Shameless self-promoters--are they sabotaging themselves?

[shalanna]

I don't know why, but it irritates me SO much when published authors reply to "fans" on a mailing list with those egotistical promos that are thinly veiled marketing lines. Were they raised in a barn? Have they never heard of moderation?

Here's what I am talking about.

MAILING LIST TOADY: "Oh, Magloather, we're SO thrilled you have come to be our Special Author of the Month on our mailing list! I am going to the bookstore to get your book, _Onna Monna Peeya_!"

OVERBLOWN AUTHOR: "It's well worth that trip to the bookstore! You'll love it!! It's so great!!"

MAILING LIST TOADY2: "I read your first book and can't wait to get this next one! I love your character, Snotface, the sexy man!"

OVERBLOWN AUTHOR: "You're going to LOVE this one!! It's really great and you get to read the sex scene between Snotface and Prissy Be-yotch! Hot hot hot!!"

Etc.

Barf! Blargh!! What ever happened to, "I'm glad you liked it," or "I hope you'll like it," or "I had a lot of fun writing that, and it's flattering to hear that you're reading my series"? What ever happened to a sensible amount of modesty? Everyone acts like a snake oil salesman now. It's as though all decorum and propriety has gone out the window, and everyone sends you these little fake-friends emails promoting their new releases and saying how great they are. Come ON, people.

Not everyone's going to like every book. That's a given. However, I am predisposed to avoid the books by people who are so pushy and so convinced that I will LUUURRRVVVEE their novels. If they'd be a little more modest instead of seeming like a swelled-head blowhard, then I might be more excited about browsing their books the next time I'm at the bookstore.

Comments

[darissk.livejournal.com]

precisely :) and if someone paid me a dollar every time they mention the word 'hot,' I wouldn't need to wear rhinestones to save some money for full ms postage ;)

[shalanna.livejournal.com]

*grin*

[arthurslade.livejournal.com]

You're right! That reminds me...hey has anyone read my really hot book about cool stuff? It's available at cool stores everywhere? It'll look cool on your shelf! Or as a doorstop!

Even in the bottom of a birdcage, it'll still look cool! Really!

: )
Art

[shalanna.livejournal.com]

*Aaack* (grin)

You know I'm not talking about YOU. You have a podcast and a newsletter. People come to you to get those voluntarily. On the YA novelists list, you don't self-promote all the time. There ARE those who have no shame--er, I mean, who seem to have themselves pumped up way too much. Too many PSI in those tires. They could do this promotion without being obnoxious. It'd be tougher, and they'd have to be self-aware and realize how they come across to others, but they COULD do it. *grin*

Everyone has been listening to the admen too much. I think that some of the promotion that goes on is surely counterproductive. I do want to KNOW that a book is out there. But I want to hear what it's about and what kind of book it is. I can decide for myself if it's my cuppa. . . .

[arthurslade.livejournal.com]

Oh, I knew it wasn't me you were referring to (or at least I was pretty sure). And I know the type who are "pumping" themselves up. Sometimes it's pure ego, other times there's a sense of desperation. I understand the second reason more than the first. After spending months or years on a book, you can get too wrapped up in trying to attract an audience.

With my podcasts, I try to walk the line a bit more. I want people to know about them, and will be a bit more blatant about them, but I feel there's a trade off. At least I'm offering free information (and I hope humour) in exchange for the time it takes a listener to hear a podcast. And, hey, if they buy a book. Cool!

Art

[ladyjaguar.livejournal.com]

Who do you think the character of Gilderoy Lockhart in the Harry Potter series was modeled after? Heeheehee. I think J.K. Rowling was taking potshots at the species. Good for her!

[shalanna.livejournal.com]

And the species holds itself up for mockery constantly!