In recent weeks, I’ve heard about behavior from authors that have surprised and shocked me. Now much of this has occurred on Facebook and other social media so you’d think I’d be immune by now but…
Authors – behave.
Okay I had to say it.
Most authors are all about talking about their books. You go to their page, site, and so on and the books are splattered all over the place. This is PERFECT author behavior.
I saw a post from author A bashing author B for not paying author C for work which had been done. This is highly inappropriate. The money side of the business should not be splattered all over social media. If you have a problem with your business – don’t take it to social media. Take it to a lawyer. I later saw a post by author C apologizing because she made an error in accounting and Author B had paid. So not only was this splashed all over social media but author B will have continuing problems every time someone sees that post. Plus author A & C just look like bullies.
Let’s talk about bullying behavior. More than once I’ve seen some authors pick on either readers, reviewers, or other authors. Now I get there’s funny bantering. This is not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about slamming someone to the point where they get death threats, anxiety, and have to remove their profile and change their name just to escape the horrible behavior.
Group think is a real thing.
My daughter told me about an author she follows who asked all her followers to write everyone they could to expose the corruptness of a judge for charging her for contempt of court. Additionally, she had a legal fund set up for her followers to donate money. Other than being so baffled by this behavior, I just want to say NO. If you want this on your personal social media – great but why are you begging for help from your readers. The connection there – they are your audience. Keep your legal issues to yourself.
Fans are amazing. Don’t bash them.
Without fans, who is buying your books? This one burns me up. The reality is you are selling a product. You are saying to the world – look at me I’m an author – I tell stories come buy them. If you spend time on your social media bitching about fans, those fans are likely to go away. Sure at first it may be one or two but eventually it will be all of them. I’ve heard of people being bullied and having their life threatened because of the group think mentality on social media.
Reviews – okay this is a big long conversation but I’m going to be brief. If someone took the time to leave a review – good bad or indifferent – just say thank you. That’s it. If they are leaving a review, they took the time to read your book and they’re telling you what they think and feel about said book. Take the opinions and learn from them. If they dislike your cover, look at it – does it need updating? If they say it’s got a bad ending, look at it – are you leaving your readers hanging? In all things there’s room for improvement. Instead of crabbing because someone didn’t say it was the best book ever but actually said – I liked it but… take that statement and look at it objectively. (believe me I have much more to say on this topic so this is as brief as I can make it)
Money and pricing of books. We all know there’s a fine line between making a profit on our products and not. Pay for one extra ad or editing and your book could fail financially. We know this. Don’t go on social media and complain about how you have to raise your prices because you’re not making a living. Work harder at making your living – or get a day job.
Also, don’t complain when fans complain about your prices. First assess – are they too high? If they are, your sales will dip. Second redirect – offer them options on how they can get your books. Let them know about an upcoming sale or other event. Talk about your events and other marketing opportunities where the reader may win a free book. If you’re going to run any sales or marketing to draw attention to a book. Heck make this an opportunity. Invite them to your street team.
Basically what I’m saying is – authors talk about your books. Be tactful and professional. Don’t air your dirty laundry on social media. Do you know what readers want to know about? BOOKS. Your books if you’re lucky. So talk about your books. Tell the readers how your main character wouldn’t let you sleep or how you came up with a setting or any other book related topic. Everything else belongs on your private social media site or as a conversation between friends over a glass of wine or other beverage.
Wonderful blog Eileen! I agree, we all should keep it professional & just focus on writing as well! Haha.
Thank you! The writing is the best part of being an author. The readers only care about the story and when the next one is coming out.
I couldn’t agree more Eileen. I’m only on social media to promote my books and connect with readers and other authors. Oh, and post pictures of hot men. And cats. I steer well clear of controversial topics and would never air my dirty laundry on a public forum. People don’t always realize that once it’s out there, it’s out and can’t be deleted completely.
Being an author is hard. It’s work. It is not for the faint of heart. But our readers when they fall in love with you and your stories they are amazing. That’s what we have to remember. And yeah how guys are always good
Eileen great reminder to all of us about our behavior. Whether you’re an author or a worker in a factory, your behavior reflects your employer. If you are caught running a meth lab and arrested; and you work for a medical professional that does not look good.
Be kind. Go to the source of the problem not the media.
Very true. I had a student worker post pictures of her and others from her other job with them goofing off. They were fired. Social media is not private and it is permanent.
This is an excellent article and insightful for a new author like myself. Thank you, Eileen.
Thank you, Estelle. While the writing may be an act of love, the rest is a business. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Very apt advice. I’ve started a website to promote my writing through blog stories, poems and and chapters. I’ve been criticized for writing about my books on social media, but readers and other authors have been supportive. Really value having a blog site and a site to post photos of novels and anthologies. In many ways it is the best of times for authors.
Hi Colin, thanks for adding your voice to this blog.
Great Blog Eileen, as someone who has been subjected to some of this, I can really relate to what you are saying. Thank you to everyone commenting too .
Wonderful blog. I’ll never understand meanness of any kind. I’m not sure what it gets the person other than maybe a sour stomach.
Callie