Today I continue the commentary I began yesterday, exploring the author behaviors that you should and should not do in your everyday life.

Remember that every action you take as an author is a reflection of you, the businessperson. It is a measure of your character, your integrity and your reputation.

Today I’m looking at Newsletters, Caveat Amplexus, Giveaways and Promotions, and that One Important Thing.

So now, let’s finish off the bakers dozen of 13 Author Do’s and Don’ts in Everyday Dealings.

PART II 

NEWLETTERS

1. Are you one to send out a newsletter? I confess I started one and I have been uneven about using it. But I discovered several other authors have them and you know how they get subscribers? They steal them. Yes, by signing people up when they don’t ask for it. So here it is, DON’T sign people up to your newsletter without their permission/knowledge. EVER. That is rude. It assumes more than I can put into words. Such an act makes me furious. Not only will I immediately unsubscribe from you but also I probably won’t buy your books on principle either. DO ask people to sign up for your newsletter at signings and through your blog or website. DON’T sign people up to your newsletter if they simply comment on a post or buy your book. DO ask people who buy your book if they would like to sign up for your newsletter. See what is happening here? DON’T ASSUME people want to be in contact with you simply because they liked something you wrote, a Facebook post or because they downloaded your eBook. Bad business folks. I have badmouthed several authors for doing it. Puts a very bad taste in my mouth when I am signed up for things that I did not agree to. How about you?
2. Now I’m going to tell you to do as I say and not as I have done, here. If you have a newsletter, DO use it. I’ve been bad about that. I’m about to change my ways. DON’T keep people waiting on word from you. Once you have clients signed up, DO give them something to appreciate you and stay engaged in. DON’T be like me, or, as I was.

CAVEAT AMPLEXUS – Beware the (free) embrace

1. Caveat Amplexus, or beware of the embrace, is what I use to warn people away from “freebies.” This is a tougher one to explain. When you have friends who know you write books, friends who work in various places that might be of a benefit to you, it is sometimes tempting to want to “lean” on them. In other words, you want to embrace your friends with warmth in the hopes that they will offer you freebies. DON’T expect your friends, because they are your friends, to give you what you would expect strangers to pay for. Example: You have a friend who has a friend who oversees a venue that would be a great place for a book signing or a launch party. So you decide to hint that it would be great to do but you wish you could afford it. This is pulling on your friend’s affections to see if they can come through for you. Now you begin negotiating for a freebie. Suddenly that friendship without strings now has them. The friendship seems used. DON’T do this to your friends. DON’T ever expect to get something for free that strangers would have to pay for. If you should be offered a deal that’s wonderful! By all means, take it. But again DON’T ASSUME and put your friends in awkward positions. Don’t make your friends whisper “Caveat Amplexus!”
2. The other side of that coin works, too. Never expect less from your contacts than you do from perfect strangers. DON’T let your contacts work you in ways that you wouldn’t accept from people you don’t know. I understand that we want to do for others but if you are guilty of buying acceptance or selling yourself just make friends (or sell books) then you lose yourself and your professional self takes a huge hit. DO keep professional standards at all times, especially with your personal contacts and friends. You want to keep their respect once earned. DON’T ever cheapen it.

GIVEAWAYS AND PROMOTIONS

1. Love contests and giveaways, don’t you? DO have them. They expand your readership and winners help you spread the word on your work. Want to know what frosts me? When I win a contest and it takes weeks to get my prize. I don’t enter so many raffles or giveaways that I don’t know what I’m getting. Rule of thumb, advertise when you will announce winners and when the winners’ books (or gifts) will be mailed. DO keep your word. I know when I win I start figuring out when I will get my goodies. I won a contest once and after sending several requests for mail out dates, I finally got my gifts a month later. I was not impressed. DON’T take your winners’ patience or enthusiasm for granted. DO keep your word and DO mail out within 72 hours of winning. That is the longest you should wait before mail outs. In fact, you should already have your boxes or mailers ready to go, unsealed so you can sign the books before they go. And DO personalize whenever you can!

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING

Finally, and perhaps most important of all things, DON’T lie. DO protect and build your professional self by expecting and maintaining the highest possible standard. Demand only the best out of your work, whether it is your writing, your book design, your phone calls, your newsletters, your face-to-face contacts. DON’T drop your standards for anyone. Ever. That means the truth is your guide and your word is your reputation. Once you lie and you break trust, you may never get it back again. Be the standard. Sadly I must say, DO expect and demand the same of others, even when they don’t want to give it. Never back down.

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With this baker’s dozen of unwritten, everyday rules for authors and writers, I think you will be well on your way to a sterling professional career, whatever path it takes! Good luck!

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ONE QUICK BIT OF NEWS:

COVER REVEAL FOR THE BOOK OF NOW COMING SOON!

Thanks for stopping by!
I remain yours between the lines,
Sherry

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****The following items will always appear to keep you posted on activities.*****

WIP (Works in Progress): –  Writer’s Workbook – Learning to Write Everyday – Beginners Volume

– first novel in the Evening Bower series, about vampires and other supernatural creatures
– fictional memoir – November 2016!
– four-part fairy story (part one complete)

On the Desk: (next reading): TBD

Off the Desk (book just finished): League of Dragons – Naomi Novik

Coming Soon:  Interview with new folks and more about upcoming projects. Plus meet my assistant (yes, you want details!)

A friend and well-respected author, Robbie Cox, recently completed writing a series of articles on Author Etiquette at Book Conventions/Signings, including tips and tricks to help authors succeed when attending these conferences.

The series is chock full of excellent advice, especially for first timers. Actually, every author can do with a little brushing up and I recommend reading him because things change. We should all keep up with what’s new and trendy. Besides, common sense sometimes needs a good kick in the rear, right?

Sometimes it seems that writers and authors can be rude or careless in their dealings with others. In some instances, the thoughtless actions aren’t malicious, just unthinking. No excuse people!

Remember that every action you take as an author is a reflection of you, the businessperson. It is a measure of your character, your integrity and your reputation. Think it doesn’t matter? Trust me, word gets around when an author is less than considerate or is in fact a jerk. On the other hand, an author that builds strong relationships with gracious attention to detail, professional attitudes and an honest way of doing business makes you someone people will trust and therefore, invest in.

Robbie’s articles got me thinking. I remembered some recent events that I found disturbing or annoying when dealing with other authors, publishers and business associates. These thoughts led to a realization that I can add some sage advice to Robbie’s. I hope he doesn’t mind.

So here is a baker’s dozen of Do’s and Don’ts for Authors in Everyday Dealings in two parts.

PART I

BOOK BLURBS

1. If asked to provide a “blurb” for someone’s book, DON’T do it if you haven’t read him or her before. What can you actually say that has validity if you don’t know the work? Don’t demean your professional name by telling generalities or falsehoods.
2. If you have been asked to provide a “blurb” for someone’s book, and you know the work, DO provide said blurb by the requested date. If no date is given, use the three-day rule and advise the author that you will meet this date. Telling the author does two things. First, it holds you accountable and second, it gives the author a heads up and an opportunity to tell you if there is a need for it earlier.
3. If you are the one asking for the blurb, remember that you sought out the other author. Be gracious and show your gratitude for their belief in you by sending them a copy of your book when it is published. Their contribution helped you; the least you can do is provide a free copy to say thanks. And yes, showing gratitude is always better than telling right? Writers know this.

PHONE CALLS

1. How much work do you do on the phone? More than you think, probably. If you are like me, I let all calls go to the answering machine and then I return calls from those who leave messages and from names I know.
   1. Just because you know someone is no reason to treat them with less respect than strangers. In fact, it is more reason to give them your very best because you know them. Show your respect, and DO return calls to familiar folks within 24 hours (unless they ask you to call sooner). I try to return calls from friends and co-workers on the same day. DON’T take those closest to you for granted. Believe me, one day they will resent you for it.
   2. If someone calls you and this is an unknown connection, remember your professional self is on the line. DON’T keep people hanging. DO return calls within 24-48 hours, unless asked to do so earlier. DON’T turn to emails or text messaging instead. This is insulting and unprofessional, unless told this is permitted.
2. I have the luxury of being able to work from home. Many authors aren’t like me and you have to remember this when using the phone. DON’T always expect people to call you during the day. Most authors have (forgive me) a “real” job (I call it the filler job), and won’t be available until after 5pm or later. When reaching out to authors, DON’T be upset if you need to leave a message. DO tell the contact when you can be reached. Allow for some time in the evening to take calls. In my case, I don’t take business calls after 7:00pm unless time zones require it or pre-arranged agreement are a factor. My evenings are my family time and I try to give the same respect to other writers. Have boundaries and make them a professional standard to be emulated.
3. I really hate to mention this one but, manners, people! Take yours out and dust them off. DO say please and thank you. DON’T say “yeah” to professionals who are only able to gauge your professional self by what they hear. Are you a “punk” or wouldn’t you like to be received as a smart, sharp, pro? Think it doesn’t matter? Just think of every phone call as a potential job interview. Whom would you hire? Would you leave a strong, good first impression over the phone?
4. Okay so you are now dealing with an asshole on the phone. Does it make you become one, too? I hope not. DON’T ever, EVER, lose your professional cool on the phone. DON’T raise your voice. No shouting matches. Never lower your standards just to make a point. Continue to behave professionally even when you want to crawl through the phone and beat someone. Remember you have standards and, by jove, use them at all times. Let the assholes learn something from you. Maybe they are only an asshole that day. Tomorrow, they might remember how cool you were under pressure. DON’T ever lose sight of your image and your reputation.

Practicing these good behaviors will only help you in your career.

Let me hear from you! And thanks for stopping by!
Yours Between the Lines,
Sherry

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****The following items will always appear to keep you posted on activities.*****

WIP (Works in Progress): – NEW BOOK OF POETRY! – expected release July 2016
– first novel in the Evening Bower series, about vampires and other supernatural creatures
– fictional memoir – November 2016!
– four-part fairy story (part one complete)

On the Desk: (next reading): TBD

Off the Desk (book just finished): League of Dragons – Naomi Novik

Coming Soon:  Interview with new folks and more about upcoming projects. Plus meet my assistant (yes, you want details!)

 The Truth is….Writers Lie About Writing

I’m going to do for you what few writers actually do — I’m going to tell you the truth about why writers lie and what are the lies they – we – tell.

That in itself is a miracle statement because as Stephen King once said, “Fiction is a lie. The good fiction is the truth inside the lie.” So buckle up.

FICTION:  Writing is an adventure.

     Truth:  Writing is not an adventure. Writing is hard work. Writing is misery. Writing is painful. Writing is like pulling your socks up through your stomach. Learning to write is also not an adventure. It is time consuming and tedious and never ending. The act of writing is hard work. And you have to really want to do it – no, you have to feel compelled to do it — no, you must be obsessed to do it – in order for you to get through all the trials and tribulations that is the act of writing.

FICTION:  Writing is its own reward

     Truth:  No, chocolate is its own reward. Some writers won’t admit it but they write for money. Other writers won’t admit it but they write because they don’t know any other way. Me? I write because if I don’t all the stuff in my head will make me crazier than I already am. The reward I get from writing comes if I hear just one person say, “Oh I loved it.” That is the truth. Oh sure I write for myself but I’m never going to say I like it. That reward must come from without. Meanwhile, I’m eating chocolate.

FICTION:  Write a little every day and you’ll finish that book in no time.

     Truth:  Bologna! Yes, if you write a little every day you might finish a book. It will be “no time” for sure, meaning that it will take you an incalculable amount of time to finish. You won’t finish in any reasonable time. First because you won’t feel like writing every day and second, because if you only write a little very day, your book will read like a piece of hopscotch. Yes, write every day but when it comes to writing a book, write as much as you can every day, and let it be a great deal. Write until you can’t write anymore that day. Write until your brain is screaming. Write write write!

However, if in doubt that a book is possible, Stephen King will tell you, “Write a page a day. Only 300 words, and in a year you have written a novel.” (That’s a 109,500 words before editing).

FICTION:  The more you write, the better writer you’ll become.

     Truth: This is a tough one. The more you write, the more you will produce. However, getting better at your craft depends on more than just the prolific writing habit. It depends on your studying how to write. It depends on your reading all the books you can get your hands on – not just about your favorite wizard or dystopian planet, but also about dialogue and punctuation and correct word usuage and how to build plot and write deep characters (just to name a simple few things). THEN the more you write, the better your chances are that you will become a better writer than you were.

FICTION:  If you are having a hard time, just stop and walk away for a while. You’ll be better for it.

     Truth:  NO. DON’T DO IT. Bad advice. The only stopping should come when you are between projects. Never stop in the middle of one. Coming back to it is hard. Remembering what you intended is nearly impossible. Recapturing that feeling you began with is not going to happen. If you let go of the magic while you are in it, you will lose the initial momentum of a good thing. It won’t feel better when you come back. In fact, you will be more tempted to quit.

Stephen King, “Stopping a piece of work just because it’s hard either emotionally or imaginatively is a bad idea. Sometimes you have to go on when you don’t feel like it & sometimes you are doing good work when it feels like all you’re managing to do is shovel shit from a sitting position.”

FICTION:  Once you finish that first book, the second will be easier.

     Truth:  I equate this to something I heard in a movie once, “The first murder is the hardest. After that, they get easier.” Only a sociopath might think this!  I can tell you for a fact that once you finish the fist book, you should dance and celebrate. Finishing is awesome. You are ready to keep going, right?
     Time for the second book? I’m here to tell you that it is JUST AS HARD AS THE FIRST OR THE LAST.  There is no “easy” book. There is no “fast” book. Every book wrenches something out of you and the pulling and and taking is more like cutting yourself open and bleeding for a while. Nothing easy about it. (unless you’re a sociopath!). 

Writing any book is hard. Each book is just as hard in its own way. Every book is a unique challenge. Does it get easier to plan or plot or do you feel smarter about your craft? Probably. Possibly. I hope so. But the work itself is never easier. Don’t let anyone fool you.

FICTION:  You are too old to start now. There’s no point.

     Truth: Bologna. Here’s Stephen King again, “You can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will.”  Writing has no age. It simply is. It calls and you answer. Writring is a need, a calling, a desire, an obsession. If you want to write, then write. If you feel strongly about it, nothing on this world will stop you. Will you be published? Will you be a best-seller? Those things are issues for another day. For today, just write. Write because you believe there is nothing else you can do.

FICTION: Writers need inspiration in order to write.

     Truth: Bologna. Writers WANT inspiration. Writers crave it and sometimes do need it. But if writers waited to be inspired to write a book or a story or a poem, very little would get done. Writers who want to succeed and/or publish have a motto. Butt in chair. All that means is if you want to get the job done, you have to simply do the work. (see first truth). Stephen King will tell you, “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.”

Work. Writing is work. Oh once in a while you hit a magical nirvana when the writing flows and you feel as if you won’t ever stop the train of prolific thought. And then you do. Yes, there will be moments when you think you are in the groove and it will always be this marvelous feeling of achievement.
      And then reality sets in. Writing is unglamorous. Writing is sometimes tedious. Writing is sometimes writing the same page over a dozen times. Writing is sometimes frustrating. Sometimes impossible.

And sometimes writing is  the most incredible, wonderful, surreal work you will ever accomplish. But if you are waiting to be inspired, you are just looking for a way to talk yourself out of doing the work.

THE BOTTOM LINE:  Writers lie. We finish our books mostly in solitary confinement. We work hard. We scream at the page, we edit until we hate our work. We write because we must. We breath ink and vellum and when we are holding the final product, we lie.

We tell you and others what a wonderful journey it was to get the book done. And why do we do this?  Well, I’ve never had a human child but my mom told me that the horrible pain fades and only the joy of the child remains.  So when the book is finished, it is our baby, our joy.  Given this truth, we tend to diminish the work with an honest lie.

Writers lie but we don’t really mean to (Is that truth or a lie?). We writers only want one thing — for you to find your moment, the joy of birthing your own book, project, play, whatever. We are happy and proud in the end and we want that same joy for you, the would-be writer, and the reader.

Think of this the next time someone asks you, “I want to write, but…..”

Let me leave you with more words of Stephen King, “A person is never too old for stories. Man and boy, girl and woman, we live for them.”

and remember my opening quote — “Fiction is the truth inside the lie.”

Given that truth, go and tell some lies. But now you know the truth why you are doing it.

Thanks for stopping by!
Yours Between the Lines,
Sherry

(the philosophy above is my opinion based on my experience and in discussion with other writers)

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****The following items will always appear to keep you posted on activities.*****

WIP (Works in Progress): – NEW BOOK OF POETRY! – expected release July 2016
– first novel in the Evening Bower series, about vampires and other supernatural creatures
– fictional memoir – November 2016!
– four-part fairy story (part one complete)

On the Desk: (next reading): A Potion to Die For – Heather Blake

Off the Desk (book just finished): Rock-a-bye Bones – Carolyn Haines

Coming Soon:  Are you writing every day? Why you should and how I can help!
                          Guest Interview coming in June!