unwanted promo about something I don't even care about irritates me to no end.

This happened just the other day and it was from an author published by my publisher (Harlequin) who's a total stranger to me. The idea that because we have the same publisher suddenly makes me fodder for junk mail is incredibly annoying. I've already forgotten her name so being on her email blast did her no good anyway.

The best way to sell books is to make sure you've written a damn good one that people will talk about. Word of mouth is the best promotional tool there is. When you spam people using the methods on Nathan's list the only word coming out of their mouths will be unkind ones.

My biggest beef these days is on Facebook: Being invited to an "Event" that is a virtual event or being added to a group without being asked first. In both cases, I blame FB's interface much more than the author because FB should be giving us the option NOT to be added and NOT to automatically get notifications.

But as Jami pointed out above, opting out of an event can give the impression of being unsupportive. I've started choosing "Maybe" and then turning off notifications. Again, this wouldn't be an issue if FB would have "NO notifications" as the default.

This is especially an issue if you're not FB for a little while, come back & then find your Notifications box cluttered with updates from a group/event you didn't want to join in the first place....and miss the Notifications for the groups/events that you ARE interested in.

Interesting. How about when publishers and agents utilize their "platform" to engage in some of these behaviors in order to promote their stable? (1, 2, 4 and 5 I have seen frequently) Also, the RTs by some of these third parties is heavily used as well in attempts to build author brand recognition and "create buzz." Am I to believe they really care about engaging in a personal social media exchange with me--or are they just using their "inside publishing advantage" to hock books? Okay for them but not writers?

Great post.

One time I actually had someone on LinkedIn ask me to do a promotion for their book on my site and Facebook. I had never read their book and didn't even know who they were. It blew me away.

A big one for #10, authors who have a book out and ask you to LIKE their page on Amazon and they'll LIKE yours.

Do me a favor, don't LIKE me unless it's real. I don't want you to lie for me.

#10: The ones who join all the blogfests and blog-hops they can and when it comes time to post on their blog for the group, they devote one para (or one line) to the topic of the blog-hop and four paras taling about their book -- or even worse, twenty paras of the Chap One excerpt.

Wow, they annoy me.

Great post! :-)

Well, now I feel foolish! I had no idea number 2 was a common (and apparently much hated) practice!

When I published my first book, I listed several nonprofits relevant to my book on my site. I built a form so people who buy my book can designate the nonprofit of their choice. The form provides a "click the link" prefilled email so they can notify the charity that a donation should be on its way. Before I launched, sent each nonprofit a letter about the program so there'd be some measure of transparency.

My thinking was, I care about these causes. Why not volunteer out that my book incorporates X, Y, or Z themes by starting a "Giving Back" program spotlighting these causes?

I had no idea that programs of this sort are so disdained. I tried to be transparent; I don't market based on it, but I do include it in my profile. Should I kill the program? Will trying to do something good cost me more than it'll yield to the causes I wish to support?

Reina - that behaviour is actually against Amazon's rules. You can report reviews like that for abuse (say self-promotion in the box), and Amazon will remove them.

"Oh, hey there author. I'm psyched to meet you - esp. after we chatted on Facebook, and I said, 'Yes, I'll be coming to your reading even though it's really out of my way, requires two buses, and - what? Who am I? Um, like I said, you friended me on Facebook, and I'm turning up at your reading - (laughs weakly) Yeah, that's funny, making a joke at my expense and calling me 'one of those Facebook' people. Sweetheart, this is how it works: even though you're photo's 20 years out of date, when you invite people to your book signing, they click 'will attend' and then actually show up, introduce themselves, and the context in which our paths cross and BUY YOUR BOOK, you don't get to make any jokes at their expense. You act gracious. And say, Thank you. Because I've just defriended you, and made an joke at your expense. And I have about two thousand more friends than your two hundred. Let me know how that social media 'thing' is working out for you. And hey, I know you think signing the book makes it non-refundable but ... it doesn't!"

#11, calculating publishing blogger who sheds people who are no longer useful: Yes, it's me. I promoted your blog, told friends about it, sent some other bloggers your way (and hooked you up a couple times in a way that gave you a huge bump in traffic.) But now that you're little blog has some traffic, you're less friendly. People have memories, and though you may not know it, though you have friends, and you're still book-marked, I'm not seeking you out nearly so much. This is your bad juju, and it's kind of sad. You make people feel the way they do after ingesting too much adderal: they want to forget the bad feelings about you, but you just won't go away. Eventually, you will.

An amazing list, esp. number 3. Dobby the house elf is shocked by this behavior. (He's in your picture at the top of the page--the fellow with the fishing rod.)

@anonymous 11/7 10:25 p.m. That seems OK to me. It's the equivalent of a publisher donating a percentage of sales to a charity. Just the self-pub version. What does anyone else think?

anon@ 10:25-

I don't think he's saying not to do it, just not to be unseemly as you do it. It's more about doing it right.

No 10 - leaving an advert for your book on my Facebook page without asking first. Don't be surprised to find I've deleted your post.... (by the way, I do use an automated response to followers who follow me on Twitter, but I clearly state its automated & most people follow me first, not vice versa. I think as long as you are up-front about these things)

Wow! I've encountered numbers 2, 5,7,8, and 9. For # 10, I'll add: Using my twitter name to promote dance clubs and porn in other countries. Gross! I feel completely violated when this happens. Note for #2: I've seen teeth, dental records, and yes, sonograms and send them to you. (I'm shaking my head.)I've considered closing my facebook, twitter, and google+ accounts and hiding from the world. Just Kidding!

#5 really irks me. Before I follow anyone on Twitter, I make sure their stream isn't the same spammy link to their book over and over again interspersed with auto-generated robo Tweets of pithy quotes that somebody else wrote. If you can't write your own tweets, what makes you think you can write a book?

Great post. People need to understand desperation is never attractive.

These are so good! I do have patience for #7. It's hard to get to know people, so at least it's honest. And I actually have made a few good social media friends when people have done this to me (I've never done it, though).

#9 is marginal for me, too.

"Whether or not it’s the intention, I’m always left with the feeling that the only reason the person ‘friended’ me was so he/she could get a (not too subtle) plug in for his/her book."

My guess would be they just think you're cute :)

I'd like to add something else that I see all the time and it makes me crazy.

When authors tell these contrived stories that sound so made up in facebook updates. Like this one, paraphrased:

"Jebus Crisp, one of my dedicated readers just e-mailed me and told me that my book saved his life. That's the only reason why I write, to help people and save lives."

That's a little over the top, unless you're writing self-help books. In this case it was schmaltzy romance. And, the author posts these things almost daily.

My apologies for not responding sooner. I live in Monmouth County, NJ, and lost power (again) yesterday.

We just got it back an hour or so ago. I'm looking forward toreading through everyone's comments :)

Jon

#10

A parent I've seen often at scouts, dance, soccer, etc. but who's never spoken to me before, suddenly becomes flatteringly friendly. About 60 seconds into the conversation, they pull out a novel and ask me to buy it from them on the spot for $14.95. Decline and they instantly treat you again like the stranger you are. Or worse, they launch into a sob story about how they are getting a divorce and must to sell these books to feed the kids/prove their talent to the ex who never believed in them/etc.

It's weird being panhandled by a soccer mom.

Friending/following as blackmail. An author friends or follows me, then sends a DM telling me I owe them the same "favor." Uh, what?

And also? email signatures that go on forevah.

I'd say "buy my book" but sadly, it's not out yet. ;-D

Love this post and the comments. So true.

I have a book coming out in 2013 with a Big Five (is that what we call it now?) publisher, and one of the things we're planning to do to sell the book is basically #8. Apparently, a mass email (I think only one) to friends and family and potentially interested acquaintances is a very effective way to sell a debut novel. I plan to be moderately targeted with my list, but I have no qualms about doing this. It would take too long to email each person individually, and I don't think one announcement is commensurate to spam.

#3 takes the cake. I consider everything a writer posts via social media to be a marketing effort, therefore I don't understand authors who are intentionally (and consistently) rude, argumentative, and/or down in the dumps. That's not a good image for your business and since you're ultimately dealing with potential customers, that's not good customer service either.

Very nice top 9 list of how to annoy potential readers.

For me, #10 would be "Have a link prominently (and permanently) displayed on small display where potential readers can purchase your book, only to find out much, much later that the link now doesn't work because the online store where it's being sold tidied/cleaned their website and gave your book a new purchase link."

Thanks, Nathan, for promoting my post from the forums, and thank you, everyone, for posting such great comments. I certainly found some new things to add to the list :)

I do believe some of the selling techniques I listed in the main post can be effective, providing we put a little thought into how we come across to the potential customer eg: mailing lists can prove effective, but it's probably best to ask people if they want to be on it in the first place.

I guess the secret of good marketing is like the secret to life - figure out what works best for you, then do that...a lot ;)

Thanks for reading :)

Jon

I am a self published author, and I follow some other writer's on facebook and twitter, but the only ones who's books I ever buy have to go beyond the constant promo to establishing a personal connection. I sell most of my books on forums and in person where the contact was long established and the fact that I write was only casually mentioned, and far less often than the fact that I teach and am a Mom and love cooking and backpacking and on and on. I review some of the indie books and some old books and some new traditional books but only when I really love them. If I can't say something good, I don't waste my time finishing a book so I never review those. Sometimes I review someone who has also reviewed my book, but almost never because I write for YA but read a variety of other genre's.

I agree that rudeness and overpromoting seems to be in bad taste and keeps me from even looking at a book. However there is a lot of competition and almost any place where you invest time in creating relationships can be an appropriate place to talk about your books and your writing as you also discuss the weather and the politics and their interests too. I think very few venues are completely unusable for book promotion if you don't use the people who frequent them.

Dixie Miller 8Goode

Hi Dixie,

I agree 100%. Almost any social venue can be a good place to promote your work, providing you're actually socializing there, and not just doing a drive-by promo :)

The drive by promo is the one that I hate. People who never say anything social in social venues, but then when they have a new books out, they sudeenly become chatty--about their book.

My pet peeve is people who friend me on FB purely because they saw me on the friend list of some other FB whore. (Notice I say "some *other* FB whore.") There was a time when I friended everybody too. That was before FB stopped transmitting all my posts to all my friends.

Nowadays, my FB friends are only...my friends. They will actually beef if they see too much promo.

So nowadays, if I don't recognize that friend-requesting person's name or face, I check their "mutual friends" list. If the first twenty names are the same old FB whores... I delete the request.

Nice one, there is actually some great points on this post some of my associates will find this worthwhile, will send them a link..


Thanks
Marketing Research Company

I read this a few days ago and laughed. But then it made me want to read '10 Marketing Techniques That Win Over Potential Readers"

I have to say that since I started producing books I look a lot more kindly on people and their marketing efforts, even if misguided.

#7!!!! There are so many people from my undergraduate creative writing program that have added me to facebook groups, without asking, and it's SUCH a turn off! Some have been for writer's events, or readings, or signings, which I politely refuse the RSVP--though I totally respect the invitation and am happy to hear they're doing well and pursuing their writing. That's not so offensive, but when they start messaging you directly if you didn't RSVP, EVERY SINGLE DAY...then I unfriend you.

The worst, though, is when someone creates a facebook group not for events or even content discussion...but for BUYING the book, and then adds you to it. And then the author writes posts EVERY SINGLE DAY about "if you haven't bought it yet, you should. Go to Amazon. Do it. Do it right now." And then they get WORSE (if this is possible): something along the lines of, "Many of you have RSVPed to this event--i.e. buying my book--but only three copies have actually sold on Amazon and I know one of them was my mom. Please follow through and buy my book. Also, don't forget to leave a review of how much you love it when you're done. THAT MEANS YOU TOO MOM! Thanks."

Lets just say I'm not keeping in contact with as many of my undergraduate peers post-graduation as I thought I would.

My writing group always comes up with new and interesting books. My son gave me Patrick Rothfuss - Name of the Wind....Love his writing...Mostly get my books from friends and family referrals, but there are certain authors I buy each time their new book comes out. (And I mean hard cover book)

I'm reading TAFT 2012 because I feel a moral obligation to read everything affiliated with Quirk Books.

Was looking for a writing conference last year, noticed local author Erica O'Rourke won an RWA Golden Heart for "Torn." I read that, then met author at the conference, bought her second book in the YA series called "Tangled." :)

NOBODY MOVE by Denis Johnson.

Queued up is A CONSPIRACY OF PAPER by David Liss.

I like to read "unknown" (to me) books by author's that are revered by author's I personally revere. WOW...that was a ridiculous sentence. Did it even make sense?

I'm reading A Spy Like Me by Laura Pauling - a friend's (and fellow Indelible's) self-published book.

The novel I just finished: from the author herself.
The nonfiction: amazon searches.

I almost always go with word-of-mouth. If enough people I know/am friends with/trust their reading tastes like it and recommend it, I figure there must be something to it. Also, I don't really trust internet and Amazon reviews -- you never know whether they're honest or not.

Actually, I hardly ever read reviews, because people react to books in such different ways. If it catches my eye or ear, I'll read the jacket flap, and pick it up if it sounds interesting.

An exception: I'm reading A Clash of Kings right now. I first heard of the series when I saw the TV show poster, and picked it up b/c Sean Bean is my favorite actor. :)

From Jenny Cruisie--I'm reading Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen. Fun read!!

I get a lot of new authors from Amazon Kindle Free Bestsellers...great place to discover new writers.

I just finished Wild by Cheryl Strayed and Let's Pretend This Didn't Happen by Jenny Lawson. Now I've just picked up Cures For Hunger, a wonderful memoir by Deni Y. Bechard, and The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes. All wonderful books, but these last two are amazing. I usually take suggestions from friends, Twitter, GoodReads, etc.

I just finished ALL OVER BUT THE SHOUTIN' by Rick Bragg, who spoke at a conference I attended in March.

Right now I'm reading THE MAPMAKER AND THE GHOST with my boys, by fellow Class of 2k12 debut, Sarvenz Tash.

Was at a SCBWI conference last weekend and Andrew Harwell of HarperCollins recommended "Okay for Now" so that's what I started reading today.

I'm reading BLACKOUT by Mira Grant, which was just released. I got a copy of the first book, FEED, as a freebie at Comic-Con and got hooked on the series.

I'm reading three books right now:
The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler which was recommended by a crit partner

You Are Here by Jennifer E. Smith I found at the book store the old fashioned way

Ghost Story by Peter Straub is this month's book club choice.

I still depend on the old way of choosing books, reviews in NYT, WSJ, or those that have won awards.
Dennis Lehane's "A Drink Before the War" because I wanted to read one of his earlier works. Not disappointed.
Philip Kerr's "Field Grey" because I like the WW II genre when it's done well.
Julian Barne's "A Sense of the Ending" because I overheard someone at a writer's event mention it.
William Boyd's "Waiting for Sunrise." He's one of the best living British writers. Every one of his previous books I've read was a revelation. I think about his "Any Human Heart" years after I read it.

I'm currently reading Demon's Surrender by Sarah Rees Brennan...it's the third book in the series, and I can't remember exactly how I ended up reading the first one, but it was probably due to social media/seeing it online. Nobody I know has read it or talked about it, so it wasn't a rec from a friend or anything. Anyway, I loved the book and I'm a huge fan of Sarah's, and I finally remembered the 3rd book was out and picked it up when I saw something about it again online.

I get most of my book recommendations through book blogs, Twitter, Goodreads, or Amazon, as I am very immersed in book stuff online. A lot of people tend to go with recommendations from friends, but very few of my IRL friends share my reading taste, so I rarely rely on that. And if they are reading something I like, it's either something probably something popular and tied to a movie or TV show, like The Hunger Games or Game of Thrones (nothing wrong with either of these, but I read them both like 5 years ago).

I'm reading Rasana Atreya's Tell a Thousand Lies. She's an independent author and friend in one of my Facebook Groups. I've been enjoying a lot of indie books lately.

Artemis Rising: The author, Cheri Lasota, is a friend of mine and a very active local author.

Insurgent: I read Divergent last summer and I've been dying to read the sequel ever since.

Behind Jane Austen's Door: A review book for the Jane Austen website I co-own, Indiejane.org

About half the books on my TBR were written by authors I know. The other half I found at the library or from book blogs.

I'm reading QUIET: THE POWER OF INTROVERTS IN A WORLD THAT WON'T STOP TALKING. My Mom told me about it through Facebook and then gifted it to my Kindle (which, really? Best feature ever).

I tend to receive book recommendations at work and more often than not I receive recommendations for non-fiction books from men and fiction books from women. Weird.

I'm reading Katana by Cole Gibsen which I found out about from checking out a blog review.

Just read Choke by Chuck Paluniuk. Read Fight Club and loved it. Had to have more.

I'm finally reading The Help. My daughter (and everyone else on the planet!) recommended it to me.

I'm not much of a bandwagon-jumper, but I just got 50 Shades of Gray. I'm a book merchandiser, and I first heard about the book when one of my customers asked for it before it had even been released.
We finally got them in stock at the store, and I swear I can't keep them on the shelves, they sell as soon as I put them out.
So I had to see what the fuss was all about.
But I also bought a YA fantasy from Kristen Cashore, FIRE.

Recommended by the guy sitting in the seat next to me on a recent flight...

He was an intelligent and interesting person to talk to, so I figured I'd like his recommendation. And I do.

I'm reading The Haj by Leon Uris. It's a popular crossword answer so I was eventually tempted to read it :)

I didn't hear about it: I saw it in a bookstore, and I bought it. Just like the last 75+ books I've purchased since the beginning of the year ...

I'm currently reading THE EXECUTIONER by Chris Carter, and it was good old-fashioned recommendation from my Mom.

I'm reading Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, which was recommended to me by my wife and loaned to me by my in-laws. No technology here.

I found out about mine from my brother-in-law's 16 year old sister.

ALWAYS listen to the teenagers...

Reading for a book club a book I read before, but like your Wrinkle in Time Experience, seems like a completely different book: Bless Me, Ultima. The book is currently banned in schools in Arizona for ridiculous motives, which is one reason the book club took it up. I'm finding it to be a beautiful story of a Latino family in New Mexico in the 1940s/50s.

I'm also reading "Shades" to see what the fuss is about--the writer in me wants to criticize the 21 references to his/her "breath hitches" and the main character's annoying asides ("Holy crap!"), but I have to hand it to her for the success of the book and a female main character who so far is pretty assertive despite what I'd assume from the subject matter.

I'm old-fashioned and newfangled: I found my current read browsing my library e-book catalog. Not sure I had heard of "Pretty Monsters" or Kelly Link, but my intuition was spot-on, it's a great read!

I'm reading 'Cloud Atlas' by David Mitchell and head about it on The TV Book Club here in the UK. It was likened to another book 'Girl Reading' which I picked up at the library yesterday. Cloud Atlas looked like it was going to lose me early on, but has turned out to be stunningly spectacular. I'm in awe of Mitchell and his incredible grasp on the English language; to invent believable patois is something truly admirable

I'm reading Death Comes to Pemberley, which was recommended to me by my mother-in-law. But before I dove in, I had to reread Pride and Prejudice. I could have sworn I read it at least two times but for some reason it's blocked from my memory. So I think that one was recommended to me by my high school English teacher.

Most of the books I read are ones that I come across when browsing in a bookstore. Either that or I'll read something by an author I really like, and then I'll seek out other stuff by that author. For example, I read Nora Ephron's collections of essays, including I Remember Nothing; I liked them so much that I went out and bought a copy of her novel, Heartburn. I was not disappointed. I wish she had written more novels.

I love A Wrinkle in Time.
I'm reading Kristen Callihan's Firelight - Kristen's a friend from the Compuserve Books and Writers Community!

I searched Lewis and Clark expedition in my Kindle, because I'm going on a vacation to Oregon. I found the novel Sacajawea by Anna Lee Waldo.

I hear about most of them by word of mouth.

A book on Greek and Roman gods...I wanted one for WIP research and sorta walked to it in the used book store.

Nation by Terry Pratchett--same sorta thing as above.

Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter by Mario Vargas Llosa--recommended in a couple of writing books I was reading at the same time, then, um...same as above.

Funny how we find things.

Running my finger along the shelves at the library. The title and spine design is the most important part of the book. If you can't get my finger to stop on your title . . . .

I've Got Your Number
Kinsella, Sophie

Actually, I don't care for the cover itself, but something on the spine got me to pull it out.

I reckon it is best described as chick lit. I don't go looking for the category, but do read quite a bit of it. (Lot of good Brit chick lit out there in particular.)

Reading Candice Millard's Destiny of the Republic about James Garfield. I heard her talk a couple weeks ago, and she can just tell a story wonderfully. I am reflecting on her writing style while working on writing my own book. She is a good guide!

That's hilarious! I did the same thing with "A Wrinkle in Time" when I was a kid! I would read a bit of it and then stop for one reason or another. But I kept randomly picking it up again. I can't remember what it's about though. The book I just finished was "Fair Game" by Patricia Briggs. It was the third book in the series. I originally found it while stalking the shelves at Barnes and Noble. It's my favorite series at the moment.

I just finished reading "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green. I heard about it on the internet, primarily through Tumblr and Twitter since I follow a lot of YA readers and writers.

Very helpful, thank you Rick.

M.A.- My pleasure. I've learned so much by following this blog, I'm glad I have the chance to give back.

Thanks, Nathan, for letting me guest post!

many thanks. I actually understand some of this at first reading. will keep for future reference (and further understanding!)
AliB

Great article that made it easier for me to understand. I also think your books sounds interesting, so i will have to check it out :)

Hey Rick! *waves*

And I was totally down with the fairy dust.

Great post; now if I could just figure out how to write about mindjacking full time, my site would have great SEO. Right now, I'm mostly attracting people interested in llamas. :)

Good job explaining the basics - I know SEO is hard for people who aren't familiar with the industry. If anyone is interested in learning more, I also did a post on this topic and ways that bloggers can benefit:

http://www.tianasmith.com/2011/01/seo-basics-for-bloggers.html

Great overview Rick. A good start for SEO newbies. I work at a marketing company with some true SEO wizards, and the only thing I think I might add to this beginner's guide is keyword density.

Right now the sweet spot is between 2 and 5% density. There are tons of great keyword density tools out there (this one is okay: http://www.keyworddensitytools.com/)

Just copy and paste your text in the box and check the density. If you need more, see if you can pepper some more keywords around the page. Also, try not to mix too many keywords on a single page. Target one at a time for better results.

Again, great job on simplifying this stuff Rick.

Hi Sue! *Waves back*

I'm glad some people are finding this helpful, thanks to the others who have more to contribute on this topic. There's a lot to learn in regard to SEO, and it's a great tool for marketing.

Jamie- I hope you like the book, the feedback from kids and adults has been positive so far!

Great post, Rick. Easy to understand and practical advice. (I find that photos also help visibility, perhaps Google likes visual entertainment.)

I learned about SEO at a previous job where we published online internal content for a corporate entity. When our readers had trouble finding a particular item, we had to review the SEO, and up its relevance.

Writing/Marketing tips are always useful. . .

I knew most of that, but never have I seen it laid out so plainly, or be so entertaining. Well done, Rick!

Good stuff. Thank you! I recently started including trending hashtags in my quirky tweets with links that lead to my novel on Amazon, or my blog.

Great post. I recently took an HTML/CSS class for my MLIS, but it's great to learn new ways to marry that knowledge with my writing life. Keywords ahoy!

Very informative, thank you.

There's a pretty successful crime novelist who goes by G.M. Ford. To make matters worse, the G stands for Gerald. For a while there it was damn near impossible to track down his website.

And here I thought SEO was the Spanish version of "and Bingo was his Name-O!"

Google doesn't look at keywords in Meta tags, and hasn't for many years: http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com/2009/09/google-does-not-use-keywords-meta-tag.html

Google keeps their PageRank formulas secret, and intentionally change them on a regular basis because there are so many people "gaming the system." Everybody wants to be on the first page of results in Google, and they can't all fit. The spammers put a lot of effort into trying to get there. Here's what Google has to say: http://support.google.com/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&topic=8524&answer=34432

Here's Yahoo!'s guide for search optimization: http://styleguide.yahoo.com/resources/optimize-search-engines/seo-basics

One thing that's very likely to "bust" your site off of the search engines is if the same text is visible from two different URLs. Sometimes even having mysite.com and www.mysite.com going to the same place (rather than having one redirecting to the other) is enough.

Hey look, it's Rick!! Too awesome. :)

I loved the description of your book, Rick, really nicely written. So, I immediately bought it. It sounds great. Looking forward to reading it.

Appreciate this article and the touch of humor within a dry subject. Thanks for the clear explanation.

Hi Mira! Thanks for the encouraging words for my book, I really hope you like it, let me know what you think...

I'm glad I was able to help you better understand SEO, without boring you in the process. I'm learning more about SEO reading the other comments, I knew there would be people more adept than myself to add to the discussion!

Funny and helpful. Persistence also gets you higher up the rankings- I've blogged for a few years and I'm now the top Google result for "Power is a State of Mind". Check it out.

Great post Rick. I don't know anything about SEO so it's really helpful.

This is an incredibly helpful post. Thank you so much for sharing it!

Awesome and helpful post, Rick. Just bookmarked this because SEO is something I've been trying to learn more about, so you have great timing (or you're psychic). :)

What a great post. I think I finally get it. SEO has always been a mystery to me, partly because geeks just look at you like you're a moron when you ask what it means. Thanks for explaining it in a way even a cybermoron can understand.

I hope you sell tons and tons of copies. The Man in the Cinder Clouds IS a great Christmas gift for kids!

Great breakdown of seo, thanks. It helps me to just think about what I and others would type into search. Just thinking like an Internet surfer :)

Great post, Rick. This seems a popular topic lately, judging by Tiana's post as well as my own SEO For Authors category at my own blog (http://www.calebjross.com/category/search-engine-optimization-for-authors/). I've been a professional writer and SEO for many years, so it is nice to see authors take an interest in the metrics behind writing. I'll be really ramping up my SEO for Authors content over the next couple of weeks, so anyone interested should definitely check my site for updates.

Nice use of anchor text in the blog post, by the way. It's a very important, and sadly underutilized aspect of author marketing. I have a blog post that goes into depth about this, if anyone is interested: http://www.calebjross.com/search-engine-optimization-for-authors/how-to-standardize-your-author-name-for-search-engines/

Wow. I learned so much. Thank you for the informative post!

Great post for those of us still grappling with the possibilities that the Internet has opened.
BTW, I read the post quickly - missing the important note that it was a guest post and wondered why Nathan suddenly decided to come clean about his 'real' name being Richard Daley.

Okay, I totally didn't see the guest post: Rick Daley. So in the middle when you mentioned your full name. I was like what? Nathan's real name is Richard? Ha ha.

Love the concept of your book, Rick!

For the record, Nathan and I are different people ;-)

I'm glad I picked this topic for my guest post, it looks like it helped to inform many.

I am a writer first and a marketer second (actually, more like third or fourth, parent and husband rank up there, too) and I appreciate the additional info provided by others in the comments to help fill gaps in my overview, and take it a little deeper.

And for those who complimented my premise, I hope you have the opportunity to read my story. I think it's very unique, and a great read for any age during the Christmas season.

Of course that's my admittedly biased opinion, but it's all I've got so I'm sticking with it. I am nothing if not persistent!

We are not measured by the challenges we face in life, but rather by the steps we take to overcome them.

WORD VERIFICATION: arret. What happens when only the S gets away.

Rick,

Good post on SEO, thank you.

Daniel- My pleasure, thanks for reading!

This is an excellent article. I posted it on the Writing Platform Facebook page.

I'm so glad you blogged about SEO, Nathan and Rick! I've read Inbound Marketing, but still have a lot of questions. For example, are outgoing hyperlinks in blog posts helpful to that blog? Why do keywords have to be on other sites when they are hyperlinks but on your own site when they are contextual text? Thanks, Rick, for a great post!

Hi Meghan. I can take this one. I talk a bit about this in my blog post here: http://www.calebjross.com/search-engine-optimization-for-authors/how-to-standardize-your-author-name-for-search-engines/

Basically, you've got to have the keywords you want to rank for in your website content somewhere (contextual text). Otherwise, the search engines have a difficult time understanding what you website is about.

As far as hyperlinked keywords (anchor text) on other blogs, think of each link to your blog as a "vote" for your site. So, when another website hyperlinks the phrase "really great book" and points that link to your site, the search engines see that as a vote for that phrase for your site. (Very) Generally speaking, the more votes you get, the higher your ranking will be for that term.

As far as outgoing hyperlinks in blog posts, they are helpful, but how helpful in direct relation to SEO remains in debate. They are helpful in that they integrate your blog into a community, which increases the chances that someone may in return link back to you. It does also led a sense of credibility to your blog, in the eyes of readers, if you are referencing other experts in the field. Just don't go overboard. One thing that is not as debatable is that having too many outgoing links is fishy in the eyes of search engines. What exactly is "too many"? That's yet another point of debate, one for an entirely different comment rant :)

Thanks for the response, calebjross! I'll check out your post on SEO.

Meghan,

Thanks, I'm glad you found this useful. And thanks to Caleb for the quick and insightful answer to Meghan's question!

Another avenue to expanding this platform thing is getting married and having kids. Yep.

There is hope for us hermits yet! Thanks for this, Nathan:)

Thanks, Nathan, I completely agree with your points. I find networking in the way many people use it distatesful - as if it is only a means to get themselves ahead. It should be about sharing, which connects with your point #2. If people build something worth sharing, it will garner interest. Appreciate your excellent articulation of these ideas.

Thanks for this post. I try to do the same thing with the people I've connected with online here. And from that approach I've made some great friends and we have helped each other.

Hi Nathan. I've experienced this on a small level (I just began seriously blogging last month). I've loved getting to know other writers via their blogs, and some have begun to visit mine as well. It's very cool. I learn a lot from them, and have begun to consider them friends.

I agree about the icky factor in pretending to make friends just to see what someone can get out of someone else. *shudder*

I like your point about friends versus a network. I get all closed off when someone tells me that they are so glad I'm in their network..... Yikes. So, if I couldn't provide them with something, would they not associate with me....?

Thanks, Lou
http://www.beforeyouwrite.com

I really like that -- "I don't have a network, I have friends." Networking, to me, is another word for name-collecting. But making friends is real.

So true. I read a great book that confirmed this very point as well - Stephanie Palmer's Good in a Room. It's geared toward screenwriters who "get the meeting," but any creative could benefit.

This is where bloggers excel. People who blog are more naturally inclined to make friends instead of networks.

"Friending" someone (can I use that as a verb without wanting to put a fork in my eye?) anyway ...

Friending someone for what you can get out of them is the same as learning to fake sincerity.

I love this. As a teacher of basic social media, I try to emphasize this very attitude. I hear a lot of bah humbug about networking, but it's how we do things these days - like it or not. It's up to us to see it in a positive way.
Thanks so much!

Hello Nathan. I discovered your blog a few months back. And the thing that has kept me coming back is the fact that we share a love for J.K. Rowling's writing and her Harry Potter books. So it's true what you say here, about finding yourself surrounded with people that share similar interest. This is my first comment on this blog by the way. :)

"And I’m not what you might call a mover and a shaker."

A couple of martinis and the right pair of jeans, and this could be rectified easily :))

Amen!

Absolutely!! I couldn't agree with you more. Well said.

What I like best about this post is it guides some folks who may be trying to force the social media thing. They're uncomfortable, but they've been told they HAVE to do it. So, these people, often with the best of intentions, push themselves to do it with the goal in mind of selling books, and they can sometimes come across as off-putting.

This post gives people permission to hold social media lightly.

Yay! That's a gift. Great post, Nathan.

I started blogging because I wanted to write every day. The first time someone other than a family member posted a comment on my blog, I went and checked out her blog, and so on, and so on. I now consider many of my readers my true friends. I even attended my first writer's conference with a "blog friend," where I met more women who have become part of my support group/cheerleaders. We all want the best for one another, although I have yet to meet some of them in person! I don't always post in my blog every day, but I do check up on my "network," because those friendships matter more than professional success.

As long as you stick with it, all you need is time to build your network.

My Blog

Nathan, I would also say that one of the reasons your "network" is so big and awesome is because you are genuinly a nice guy, put out positive vibes and are nice to your friends. Give yourself credit for these strong 'networking' skills. Not everyone has them.
Enjoy always, T

Well put. And all too appropriate in an age where our online activity is quantified for us by squicky kompanies like Klout.

Nodding my head the whole way through! This is what I've done, without even realizing it till recently. I am amazed about what a wonderful group of friends (mostly writers) that I've found through my blog. Thanks for the encouragement!

I am a true introvert and it shows. A few years ago when I had my software training business I was forced to network weekly. Everyone was doing it for reasons that you've already stated, all of the wrong ones. As a new author and blogger, I've started to build genuine relationships. Thanks for sharing.

I really love the idea of not thinking of networking as networking. I also cringe at that word... and in truth, making new friends IS a goal, so it's way better to look at it that way. Thanks!

Definitely agree. Making friends is far more enjoyable that creating "business associates" or something impersonal and rather cold.

Speaking of Mr. D's comment about having a family, my wife and I are about to have our first kid (a daughter), and just going through that phase of life has crossed our paths with people experiencing the same thing.

It really is about common interests and friendship. Things like Facebook have increased the signficance of that aspect of networking.

here's a p.s. to my last comment:

Not sure if anyone remembers me (I was one of the finalists in the Funny Story contest), but I just self-published a novelette called The Woods above the World. Here's the plot: three strangers investigating the same kidnapping find an enchanted kingdom ruled by John Keats and other famous literary figures from the past.

It's a short and sweet read and an earnest tribute to John Keats and William Shakespeare especially.

Here's the Amazon Kindle link:

http://www.amazon.com/Woods-above-World-ebook/dp/B006HTP3KK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323116663&sr=8-1

Congratulations, Kevin. You are about to go through the happiest time of your life. At least, that's how it was for me. And still is.

I like that you broke "networking" down to what's important. For writers, a lot of emphasis is put on this and it can seem overwhelming, especially for introverts. Thanks for giving me a reason to relax.

Well said.

Sweet attitude.

The word marketing and networking has a horrible 'feel' to it when you are trying to share something as intimate as a book you wrote.

This past month when I was trying to get the word out for my book launch, I kept feeling like I should drop off fliers, postcards, and press releases to writing communities, relevant businesses, and follow up more with the media.

I did some of the stuff mentioned above but because of time and convenience and good weather, I ended up with an on-foot, kiddo on my back and dog leash in hand approach.

I struck up "real" conversations with neighbors, dog owners, and businesses close to my house. It felt a lot better than soliciting attention and a lot of people that I just met in the past week stopped by the launch party.
Felt good.

All that work on a press release to get a tiny paragraph in the Mercury and Williamette Week probably didn't yield one person of interest, but getting some exercise with my two boys and chattin' with some good folks certainly did.

Sidenote: My listing in the Mercury was right under Tom Brokaw's event so I posted a pic of it on his "Wall" telling him to stop by so we could trade books. He had other things on his agenda apparently.... :)

From one introvert to another, I appreciated your post. Two years ago, I joined an online writing group and became very comfortable in it. Then a few people wisely encouraged me to venture beyond those walls and start posting to other sites. Ironically, this has reduced how much time I have for them, but they seem to understand. This introverted writer is spreading her wings.

Perhaps "socializing" would be a gentler term. After all, socializing is about getting to know people, some of whom may become your friends. And this is what I am trying to do when I visit sites. I am trying to get to know other bloggers, readers, authors.... Am I going to become friends with everyone whom I meet through a post? No, just like we don't become friends with every stranger we meet at our job or wherever we strike up conversation. But, I will become part of a community and ultimately this means I will also develop some long-lasting friendships too.

Plus, I'm always better looking in e-mails.

This is a great post, Nathan, because most writers ARE introverted and are intimidated by the term "networking." And it doesn't have to be icky. By investing in people you have a genuine interest in, you're killing two birds with one stone - building your network and making new friends.

I think that's very true. I've met some wonderful people by checking out different blogs, or finding them on Twitter. They certainly fall under the "friend" category.

This post again reminds me why I think yours is one of the best blogs for writers out there. You and I may never become friends in person, but I almost feel like you are a friend when I read your blog since you speak to my heart so often and of things that I need to, or long to, hear. Than you!

Wonderful words and attitude, Nathan. I never thought of networking and blogging like building something, but I should have. Thanks once more for shining a light.

Introvert here! I can totally relate to your post. Whenever I go to a conference and see how much time is set aside for "networking" and forced social interaction I immediately think "oh crud" (insert much stronger word there)but whenever I do just sit back and chill and not think of it as networking - I end up meeting the greatest people. It also helps that I have a friend who speaks 'networking' fluently, so I can be the sidekick who smiles,nods and throws in witty thoughts now and again.

I'd like to add Ferdinand of Hungary to my network.

I too am like so many of the commenters here: Introverted and/or have difficulty making connections...friends, if you will. I agree that I don't care a fig for the networking thing. Yet, even what little I have done that sits well with me has had no effect at all. I've belonged to a local "writers club" for over ten years. I have close friends and acquaintances. I have some old school chums. I have family. Despite that, not a single person - nary a one - has bought my little ninety-nine cent e-book that has been out there for some six months now. It's not like I haven't told them and in as non-commercial way as I could. None have even said they read the free exerp. Gotten pretty discouraged, I can tell you because it's telling me I'm a lousy writer. My wife thinks I'm great and she knows good writing, but that's as far as it goes.

Love this. Especially the "build something" part. I feel like I'm building little circles of friends, sharing knowledge and the journey along the way. It's pretty awesome. :)

Nathan, I love your blogs. Very informative. I'm writing a paranormal trilogy, but my blogs which I have recently begun are about the funny aspects of my life,age, marriage and especially having nine grandchildren under my wing. I belong to a writer's group and post my blogs on my facebook page, but what else should I be doing?

It seems counter-intuitive for a writer (we don’t want ideas stolen), but sharing funny stories makes a person more likeable. And if someone else uses a variation of that funny story, what the heck? It can be applied more than once. With the internet, folks usually know where the story originated.

The same was true in business; I never hoarded knowledge. I even helped folks who were willing to backstab; I didn’t want misinformation or obstruction attributed to me. That wasn’t always satisfying, but it didn’t hurt me.

Thank you for that! I hate networking...but making friends sounds so much more honest and doable.

Nathan,

Good post and true too.

Thanks for this post. I'm an introvert and hate networking. But you are right, building something is how it should be done.

Excellent post and I wholeheartedly agree. I'd rather have fifty real friends on FB than five thousand. My blog is crazy because I comment on every comment even though people have said don't do that. : ) I like it. If I didn't, to me it would be like inviting them my home and then not talking to them. I'm building friendships.

I'm very new to the blogging world. I'm still finding my way so it was very surprising when blogger let me know someone had left a comment. She was welcoming into the blogospere. She was really nice. I was so surpised that someone found me.

If you're somewhat introverted (like myself!), those "networking events" can be painful. You're right--it is easier to sit down and brainstorm over drinks or dinner with like-minded people who are your friends than to try to get something out of a network of strangers who also want something out of you!

I took a step on the wild side and self-published my book--which will be available in a week. *bites nails* So, my network is my friends to start with, then hope the ripple effect will go from there. *crossing fingers*

This is so wise. Every marketer needs to read this. Professional marketers who use social networking in a phony way aren't networking. They're selling. It's like showing up at a party wearing a sandwich board. When they advise newbie writers to do the same thing they make me want to scream.

Genuine intent goes a long way towards achieving enjoyable, sustainable relationships in whatever form they may take. In that context, give and take becomes part of the flow of the relationship rather than a burden.

I do think there are differing levels and types of connections (networks)that people make, depending on their personal/professional goals/interests. For example, sometimes a professional requirement pushes us into realms not of our choosing, which is not always a comfortable position to be in.

So I guess I’m saying there are degrees of involvement, control, etc that come into play sometimes which can affect how enjoyable networking experiences are.

It's a necessary evil, emphasis on necessary. I think your blog is spot-on. Those of us who were raised to be humble find it to be very uncomfortable. That being said, I think of my book as my "kid" (and I NEVER have a problem bragging about my kids!) I openly admit to potential buyers that I'm biased and hope that they will love my "baby" as much as I do. That usually brings a smile or two...and takes away the awkward "sting" that you talk about.

By the way, your "new baby" looks wonderful...can't wait to read it!

As always, thanks for the gems of wisdom! Hugs, Jodi :)

It's funny to me how we try to mask our self-promotion, especially on blogging and Twitter. The mere act of Twittering, even if it's not obviously self-promoting, is meant to draw attention to one self. I say we all just embrace the ugly business and try to enjoy it as best we can.

yes, I agree. Self-promotion is hard. And has to be done. I find it far easier to promote others. Is there an answer there? Perhaps we should get into promotion huddles.

Here's another way to look at it: instead of thinking of it as self-promotion, consider it "engaging with current and future readers."

You're right -- no one likes self-promotion: certainly not the people on the receiving end of it and certainly not the people who have to do it, like you mentioned. So don't do it. Instead, just keep doing what you've been doing for years: providing value to your readers through insightful blog posts, status updates, and tweets.

The one thing I would say (I'm putting my day job marketing hat on) is to make sure you expand the conversation to other places. I imagine most of the people who read and lurk here are writers. And yes, writers read, of course. But it's important to expand the conversation to places where readers hang out as well.

I find thinking of it like that -- having conversations with readers -- is a lot easier to do than thinking of it as "self-promotion."

Mhhmmhh...uhuh....something about self promotion WOAH hey look, guys! Book #2 is coming out in APRIL! Ok, seriously, I think that is all I just read, and I am very, very happy inside. Nothing wrong with promoting when you've got a heck of product to promote!

I'm just not sure why everyone keeps insisting that self-promotion is "necessary". Self-promotion is crap. Everyone knows it. Everyone hates it. So why is everyone doing it?

It's so uncomfortable because the intention is wrong. The publishing industry lost its integrity somewhere in the last 5 years when it got focused only on "selling" instead of "finding great literature".

And they've now got authors doing the same thing.

A good product sells on word of mouth. Period. Yes, the initial "here's my book, blog, film, etc" is necessary, but after that the work has to speak for itself.

Every work of art has its own destiny. A bad book, heck even a good book may not sell no matter how much you promote.

The bottom line is, if it doesn't feel good, it's because you know it's wrong. It goes against the integrity of your own spirit.

Do good work. Be true to yourself. Do not compromise your integrity. Let the universe handle the rest.

I wrote a post today, partly inspired by last week, as well! Although much different.

Does self-promotion suck? Yes, absolutely, it can. Which is why I think you have to find the way to do it that doesn't suck for you. This actually dovetails into a fantastic post by Angela Ackerman today about Being Yourself - I would say not only in blogging, but in book promotion too. Because if you are hating it, no one else is going to enjoy it either.

Same with writing, yes?

The right kind of people will know and understand what you're doing when you self-promote. The rest can sit in their parent's basement, wearing only their underwear, playing video games all day, wondering why their lives suck

I criticized the post because I thought the particular method of self-promo was inappropriate given that it was for the blog rather than for the book. As I said in my apology later that day, the language I used was inappropriate and too strong for the message I intended to convey. I reiterate my apology for readers here and think this post is spot on.

Okay. This may or may not help. And yes, there are aspects of self-promotion that are awful.

But I will tell you that you have to learn how to have fun with self-promoting, too. And when you start having fun with it, you don't hate it so much.

How to you have fun with it? It depends on the author. In your case, you seem comfortable with people and you seem to enjoy online interaction. If you love interacting on social media, do it that way. If you love events and conferences, do it that way. You have to get a groove going.

Personally, I despise author readings in public. I also think they are a waste of time for most authors in the digital age. I'd rather eat Hilly's Pie from the novel "The Help" than do a reading. But I've found that there are ways to promote that I do enjoy.

And you have to learn to have fun.

Heaven forbid that you use your blog to promote yourself.

As the Ice-T said, don't hate the playa, hate the game.

JWatCPK was a fun read w/ fun characters.

ugh, tell me about it. Who wants to stand up in a crown and yell me me me?
I wish a book had the power to promote itself!

I'm in the self-promotion phase right now. My book has been out for two months and I'm doing everything I can to draw attention to it. Sometimes it is a lot of fun: newspaper interviews and book signings. Other times I feel kind of slimy: purposefully working a mention into every conversation I have. You have to take the good with the bad and do both.

I used to work in sales. If you didn't ask for it, 9 times out of 10, you wouldn't get it. At least with self-promotion you are not disguising the sale. It's a "hey...buy my book..." type of thing. And this, I can respect instead of some insidious advert that tries to direct my attention to a website where the book is for sale.

Too true. Uncomfortably too true.

"No one I know enjoys self-promotion, and no one out there particularly likes being promoted to either."
That statement is perfect and wraps it up well.

There is a good way and a bad way. I personally hate when an author only Tweets book promo stuff and also every hour on the hour announcing your book. (a usual unfollow for me)

I feel bad about authors that are just starting out because it is tough to build a fan base. I am not a writer and don't aspire to be.

I am a book review blogger however so I follow a ton of authors and receive numerous book review requests per day. Yep self promo is a hard thing to do.

MichelleKCanada
http://anotherlookbookreviews.blogspot.com/

I agree - I only do the stuff I enjoy.

* Talking to other writers online about writing? No problem (writers are readers too, after all) - it's already earned me some pre-orders.

* Meeting people at conventions and talking about my forthcoming book? Love it - especially if it involves hanging out in the bar :)

* Coming up with fun ways to engage prospective readers (like tweeting, in character, in real time, my protagonist's life in the run-up to the book's release)? You bet!

On the other hand I've practically given up on Facebook because it bores me rigid for some reason. Probably because I don't give a rat's arse about other people's photos or Farmville progress...

Self promotion does blow, but I read your pledge post and didn't find it annoying or offensive at all.

No one wants to be hit over the head with non-stop promotion (like those annoying people on Twitter who DM you minute you follow with a "buy my book" message.)

However, I also think people need to get less combative when a writer who has given them a lot by way of blogging helpful info or whatever the case may be politely mentions their book.

If some actor was blogging/tweeting and said--hey, btw, my movie comes out this week, would love if you saw it, no one would get offended.

It seems writers have this label on them that we're not supposed to really want money. I just read author Bob Mayer's post on a related topic about writers not asking to get paid when they give a workshop or presentation (Pay the Writer - http://writeitforward.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/pay-the-writer/). It's like we're supposed to immune to wanting to be paid for our skills.

Blogging is hard work. I've done it for two years and it takes a lot of time. Like you, it's something I enjoy doing, but I also feel like it's not out of left field to ask those same people who have been enjoying the posts to consider buying my book when it comes out. I know I buy books all the time simply because I've gotten to know the person online and want to support them. It's just a nice thing to do. Plus, if you love someone's posts, chances are, you're going to enjoy their book as well.

I'm a little surprised you spent more time justifying what was a pretty benign bit of self-promotion. I think anybody that would begrudge you doing a little advertising for yourself should sit back and count up the number of free articles on your blog they've read over the years.

Self-promotion does suck (I think especially for writerly types: it requires us to come out of our caves) but it is the way now. I started a blog based on some very good advice I received a few months ago from a tech saavy friend who works in social media: he said he'd be surprised if there was any new authors two years from now that didn't have at least a blog presence. They want to know you can develop some following on your own.

I look at it as a very fair trade. I post free blogs for your entertainment (or derision as the case may be) and down the road you'll have to listen to me shill a couple of times. How is that unfair?

First, it is an attribute to your integrity and your character that self-promotion bothers you. If your whole intention for this blog was to self-promote, you wouldn't have any followers.

There is nothing wrong with reminding everyone about who you are: a great author with a wonderful story to tell, who is using his knowledge to help his fellow authors.

I disagree with "anonymous" on most of his comment, but I do agree with one part, "a product sells by word of mouth." Yes, especially in this day and age, you have to rely on word of mouth. But who's words are better to rely on than the author's? If the author isn't passionate enough about their work to go through the nasty feeling of self-promotion, that says something about the work.

'Anonymous' also said, "if it doesn't feel good, you know its wrong'. I just ran a half marathon, and let me tell you , that didn't feel good, but it was good for me. We have to push past our comfort zones in this business in order to make it work.

Thanks for the wonderful post.

Anon @ 7:33 said, "Do good work. Be true to yourself. Do not compromise your integrity. Let the universe handle the rest."

If it were only that simple authors would never have to work at promotion again.

But it's not. And the best self-promotion is the kind that doesn't even look like self-promotion.

Here's one example. There's a self-published author right now who is scouring the web with information about how her/his book is top quality, as far as self-published books go...the quality theme is the perfect promotional angle, especially when so many self-published books are lacking quality. The author isn't actually promoting the book, but rather discussing the quality of all self-published e-books. And it's working. People are buying it and the book is bestseller. On this one issue of quality alone, the author has become a hero of sorts in some circles.

And it looks completely accidental. But trust me, it's promotion and the author knows exactly what he/she is doing. The hidden angles of self-promotion are numerous, and promoting well has nothing to do with shouting "Me."

I don't know. I don't have any problem with self promotion at all. I love to speak with my future readers (As my novel is not yet released, yet the fans are slowly gathering.). I also love to give them some gifts, arts what they really appreciate (i.e.: The "Facebook Fan Achivement" pictures what I give them after we reach every X number.). I also love to make the NASA week what we have now as we sent an art about the main character up to space aboard Atlantis (Tbis is the winged lady's second trip to space. :) ). I also love to share some trivias with the readers, elements what about they can't read. And they also loved to comment how they feel about the work, even prior the release. It's giving a great boost in the final leg of development and final polishing.

In my opinion self promotion sucks only if you don't have anything to promote and if you force it. Otherwise it's fun. The key is; don't try to sell your work, don't tweet the usual, BUY, BUY, BUY NOW! stuff or tweet every second IT'S RELEASED, IT'S NUMBER #1! BUY NOW! or the ANOTHER FIVE STAR REVIEW!. Just speak about your work naturally. I'm also just speaking about it and with this, I already have a quite greater fan support than some writers who released few books and making forced advertisements (And my work is not even released.).

This is nothing new. Authors have been self-promoting since the beginning of time. Some are just more aggressive than others.

Truman Capote consciously became the ultimate fag hag and court jester by courting wealthy socialites like Babe Paley in order to get his books sold.

Yes, we have to self-promote. I made the mistake of not doing enough for my first novel, STASH, not even realizing I wasn't doing enough, so I've got until next June when CLEAN BREAK comes out to come to terms with the fact I must do more. It hurts, it really does, but that's no excuse not to self-promote.

Like a few others, I actually enjoy the promotion aspects of the process -- as long as it is in a situation where that's the purpose: a presentation, a signing, etc. where people come for information, where they expect promotion in some form. I have plenty of confidence in the book's content (non-fiction) and my own knowledge and delivery to know it can work.

But like many others, I hate the promotion in other situations, including social media, where it is uncomfortable. One post to my Facebook friends and I'm done. (But I do have a Facebook page FOR the book, too; the same rules don't apply as those I use on my personal page.)

My blog is about the book (or rather, about the kinds of things in the book) so I don't even remotely see that as difficult or obtrusive to the viewers - they should understand that that is what it is for: promotion. My web site is about a lot of other things, so there are some links that amount to promotion, but (I hope) not too obnoxious.

Ahhh - a positive tide of irony flooding down the comment board.....=0)

As much as I wish it weren't so, I agree whole-heartedly. I'm just glad I have a lack of talent to go with my lack of self-confidence.

Anonymous @8:03, that's not actually what "fag hag" means...

But back to the subject! The way I see it is: if a writer is a) HONEST and b) creative with their self-promotion, I don't have a problem with it. I don't like feeling as if someone's trying to trick me into buying their product-- if it's worth hearing about, you would just come right out and tell me you had this boss book and I should check it out, you know?

-Salom

*plugs ears*

lalalaCAN'THEARYOUlalala


sigh. I try to escape this fact, but it seems unavoidable. I guess should just enjoy not having to promote myself while it lasts.

Nathan,
This suggestion may seem sarcastic, but it's serious. Have you ever thought of taking an acting class? No joke. If you hang around theatre people for awhile, you soon lose all hang ups about self-promotion. No, I don't mean Hollywood divas who nauseate the rest of us with their narcissism (although they obviously are okay with self-promotion). I mean stage actors. They MUST self-promote in order to get job after job and live.
Also, you might talk to a successful small business owner. Surely you can find someone like that? Being an author now is a lot like running a small business. Talk to someone who does it.
I read yesterday's post and thought it was spot-on for funny self-promotion. You obviously know how to do it, so you just need to get over your shyness and do it.
Good luck. But please consider my suggestions; they are genuine.

Funny timing, cuz I just wrote an entry today about how blogging is at best an inefficient way to sell novels, and at worst, a waste of time

You know what? This makes me really angry.

THIS IS YOUR BLOG! YOURS!
It's for your use to address anything you wish. That you give back to this community from your expertise and knowledge of the publishing world is a by-product. And one so many of us are thankful for.

THE BLOG IS YOURS! It is meant for you to use, to reach out to a community of fans and followers and talk about what it is that makes up the world of Nathan. You are a writer. You write books. Books get published. You must promote the books.

It isn't overkill to put at the end of every post a short bio and whatever books you have published. It's information new readers would like, it reminds older readers of who you are and what you've achieved. DON'T BE SHY! I swear, every time I go to Chuck Wendig's site: http://terribleminds I read his bio and love it.

I say promote the hell out of that good book! If the naysayers don't like it they don't have to visit.

"Don't promote your book! Let the universe take care of it!"

The universe doesn't pay my rent.

Let me translate that post: "I don't want to promote my book and I'm terrified that if other writers learn how to self-promote, people will buy THEIR book and not MY book. I need to believe that I'm right and they're wrong, so let me anonymously try to scare new writers into thinking that self-promotion is bad and evil!!!"

I stopped accusing any artist of selling out once I started taking myself seriously as an artist.

I can't imagine anyone getting snippy about that post. The blog is free to read -- or not. And the point of having one is promotion. Glad you put it back up.

Your blog has kept followers current with the state of publishing (thank you) so it should be no surprise to anyone that self-promotion is a needful aspect of the business. However, too many authors confuse what really snags a reader into buying their book and what repels them no matter how much they ‘know’ self-promotion is necessary

What makes me want to buy a book is not how many times the title can be squeezed into each post, how available the links are to purchase it or flagrant "buy me" posts. There are subtler ways to enhancing readers that also build author loyalty which is really the goal of self-promotion (or should be). Many of these ways don’t even involve pushing the book itself. The books I’ve bought from reading author blogs are all because I felt I was friends with the author and wanted to support him/her, photos of their publicity tour showed off the worth of buying and reading reviews on OTHER blogs saying how good the book was. Many of these sources were in posts but not the main topic and links to buy the book or find reviews are on the side bars not the center.

People read author blogs to find out more about an author, to gain advice and to see what the book is about before buying it. If we like it, we’ll find reviews, other work you’ve published, and the cheapest site to buy your book on our own. The trick is to make us want to find it by engaging our loyalty, our interest in your writing style or there is so much hype from other sources about your book we have to buy it.

Many aspiring authors want to help fellow writers out but no one likes feeling pressure to do so. If you write well, have a good following of people who are rooting for YOU, and make them feel a part of what you’re doing then you don’t ever have to feel bad for self-promotion, it will happen on it’s own.

Hi Nathan,
Your post is right on. As a budding author with my first book coming out in September, I'm definitely feeling this pressure. But I've adopted a forsight another speaker gave me....that social media is all about promoting others 80 percent of the time and 20 percenter yourself. I'm hoping that will appease the masses, plus I'm really having fun promoting others and gaining new friends. But for those naysayers (and I know they will come) I hope to solace my muse by offering her a new quote by George Carlin I learned at a workshop this weekend..."Those who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music." :-)
Thanks!
C.K. Volnek

Self-promotion does suck. It's hard to blow our own horn. When I have something to do that's out of my comfort zone, I try to focus on what I want as a result.

Some writers are good at self-promotion, some struggle.

Marketing is business, which seems to clash with a creative endeavor, but in this new publishing era, where we are expected to 'hit the floor running' in expertise and savvy, you better be prepared to dive in or at least get your toes wet.

If a writer has a blog and wants to promote his book on that blog, IMO it's that blogger's prerogative. Just tell me how and where. A blog dispenses content and encourages discussion, but is not that much different from a web page in highlighting that author's writing ability. If tact or humor is present, so much the better. I can ignore it or not.

Have you redefined the purpose of this blog, Nathan, since it's no longer an agent's blog, it's now an author's blog?

An author is allowed more freedom on his blog, where a lit agent could be seen as having a conflict of interest situation if he promoted his book on his own blog.

BTW - halfway through Jacob Wonderbar ... and enjoying Sarah Daisy very much.

I bought your book because I wanted to read it. It sounded interesting and as a first time author I can only imagine the excitement you felt when you held it in your hands for the first time.

Do what you have to do to get it out to the masses. Promote! Promote! Promote! And if Jacob Wonderbar was around to give his thoughts I'm sure he would agree.

I agree wholeheartedly.

Just after reading this, I read this interesting and relevant blog post about John Mayer's thoughts on tweeting/blogging/self-promotion, and the negative effect it had on his (song)writing: http://bit.ly/nddtJy

Worth reading and considering...

It's always weird having to stand up and say "Look at me! Isn't this thing I've done awesome?" Most of us have been told/taught to do just the opposite -- take praise with a grain of salt, smile, say thank you, then sit down. It's hard to break out of that without feeling like a complete creep. And there's always going to be someone who takes what you say the wrong way, and assume that self-promotion is your personality.

I can't imagine someone flipping out over your "pledge" post.

First, this is your blog. Yes, the usual subject of this blog is broader in scope, but IT'S YOUR BLOG. And it's not as if you haven't paid forward enough posts by filling them with information that helped the rest of us. A few made in your own interest isn't a lot to ask.

Some people just like to complain. Ignore them -- or better, sic a space monkey on them ;)

You are absolutely right! It's tough and "icky" and no one likes doing it (well, some might), but it's gotta start somewhere. It's like having a child and then never telling anyone about her, and if you do, people get conniptions. Sure, if you talked about her all the time, it'd get annoying but I'd probably just stop listening (ie reading your blog).

...oh, and please don't salt the earth :D

Nathan, your melancholy view of self-promotion is a complete disservice to yourself and the people who follow your blog.

Self-promotion is NOT an insect to be squashed. It is a VERY necessary *skill* and *art form*. It is also a natural outgrowth of CONFIDENCE.

The only reason it's so distasteful to you (and a great many people) is because it's misunderstood in it's nature and purpose.

It takes courage and humility (yes, I said humility) to self-promote. It takes understanding that neither you nor your work are so sublime that you don't need to politely ask folks if they wouldn't mind giving you a chance.

I don't go up to a woman I find attractive and try to strike up conversation because I'm a sleazy douche. I do it becuause I have the confidence to believe that even though I might not be the cutest, richest, or toughest guy, I have other qualities to offer. And I'm humble enough to understand that I'm not above asking her to take a look at those qualities.

You should seriously rethink your views on the subject, Nathan.

Bill

Self-promote or don't.

Doesn't matter.

Because you get one of three outcomes. One, you'll do it just right and sell a lot of books. Two, you'll do it with mediocre success, retaining some fans, loosing some, and not selling much for your efforts. Three, you'll crash and burn.

But while we're on the topic of personal gain, you're still under the impression that readers owe you a debt because you write a blog. (Laughs. Set up a subscription and you'll find out real quick how much people value what you have say.) (Also, since we're on the topic of things that were once free but are no longer free, how are you gonna react when blogger isn't free anymore?)

But I do this blog thing for free, you. (Laughs again. So do millions of other people, most of which feel lucky just to get comments. By the way I'd of been happy with a few comments on my blog, but I read you and commented anyway. As far as I'm concerned, this has been a one way street and it's all flowing toward you. )

Again, I have nothing wrong with self promotion. Lots of writers do it but I hate it when some one comes along as says, well, here's the bill for my friendship. And you're not even a freaking friend. You're just a blogger.

Here's an idea. Hold your updates hostage. Don't blog until you've sold twenty or fifty- you set the number- copies of your book. I mean if your gonna attach strings, then attach them, otherwise just say, you'd really like us to buy your book and leave the discussion of strings and things that were once free not being free to someone better equipped.

I'm not opposed to self-promotion, but it like overnight you jumped form an all around likable guy to a diva.

Pay me.
Pay me.
Pay me.

For blogging.

If you feel like it's a waste of your time unless you get paid, then charge for it or quit.

If your terribly insulted by what I've had say, put your money where your mouth is and buy his stupid book before he has a coronary. Otherwise, your support is just lip service and you can stuff a sock in it.

bill-

Definitely take the point that it can and should be done with more confidence. Though I don't know that our views diverge so much. I still self-promote too because I think my book has something to offer, just as you hit on the ladies for the same reason.

anon@9:29-

Huh?

You have provided priceless advice and support to aspiring writers at no charge, in an ad-free environment. Personally, I don't think you should flinch at requesting some reciprocity. But self-promotion definitely sucks, and I suck at it, so I know how you feel.

I think this fellow blogger did a great job of promoting her book here:

http://mwfseekingbff.com/2011/07/06/i-have-a-book-cover/

Self-promotion does suck, even if you learn to do it in new and creative ways. My friend and I started a new website for our genre last week. It's aimed at fostering community between the writers and readers... which means hey! It's a thinly veiled attempt at self-promotion! We're opening it up for other authors to get involved, but obviously our ultimate goal is for people to buy our books.

I wonder if those who are most vocal against self-promotion from others are the ones who are terrified to do it themselves. Those of us who accept it must be done will accept it from others as well. To those who deny the necessity of self-promotion in an author's life, each bit from others is one more reminder that they're wrong.

Glad you put it back up.

"People. They're the worst." (Ah Seinfeld, how I miss you.)

To Anon @ 9:29AM -

I can't speak for Nathan, since I'm not him.

But it's the sanctimony of your post that I find offensive.

That, and the fact that's it's totally untrue. I've followed this blog for a year and change your post has more diva leanings than anything Nathan's posted.

Bill

Here's the sticking point for me: This blog used to be that of a literary agent, not an author. The people who go to read a lit agent's blog are not necessarily those who want to buy a children's book.

It feels a little bit like a guilt trip - I worked so hard on this blog, and you've been getting it for free all this time, so don't you think you should start paying? And you can pay by buying my children's book.

I'm all for self-promotion. But I feel, in my humble and anonymous don't-dump-on-me-okay? opinion, that NB needs to decide what he is - are you a lit agent OR an author?

If the latter, LET GO of your lit agent identity/blog/platform, GET creative, and start a brand new blog WITHOUT all the lit agent stuff you are comfortable with - queries, writing, publishing. It muddies the water.

CREATE YOUR AUTHORIAL IDENTITY - yes it's painful to let go of your lit agent thing (and the platform you have built up over the years, AS A LIT AGENT), but it's leading to ho-hum ineffective self-promotion as an author.

You haven't been hitting your target market with an ex-lit agent/author hybrid blog. Make a clean break, get creative, and painstakingly build your new blog readership. Which I think should be A LOT YOUNGER and LESS ARTICULATE than the people currently leaving comments!

Just my opinion, but think about it NB. You are talented, are you really doing your talent justice with the hybrid blog?

"I still self-promote too because I think my book has something to offer, just as you hit on the ladies for the same reason."

Nathan, you make me sound like such a skeeze. LOL!!

Where I think our views are different is that like the Amanda Palmer article somebody here mentioned, I NEVER feel weird about promoting myself.

I had to promote myself while interviewing to get my current job. I have to promote myself to interest folks in my writing. I have to promote my way of thinking to get my supervisor to see things my way.

Why should it be a different thing just cause it's a blog??

Bill

bill-

Ha, and point taken.

anon@9:43-

Um. I mean, I changed the blog title to "Nathan Bransford, Author" and I have blogged about queries about.... two or three times in the last six months as I've been focused on the writing process and social networking and the life of a writer?

I feel like I've already done what you're telling me to do. I'm an ex-lit agent turned writer/social media manager. That's who I am. If I tried to be something different it would feel fake.

"But I feel, in my humble and anonymous don't-dump-on-me-okay? opinion, that NB needs to decide what he is - are you a lit agent OR an author?"

I would never use the comment section to dump on anyone. But your first post was rife with condescension and snide. The second is considerably less so.

You and I are looking at the same blog, but I feel that, perhaps, you are trying to read into Nathan's motives and intent, something none of us can do unless your name is Charles Xavier.

He explained his switch from Agent to Author. I simply see a guy using his platform to promote his new venture. I don't look at it as him trying to guilt me into buying a children's book.

Children's books aren't my thing, so I don't really get into that when he promotes it (no offense to you Nathan). But I find his information on the business and writing totally up my alley, so I read it.

Bill

Hah! You're so clever, Nathan. I see what you did here. Bravo, sir.

I love your blog and I had every intention of buying your book, but Nathan, it is overpriced for the market. They seem to have priced it kike a writing book instead of a kids book. I'm waiting for the paper back (which is 2.00 more than a Bruce Coville book or The fourth Grade Fairy and 1.00 over How to Train Your Dragon. These are some of your market Competitors. I thought it would be cheaper on Kindle, but it isn't. So I will be reading it next April

I hate to say it, but, respectfully, I must disagree with the general trend here. People seem to be buying into the same mistaken idea that folks have about selling things in general - that it's forcing people to buy things they don't want or need so the seller can get rich at their expense.

This can happen, of course. But it's not the way it has to be.

The best kind of selling or self promotion is when you have something that you belief will be of value to people, and you get paid for doing the work of putting people together with something that will make their lives better.

For example, some people think of selling life insurance as hustling, while others sell it as a way of keeping the death of a family member from creating a financial crisis for everyone left behind (when you're grieving for your spouse, you don't want to also be worrying about losing your house).

Self promotion is hard work, yes. But we don't have to lock ourselves into the false modesty that says its not nice to try and sell something you've created.

It's a good book, right? You wouldn't be trying to sell it if you didn't think it had value for readers, right? Then relax and say "Lookee here at this cool book". A lot :).

Speaking of which, I have a book I've written "Adventures in Palmistry" that's currently for sale. If you're not interested in psychic readings, this won't be your cup of tea; but if you'd like to learn about palmistry, I make it easy and fun for you.

Speaking of self-promotion.... I would love to find out how the heck to approach agents / editors at writing gatherings, and make the proverbial "elevator pitch" without coming off like a creep, stalker, climber, loser...etc. I'm not talking about formal pitch sessions, but, say, eating lunch together where you're expected to schmooz or for that matter in an elevator. And when is it cool to approach and when is it creepy or rude? How do you break the ice?

I DARE YOU - A WHOLE WEEK OF BLOG POSTS AS CHILDREN'S AUTHOR, NOT SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

"I've been focused on the writing process and social networking and the life of a writer?"

I guess I'm saying don't blog about the writing process and social networking and the life of a writer either - are these the concerns of the target demographic for your book? No.

I feel, in my anonymous opinion, yeah cause I can't take the heat, I admit it freely :) - the writer/social media manager hybrid construct is a cop-out. You already have demonstrated strength in the social media manager arena - but you DON'T have it, when it comes to creatively and exclusively promoting a children's book. Maybe you really don't have any ideas HOW to write a blog with frequent updates, coming from the perspective of a children's author. Geared toward children/parents. Learning curve!

I feel, in my humble opinion, it's just safer (though less effective) to hang on to whatcha know how to do supremely well - than take that big leap into something you don't.

Seriously, come up with 5 blog post titles on children's lit or rockets or substitute teachers or WHATEVER - geared for your target demographic. I dare you. Go for broke, and let's see what you come up with. NOT geared toward us WRITERS with our own books/manuscripts.

PS This anonymous posting is really liberating! :)

Writing with the intent to sell your work, either directly through self-publishing or indirectly with a publisher (large or small) is a business venture. To engage in it successfully you need to be willing to approach your work in a professional manner, and to do that you must understand the various components of sales and marketing.

Self-promotion is a form of marketing, and marketing is the precursor to sales.

If your book were a seed, and sales were the harvest, then marketing is your soil, fertilizer, water, and sunlight.

It is very hard to make the transition to self-promotor, because it requires (on some levels) that you check your modesty at the door.

This is can be very unnerving and completely counter-intuitive for many of us. We are used to being criticized. We have been ripped apart and rejected so many times it is tough to feel our work is great, let alone shout it from the rooftops.

The reality, though, is that people need to believe your book is great if they are going to spend their time and money on it.
That being said, it is very hard to appear confident without being arrogant, and to encourage people to buy without being pushy.

And the internet is tricky. Something on the web can haunt you forever, even after you take a post or comment down chances are it's cached somewhere. But the Internet also has a short attention span, and both a brilliant move and a move that tastes distincly of shoe leather have the chance of going completely unnoticed. And you never know which it will be...You just need to be brave enough to give it your best effort and hope people will appreciate it as that.

WORD VERIFICATION: censes. An occpuation on which Hannibal Lector once dined with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.

@Creative - there are already numerous 'huddles' or author collectives and FB writers groups who cross-promote each other's work. At first I thought this was a good idea. Hey, I can get Likes on my FB page and Amazon tags and I'll reciprocate. It soon felt even worse than self-promotion because I hadn't read those books and frankly, based on the blurb and sample, I will never read most of those books.

Consumers are already wary of false starred ratings and blind promotion. I would much rather that anyone who leaves a 5-star review on my book's Amazon page actually read it and genuinely enjoyed the read.

I am no longer in any of those groups. Wasn't right for me.

anon-

I'll think about how I can incorporate some of your suggestions, but I do think it's kind of funny that you're prescribing drastic changes for my blog and my self-promotional tactics when you yourself are too bashful to post non-anonymously.

@Anon 9:29

Your comment that people don't value Nathan's blog posts because they wouldn't be willing to pay for them is awfully simplistic.

There are all kinds of stuff that we would never pay for that has great value. Parenting comes to mind. Sex. I suspect a majority of men would be choosing celibacy if they started charging $20 for each time they had sex. Does that mean women don't value sex?

There are all sorts of things we pay for (and expect to pay for) that have no value. Speaking from experience I have never in my life seen a billboard and then purchased said product. If the billboard has any effect it is usually to prompt me to say, "Wow, what a colossal waste of money. I would fire that advertising agency." Now if I walked up to a billboard owner and told him this and then told him he shouldn't charge for his billboard, what do you think he would say?

And your one way street comment is totally suspect. Most of life if a one way street flowing out. McDonald's has never once bought a french fry or hamburger from me nor have they even mentioned me on their website despite the fact that I've eaten hundreds, nay, thousands of their fries and burgers. Same goes for the New York Times which I'm still waiting for just one comment on my blog as I've bought countless issues of their newspaper. Don't even get me started on the temerity of Yahoo! which asks me to share THEIR articles on MY social networks and they've never given me a red cent.

That being said: go to my blog and one way street to your heart's content. www.somethingauthorly.blogspot.com

I hate it. What if people hate me for promoting my blog or the book I'm writing? What if they hold it against me? What if they hold it against what I write? What if they don't give me a chance just because I seem so self-centered as to promote my work?

But what else is there to do? You have to get your work mentioned out there, somewhere, if you ever want anyone to read it or to make any sort of money.

Thanks for letting me know I'm not alone in that icky feeling, like you're selling your soul for a quick buck. Have a great day, and happy writing!

I doubt that Chevy or Apple or Harry Potter or the tire shop around the corner are too squeamish about pimping their products out. I think you just have to be careful not to beat people over the head with mundane stuff about your books. It's like those same boring commercials you see or hear every five minutes that cause people to change channels. But many are creatively well done and leave a lasting impression. Yet, some fiction writers stop the creative juices from flowing as soon as they write "the end". I would hate self-promoting too if I took that angle.

It's been a bit since I've been on the blog so I missed the drama on Friday. I read today's post first, then went back to see what all the hoopla was about.

All you did was ask people to consider buying your book. You were very polite.

People should consider buying your book. Writers can't buy food and pay rent with happy thoughts and warm fuzzies. "Oh, isn't Nathan wonderful!" doesn't work as legal tender.

Self promotion is necessary. Like flossing. Just do it.

Go Nathan ... like Chumbawamba sang... -- just get up again. The world is messy, life is messy, why wouldn't finding your audience be messy too?

I was surprised that you got negative feedback from visitors to your blog. It is, after all, your own space to do with as you like. If a blog reader doesn't like it, they it is up to them to stop reading your blog. I'm guessing they won't be buying your book either, so no big loss.

Good luck with Jacob Wonderbar. I keep trying to talk it up to my 7-year old, but she hasn't bitten yet. Maybe the next Jacob Wonderbar should include something pink and glittery (just kidding) :)

"I DARE YOU - A WHOLE WEEK OF BLOG POSTS AS CHILDREN'S AUTHOR, NOT SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER"

I think that it's a foolish dare to take.

Nathan has built up a following as an agent, and from discussing the business and trends in writing/publishing. That following is an ADVANTAGE. Why should he not take advantage of that advantage??

Because it's "unseemly" and "poor decorum" to some? Because it offends somebody's sensibilities?? Because he needs to demonstrate some outmoded sense of machismo?

Please.

Bill

See Nathan, again the "approaching the attractive woman" thing comes into play.

Just because some guys think that flowers, opening doors and pulling out chairs, and saying something nice about a woman other than her cup size..is a sign of being a sissy, doesn't mean *I* have to buy into it.

I mean, Nathan, you're married. Think about it. Your wife is with you BECAUSE you PROMOTED YOURSELF as an ideal mate and eventually husband.

Even though, you might say, "Hang on, Bill. I wasn't trying to hustle my wife, I was simply being me." But THAT'S MY POINT. Self-promotion isn't lying or misleading, it's about honesty at it's core.

If your model of self-promotion is about following others and pandering to the crowd, then you're right to be disdainful of it.

If you're following your own sensibilities then you have nothing to be ashamed of.

Bill

Couldn't agree with you more. It SUCKS big time! The thing I keep reminding myself is that it takes time to build an audience.

It also takes some of the joy out of writing when you are worried if this new piece you are working on will sell. I liked it better when I just wrote for me.

I just posted on my own little blog about what I've done to "put myself out there" as an aspiring author. Yes, it's scary and it can feel a bit narcisistic, but it's a reality in the publishing world. What has helped me work through the negativity of self-promotion is viewing it in a different light. As I post blogs and tweet, trying to gain more followers who will in turn tell others about my writing, I see it as finding my place in the YA writing community, finding a place where I belong. Yes, I'm self-promoting, but I'm also A PART OF SOMETHING - something very important to me and so many others - young adult literature. So, maybe if we approach self-promotion with a positive attitude, it won't be as painful! : )

I actually read your blog, Nathan, because I like the way you write. I like your style...if that makes sense.

And frankly, I'd continue to read if you posted more about middle grade books and the happenings in this genre. It's something I don't know much about and something that would take me away from what I'm always doing in my own genre. And this is why I love your blog so much...escapism.

I'm not the anon you addressed earlier. I do post anon for reasons, some of which have to do with the fact that I don't want to be accused of promoting myself on comment threads. (It's a little snarky in the cyber world ;)

Ah...you just have to jump into it with both feet and humbly acknowledge your strengths. For instance, I can say without hesitation that I am one of the nation's great writers of lousy query letters. See what I mean? It's easy.

I take "have to" to mean you really should. But of course. How else are you going to get that word of mouth started?

How often do you see a celebrity on a talk show who isn't plugging something? Shameless? Sometimes, yes. But we know what they're doing. That's how they make a living.

I think the few that take issue with your self-promotion probably just aren't used to seeing you play that role. I admit, I wasn't at first either, being a longtime reader of this blog. But you're a writer now, and you're wearing a different hat. Love it or hate it, you have to make it fit.

Okay, folks, listen up.

If you bought Nathan's book, WRITE A REVIEW on Amazon, B&N, wherever you bought it.

You don't have to write a huge review -- a short, informal one is fine. Reviews help a book rise in the standings and let other readers know you enjoyed it.

I bought the book this past weekend and plan to write a review after I finish it.

I think marketing is a p.i.t.a. Personally, I have no problem "strutting my stuff" as I write niche books (I'm an avid animal lover and all my work involves dogs, be it a short tale or a suspense novel). So, those who care about this subject aren't really hard to convince.

However, I freely admit that I am a techno-dummie. I hate Facebook, haven't even tried Twitter, my blog is dormant, and the list goes on.

So I've basically stopped the self-promo. Be it good, bad, or ugly, I'm slogging my way through via word of mouth. Yes, I understand that people need to know my books are out there and where to find them (I am an Amazon author) but the constant pressure of marketing puts a huge damper on my time & creativity...I abhor it.

Anyway, great post, Nathan.

I enjoy promoting my Brand! New! Kindle! political thriller when I remember how much fun it was to write and that even I enjoy reading it... though I rewrote it a million times. And somebody must love it because I've got five 5-star reviews and one 4 (and only one came from a relative). So... ta da... if you think you might like to hear what happens when a female V.P. gets the Dem nomination, and her GOP opponent is Jerusha Hutchins, of the large blonde hair and eight children, who is running for POTUS because G*d told her to... check out my book for the bargain price of $4.99. http://www.amazon.com/RUNNING-ebook/dp/B005AJA43O

I feel like us readers need to band together and start a program of promotion for our favorite authors and do some of the leg work for the people and books we love. Like, every author should be given their own little fan club to help them with this part of the deal.

I think it is also good to remind each other periodically that the best thing we can do for writers we love is to read, write reviews and spread the word.

I get that people who want lit agent advice are not necessarily the same people who want a children's book. But if you made a Venn diagram, there would be a lot of overlap. I mean who doesn't know a kid who reads?

I buy books all the time that I might not love, to support friends and also bloggers who I like. I bought four copies of a blogging friend's self-pubbed book (which is fantastic, by the way) and have given the copies to friends. To support him.

I've gotten a lot more than I've given as a lurker on this blog. No, Nathan isn't my friend. But he's been helpful to my process and I do not mind at all suporting him. I have an eight year old son. No brainer.

The first rule of self promoting with a blog is to GIVE your readers some information they need or want. Not to talk about your cat or your divorce or your rejections. At least not exclusively. (I say this as someone who just posted about a 73 year old "parakeet"). My point is if your story is set in Nepal, blog about Nepal. If your character is a famous chef, give recipes. Etc. At least some of the time. Nathan has done that in spades. And he has a following. And he'd be an idiot not to leverage that in his author process.

I think that people aren't so much repelled by tasteful self-promotion as they are by shameless, obnoxious or overbearing self-promotion. A simple note on Facebook or Twitter to alert your friends is okay. A reading at a bookstore can be worthwhile. Distributing a few bookmarks with your book info won't alienate many potential readers. The point is to do it tastefully and discretely and leave the offensive self-promotion to the other guy.

I had some extra time so I thought I would check in and Holy Hell what is with all this drama???

If you don't like Nathan's blog or you find it offensive or self serving, then just GO AWAY.

As for you, Nathan. You ARE freakin' awesome and you wrote a great book. Embrace it. Promote it. Sell it.

That's all. I thought everyone needed a reality check. I know I feel better.

You're still beating yourself up over this? Buddy, let it go. It was a good idea, this pledge thing, but the execution sounded a bit like, I do all this for you, so you kinda owe me. And maybe your right. But people don't like to hear that, or respond to guilt. Maybe you should have had somebody else handle it up front and you behind the scenes. I thought it was pretty cool idea. I can see it being tricky to get the me me out of it. maybe a portion of profit goes to a favorite charity, something to remove yourself a bit.
I've had my biggest spikes in sales right after interviews, radio, and blog, now this sucks too, because after a while you're sick of answering the same questions and talking about the same book when you've moved on mentaly, deep into a new project. but it seems to work, and getting reviews is supposed to help, but the good ones are so swamped it take a year to get one. I know you have to self promote and know it sucks and it's frustrating slow picking up sales. Your book hasn't been out very long though, being a former agent I'm sure you've said to a client or two, "be patient, it takes time." lol. And forget the negative stuff, whenever you stick your butt out there, somebody somewhere's gonna bite it.
just the way it is, and probably always will be.
I would have guessed Dial would have a had some sorta marketing plan in place for two book deal. They have money on the line, whats up with that?

I bought your book this weekend. Why? Because you asked. I thought I might get around to it eventually, but I don't buy a lot of hardback books, so I might never have gotten to it. I did it because I appreciate this blog and because you asked. You can chalk that sale up to self-promotion.

700,000 indie writers. Those who are successful understand that writing is only half the job. If we don't promote ourselves and our work, who will!
Thanks,
Bert

Oh, yes, i know just what you mean. I'm about to climb aboard the self-promo train myself. Sigh. It reminds me of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNiR5ZTb_MA&feature=related

Nathan,

As an experienced self-promoter who found it difficult at first (especially after spending an entire year giving many things out for free to create my customer base) I can tell you that it gets easier.

And here is my best piece of advice to anyone who finds that their "followers" are only interested in "freebies"...get them off your list.

Why you ask? I mean, aren't they potential customers? No. Not if they claim the right to be "offended" when you ask them to buy your product (which is a darn good book by the way - I was one who pre-ordered it).

You have given writers a phenomenal amount of information, advice, and hand-holding...the VERY LEAST we can do for YOU is to support your endeavors.

YOU HAVE NOTHING TO APOLOGIZE FOR!

Self promotion should not SUCK...it should make you feel good because you've created a book that is fun, exciting, and inspirational.

Nathan, when you got it...flaunt it!

And you got it baby! :)

Just put your nose down and keep going. Listen to those who support you and ignore those you prefer you to be the "guy who gives all the secrets away for free"...they don't deserve you.

J. Anne

Agreed. Every time I try to self-promote anything, I start feeling like a spam bot!

Just thought you should know I bought your hardcover book for a friend who also follows your feed....and then today... BECAUSE of that bit about self promotion ...bought it for my SELF on kindle! bravo. ! Bonnie West

I just started up an online comic strip to promote my book's characters, Chalk & Cheese. I hope that's a creative and fun solution to self promotion. Yesterday I was at a music festival in the mud here in the UK, and took the opportunity of being in a large crowd of people having fun to hand out some flyers to promote said strip. I did it with a smile and good manners - nobody seemed offended, and with a bit of luck I'll pick up some new readers! You can find the strip here - http://chalkandcheesecomics.blogspot.com

Nathan, you seem like a really nice person, and you've given so much to the writing community with your blog and advice. I am grateful for all you've done!

I'm promoting a book right now and I emailed some bloggers to see if they wanted review copies. I was terrified of getting mean responses. I got a bit panicky every time I opened my email ... but you know what? Most people have been incredibly nice! I am sure there will be the occasional fly in the ointment, but I'm going to print out the nice emails so I can look at them whenever I feel blue.

I'm really surprised at some of the comments. You have given so much of your time to giving us aspiring authors help in every aspect of this writing journey. The least they[the nay sayers] can do is support you in return. I will definetly buy your book!

One thing I learned from having worked in sales for over 15 years is that consumers will buy the person first and their product second. Although self-promotion is important, it's always best to take part in activies (on or offline) that will get you admiration. Sharing tips or giving advice always puts you in a win-win situation, kind of what you're doing here, Nathan. Do it often enough, people will start to notice you because they'll start to like you. At which point, you won't be selling anything, it'll be the buyers who'll be buying.

Russell Brooks
Author of Pandora's Succession

This post will come in four parts because I have alot to say.
-----------
Part 1: April?? April?? I have to wait until April??? Arrggghhh!!!
-------------------------
Part 2: Really? You don't like the spotlight? That's interesting. I LOVE the spotlight. But I do suck at networking, and I imagine you are good at it, Nathan. It's probably because you feel confident that you have something to offer.

That's true with your book, too.

But there are ways to let people know about your book without having to be in the spotlight, if you really don't like it. And thinking about it as networking might be helpful, I don't know.
--------------------
Part 3: So many of the commenters said great stuff about this. I really liked Livia's post. I also really liked Catherine's post here, and I loved her last paragraph, which I thought was a great example of low-key, friendly promotion.

I also agree that making it fun, keeping it light, and targeting your reading group are good ideas.

You may want to read some blogs and communities for MG writers and see what ideas they have for reaching the target audience. It's true that people here love you and will buy your book, but that may not spread it as quickly as a targeted audience. I, for example, read your book, loved it, wrote two reviews for it, and talk about it here. But I don't have kids, and I don't really know anyone who has kids, so it sort of stops there.

Although I do think that things can spread slowly. Harry Potter really didn't take off until the third book. Amanda Hocking said it wasn't until her second book that things took off. People, especially kids, may actually respond better to series.

------------
Part 4: So, some other thoughts on this topic. I really don't believe in most self-promotion. I think most of the time it backfires. I even get annoyed when people put their blog URLs in their post (sorry) because it makes me feel like I'm being tricked and used, and I am LESS likely to buy their book (sorry again).

The only way that self-promotion really works is if it's personal and natural. Just like with networking. You're having a conversation with someone, but you may not mention much about your job unless it is organic. Trying to force anything is usually a turn-off.

For example, I could be wrong, but I believe, Nathan, that if you got increased sales over the weekend, it's not because you mentioned your book on your blog. It's because you were vulnerable and personal about the whole thing, and that drew people to you and made them want to support you.

I think everyone needs to find their own way to let themselves be seen. I'm fairly good at standing out in a blog (although not always in a way that people will like) - it's a weird talent - but what I do probably wouldn't work anyone else. In large part, that's because I'm fairly genuine in my attention seeking ways :). Everyone has to find their own way of just being themselves and asking for support, or playing around and having fun with it. We are creative types after all.

One last thought, sorry to be so verbose today, but in some ways, I think it's good to relax about this sort of thing. There's really no rush. There's always the next book to be written, and a writer's life is rarely defined by one book.

Okay, I'm done. Thanks. :)

p.s. April??!!!

There may have been a time when publishers footed the bill for major promotion of a book and author they felt was a golden goose prime to lay its eggs. That time has dwindled significantly, especially with the introduction of the digital age and all the pros and cons that come with it.

I, too, do not like self-promotion. However, I don't mind it for something that I can stand behind. In today's age, self-promotion is necessary.

Thanks for this blog as reminder of that truth.

http://publishness.blogspot.com/

I wish I had the link but I can't find it online now -- several years back four agents did an interview (one was Daniel Lazar of Writer's House) where they talked about "Lead Title" books, and how it was like hitting the lottery.

The gist of the that section of the interview was that their were very few things an author could do to help sell their book on any sort of large scale.

But if it was a lead title then it gets all the pub has to offer -- which is substantial in terms of free galleys, being featured at the Book Expo and ALA, talked up in the industty, and pushed for great sell-ins at bookstores, including displays.

That's why being on the midlist sucks.

Is it better to write another book, than to kill yourself trying to promote what a pub isn't? Not asking you specifically, Nathan, but just as a general question.

I had a midlist book that wasn't offered at ALA or the Book Expo, though it came out in hardcover from a big pub. Truthfully, I'd rather it hadn't gotten pubbed -- because of low sales (B&N didn't stock it, citing that it didn't have any promotion) -- and now I'm stuck trying to get a new agent while I'm saddled with a low-selling debut. It's been damn near impossible.

I wish I had the link but I can't find it online now -- several years back four agents did an interview (one was Daniel Lazar of Writer's House) where they talked about "Lead Title" books, and how it was like hitting the lottery.

The gist of the that section of the interview was that their were very few things an author could do to help sell their book on any sort of large scale.

But if it was a lead title then it gets all the pub has to offer -- which is substantial in terms of free galleys, being featured at the Book Expo and ALA, talked up in the industty, and pushed for great sell-ins at bookstores, including displays.

That's why being on the midlist sucks.

Is it better to write another book, than to kill yourself trying to promote what a pub isn't? Not asking you specifically, Nathan, but just as a general question.

I had a midlist book that wasn't offered at ALA or the Book Expo, though it came out in hardcover from a big pub. Truthfully, I'd rather it hadn't gotten pubbed -- because of low sales (B&N didn't stock it, citing that it didn't have any promotion) -- and now I'm stuck trying to get a new agent while I'm saddled with a low-selling debut. It's been damn near impossible.

Great advice. Don't listen to the naysayers.

Personally I bought a copy of Jacob for my 7-year-old son and look forward to reading it with him.

I thank you for this blog!!!! Buying a copy of your book is the least any faithful reader could do.

Omg, I can't believe I actually have MORE to say about this. I promise this will be short, and the last post from me.

First, I hope someday you become more comfortable with the spotlight Nathan, if you want to, because you have so much to offer and share.

Second, I really think there is one reason and one reason only to blog, and that reason is: You like to blog. You like sharing your thoughts, or fostering communities, or disseminating information, or other stuff like that. Blogging is a very powerful form of writing, and should be valued for that - a distinct and important form of creativity.

Lowering blogging as a means to an end is really selling it short, imho.

This is not directed toward you, Nathan, it's actually some thoughts that came up after reading Livia's blog post.

Okay, done.

p.p.s. April??!! Arrgghhhh!!!

You're doing a great job. Please correct me if I am wrong, I thought having a blog was a form of self-promoting. There isn't anything wrong with self-promoting, if you believe in your work and talent so will others. I am an author for children's books and its's a hard market to sell. Self-promoting with confidence is different than with arrogance and you are not arrogant. I bought your book and love it...congratulations on your next one. Your blog inspired me to create a blog for my writing. I have learned a great deal from you. You are a very wise person for being so young. Be confident and proud.

"[....]I think it gets at the extent to which platform isn’t about superficial relationships or basic name recognition but rather a real connection built between an author and their audience. Basically platform is the number of eyeballs you can summon at any given time, and with so many distractions competing for our attention, only a strong connection/affinity will motivate someone to go out of their way to buy a book." -Nathan Bransford, on The Writer's Inner Journey blog

I can't wait to receive and read his Wonderbar book, but frankly, I (probably along with the majority of this blog's readers) am NOT a member of the book's target audience. Let us summon all the grade school kiddos in our lives to go read it!

I don't like it. It's hard. It feels icky. But it has to be done.

Where have I heard that before?

Oh yeah. Writing QUERIES!

And how do we learn to do that? By studying what works and what doesn't. By joining crit groups and getting feedback.

By writing one.

By revising it. And revising it again. And again.

Some people get it right eventually. Some never do.

Sometimes what snags your target is something no one else thought to do. Or something even your critters didn't think would work.

Sending out your first queries is hard -- you don't know what the response will be. Just like taking your first steps in promotion.

Sometimes promoting will backfire. That's called rejection.

Sometimes promoting will cause goodwill and raise awareness. That's the request for a partial.

Sometimes promoting leads to someone checking out your book. That's the request for the full.

And sometimes promoting leads to controversy that leads to discussion that leads to awareness that, after another 5 or 6 impressions, leads to sales. That's landing the deal.

And if you keep getting rejections without requests? Then it's time to rewrite your query and try again. And again. Until you close the deal.

The more you do it, the easier it gets. Right? (Please say that's right.)

Well, I bought it, so the self-promotion worked on me. I'll tell you why. Nathan took time to answer a private email I sent him, even though he was, at the time, a busy agent. I appreciated all the time he put into the blog and his willingness to answer queries. I'm spending ten bucks on his book, as payback, because his premise and first chapter don't grab me. It's not my genre, for one thing. (We have different tastes, obviously. He didn't offer to represent me when I sent him my work.) :)

What I'm going to do with the book is read it, then give it away to a kid who will like it.

I'm sorry I didn't buy the book right away and he had to self promote. Nathan's a decent guy and I wanted to buy the book right away, but I really am very broke. Still, I should have bought it sooner than I did. I'm sorry I made him ask.

I've read your blog since you were still an agent and was pretty bummed out when you made the switch. But to my surprise you continued to provide the same valuable guidance and professional perspective as before. I wasn't the least bit surprised that you promoted your book on your website, in fact it's what I expected.

With bookstores going down in flames, it sure isn't getting any easier to get your name out there as an author. I'll be honest that I wouldn't buy your book if it wasn't a genre I enjoy because I have enough things around my house that I don't need. But I do happen to like YA and middle grade---Disney and Pixar movies too. And I plan on buying it when I'm ready to add to my reading list.

If you didn't promote JW on your website, I doubt I would've come across it. And that darn psychic power company shut me down when I forgot to pay the bill.

Some of these negative posts have a slight entitlement mentality. Give me what I want for free, and you'd better serve it to me exactly the way I like it.

Keep up the good work. You're the blogger I visit most!

Leslie

I keep lying and saying I'm not going to post again.

Quickly - I guess it's okay to blog to establish a web presence and let people know who you are and what you write.

But blogging in and of itself is also an art form, and that shouldn't be overlooked.

I checked out the article that Mira had mentioned in a comment:
http://blog.liviablackburne.com/2011/07/author-blogging-youre-doing-it-wrong.html

Really puts a fresh angle on the topic--I tend to forget distinguishing between my writerly community and my platform.

Thank you Mira.

I hate self promoting until it just happens. Then I'm forced to and then people buy and then I like it when people buy and I say "why don't I do that more often.

With that being said.

you can find links on how to buy my book from my blog,

5pocketphilosopher.wordpress.com

I like your line, Bransford: "People usually want to hear about new things from enthusiastic and neutral third parties, not the hugely biased person who created the thing."
You're promoting the correct way. We readers like your fun, racy and cute Jacob Wonderbar. After all, you wrote the book, you should promote the book. Keep promoting.

Nathan, whatever you do - please don't listen to Mira. That's just pure crap. Blogging was invented for people to get a message out - blogging in and of itself is actually a business. And for someone to say that a PROFESSIONAL blogger should not blog except for the pure enjoyment of it is just plain ignorant.

This is a business and business requires marketing. Personally, I don't think you need any help in this department because you are such a fantastic blogger, you just need to take that step from FREEBIE production to SALES.

You are one of the very few successful bloggers in the writing world - don't let anyone tell you that you OWE them free content.

That's pure crap.

For me finding the way of promoting that is the least slimy is the route I take.
Yes, I want to get paid for my books, teaching and public speaking engagements.

Society doesn't give a rat's patooty until we're big like JK Rowling or Stephen King but to reach that point we have to promote the way that we can live with ourselves.

I've held contests, had a book signing in a bar (I did sell books) a Panera Bread and a local book store. It's all a toss up.

I love meeting and talking to people which is why I love conferences and book signings. I can talk to people about the titles I have out. I promote at Barnes and Noble, Panera Bread, the grocery store. Much of the time the person and I get to talking and I ask if they are a reader. I always have business cards handy.
For me the friendly approach like the above has never gotten a bad reaction.
You're right, promo can suck like a galactic hoover.

Hugs,
Tambra
www.daughtersofavalonpublishing.com

It is a truth universally acknowledged that no matter what you do, some asshat ain't gonna like it.

This blog is terrific! I really appreciate, Nathan, that you DID keep the blog going when you changed your focus/perspective/POV from literary agent to author. You're always so accessible and encouraging--I for one find it incredibly helpful to know that even a publishing 'insider' struggles with writing, promotion etc. It's disappointing though, that a small group of commentators seem intent, not just to disagree with you (which is fine, when constructive), but to wound you, simply because you shared a vulnerability on your blog. They're either holding you on a pedestal (what Sir Nathan may or may not blog about), which isn't fair, or they're jealous of your success. Either way, as others have said here, ignore the jerks and please carry on! Susie

I once read the book "The Greatest Salesman in the World," and it totally changed my mind about being a "salesman." I used to think it was horrible and icky, too. But the whole point of that book is that, as a salesman, you're providing a valuable service to help people find what they need. So you get to know people, find out what they need, and find out how you (or your book) can deliver it.

I mean, when I go to the car lot, I want to buy a car. I hate the salesman that forces all sorts of things on me, but I love the guy who finds out what I'm looking for and can point out the cars that would work for me. I LOVE that approach to self-promotion. It can be a service, rather than a necessary evil.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that no matter what you do, some asshat ain't gonna like it.

Bwahahah! Thank you, @anon 9:29!

Nathan, while I can see how "self-promoting" a book can sometimes be uncomfortable for the promoter and the promotee, I think the promoter is merely doing what celebrities pay their publicists to do. But while actors, models, musicians, and reality TV stars land on magazine covers or get interviewed on late night talk shows to announce their new projects, many writers don't get this kind of exposure. Therefore, I think self-promoting is a necessity.

And self-promoting doesn't have to come across as self-promoting. I like reading the blogs of published writers or soon-to-be published writers especially when they talk about the process and challenges that went into writing and publishing their book. For example, I liked that you shared your query letter for Jacob Wonderbar because it was educational and useful to me as a new writer.

Just sharing my two cents. Good luck with everything.

You absolutely nailed this one. Self-promotion DOES feel icky! It makes me feel like everyone's staring at me now, wondering when I will leave and hoping it will be soon. I hate doing it.

I think a lot of this comes from having grown up, as I think a lot of creative people probably did, "on the outside looking in." We're used to people looking at us as if we have unbearable B.O. when we try to talk to them, and that's before we start telling them that we made something really neat and they should go buy it now.

Online, however, I don't hate it so much. I still dislike it, but not as much as when it's in person. This new digital era has that going for it, at least.

It still leaves me feeling covered in icky, though.

I find self-promotion boring. It only sucks if you don't have anything to promote or if you don't believe in your work.

We self-promote on a daily basis. At work we self-promote to get the job, then we self-promote all day both in our work ethics, our duties, the way we dress and present ourselves in the workplace.

Everything we do is a variation of self-promotion right down to the car you drive.

There are many ways to self-promote and not all are standing in front of a crowd and screaming "ME!"

If you are not comfortable promoting yourself or your work, you get an agent or a publicist.

"It only sucks if you don't have anything to promote or if you don't believe in your work."

True. Don't expect others to enjoy your work and it's advertisements if you can't enjoy it too at least on a minimal level.

I'm looking forward to the day when I, too, will hate self-promotion; still in the query stage!

You've got to do it and it feels awful.

Family and friends won't do it for you. There is a little envy toward the person who got their act together and wrote a book.

What you get from family and friends is word of mouth, but that's good.

www.VermillionRoadPress.com

When I have a book to promote, I'm going to promote it relentlessly. I don't understand why anyone whould take offense at an author saying at every opportunity, Hey, I wrote a book. It's good. You should buy it. Haters need to look at "Secrets of Successful Fiction" by Robert Newton Peck, who plugs his books relentlessly at every opportunity and thus, at the time he wrote the book I mention, had all of his books still in print.

You should know it worked. I'd been planning to buy your book for my son to spark some summer reading, I just haven't gotten to it...until you made it easy. And to prove that I learned from the post, here's my blog on writing: http://geoffgardner.blogspot.com/

Thanks Nathan

This is a perfect and wonderful post! As an author, it KILLS me to try and push people to buy my book, but as an author it KILLS me to have spent years on something that isn't getting read. It's a catch 22, and the lesser of two evils is sucking it up and asking people to buy your book.

your self-promo convinced me to buy your book, and it's not even my demographic. i did it cause i love your blog, and i want you to keep writing it.

the book hasn't arrived from powell's yet. when it does, i'll review it on powell's and goodreads and amazon.

it seems like a really small thing, for all the insight and good advice and cheering on you've given us.

I agree with you Joanne, there are others who are born to dislike and not agree with you even if you have the nicest and brightest idea. And as of for self promotion, successful people does this. It may sound lame but we have to do it anyway. Believe in yourself so others will.

Nathan,

I've been holding off on making a comment, because I wanted to think through my response first. Because on some levels, I disagree with you.

The proof, of course, will be in the numbers--or it would be, if you could track them, and how many copies you sold through each promoting activity.

I've never understood why advertisers don't seem to recognize that the age of hard-sell has had its day. Instead, in the face of consumer indifference, they scream louder, try for a new gimick, paint their product with a jazzier look.

I don't see that working. I'm not impressed by the shenanigans. It makes me shake my head and think somebody in marketing must be trying to justify their salary. I buy what I need. I buy the brands I already know will work. I buy for best price, best value. The rest of it is all noise. And by this point in my life, I'm very, very good at tuning it out. As a matter of fact, I make every effort to do so. Nor am I the only consumer who does.

Now, I have to make a confession that comes with a bit of an "ouch" to it, but this is what can happen when a potential buyer hits the saturation point. When you first announced Jacob Wonderbar, I was thrilled. I would have bought a copy right then and there. Problem was, the book wasn't coming out for more than a year. And by the time we went through such intense pre-release promotion via the blog, I had--well.... Lost interest. I got tired of the seemingly endless selling.

You see, I don't read the blog to buy a book. I read it for the industry information, and because I like the blogger. And I probably would have bought the book, or at least given it a read on those two points. But not when it's pushed at me.

Now, I do believe that authors need to promote their books. But promotion, when it's effective, should not involve shouting to an audience that's holding its fingers in its ears in self-defense.

There are many people who follow your blog who love you dearly, and have been glad to buy the book, but I wonder: Wouldn't most of them have bought it anyway? Because you'd already made these connections, and friends and supporters? Has any of this--except for maybe a brief announcement and a book trailer--actually sold any books? Or was it, in fact, the publishing blog (and the connections with its readers that built you such a following) that was really the most important "promotional" activity, even if it seemed to have nothing at all to do with Jacob Wonderbar? I tend to think it may have been.

And I do honestly wish you all the best, from my heart. Even if I am a jaded and cranky consumer.

Lucy

Lucy-

Yeah, the promotion did sell books.

I just want to point out one more thing: I've been reading this blog for over a year and a half, and the information and knowledge that I've gained from it cannot be measured by something as limited as dollars and cents.

Does that mean I owe Nathan? Yeah. I think so. If he ever asked me for help with something (can't imagine what he would need, but, you know) I would jump on it. I would feel obligated.

I mean yes on some levels Nathan is a friend of mine, as far as online relationships go, but really it's just the fact that he's given so much of his time and shared so much of his experience for free, and that I have literally gained so much from those efforts, in very concrete ways.

Now I actually get the best of both worlds, because a friend bought Wonderbar for me, as a gift, but I intend to buy more copies at some point, to get them signed so that I can give them as gifts as well.

Do I owe Nathan $14.99 x3 or however many copies I end up getting because of everything he's done for me? Nope. I owe him a lot more.

Now I'm not saying that this is how everyone should feel, I can only speak for myself, after all, but I think we have to realize there is a reason why this blog is so wildly popular: it provides an incredibly valuable service, which takes a lot of time and effort to provide, and it's scott free.

I enjoy reading Nathan's blogs. I've only been reading it a short while (maybe two months?) but have picked up on a lot of things I could use.

Personally, I love self promotion. I enjoy talking about ME! LOL But then, I also love hearing and learning about others.

The book I wrote was aimed at a specific audience. "In the Arms of the Father" is aimed at deaf and hard of hearing folks. Why? Because how many stories that are fiction, involve deaf or hard of hearing people?

So I self promote shamelessly every day. Yes, even though it first came out seven years ago, I still shamelessly promote the book, and will continue to do so.

Thank you, Nathan, for the wonderful tips I've been able to use these past few moths. Please continue!

Peggy

Nathan, I don't know if you are still reading comments this far down, but I just wanted to say that seeing you self-promote is what made me really WANT to buy your book. (Granted, I already did - I'll love it and I'm sure my daughters will, too - but now it's at the top of my list)

I'm not an author yet, but I’ve worked as an independent illustrator since ’04, and promoting myself (which is my LEAST favorite thing to do) is the only way I was able to build my customer base. And it sucks. So, so much. But because of self-promotion, my art is hanging in children’s rooms all over the world – that is amazing to me.

I assumed that when I get published someday, my self-promo will be over, and now I'm seeing that this is not the case. And seeing you jokingly rally for sales, in the same boat as me, opens my eyes to the fact that art is art and selling is selling, and when I sell my books someday, that self-promotion will be necessary, despite the suckage.

This blog is your space - You built it and heck, you can do what you want with it. It’s sad that people would be so rude. :(

Your blog is the first place I went when I learned of writer/agent blogs. It has been a wonderful way for me to learn, as well as connect with other writers. I wish you the best of luck.

I've just promoted myself to Supreme Lord High Potentate and Commander-In-Chief of the Known Universe, not to mention the unknown universe, which I won't mention.

Third parties may be enthusiastic, but are they ever really neutral? Everyone has some biases if they have personal preferences at all.

Heartstrings attached? I like it!

Don, you look YOUNGER than the Jacob Wonderbar target age! But i'd go easy on the Ritalin...

Anonymous 8:03 am, good point! I've often wondered just when were the good old days of publishing, and what exactly was it publishers did for their authors that they don't do now.

Livia, I loved your blog post about blogging being a waste of time. Which sounds kind of postmodern, doesn't it? But I've been thinking along those lines myself for sometime. Let's face it, most of us readers of Nathan's blog are probably pre-teens in mental age only!

But, if blogging is a waste of a writer's time, what about my commenting on another writer's blog? Or commenting on yet another writer's blog on the first writer's blog? Yikes!

Anonymous 9:29 am, how can Nathan or anyone else comment on your blog when you're anonymous?

Patrice, what makes me think you're not a Republican?

Glad to hear your promotion did sell books, Nathan. But Kevin Lynn Helmick's last question does intrigues me. Just what are Dial doing to market Jacob Wonderbar?

Excellent posts, Mira! But the hardcover is $11 on Amazon, for example, just $3 more than the paperback.

Anonymous 8:19 pm, you misread Mira. Blogging can be a business AND an art AND a pleasure, all at the same time!

Anonymous 9:29 pm, AMEN! My problem is the asshat who doesn't like what I'm doing is sometimes myself.

BTW Nathan, just what is that kid in your top pic selling? Eggs?

Hey, Nathan,

I'm glad to hear it's worked. I guess at that point it comes down to individual ideas of what's effective in promotion and marketing. I wish I could say, well, can we track numbers of sales made as opposed to those lost due to certain strategies? but there's no way on earth to track negative and possibly illusory numbers.

I think that's what really makes this game so wicked, because the hard math tends to be absent from so much of the picture. It's a bit like authors giving away business cards, pens, tote bags, etc. with their book logo on it. Marketing, yes. Promotion, yes. Effective? Dubious, according to some, including Jessica Faust.

http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2011/06/swag.html

I guess the only rule is that as long you're comfortable that something is working in this regard (and preferably not illegal or immoral), you go for it!

Good luck!

Lucy

I'm waiting to get my Macbook and the Kindle app for it (soon, very soon!) so I can get the Jacob Wonderbar e-book! I hear authors earn more if one buys their e-books.