Now, I know there are ways to getting agents that I am wholly not comfortable with. Many agents have changed their submission guidelines to "No Unsolicited MS"...
Wait, huh? Of course my manny is unsolicited! That's why I'm querying YOU!
But they mean that they only take queries from writers with whom they've met at a conference, or even if one of their own clients highly recommends you.
Well, THAT'S easy! Many of my friends have agents. I'll have them whisper my name into their agent's ear, and I'll be a shoo in! YeeeHaw!
And you know, that might work for some. If you chose to do that, bravo! But for me, I just don't feel that I can ask a friend of mine to do that. They worked hard to get their agent. I applaud them for their accomplishments and if nothing else, I'm inspired to be just like them.
When I thought about it, I realized that throwing myself out there is difficult all on its own, for me. I have an issue with begging people to read my blog posts! I really want my writing to speak for itself without me having to shout it from the rooftops-
HEY! I'M A REALLY GREAT WRITER!!!!!!
I'd prefer agents, editors, reviewers, followers, and peers to not have to listen to me gab about myself (which is funny, because here I am preeetty much gabbing away), but instead, be impressed with my ability to bring characters to life on paper.
So, here's my question to you:
In this day and age, when self-promotion seems to be the way to go,
do YOU think writers lose out if they
just don't have the gumption to say,
just don't have the gumption to say,
"Hey, I'M wonderful!"?
Okay, so there's that. I look forward to your feedback! Next week, I will announce a fun little contest that I can't wait to host. :) Tell your friends!
Happy writing!
Happy writing!
I think there some pretty wonderful authors out there who promote their book in humble ways. They seem excited that their work is finally out there and in the hands of youngins. They promote the character of their book and praise those who helped them get there, because as we have found, no one writes alone. We all require the feedback of others.
ReplyDeleteI think you fall into that group and to me, not shouting, "I'm wonderful!" says so much more about you as a person and writer than those who do. =) Great post Bethany! Now time to go make breakfast for me!
Thank you, Elizabeth! I love your outlook on this and I agree with you whole-heartedly! I greatly admire authors who allow their readers the pleasure of forming their own opinions without screaming about how awesome their books are.
DeleteNow, what'd you eat? My breakfast consisted of a tiny Tootsie Roll and maaaaybe a Nilla Wafer. Yes. Breakfast of champions!
Ha! I had my husband's breakfast that he forgot on the kitchen table! Score! English muffin with peanut butter and jelly. It was delicious. Poor guy. =)
DeleteI'm with you, Bethany. Just sayin! I feel we have to be faithful to ourselves and what we are comfortable with in self promotion, even if things take a little longer.
ReplyDeleteOooh! "Faithful to ourselves..." I like that!
DeleteThanks, Joanna!
While there's all this noise to be noisy, there are plenty of success stories where people wrote, put a book out there and became successful. I haven't tried the agent search yet for a picture book. I did that several years ago for a memoir (and will begin that again in January). It's tough. In the meantime, I write.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your search, Stacy! And thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWith my book coming out soon, I am obviously grappling with this right now. The conclusion I have come to is that it is important to listen to everyone's advice (my publisher's marketing dept. specifically), but ultimately I can only do what I am comfortable with. A blog tour where I am featured on a different blog every single day of the month of my book's release?? not comfortable. Too much shouting, "Look at meeeeeeeeee!" Can't do it. But a handful? yeah, I can do that.
ReplyDeleteThe great thing is that the kidlit community is such a wonderful place, filled with giving people. And when you have something celebratory to share, they tend to jump in without hesitation and shout from the rooftops for you! You are already there, building genuine relationships with people. It will happen for you. And in the meantime, I will shout for you, "HEY, CHECK OUT MY FRIEND BETHANY, SHE IS WONDERFUL!!!"
Well, you know *your* agent happens to not take unsolicited mannys... Just sayin'! ;)(I'm soo completely kidding!!)
DeleteYou speak wise words, Amy... And your book release will be something to marvel, whether you visit every blog on the planet or not!
Hi Bethany! I think for the most part I don't see authors and illustrators shouting, "Hey, I'm Wonderful," rather just excited to share. A while back I remember my first blog post as a writer. I didn't have a clue what I was doing, but my 8 followers (which I was so excited to have) left me supportive comments and brought me write into the writing community. So, to answer your question I think the we would only lose out in support but not respect. Although, I'm not sure about those wacky gloating-bragger types floating around. I haven't meant one yet. :)
ReplyDeleteMeeeee either! And I think that I forgot to mention that. I have NEVER met an author who has been arrogent or flashy, JUST BECAUSE. I am seriously saying that *I* worry that *I* might come off that way, because I'm uncomfortable running the social media gambit on every single thing I do/write. I agree with you, though! I think we'd lose support (because how else are people going to stay informed, if not for you announcing what's going on?), but definitely not respect by those who stayed around to constantly watch what you're doing.
DeleteThanks for helping me think about this further, Jennifer!
Really - thank you! I look forward to your posts. I enjoying pondering all your questions, I swear not one has been uninteresting --is that a word? lol I just re-read my comment above. Please forgive my horrible spelling ugh! I have to work on not hitting "publish" until I proofread. BTW why can't blogger come up with a spell check for our comments? haha
Deletep.s. when are you going to add your book to shelfari? I've been wanting to add it to my shelf :)
DeleteI still haven't gotten over to Shelfari to even see what it is! Too many things for my tiny brain to keep up with! haha ;)
DeleteWhat a great question, Bethany. I don't like to use the term, "self promotion." I like to look at it as building and establishing relationships where we encourage and support each other. Somehow, fortune will find us. Friendship is a powerful thing. You have a great book out. Think about how you managed to get that published without an agent.
ReplyDeleteFor now, I continue to write and promote the works of my fellow writers. Being surrounded by this wonderful writing community is more than I could ask. When you give, you get back. Keep doing what your doing and you will be rewarded in time. That's how I look at it. Sorry for sounding preachy today. I get like that when it's late and I am tired.
Try to think of it less as, "I'm wonderful - Look at me!" and more as, "My work is wonderful - Look at it!"
ReplyDeleteI think we have a great kidlit community who promotes each other!! I think you should be proud of what you've accomplished, but not flaunting yourself or your work. And I don't see that from anyone here.
ReplyDeleteI believe we feel this way in part because most of us are (in the kid-lit community) women, and having just driven 3 teenage boys to school this morning I can tell you boys have less trouble strutting, not boasting about themselves but their abilities. Women also have trouble asking for fair pay compared to men. So while as we trust in each other's company, let's agree to take pride in our accomplishments, even before someone else has shared their opinion, and jump for own own joy!
ReplyDelete