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  Literary Myspace

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  Hello all, I have included this rather lengthy link to an essay by Pagan Kennedy for the NY Times about authors on Myspace. I don't know how long you will be able to view this link without a membership, but it is an excellant essay.
  
  http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/02/books/review/Kennedy-t.html?ex=1346299200&en=2bcfadaec096d194&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
  
  This raises a few points in the Shelfari and Myspace conondrum. For instance it is easy to post bulletins to my friends in Myspace, but Shelfari does not (as of yet) have this function. And, perhaps this is a good thing. But, for me networking to announce new things it makes things a little tricky.
  
  In short I have provided this discussion as a place to post myspace info for ready friending by group members of the Novel Writing Experience.

  benstolemyname started this discussion 5 years ago. ( reply | permalink )

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  benstolemyname 

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  So... here is the Folly Beach myspace experience (as well as pictures of what I really look like (no I'm not a chimp wearing glasses(sigh))):
  
  www.myspace.com/follybeachnovel
  

  posted 5 years ago. ( permalink )

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  Stuart Clark 

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  So the question is, who needs a Myspace page when you can write an article for the NY Times about it and get your book listed there? Damn! There's a missed opportunity! :-)
  
  I hear what you are saying about the Bulletin thing here. I too have sometimes found it a bit frustrating that I haven't been able to mail all my contacts here on Shelfari to tell them of an event - but there's a flip side to that, which is, I think the whole bulletin thing on Myspace get's abused a lot. There are a lot of people posting random things a bulletins and it gets a bit annoying. Maybe it's a good thing Shelfari doesn't have that feature. That said, there are still some operational things with both sites that irk me a bit. Like, why do I always have to go back to My Shelf when it would make a lot more sense to go back to My profile.
  
  As for networking. You have to be a bit careful Ben. Reading between the lines on a lot of sites, it seems a lot of people don't like you showing up and saying "Hey, I'm here and I wrote this great book and you should read it." Myspace is perhaps the exception to that rule because I think it is generally accepted that a lot of people use Myspace for promotion - but otherwise, tread carefully and be subtle. People don't like being bashed over the head.
  
  Another thing you might like to add to your advertising arsenal is Booktour - you can use it to list and announce your events and you can embed your calender on your personal website and myspace page. Sign up as an author. Check it out here at:
  
  http://booktour.com/signup?referrer=2890
  
  Good luck with all the networking/marketing. it's a never ending fight!
  All the best
  Stu
  
  

  posted 5 years ago. ( permalink )

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    benstolemyname 

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    As always Stu, you're two steps ahead of my game. I think you're totally right about being subtle in internet promotion. A funny thing happens to words written to an online audience. Just as published words seem to have more weight or import, words written online have a different tone than spoke words. And, I think being subtle in self-promotion is one aspect of this. Online, I find the best opening is to compliment something about their page or profile. After all they spent a lot of time working on their profile. I mean I'm sincere about it and I pick something I have a real interest in, but the idea is to let them know I'm a real person with feelings and opinions and all that before I shoot them a friend request. In short, I'm not just interested in spamming them into compliance or what have you. I'll definitely check out Booktour. It sounds like a good recogmend.
    
    This brings us the point of PR work, which is one of those things new writers like myself tend to overlook. I mean, for a while I thought I'll just get this book published and WHAMMO I'm rolling in the fame and fortune or whatever. HAHAHAAA Who was I kidding? Luckily, I went to a writers conference and some well published authors burst that bubble right off.
    
    I think Pagan Kennedy's NY Times essay makes a point that networking on myspace can be pretty fun and at times surreal. For instance, I messaged Pagan on myspace about that essay, and she wrote back to me later that Sunday. During what other era has communication between writers been so effortless?
    
    Anyways, promotion is one of those things I thought I would hate, but really now I have to hold myself back a little and make time to write verses the opposite because I've met so many interesting people like you and all my shelfari friends while promoting my book, and I find myself doing free PR work for my friends as well.
    
    Cheers!
    Ben

    posted 5 years ago. ( permalink )

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    Stuart Clark 

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    Ben,
    
    I find It really is difficult to find the balance between promotion and marketing activities and getting down to doing what we're supposed to be doing which is writing. At least for those of us who haven't given up the day job yet too.
    
    There are so many networking sites out there now (Myspace, Gather, Facebook, Bebo, Friendster, Library thing, Shelfari), not to mention all the writing and genre forum boards - oh, and blogging too, that to try and cover every base would just be such a massive drain on your time you'd never get anything done. I mean, you need to show up on these things at least once in a while to prove to people that you are an active participant. Then of course there's the whole self indulgent "Oh, I wonder if anyone friend requested me today" thing going on in the back of your head that keeps on bringing you back for a quick check.
    
    If I were you, I'd find a couple of places where you are comfortable - for me it's Shelfari, Myspace and SFreader - and hang out there. Then add others to your list if you think you have the time and can get your writing done. You need to strike a happy medium.
    
    It's all about being smart and focusing your efforts where you think it will have the most impact and also, frequenting sites on the web where you like the vibe. Shelfari's a cool place. I like it here.

    posted 5 years ago. ( permalink )

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