Authors and Social Media - Too Much or Not Enough?
If you are reading this on Facebook or MySpace, chances are good you are fairly active in online media. You might Twitter, check your Facebook updates on your phone, or just check in once in awhile, but you do use it. And if you are online buddies with RT, there is also a good chance you are "friends" with some of your favorite authors, and maybe even a few you don't know but who looked interesting when they sent you a friend request.
I am a child of the Internet and I love what it has done for the world at large, and for the reading and writing community specifically. Without it, research would be harder and finding like-minded people to share your interests with wouldn't be as simple as booting up your computer. I wouldn't be writing this blog, you wouldn't be reading it, and we wouldn't have a conversation about whatever comes to mind.
That said, I think there are some drawbacks, too. Like getting author overshare. I do have author friends and online author "friends" both on my Facabook and MySpace accounts. The in-real-life friends are because I do care about them and what they are doing. The others are because I am a fan of their work and their updates and contests are something I want to be able to read about. Oddly, it's my real friends that hardly ever post and the others who ... well, let's just say some need to step away from the computer more often.
I don't need to know the political leanings of my favorite authors. As a budding writer, learning about the writer's life from such an intimate perspective is interesting, but when sprinkled with personal anecdotes and what their results were from some stupid quiz, it can be a little too much. When it comes to some authors, a little goes a long way. I have found myself not liking the person and that can sometimes bleed over into not liking the books. There are a couple of authors that I have met in person whose personality so turned me off, I cannot read their books without that clouding my judgement. Online social media makes that even more likely.
Not to mention the pain/pleasure of hearing an author discuss their progress on the next book in their series. Knowing they just made an interesting twist in their character's lives, or have just sent off the manuscript to the publisher can be both wonderful and heartbreaking at the same time. It's almost the "so close, yet so far away" effect.
There's a line between oversharing and giving the fans what they want. Fans often want to gobble up everything they can get their hands on about an author or series they love, but do we really need the rest of it? One author who knows how to do the social media thing perfectly is Rachel Caine. She uses her Facebook updates to give small snippets of the next book, as well as discuss the progress of her books and tours. Rarely does she share something personal and when she does, it is judiciously done.
What do you think, my online friends? Do you think authors can go overboard with their personal musings or can you not get enough of it? Tell us in the comments!
Nicole
I am a child of the Internet and I love what it has done for the world at large, and for the reading and writing community specifically. Without it, research would be harder and finding like-minded people to share your interests with wouldn't be as simple as booting up your computer. I wouldn't be writing this blog, you wouldn't be reading it, and we wouldn't have a conversation about whatever comes to mind.
That said, I think there are some drawbacks, too. Like getting author overshare. I do have author friends and online author "friends" both on my Facabook and MySpace accounts. The in-real-life friends are because I do care about them and what they are doing. The others are because I am a fan of their work and their updates and contests are something I want to be able to read about. Oddly, it's my real friends that hardly ever post and the others who ... well, let's just say some need to step away from the computer more often.
I don't need to know the political leanings of my favorite authors. As a budding writer, learning about the writer's life from such an intimate perspective is interesting, but when sprinkled with personal anecdotes and what their results were from some stupid quiz, it can be a little too much. When it comes to some authors, a little goes a long way. I have found myself not liking the person and that can sometimes bleed over into not liking the books. There are a couple of authors that I have met in person whose personality so turned me off, I cannot read their books without that clouding my judgement. Online social media makes that even more likely.
Not to mention the pain/pleasure of hearing an author discuss their progress on the next book in their series. Knowing they just made an interesting twist in their character's lives, or have just sent off the manuscript to the publisher can be both wonderful and heartbreaking at the same time. It's almost the "so close, yet so far away" effect.
There's a line between oversharing and giving the fans what they want. Fans often want to gobble up everything they can get their hands on about an author or series they love, but do we really need the rest of it? One author who knows how to do the social media thing perfectly is Rachel Caine. She uses her Facebook updates to give small snippets of the next book, as well as discuss the progress of her books and tours. Rarely does she share something personal and when she does, it is judiciously done.
What do you think, my online friends? Do you think authors can go overboard with their personal musings or can you not get enough of it? Tell us in the comments!
Nicole
posted at 3:54 PM
3 Comments:
There is a fine line, huh?
I love to hear how things are progressing with WsIP, what interesting road trips authors have taken, how much fun they are having on thier book tours, I even love to see fan art . . . but what they're having for lunch, not so much.
Come to think of it, those who post what they are having for lunch aren't even authors.
So I guess to answer your question, ANYONE can over-do.
:)
G.
I think in this day and age, social media for authors is vital. The various forms of SM have removed the aloof mystique of the author and made us *gasp* human. It's a good thing. Or, it can be - when not overdone. As you've so eloquently pointed out.
This time last year, I was on myspace, only - until both my editor and production director "suggested" Facebook and Twitter. These folks knew what they were talking about; I listened. I'm glad I did.
It is important for authors to be professional, but I think it's also important for us to let readers know *who we are*. To that end, one should consider before one keystrokes...
I personally take a moment to think before I tweet/post. Yet I have to admit - I am of the belief that on my book pages is where fans want to peruse my stories. On my blogs is where they can read my opinions and thoughts; perhaps information on some of the areas of my expertise. I've been a speaker and teacher for some time now in the areas of holistic health, green living and spirituality, so I have to blog - folks expect it.
But on Twitter and Facebook is where I am "at play" - meaning, I *will* tweet or post about my kids, where I'm going or what I'm doing. Showing that I am a person with a life is important. Being approachable is important. I want readers to feel like they can come up and say hi at a book signing. And I want them to feel like they can shoot me an email and ask me a question. (And they do both!)
I have actually been turned off by authors who share too little, choosing to remain aloof, posting only information relevant to their work or upcoming book or current contest. I find myself thinking - okay, that's what your *website* is for. Tell me - WHO ARE YOU?
I do not think there is one answer to this conundrum. Just as there are varied book genres and cuisines, there are differences in opinion regarding how much information is too much from an author.
My personal opinion is that a little class goes a long way in all things. Like you, I don't want to hear about an author's experience with getting waxed at the spa, nor do I want to hear about their personal astrology for the day. I do, however, want to hear where they've traveled to, what goofy thing happened to them that day or what their favorite ice cream is. Do they feel strongly about a particular issue? Tell me what makes you tick... your books will hold all the more meaning for me. Sometimes seeing the contrast in the individual versus the printed page, is fun.
I enjoyed your blog. You're a thinker; I see that and like it. :)
Interesting post! I love getting to know an author more personally. I'm with you on the political thing... I don't like to talk about politics in my daily life, so I certainly don't seek out political talk online. I do, however, love it when authors share things they thought were funny or touching. My favorite author on Facebook is Susan Mallery. She posts little videos from time to time, and she plays games with her fans on her page. It's fun! Plus, she also posts stuff about her books, of course.
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