Authors Behaving Badly

I often get new authors asking for advice about how to promo their books. I’ve even been asked by a publisher to write on the subject. I’m certainly not an expert about what works, but I can absolutely tell you some things that do not work. Some can even give readers a very negative impression of the author and turn them off from your future work.

There are more than a handful of authors whose emails/promos/excerpts I automatically delete if they show up in my email box and one who I nearly bought her book just to upload on a pirate site. But I didn’t, because that’s just wrong (as well as illegal). But I thought about it, a lot. What can make readers or other authors hate you that much?

I’ll offer a few of my major pet peeves regarding promo, and I’d love to hear what you (reader or author) find bad behavior.

First: I hate authors who send out the same excerpts and promos every single day to the same lists, over and over and over. There is one author who accounts for about half of the posts on one particular list.
–what that tells me is she doesn’t even read the list to notice how her posts stick out and don’t necessarily fit into the flow of posts.

How to avoid that: be sure to check out a list or yahoo group for a while before you post, and keep monitoring it be sure you aren’t spamming the group, even if your posts are allowed.

Second: posting the wrong content. There is one author who posts such overblown pompous promos that right away I’m ready to delete her. But that’s just style. What really annoys me is that she posts m/f promos on a GLBT-only group. Since her emails have 20 group email address in the TO box, I know she’s just sending off to any list that she thinks she belongs on.
–read the specifics of the group. If your content doesn’t fit, don’t post it. Not all groups have mods that delete unwanted posts, but you only harm yourself if you don’t pay attention. If she decides to write a gay-theme book I’ll never know since I already deleted her emails.

Third: Only posting promos.
I admit I have been guilty of this, especially when real life issues become overwhelming and there is little time for promo. It’s okay now and then, but I do try to post non-promo content enough that there is an overall balance. I know I hate seeing a TV commercial for Letterman when it’s an actor I like, and I immediately know he’s only on the show to plug some new film or tv show. Where is he the rest of the time when we’d like to just know what he’s up to?
–try and balance. If you need to do promo-only then try a disclaimer and explain what else is going on. No need for revealing personal issues or TMI, but readers do like to know what their favorite writers are up to, especially if they’ve been quiet.

Fourth: Know the boundaries of professionalism, especially on Facebook and Twitter.
There is one author I know entirely too well because of the overly personal things she posts on Facebook. I’d be shocked if my coworkers heard me say half the things she does about her personal life and marriage. Even though readers want to know personal things about you, remember to keep some separation, or you really risk them losing respect for you.
–keep separate accounts for your pen name and your real friends. If you use your real name to write, create separate groups for real life friends and limit overly personal posts to the reader group. Don’t blast the world with your money troubles or marital problems. Keep some mystery about yourself. I’m not saying don’t be human, just don’t necessarily show all your dirty laundry.

Fifth, and not at all last. Be polite online. To everyone. Google indexes your tweets and a lot more. It’s best to not take a chance of a nasty exchange showing up forever. Readers do not like to see authors treating anyone badly, and if someone abuses you online, NOT reacting is likely to make readers respect you even more, expressing their sympathy and understanding with emails and tweets of support. That’s better than any fleeting satisfaction you’ll get from saying the first reply that comes to mind.

What did I miss that really bugs you?