An Open Message to Authors (was, How Can I Get Your Attention?)

[Monti]

Hi Sunny,

Thanks for being our "Kit Carson" and helping us discover the Kindle Boards!

All the best,
Monti

[drenee]

I thought I was the only one who cover shopped.  In fact, I've never admitted it before. 
And being a cover shopper, it makes it harder to shop for books on K because you're not actually cover shopping.  I have completely changed my buying habits since K, and take about 70% of my recommendations from here on the Boards.  So I do like that authors are introducing themselves here. 
But I have to agree that there is a tight line they have to walk.  I understand they can't sit around on boards all day chatting everyone up.  On the other hand, since independent authors do not have a publishing company to do their marketing, that needs to be a priority for them.   
Bottom line for me: I have found some great books to read that I otherwise never would have looked at.  I've also sampled a couple that I thought were not good at all and would not buy. 
deb

[EllenR]

I thought I was the only one who cover shopped.  In fact, I've never admitted it before. 

Add me to the cover-shopper list. :-) A good cover can sell a book to me in seconds. I know, I know -- silly way to choose a book. Oddly, I'm rarely disappointed when attracted by a cover. LOL

[VictoriaP]

I'd have to add that all the attention in the world will do you no good if your book isn't well written, with a solidly crafted storyline, and properly formatted for a wide range of ebook readers.  Yesterday, I read one of the freebies that was posted last week, and I have to say I'm not sure I've ever read a worse book.  Just about every rule for writing quality fiction was tossed.  The author had multiple books available that had seemed interesting at first glance; I deleted them all without reading after the first one proved so bad.

Just because it's easier nowadays to self publish doesn't make the actual craft of writing any easier!  Have a wide range of people critique your work, not just those who love you too much to tell you the truth.

I do prefer folks to get involved in discussions of more than their own books so I know they didn't come here just to sell.  There are plenty of reasons to hang out here for even brief periods; anyone who has a love of good writing should be able to get involved pretty easily.  And it's all research, when you think about it--people's likes/dislikes/values and the vital issues to them are out here for all to see.  Knowing your audience is important, and getting involved in places like this makes that a whole lot easier.

[Anju No. 469]

I agree with several posters who like to have the authors join us because they want to be a member of the community and not just tout their books.  I did not know Thumper was an author until very recently, and my very most favorite authors are the ones that let us get to know them and post frequently and not about their books.

[chynared21]

I agree with several posters who like to have the authors join us because they want to be a member of the community and not just tout their books.  I did not know Thumper was an author until very recently, and my very most favorite authors are the ones that let us get to know them and post frequently and not about their books.

I think I missed Thumper's arrival here at KB but from her posts that I did come across I wouldn't have guessed that she was an author. Like someone else mentioned...I don't want to see an author join KB just to push book sales. While I don't expect them to spend every waking hour here, it's nice to be able to get to know them and have them join discussions other than their own books.

Someone else mentioned car salesmen...when our lease was up on our first Honda, DH and I asked for a salesman recommendation from the service manager. He mentioned one name and I blatantly asked him if he was a "pushy" salesman and told him that I did not tolerate a hard sell. LOL, he immediately gave us another name. I loved that salesman and when all was said and done, I thanked him for not being pushy 

[Mike Monahan]

Now this IS an enlightening thread,  Thanks Chynared and Kindle Convert for steering this newbie here. I started a thread with a similar question and CS hammered it here.  Many others enthusiastically joined in and offered numerous good points as well. I think I'm going to like it here.  :-)


Mike Monahan
author of
Barracuda

Barracuda

[intinst]

Now this IS an enlightening thread,  Thanks Chynared and Kindle Convert for steering this newbie here. I started a thread with a similar question and CS hammered it here.  Many others enthusiastically joined in and offered numerous good points as well. I think I'm going to like it here.  :-)


Mike Monahan
author of
Barracuda

Barracuda

If there is one thing joining KindleBoard members, it is our enthusiasim for reading, and doing most if not all of that reading on the Kindle. We welcome authors, but we really welcome authors who are also readers and members of KindleBoards.

[Thumper]

Thanks, folks, I'm glad I'm not being too obnoxious. I won't let the cat post, because he truly is obnoxious...

[sherylb]

Thanks, folks, I'm glad I'm not being too obnoxious. I won't let the cat post, because he truly is obnoxious...

Thumper- Don't tell him about it either or he'll poop on your pillow!!
I'm about halfway through the first book and it's so funny that I had to stop a few times to wipe the tears away!

[Ann in Arlington]

In reading the boards over the last few days. . . .I've been catching up a bit. . . I would note that another method of 'selling' that doesn't work for me is when reviews from other sites are re-posted here -- especially when all that's in the thread is multiple posts by the author of reviews from elsewhere.  Folks, we're readers.  Some of us probably qualify for a 12 step program. If you bring the book to our attention with an intriguing synopsis, we're going to check it out and we will read the reviews at Amazon.  All of them, good and bad.  You really don't need to copy them here.

Also, if a member really enjoys a book, that member is probably going to brag on you.  So while it's understandable that you're happy with a good review, you kinda don't need to brag on yourself.  I guess I'm saying: let it happen organically. . . .don't try to force it.

Just my personal feelings on the matter.

Ann

[drenee]

Quallify for a 12-step program.  How funny!!  How would that work exactly?
deb

[Leslie]

Everyone, especially authors:

We've had an interesting discussion develop in a thread that was originally started by an author to let us know about her book. I have split it out into two topics, because I think the resulting thread (this one) has some very good advice for our author members here at KindleBoards.

First off, let me say, we welcome having authors here at KindleBoards. All of us are avid readers and we like having new books brought to our attention.

That said, let me reiterate a few things:

1. We have a guideline here at KBoards: one thread per book per author. You can use that thread to introduce your book, include a brief review, etc.

2. We have a link maker (see the top of the screen). Authors are strongly encouraged to use the link maker to include a link with a cover of their book which take interested folks directly to Amazon where people can read reviews, sample the book and buy it if they want.

3. You don't need to re-post Amazon reviews here and in fact, people get annoyed when you do. On the other hand, if you do have reviews of your book at other sites, please include a link (don't repost the whole review) to that site.

4. We have a thread with "Authors here at KindleBoards" that includes a running list of authors. If you would like your name to be added to that list, please send me (Leslie) a PM.

5. There are specific guidelines for authors in the "Forum Guidelines" section. Please make sure to familiarize yourself with those: http://www.kindleboards.com/index.php/topic,36.0.html

Just a few more comments...

It's a fine line between sharing information about your book, starting to sound like a used car salesman, and outright spamming. I'll be honest and say that I have received a few complaints from members on this issue. I think Ann's comments (post prior to this one) are very relevant. Probably the best thing you can do is to become a member of the community, participate in discussions, let us know what you are reading, tell us about your writing experiences, etc. In other words, don't use KindleBoards solely as an advertising platform for your book.

Personally, most of the books I have read in recent months have come from indie authors and small presses, so I appreciate the challenge of getting the word out. Therefore, I am a real champion of letting authors have a place in this forum to promote their books. I know lots of other forums that do not permit that sort of activity at all. But, at the same time, we need to be mindful of all the members here and not drive everyone crazy with overdone BSP (blatant self-promotion). I think the key for all of us it to find the right balance.

I welcome people's thoughts on this issue and encourage you to post them here in this thread.

Leslie
Global Moderator, Kindle reader and yes, author

[Ann in Arlington]

Quallify for a 12-step program.  How funny!!  How would that work exactly?
deb

  I said we'd qualify, not that we'd be willing to go. . .  "I cannot live without books (or my Kindle)"  (apologies to Thomas Jefferson, but he was an inventor. . .I think he'd LOVE the Kindle!)

Ann

[Leslie]

An addendum to my previous post:

We also have a welcome and introductions board and everyone is encouraged to introduce themselves to the KindleBoards community. Once again: while you can introduce yourself as an author and tell us about your book, tell us a bit about yourself, too. This is a friendly and welcoming bunch and we like to get to know our new members.

L

[jmiked]

It's a fine line between sharing information about your book, starting to sound like a used car salesman, and outright spamming.

I don't remember it it has occurred here, but an author proclaiming that their book is great and I have to read it is the quickest way to put it and the author on my permanent mental "ignore list."

Mike

[MichelleR]

I don't mind if they post good reviews from people not related to them. 

[Leslie]

Not to detract from Sunny's post or anything, but it might be worth culling out these general "tips/advice for authors" into a separate thread...good stuff here.

Which has been done!

L

[Leslie]

I agree with everything that's been posted on this thread. A sticky thread on author tips would be great.

Would it make sense to have a separate area in the boards called Member Authors? Then authors could post their pitches there without taking up thread space on Book Corner. Not only would it be a good way to find authors that are new to Kindleboards, but the self-promotion could be limited to that part of the boards.

This is an issue on which I am completely divided in my mind.

On one hand, it makes perfect sense to have an author's board, doesn't it? Lump Put all the book announcement together in one place. On the other hand, people might begin to say, "Oh, that board...nothing but ads over there," and never go visit it. Then it becomes not "the author's board" but rather, "the author's ghetto."

In general, I also worry about having too many boards and making it difficult for members to move around easily, find stuff they want to find, etc. I know there are folks who come to KindleBoards and look at Board A and B and never ever look at C, D, E, or F. If we add more to the mix, do we exacerbate the problem?

On the other hand, as we continue to grow, our size might force us to consider different ways to structure and organize the information that is here and an author's board would be a very logical and natural progression.

See what I mean? My mind is divided!

I welcome thoughts on this topic.

L

[RJ Keller]

I hope you don't mind a newbie / author's opinion.

I found this board quite by accident, when someone mentioned my free book on a thread here last month. (Stat counter is an amazing invention.) I hestiated to post too much here myself, because I didn't want to come across as a jerk and, almost as importantly, I don't personally own a Kindle. I do read e-books that are available online, but I don't have the resources (yet!  ) to invest in that wonder gadget. I did take advantage of the free/bargain book thread to mention my book, but felt a little weird doing anything else. Since I enjoy reading and discussing books, though, I'll try to make myself more comfortable here.

Personally, I doubt I would post too much in an author's forum for the reasons Leslie mentioned.

[horrorauthor]

I think this is a great discussion and something that's been on my mind a lot. I love having guidelines (like one post per book). I worry a lot about being too shamelessly self-promotional, which is why I try and limit my posts related to my work to an announcement when something becomes available on Kindle.

Please feel free to send me a message to shut the heck up if I am going overboard.

[Ann in Arlington]

I think part of what we non-author members like to see is authors who tell us about their books, but also tell us about themselves and get involved in other discussions. . . .whether you have a Kindle or not you can discuss all types of books and there are lots of things in not-quite Kindle that just help us all get to know each other.  Or join one of the book clubs:  all the books are available on Kindle but are also available in paper so lack of a Kindle doesn't mean you can't participate.  If the only posts are promoting your latest book the reaction can be "who is that again, and why should I care."  I recognize that not everyone is going to be as active as Leslie (!) but appearances in other threads on other topics show that you're interested in being part of the community here, and not JUST in selling books.

Note:  this is a personal opinion only, not aimed at anyone in particular, just general comments. . . .

Ann

[KindleKay (aka #1652)]

Please feel free to send me a message to shut the heck up if I am going overboard.

It is my humble opinion that authors who worry that they are being too loud are the ones we don't mind in the least. (Thumper, RJ, too, but not limited to them...there are others as well)  I mean, I read RJ's book "Waiting for Spring" before she even joined KB and I LOVED it!!  I recommend it whenever I feel it is appropriate.  It is in my top books read so far this year....

I think all of us who frequent these boards know exactly the people this is being spelled out for.... There are a few threads that I have not visited because of the BSP going on there.....

[intinst]

I hope you don't mind a newbie / author's opinion.

I found this board quite by accident, when someone mentioned my free book on a thread here last month. (Stat counter is an amazing invention.) I hestiated to post too much here myself, because I didn't want to come across as a jerk and, almost as importantly, I don't personally own a Kindle. I do read e-books that are available online, but I don't have the resources (yet!  ) to invest in that wonder gadget. I did take advantage of the free/bargain book thread to mention my book, but felt a little weird doing anything else. Since I enjoy reading and discussing books, though, I'll try to make myself more comfortable here.

Personally, I doubt I would post too much in an author's forum for the reasons Leslie mentioned.

As far as owning a Kindle, Harvey the Admin. of this board did not own a kindle for its first year, but thought that it might be "the" thing bringing ebooks to the general public.  I didn't have my kindle for nearly 2 months, but participated in the board. Ownership isn't a breaking point with me. I do require acknowledgement that the Kindle is the greatest reading device in the world!

[KindleKay (aka #1652)]

I do require acknowledgement that the Kindle is the greatest reading device in the world!

Goes without saying.....