How do you feel about authors promoting their books on message boards?

michellemoran · Post by **michellemoran** » Wed November 5th, 2008, 11:29 pm

Misfit: the forums are for the readers to discuss books, not for authors to sell them.

I couldn't agree more. People go on the forums to exchange ideas. Blatant promotion is out of place, imo.

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Thu November 6th, 2008, 1:13 am

[quote=""michellemoran""]I couldn't agree more. People go on the forums to exchange ideas. Blatant promotion is out of place, imo.[/quote]

With so many authors on this board, perhaps we can start a thread and brainstorm ideas for self-published authors and ways to promote books. I feel their pain and it must be hard as h*** to get readers, but at the same time I don't want it in my face either. As many times as I've looked at a self-pub book mentioned by an author there is only one that's sparked my interest, and I'm still hesitating over the $18 price with no reviews and my library (which buys almost everything) won't buy.

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Thu November 6th, 2008, 1:16 am

[quote=""Hoopking""]What do you consider as porn? I have written sexual encounters into my romance novels, what do you consider going to far is?[/quote]

The author who started a thread at the Romance boards at Amazon hyping her books about brothers in an incestuous relationship is called Chancery Stone. You can look at info on her books here. Needless to say, the romance readers at that board were not happy with that author's perception of "romance".

boswellbaxter · Post by **boswellbaxter** » Thu November 6th, 2008, 1:23 am

[quote=""Misfit""]The author who started a thread at the Romance boards at Amazon hyping her books about brothers in an incestuous relationship is called Chancery Stone. You can look at info on her books here. Needless to say, the romance readers at that board were not happy with that author's perception of "romance".[/quote]

Maybe because I make my living reading legal cases, the last thing that comes to mind when I hear the name "Chancery" is sex.

With so many authors on this board, perhaps we can start a thread and brainstorm ideas for self-published authors and ways to promote books. I feel their pain and it must be hard as h*** to get readers, but at the same time I don't want it in my face either. As many times as I've looked at a self-pub book mentioned by an author there is only one that's sparked my interest, and I'm still hesitating over the $18 price with no reviews and my library (which buys almost everything) won't buy.

While self-published authors do account for a lot of the excesses over at Amazon and other sites, they're by no means the only culprits--mainstream and small press authors are also in the act over there too. Unfortunately, all self-published authors tend to get tarred by the actions of a few.

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Thu November 6th, 2008, 1:35 am

While self-published authors do account for a lot of the excesses over at Amazon and other sites, they're by no means the only culprits--mainstream and small press authors are also in the act over there too. Unfortunately, all self-published authors tend to get tarred by the actions of a few.

It is unfortunate and I wish there was an easy way for authors to promote their books without intruding (bad choice of a word but nothing else is coming to mind) on other discussions. Unfortunately the regulars at AmazonLand have seen quite a bit this last year, DebMac and her voting posse, Leslie Carroll, Victoria Laurie and Ted Bell and their snarky comments on reviews and it's casting a bad light on all authors in general, which is very unfortunate, and I wish there was an easy answer.

diamondlil · Post by **diamondlil** » Thu November 6th, 2008, 2:07 am

[quote=""Spitfire""]This is how I feel as well about the authors on our site. I thoroughly enjoy the perspective they bring to this site. Their insight into the research and work it takes to create complex characters and the process it takes to get their work published is mind boggling. I appreciate their sharing that with us, it's a whole world that I didn't know about. So, I realize their work is like a mother with a brand new baby, and they want to show them off abit. Hey, that is why most of us are here...we are always on the look out for new authors and great reads.[/quote]

For me, the difference between the forum authors that we have here and the original question, is that yes, our authors are here to promote their books and things, but more than that they are here as readers, and as participants. The promotion is part of it, but not the total of it! And given that these authors do fully participate then we are happy to help promote as much as we possibly can to show our support.

Divia · Post by **Divia** » Thu November 6th, 2008, 4:00 am

You got it!

The authors who are here are part of the community. And I think thats the difference. We've had a lot fly by night authors stop by, join, tell us about their book and then never show up again. I hate that!

For those authors who take their time to add to the discussions then I don't mind if they want to say "hey my book xyz is coming out in *****." Or, as one of our newly published authors said "check out my new cover!"

But these authors add to community and I'll back them.

xiaotien · Post by **xiaotien** » Thu November 6th, 2008, 5:18 am

[quote=""Divia""] Or, as one of our newly published authors said "check out my new cover!"

But these authors add to community and I'll back them.[/quote]

whoops! i just did that! =D

i have to be honest. when i see an
author with ONE post next to their name
and a MY BOOK IS COMING OUT BUY IT HERE
as that one post--it makes me NOT want
to buy the book. not want to look at it even if
might have interested me!

maybe i'm being pig-headed.
but it's a huge turn off for me.
and i've bought so many books because
of the forums (with authors) i participate in
as well as the blogs that i read.

there is definitely give and take.

diamondlil · Post by **diamondlil** » Thu November 6th, 2008, 9:36 am

What we are saying Cindy is that that is okay, no need for

. You are part of our community and therefore we are happy to hear your great news!

Divia · Post by **Divia** » Thu November 6th, 2008, 12:14 pm

Yeah! You come on here daily. You talk to us. I'm glad you showed us your cover and tell us when your book is coming out. Like I said before, you're part of the community so I will support you!