Conferences?

I saw another discussion on a wrtier’s listserv on conferences. People who had just attended a very popular conference were lamenting the fact that attendance was down. The discussion went on to other writers’ cons that had bit the dust.

They blamed the economy, of course.

And while I know that many writers have less discretionary money than before, I don’t believe that to be the whole reason.

Going to conferences has never been a good return on investment for most writers. If we go, we go to network, meet other writers, booksellers and agents. For those of us who are pubbed by smaller press, e-book publishers or self-pubbed, it has become clear that we are excluded in many ways from that network. We have to work harder to get to speak on panels, and sometimes even to get our books in the sale room.

And don’t believe what they tell you about it being a simple matter of distribution. My books are distributed through Baker and Taylor and my publisher takes returns but at many of the cons I’ve been to, I have to cart my own books, bring them to the sale room during set-up (sometimes days before the con) retrieve the unsold portion after the con and wait months for payment. That is, if I can get whoever is organizing the sale to agree to that much.

Often, the networking seems to take a similar turn. I have to prove my worth and that of my pubisher.

When my first book came out, I thought it was just a matter of time until the industry adjusted to what seemed to me to be inevitable and good (in other words profitable) change. But I am no longer of that opinion. For some reason, e-books, print on demand and self-publishing seem threatening to some people. The music industry has made some similar changes but they have embraced them. Publishing has not.

To put a bunch of work and money in for something that will not yield any benefit seems self-defeating. Just my point of view.

So I’m not attending any conferences. And it was good to hear that others like me aren’t either. Now if those organizers would just “get” it.

Are you attending conferences? Why or why not?

Remedial Class on Social Networking 101?

Okay, I get that we should network on Goodreads and Facebook and Crimespace and whatever.  I do it.  And I would do Goodreads and Crimespace anyway, because I like them–I want to find more books to read for my own reading list. And I want to talk about mysteries, so it makes me feel virtuous to actually like what I’m supposed to do.  I even kind of like Myspace-which is a good thing since I “met” Narelle and Michelle there.

I could do a whole other blog post on my feeling about how we’re all promoting to each other on these places.  But if I did that now, it would be to avoid how uncomfortable I feel with this whole promo thing.

For instance, what do you say when people add you as a friend on social networks and mention your book and say–”Oh, it looks good”–or “I’m thinking of adding it to my TBR list.”  I’ve been just saying thanks.  Frankly it blows me away a little but mostly I don’t like it when people go on and on about their books.  We’re not all sitting on Facebook waiting for someone to promote to us.  Is there something that sounds a little more articulate than just thanks that falls short of making people feel like they’re reading one long ad?

One author I know, thanks the “friend” for adding “this S/F writer” to their friend list and then recommends all of her own books.

This is one of those line drawing things where we have to decide personally what promotion we’re willing to do and what we can’t.  I can talk about why I wrote the books or how to promote, or the ins and outs of e-publishing in front of honest-to goodness-real people, something I never knew before I got published.  If you had told me I could do public speaking, I’d have fainted away at the very idea.  But I do it.  (Nobody is actually telling me I’m good at it, mind you-but I don’t faint.)  I can do radio interviews on the same subjects but I view it with pretty much the same air of shock.

Yet, I still don’t know how to respond when an acquaintance says, “oh, by the way, I will be reading one of your books.”  Other than, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.  And off in the distance where I’m hoping I can’t be overheard, a heart felt “Whooooeee!”

I’ve had people tell me they liked my mysteries and had less trouble responding.  My mama did teach me some manners.  I can say thank you.

I’ve seen other authors just say sincerely, “Enjoy!”  Or “Hope you like it” They sound genuine and sweet.  The words never cross my mind at all.

I don’t talk much about writing to offline friends or acquaintances.  The conversations we have are more apt to be about gardening, our struggles with our faith or our kids.  So any mention of writing usually takes me out of the blue.  Recently, my BFF introduced to me someone as a writer, and I stared at her.  Yes, I knew she knew I did that.  I’d told her.  Hadn’t I?

So how do you respond when someone talks about your books?  How do you promote on those social networks?  And where did you learn it?  Can I take a class?

My Fiddy Percent

[Acquatinance]  “Wow Narelle, you’ve writting a book?  That fantastic.  Well I guess you can cross that off your list of things to do in life.”

[Narelle] “Actually, I think I’ll have to cross it off someone else’s list, it was never on mine.”

What’s my point and what does it have to do with networking? 

I’m gladd you asked. 

I didn’t ask to be a writer.  I didn’t dream about it, spend endless days/months wrestling with writers block or struggle to fit a writing schedule into my busy life.  Nope, all I did was ask for a little bit of guidance back in May 2007.  Then, without warning, I found myself tapping out a novel (and a survival guide and a non-fiction piece and…) and I’ve been writing like a woman on a mission ever since. 

I’m not complaining – I absolutely love writing.  But seeing as how this wasn’t really my idea, I figure that my writing must be part of some kind of big picture.

I’m not a big picture novice so I know that all I have to do is follow the process (which is always the same) and do my 50% (I’m never required to do more than that).

Here’s the big picture process as I see it (and how it works in the case of writing):

• Follow my inspiration (sitt my butt down and write) 15%
• Step out (network and follow leads) 20%
• Say yes (accept offers that resonate with me) 15%

You’ll notice I’ve given stepping out a greater percentage value.  That’s because it’s a crucial step in this simple process.  Of the several big pictures which have unfold in my life, none came as a result of some dude knocking on my front door and asking me if I’d like to participate in my life.

 

Networking

I want to chime in on what Don had to say. I agree with him that networking can be very important.

But when you sign in to those yahoo writing groups that Don talked about, don’t just lurk. Yeah, yeah, I’m shy too. I am hate-to-have-my-picture-taken shy. I am—my-face-is-as-red-as-my-hair-when-I-talk-sometimes shy. Thank God no one can see me online. I’ve learned that if you talk on these groups about what you are there to accomplish, ask questions, and answer the questions you know the answers for, people will get to know you. And so when they hear, for instance that you are a Science Fiction writer with a manuscript to peddle, they will remember when they hear that Baen is opening up a new line. And they’ll hop on the email to tell you.

So having said that I have to say that in terms of promotion after the book is out, I’m not sure about networking. I want to believe. I’ve done chats and I’m not convinced they are effective. I have been in groups where I’ve been turned off by the authors who were BSPing (blatant self promoting). So usually, I keep my promotion to my signature line. Myspace? Hey, I’m new to it but I like myspace—but I like it because I meet neat people. I also like crimespace and goodreads but then they are all about books and mysteries. I don’t sell books in those places. I usually end up buying more. And I’ve seen blogs that were largely ignored and then abandoned.

I think in terms of promotion, networking, at least on the net, may not be working. (Make what you want out of that sentence.) I’d love to have people pop in and tell me I am wrong. Better yet, tell me how it has worked for you.