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Poll: Author Behavior and Your Buying Decisions

valentine2The way I see it the Internet community amounts to a workplace for romance authors. Every single reader who hangs out in Romancelandia is a potential customer for the books authors want to sell.

Few of us these days are spared the workplace and most of us have learned the hard way how to get along – or not to get along – in a work situation. Here’s a big one: You don’t always get to say what you really think.  And this one can be even harder:  Sometimes you smile when it’s the last thing you feel like doing. In short, you learn to moderate yourself in the workplace and save the real you for family and friends.

That’s just how life works.

I’ve been noticing lately that some authors – mostly newbies – don’t seen to play by these rules.  They are so out there and so unmoderated in the way they post on message boards, twitter, and blogs, that they’re inviting you to love them or hate them.  And for everyone who loves them, there are going to be those who don’t – and those who don’t have book buying budgets, too. And here’s the crux of it for me: Why would you risk that when you don’t have to?

Seems to me if I were attempting to sell books, I’d suck it up the way most of us learn to do in the workplace. I’d post kindly and respectfully to readers. I’d save my rants for author loops.  And I’d follow the leads of those established authors who have proven themselves to be extraordinarily adept at negotiating online waters.  In short, I’d learn to moderate myself  in the workplace and save the real me for family and friends.

So, here’s the poll question for the day: Have you ever let your feelings about an author’s online personality affect your buying decisions?  Or, to put it more bluntly, has anyone lost a sale simply because you didn’t like them?  And, in the comments, care to share the names of any authors you think are doing it right?

– Sandy AAR

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la martina baratos
la martina baratos
Guest
04/01/2012 11:45 pm

The optimism you express in the article seems a little premature if for no other reason that so far the overall economic news is only less bad than previously.

Laverne Platte
Laverne Platte
Guest
03/20/2012 11:48 am

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Riley
Riley
Guest
07/06/2010 2:23 am

I no longer buy Suzanne Brockmann because of everything that happened on her website and the things she said about her readers.
Her comments and attitude were so disappointing to me as a long, long time reader and fan – she’s the classic example of authors behaving badly. Not to get into the whole thing but the nail in the coffin for me was when she accused her fans of homophobia for not liking her latest release. After that comment I just can’t continue to support her and I gave away her books. I just couldn’t re-read them and enjoy them I’m very sad to say.

She desperately needs to take some lessons from JR Ward who is always so kind even in the face of criticism. She has so much class and grace that I WANT to continue to buy her books even though I don’t care for where her series is heading! LOL!! That’s a first for me, I like the author more then the books!

jebe
jebe
Guest
07/05/2010 9:43 am

Like many others have stated, I visit author websites for updates on their latest releases. I can honestly say I have never followed any author’s blogs, facebook or twitters w/any kind of regularity. I really don’t have time to read up on what these people are doing or saying on a daily basis, I just want to know when their new book is coming out and what it’s about. I visit a few websites a day for discussions with other readers!

I will say that I voted “”yes”” in the above poll, though. In addition to AAR, I visit RT, Mrs.G and a few other sites. I had read a few books by an author that lurks around RT, but when I noticed that every time her name came up on a board, she would comment, I couldn’t separate any more. It just really bothered me that she wouldn’t/couldn’t stay out of the area. I really consider certain sites readers only areas. I have no problem w/authors that want to lurk and listen to the chatter, but they should develop a thick skin if they’re gonna listen in on what we have to say.

In a little twist on the original topic, I stopped visiting two high profile review sites/blogs b/c of all the sycophantic authors that kept dropping by. The would-be authors from the e-pubs were the ones that really annoyed me, all self important. I’ll never buy some of those authors, that’s for sure.

RobinB
RobinB
Guest
07/04/2010 7:08 am

@BamaRose: Hmm, I think I know which author you’re talking about! (And I don’t even read a lot of mysteries!) Could you cite the source of said author’s comments, as I’d like to read them for myself!

Regarding the topic at hand–I also limit my visits to authors’ websites, and it’s generally to find out if a new book by a particular author will be out soon. I suppose that if there were more hours in the day, I might be tempted to spend them reading authors’ blogs, etc. However, between my very large TBR stack and my everyday life. . .just not enough time!

Jean Wan
Jean Wan
Guest
07/03/2010 5:02 pm

“”I use author websites to see upcoming releases and any insights on why they developed characters and story lines as they did. Anything else is pretty much off limits. I don’t care enough to be that involved.””

What Lusa said.

Jane O
Jane O
Guest
07/02/2010 8:22 pm

What authors say online is unlikely to affect me one way or the other because I generally steer clear of authors’ blogs (except for Two Nerdy History Girls, but that’s about history). I really don’t want to know about authors’ personal lives, their political opinions, etc. If I like their books, I prefer to keep the illusion that they are people I would like.

What does get me annoyed is when an author uses the book as an opportunity to give me a lecture on whatever cause is dear to her heart. If I want to read an editorial, I can always pick up a newspaper.

Lusa
Lusa
Guest
07/02/2010 8:05 pm

This is the very reason why I steer clear of message boards on my favourite authors’ website. Knowing what I know of myself, I would likely be swayed to ‘dump an author’ because of what I may perceive as inappropriate behaviour e.g. snarky comments about readers views and opinions.

I use author websites to see upcoming releases and any insights on why they developed characters and story lines as they did. Anything else is pretty much off limits. I don’t care enough to be that involved.

Louise B
Louise B
Guest
07/02/2010 8:00 pm

I must state an author’s online activity has definitely influenced my buying. During the last presidential election, I heard of a new author’s first book that intrigued me. I went to her website to learn more and thought I’d accidentally typed in the campaign web site of the candidate I didn’t prefer. I even entered her website name a second time before I realized she didn’t have anything about her book–just the candidate. I never bought the book nor have I supported anything she’s written.

A couple of weeks later, I was checking out another author’s site. This time the web site supported the candidate I preferred (but not to the gaudy gushiness of the previous author.) I sighed. I just wanted to learn about books. Now another author I don’t buy. When I want my political interests fed, I go to political blogs–not author blogs.

Carrie
Carrie
Guest
07/02/2010 4:27 pm

I’m not usually enough of a fangirl to frequent author websites. I mainly go when I first learn of an author to read samples of his/her work or to find out the reading order of a series. If I read something about an author that makes me admire them, then I might be more inclined to try their work (such as fantasy author Patrick Rothfuss, author of Name of the Wind), but I generally don’t care about an author’s personality. I imagine there are situations where I wouldn’t want to give money to someone who might use it for a purpose I can’t support, but I honestly think that would be a very extreme and rare occurrence.

As an almost 20 year veteran of online communities, from way back when there was only AOL and Compuserve, I’ve learned I don’t need to proselytize. I’ve watched board after board go down in flames when as people couldn’t allow others to have differing opinions, and when opinions were voiced with an “”I’m right, you’re wrong”” finality. Life’s too short to engage in emotionally-draining arguments with total strangers! ;-) I buy books to relax and escape. When I want real-life conflict I’ll read non-fiction or turn on the news.

Pat H
Pat H
Guest
07/02/2010 1:42 pm

I’ve found meeting authors or watching video interviews with them colors how I read their books, which in turn influences whether I buy their books or not. Excessive hubris (or is hubris always excessive?) makes my brain read their works tinted by their attitude.

Online I’ve been banned from an author’s fansite because I disagreed with the sysop. (I made a comment on the Gulf War, silly me. I don’t know if the author had a hand in my ousting or not.) After that, I stopped buying or reading her books. I figure if only one viewpoint is acceptable, and I’m not in line, then I don’t need to read any further.

Generally, in the past two or three years, I’ve stayed away from the comment boards because they seem to be dominated by a handful of people who form a chat group where my comments go unnoticed and my interest in their chat topics–kids, husbands, vacations, etc.–is minimal.

lindajean
lindajean
Guest
07/02/2010 11:27 am

The main thing that can drive me crazy about authors’ websites is when they don’t update them! There is one well-known mystery/romantic suspense writer whose website has not been updated since 2009 and I found that really disappointing when I was looking there to see when her next book might be coming out.

Deborah
Deborah
Guest
07/02/2010 10:21 am

Good online author behavior won’t get me to buy a book if the book doesn’t sound interesting. And bad online author behavior won’t get me to stop buying an author who’s on my auto-buy list for consistently writing books I enjoy. Where online behavior has influenced me is for authors whose books I’m on the fence about. I’ve liked Jo Beverley’s online persona for years, so I’ve given her books more chances than I normally would for an author who’s been very hit or miss for me. And several authors that interacted badly with posters on the AAR message boards in the past managed to not get me to give their next books a chance when they’d given me okay, but not great reads in the past.

I respect authors who defend their writing and character choices while respecting the person they’re interacting with (even when that person isn’t quite rational). I respect those who remembers that I’m a customer buying their product, not a prospective adoptive parent for their “”child.”” But the best thing an author can do online is make it easy for me to find and read the first few chapters of a new book.

Kim
Kim
Guest
07/02/2010 9:31 am

While I enjoy reading books by C.S. Harris, I’m often put off by her blog. Ms. Harris often states her political views which is her right, but I think she fails to realize that half the country votes another way. I think this polarizes her reading audience.

It can be difficult to separate Ms. Harris’s politics from her writing, especially when her views often bleed over into her novels. Other authors steer clear of this problem by making sure that they have a no politics zone on their message boards or blogs.

Two authors that are aways gracious with the online community are Julia Quinn and Eloisa James. The occasional poster will come to their board and criticize the author’s latest work, but both authors are always gracious and thank the commenter for her opinion.

I think it’s the height of rudeness to go to an author’s message board/blog and bash their writing. If you have a problem with a book, there are many forums (such as this one) to voice complaints. You wouldn’t go to a person’s home and insult them, yet readers feel no hesitancy about going to an author’s “”virtual”” home. While it’s offensive how authors take on critics with Twitter and blogs, I think readers sometimes fail to filter their critiques, too.

Mitzi H.
Mitzi H.
Guest
07/02/2010 12:46 am

Thus far, I haven’t let my love of a book or series of books be swayed by the author’s personal opines. The content of their books has much more sway over my decision making. I only spend my money on books I am fairly certain I’ll enjoy.

But when a book in a series fails to meet my expectations…I will look to the author’s website for answers as to why they wrote the story as they did….Sometimes I agree with their reasoning and sometimes I don’t.

I guess the next big test will be…If I Will Actually Buy Their Next Book After Suffering Said Disappointment???….Most likely I will. I’m a firm believer in (one bad apple does not a bad barrel make).

Or maybe I’m just a big pushover…because I tend to give them the benefit of the doubt….and accept their answers.

LeeB.
LeeB.
Guest
07/01/2010 9:45 pm

What bothers me is when authors get mad at prospective buyers for buying their books early (before the official release date) so their books can place well on best seller lists. Well, if I’m at the store and see a book I really really want, I’m going buy it even if it’s out early. And authors should be happy that readers buy their books, especially in this economy.

Leigh
Leigh
Guest
07/01/2010 9:30 pm

http://www.bookloversmessageboard.com & http://members.boardhost.com/Merism/

are the boards where a lot of former SB members post.

There was a discussion about the controversy at AAR and if you are that curious you can do a search here. . .

I suspect that lessons where learned by both the member of her board, her readers posting here, and Ms. Brockmann. Mistakes were made and it is in the past. Most of us involved have moved on. . . and while the controversy influenced my buying decision, it shouldn’t influence Ms. Brockmann new readers.

Susan/DC
Susan/DC
Guest
07/01/2010 9:25 pm

Some authors are so clever and insightful in their posts that I think they must be that way in their books and I’ve been encouraged to try them. The ability to be witty in a blog doesn’t always translate into book length, but there have been times it has led me to excellent new authors.

I have been favorably impressed by several authors who have responded to negative reviews with grace. An example is Carla Cassidy, who answered a funny, but definitely negative, review of her Pregnesia with a post that was as funny as the review.

carol irvin
carol irvin
Guest
07/01/2010 8:57 pm

This became so offensive to me a few years ago that I stopped reading any and all posts by romance authors anywhere. I now have absolutely no idea what any of them have to say and I don’t want to know. I had never seen authors behave like this and stopped reading their postings BEFORE it did affect my reading decisions. I was almost at that point. I do read articles which concern other types of authors because they seem to realize they are just doing business when they comment on their books.

Magdalen
Magdalen
Guest
07/01/2010 8:39 pm

I was just about to vote NO, when I realized why I was over here at AAR.

See, if the question you ask is intended to find out if I’ve ever not bought someone’s book because they did something online I didn’t like, then the answer is NO. But I was over here at AAR looking up your reviews (thanks for maintaining the database, btw — bet people don’t thank you guys enough!) for books by Kathleen Korbel aka Eileen Dreyer.

And I was doing that because Keira Soleore, a blogger/Twitter friend, had linked to Eileen’s blog post (link to follow) and it was so cute & friendly that I thought, “”Wow, I wonder if I’d like her books?””

Cue the AAR review database, and away we go.

So the vote is YES — authors can make me want to buy their books.

But overall, I feel strongly that authors need to be careful online. Yes, they’re still people, and yes, they trawl the blogs & Twitter feeds with the rest of us. But there is such a thing as TMI for an author. I’m glad, for example, that MB doesn’t identify the author who turned out to be bitchy about fat people. As a woman of substance ::cough:: myself, that would upset me. If it was an author I liked, it would upset me even more.

For that reason, I don’t read author blogs much. And, although I may never be published (not everyone who wants to be gets there), I write my blog with the thought at the back of my head, “”If a reader came here and scrolled down to this post, would it be a fair representation of me as a blogger but also as an author?”” I hope I’m doing okay at that, because I won’t get a heads-up if I’m doing badly.

Here’s that cute post by Eileen Dreyer: http://www.ninc.com/blog/index.php/archives/my-book-is-out

Vi
Vi
Guest
07/01/2010 7:51 pm

MMcA, here are the two sites:
bookloversmessageboard.com
http://members.boardhost.com/Merism/

Hope you re-visit!

MMcA
MMcA
Guest
07/01/2010 5:27 pm

That was supposed to read proposition eight … I don’t know why it turned into proposition smiley face…

MMcA
MMcA
Guest
07/01/2010 5:25 pm

Kathy, Brockmann’s board was a scrolling board: it all disappeared. There were at least two other boards set up subsequently for people to stay in touch, but I lost the address of the one I hung out at when my computer crashed.
I’d more or less stopped hanging out at the original board at the time it disappeared: my impression was that it was politics (proposition 8) rather than book-related drama that ultimately killed the board, but I could be wrong. (And, interesting question, if the artist’s priority isn’t sales, does that change things? You fairly often see actresses and actors campaigning about issues that happened to have affected them: knife crime, or cancer treatment, or gay rights – should they all moderate themselves, or is it sometimes okay to speak out and not worry whether your sales will be impacted?)

In general, I think an online presence sells me books. (Anything sells me books.) Not perhaps many, because I’ve found that really, really liking an online presence doesn’t in the least mean I’ll like the presence’s books. Probably the only autobuys I’ve found that way are Julie Cohen and Sarah Rees Brennan. I found Cohen when a blogger I followed critisised her. I’d never read her, but she was so sensible in her response, that I tried her, and she’s great. I found SRB online, through her writings at the time.
I’ve tried lots of other authors whose online voices I like, but so far, I haven’t liked their books enough to follow them.

(To clarify: there are lots of authors whose online presence I like, and whose books I like – Neil Gaiman, Carla Kelly, Laurie R King etc, etc – and their online presence means I’m aware when they’ve a new book coming out, and I buy it quickly. But I didn’t discover them that way.)

The only authors I can think of whose books I wouldn’t buy because of their online persona are all authors that I wouldn’t have bought anyway – I’m not sure what I’d do if I wanted one of their books. It’d probably come down to how much I disliked them, against how badly I wanted to read the book.

Ann Stephens
Ann Stephens
Guest
07/01/2010 4:10 pm

As a reader, I stop buying an author’s books when they consistently decrease in quality or if the author changes to a genre that doesn’t appeal to me. Authors are people too, with opinions of their own that may differ sharply from mine. If they espouse causes that I would not, that is their prerogative. Everyone’s work is influenced by their opinions to some degree. As long as their books don’t turn preachy or overly judgmental, I will read them.

I don’t like the books of every single author out there, including some that have won or been nominated for RITAs. As a writer, I keep in mind that not everyone is going to like my work, either. That’s life. I do speak of my family in general terms on my blog & social media, but I’m not about to share names or specific places. My blog is more personal, and I think I’m entitled to post on whatever subject strikes my fancy there, but it is still public. If I won’t do or say something on the street, it sure doesn’t belong online.

kathy
kathy
Guest
07/01/2010 3:42 pm

I’m sorry this sounds so stupid, but where do you go to read comments from authors? I tried to find the controversy on S. Brockman’s web page with no luck.

Lynn M
Lynn M
Guest
07/01/2010 3:32 pm

I’m able to divorce my feelings for an author from my feelings for her (his) work, but I do admit having bad feelings about an author from things I’ve read online. When Stephenie Meyer had a major fit after her 1st draft of “”Midnight Sun”” got leaked, I lost a lot of respect for her. I understood her anger and outrage completely – what happened to her was very, very wrong and sucked in every way – but her reaction was to, in playground terms, announce that she was taking her ball and going home. My sympathy for her morphed into disgust because instead of holding her head up and plowing on to fight the good fight, she just walked away. Anyway, as a result of that, I actively didn’t buy “”The Host””. Not that this affected her in any way, just made me feel better.

If I really love an author’s work, it would take a lot for me to stop buying new releases. However, liking the work doesn’t mean I like the person. I love Brockmann’s storytelling but I confess that I did feel preached to in some of her storylines. Sometimes a writer needs to leave their personal agenda at home. Otherwise their work turns into a bully pulpit, and that is sure-fire turn-off for me.

Sue Stewart
Sue Stewart
Guest
07/01/2010 3:21 pm

I voted “”no”” — but only because the poll specified online behavior.

I don’t really follow author websites, so I apparently miss some entertainingly (or otherwise) drama — as someone said, I just want to know what’s the next book and when will it be available.

HOWEVER: There are some things I will not tolerate, no matter how much I have enjoyed an author’s work in the past. The biggest of these is PLAGIARISM.

Once a author dips a toe in that very stinky pond, I will never buy a book again, new or used, lest I contribute in any way in rewarding a criminal for the crime.

Heather AAR
Heather AAR
Guest
07/01/2010 3:00 pm

Most definitely. I don’t want to financially contribute to what I perceive as bad behavior and it goes beyond writers into other areas as well. My impression of writers mostly comes from message boards or blogs where they comment because I usually avoid author websites for that very reason.

JML
JML
Guest
07/01/2010 3:00 pm

Sometimes I feel like a thief in the night the way I race into and then back out of author’s sites.

I’m always leery that there will be something I can’t dismiss or forget and I REALLY don’t want to know their political leanings of their sexual preferences or their need to walk nude in the rain with their pet duck.

What book is coming next and when. That’s all I want to know. Truly, if I’m following them on facebook or Twitter it’s because I’m hoping they’ll announce an excerpt from their next book, not that they vote for certain people or policies.

Nora Roberts always seems to handle herself with dignity but it’s also fun to see her responses when she gets her “”Irish”” up. Laura K Hamilton seems kookier by the year but I was finished buying her books long before she went sideways. I have the greatest admiration for J.R. Ward’s work and will continue to buy her books but the fans on her site are just too – well, too something.

No one’s workplace is all kicks and giggles so I don’t think the romance community is as bad as it could be.

bungluna
bungluna
Guest
07/01/2010 2:47 pm

I make it a point to avoid authors’ websites where there’s too much personal information and fanatic participation bandied about. I saw two authors that I considered auto-buys flame out beacuse of excesive sharing of personal life and opinions, imo. That didn’t stop me from reading them, just from following their online musings.

However, I did stop reading an author that has a very successfull urban fantasy series. I’d read the first few books and one of my favorite characters died, so I wen’t looking for some comments about this. I stumbled upon the author’s comments on how this wan’t a romance series, she didn’t write romance, and anyone who didn’t like it could lump it.

Me, I’m a romance reader first of all. I read all sorts of things, but I won’t read anybody who treats my genre and me in such a dismissive way. My money, my choice.

Nathalie T
Nathalie T
Guest
07/01/2010 1:54 pm

I prefer not to know too much about the authors I like. I use there websites to find information about there books, not to read about there personal lifes. I do like Janet Evanovich site. She is not too personal but the site has a friendly athmosphere. I did meet her at a booksigning and she did seam nice.

MB
MB
Guest
07/01/2010 12:22 pm

Wow! What an interesting topic. I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately because of something that came up recently. I follow author blogs sometimes because I think who the author is is often played out in their novels and characters. Often getting a feel for the author deepens and broadens my enjoyment of their books.

One of my favorite authors has a very chatty blog about her daily life. Her personality really comes through. I check it regularly although I don’t really interact or post comments. A week or so ago she made a really pointed comment about a fat person who annoyed her. I read it and kind of blink and thought to myself, “”Wow! That was bitchy””. She must be one of those fat-haters. I didn’t say anything, but it made me lose some respect for her because this is a public blog and surely she knows that not all of her fans are svelte??? Well, evidently there were comments about it and she came back later and made a statement saying that there was going to be no further discussion about this because SHE was the author and owner of the blog and that she had a right to post whatever she wanted and that she had reason to say mean things about fat people because she ‘worked hard at staying thin’ and had X medical condition. Again, I thought, “”Wow! That was poor judgement!”” And went on with my life.

Well, I then got to read her newest book which I had been really looking forward to. And what did I find? Every time the villain walks on stage he is described as being obnoxious, arrogant, rude, overbearing, ….and FAT. Hmmm…. So I, the reader thinks: Author thinks villain = fat. Reader thinks Author = Fat Hater & Poor Characterization Writer.

Now would I ever have even noticed picked up that characterization quality if she hadn’t used poor judgement in her blog??? No, probably not. But I really did after that.

I took that book off my to-buy list.

* * *

I agree with Nifty that I make buying decisions based on my real-life judgement of who would make a good employee. I think of politicians in the same way. And corporations too. BP customers anyone?

* * *

As to Suzanne Brockmann, I stopped buying her books not because of the pushing the homosexual romance elements but because they stopped being really strong romances but became improbable action movie wanna-bes with a little romance thrown in. I still read them, but I don’t buy them. I watched the whole board brouhaha as entertainment. BTW, I notice that she’s put the Troubleshooter series on hold and is starting a new series. I wonder if she just burned out due to all the controversy??? TS had kind of jumped the shark for me but I’ll certainly check out the new series.

MaryK
MaryK
Guest
07/01/2010 12:10 pm

@Tamara Hogan

Your comment reminded me that I meant to include a positive in my comment. I think Courtney Milan is awesome, and I haven’t even read her books yet. :)

Authors who I’ve read/plan to read based on their online voice/personality: Courtney Milan, Jill Myles, Meljean Brooke, Gennita Low, HelenKay Dimon. There are probably more.

MaryK
MaryK
Guest
07/01/2010 11:56 am

Or, to put it more bluntly, has anyone lost a sale simply because you didn’t like them?

Yes. She was an aspiring author, and now that she’s published, I refuse to read her. There are a few more, but I remember this one particularly.

I don’t think I’ve ever taken a dislike to an author due to the content of what they said. It’s almost always a question of attitude. Why would I want to read the writing of a jerk? Plus, authorial voice is very important to my reading experience, and I figure if I dislike their online voice there’s not much chance I’ll like their writing voice.

Incidentally, I don’t believe fairness/unfairness has any relation to this issue. It’s about reality, consequences, and the fact that I don’t owe anybody a reading.

MaryK
MaryK
Guest
Reply to  MaryK
07/02/2010 8:44 pm

MaryK:
I don’t think I’ve ever taken a dislike to an author due to the content of what they said. It’s almost always a question of attitude. Why would I want to read the writing of a jerk?

Just to clarify. The times this has happened has not been on an author’s blog or website. It’s always been an author joining a discussion on a blog unrelated to them.

Tamara Hogan
Tamara Hogan
Guest
07/01/2010 11:41 am

As a reader, I focus almost entirely on the author’s book rather than their online presence or communications. Call me a retro throwback, but I prefer a solid boundary between an author’s product (books) and their personal or private life, and accordingly read very few author blogs or messageboards. (There’s also the very real issue of too many blogs, too little time.)

As an author, I appreciate opportunities to learn about our industry, and the authors, editors, agents, reviewers and publishers I follow on Twitter, and who post educational blog entries, have been generous in the extreme. Concerning blogs, when a writer like Courtney Milan weighs in with a gutsy and incisive post about topics important to our profession, I’m there. When Rocki St. Claire or Allison Brennan posts a blog entry on some aspect of craft, I’m there. Most of the other stuff? Not on my radar at all.

BamaRose
BamaRose
Guest
07/01/2010 11:17 am

I recently read a very well-known author’s comments concerning her fans writing imaginary endings to resolve cliffhangers in her books. In the past it takes her 4-5 yrs to complete the next one so that leaves her fans a lot of time to wait and imagine.

I do understand pride of ownership and the rights of the author to control their works and characters but the whole tone of superiority and ugliness to her fans (who support her by the way) was in my opinion unconscionable. My respect for her genius is still strong and after reading seven very lengthy tomes which I loved very much I hate to say that I have no desire to continue waiting for the next installment….it’s a shame that some authors evidently allow their fans adoration to give them the big head.

Elizabeth L.
Elizabeth L.
Guest
07/01/2010 10:55 am

I stay away from authors’ message boards and many of their blogs for this very reason. I don’t want their (or really anyone’s) personal opinions or politics to sway my decision to read the book or not. I also don’t like going into a new books, especially by an author I haven’t read before, with preconceived notions or expectations that I got from another source that may or not be reliable.

That said, I’m friends with some authors on facebook, follow them on twitter, and read 1 or 2 blogs. But these are authors I adore (based on their books and writing style alone, not their personal opinions/politics) and I can’t imagine them saying or doing anything that would make me change my mind about them. More than likely, they wouldn’t do that sort of thing, because they are selling a product and understand that what they say and do online does influence buyers.

I will continue to stay away from big debates and controversial subjects online because, again, I don’t it to affect the opinion that I will form when reading an author’s work.

Carly
Carly
Guest
07/01/2010 10:55 am

I think there could be some positive spin on this. There are some authors that I probably wouldn’t have tried if it hadn’t been for their online behavior. Recommendations from other authors that sent me to new authors’ twitter pages or blogs have lead me to funny or engaging commentary. Once I realize I like their sense of humor, or would be happy to knock back with them on a porch with a glass of wine, I might go out on a limb and buy their book. I’ve tried several authors this way: Teresa Medeiros, Victoria Dahl, Courtney Milan, and Vivi Andrews come to mind. I may have picked up their books on their own merit at some point anyway but realizing that I LIKED the personality of the author helps me dole out money for purchases.

trish
trish
Guest
07/01/2010 10:25 am

Yes, I stopped reading a couple of authors after online “”dust-ups””. One in particular posted a very snarky, personal and offensive comment about a political figure that I just didn’t care for. Now, I wasn’t a huge fan of this political figure, but I thought the comment went too far – too personal and, frankly, hateful in my opinion. I’m all for political disagreement as long as it is kept firmly in the realm of FACT. When it gets mean and personal that’s where I draw the line.

And really, this is pretty much a 50/50 country, so it seems that an author or celebrity risks possibly alienating/insulting 50% of their audience when it comes to certain issues. Do they have every right to state opinions? Of course. But they also have to live with the blowback if it comes.

I think Loretta Chase, Elizabeth Hoyt, Sherry Thomas and Meredith Duran do well with their website/blogs that stay focused mostly on the books and related issues.

But then there are some authors that make no bones about their opinions and, though I doubt I’d agree with them on many issues, I still read their books because they are simply great authors IMO. The problem comes when it’s an author I can take or leave. I’ll likely leave them.

Lea AAR
Lea AAR
Guest
07/01/2010 9:56 am

An author’s behavior does influence my decisions to buy their books. Fortunately I have not had to put this theory to test with a favorite author but there are a few newer authors I have on my own personal black list based on their online behavior. I have never understood or taken a part in seriously ridiculing another. When I see supposed professionals tearing apart other authors individually or in a gang like atmosphere, that author is gone from any future wish list – permanently.

Goosie
Goosie
Guest
07/01/2010 9:55 am

On the other hand of this story, there are authors that I like more now after being exposed to their online personas. Gail Carriger and Deanna Raybourn come to mine. Deanna Raybourn’s blog makes me really want to be her friend and Gail Carriger’s twitter is hilarious. So I guess there are two sides to the online personality business.

Leigh
Leigh
Guest
07/01/2010 9:45 am

Most of the authors that I have quit reading have taken the storyline in a direction that I didn’t enjoy or their books just lost their appeal. I lost interest in Ms. Lowell’s books after numerous series were left hanging with no closure. I have no plans to read any books by Karin Slaughter because of the death of a major character. In the Suzanne Brockmann situation months before the release of Dark of Night, her board was a nightmare. People harassing other people about political choices. But even with that ugliness I still wanted closure on her story arc and planned to read her book. Then we had the whole trying to limit who posted on the board and then this a big brother scenario where people from the board were tracking posts made elsewhere and kicked a member off the board because of what she wrote here. I can unequivocally say that I will not buy another book by Ms. Brockmann

If I saw a snarky comment by an author, and then read a rave review about her book, I would hesitate about buying it. . It would just feel like rewarding poor behavior. And the end result is I don’t think I would buy it. . Some people are able to separate the individual’s actions from their work, and I not really one of them. . . Example, I don’t watch Woody Allen films. . .

Nifty
Nifty
Guest
07/01/2010 9:33 am

ABSOLUTELY, author behavior affects my willingness to buy their books! Writing is a professional occupation. It’s how these people earn income. It’s the exact same as if they had a “”traditional”” job in an office somewhere: behavior impacts and determines employability.

It’s basic marketing and presentation. I work in an office. In order to keep my job I need to show up on time, be reliable, do good work, maintain a cheerful demeanor, be a team-player, abide by the company’s policy’s, comport myself in a professional and pleasant and intelligent manner. The people who are loud, obnoxious, negative, self-serving, back-stabby, preachy, unreliable, etc. may last for a little while, but eventually they get the heave-ho.

When I buy books, I’m paying an author’s salary. If the author bahaves in a way that puts me off, I have no problem classifying that author as “”unemployable”” or a “”problem employee”” and deciding to NOT pay her salary. Heave-ho; out she goes.

There’s only one author I followed with regularity who crossed this particular rubicon with me. There are authors who are on my “”authors behaving badly”” list, but either I had already begun to wean myself from their books, or I was never a reader of theirs to begin with.

Lauren
Lauren
Guest
07/01/2010 9:20 am

I think JR Ward does a really good job of dealing with some difficult (and very voca) fans. I remember her handling the flak over Lover Unbound with a great deal of grace. She didn’t dismiss some fans’ disappointment, but she also stood by the story decisions she had made. And I really enjoyed reading about her writing process when she published the Compendium. Finally, I read recently on her board where a reader blasted her personally for doing a “”fade to black”” of a scene between two men. And I was really impressed with how Ward replied. She explained her decision, defended herself, yet never stooped to the level of the original fan who had clearly made incorrect assumptions so she could type an unwarranted personal attack.

I also think Eloisa James is great with fans. Ditto Lauren Willig, Julie Anne Long, and Laura Kinsale (keeps a lower profile but always responds nicely to comments on her site).

I did stop reading Suzanne Brockmann’s books after DON, but in all honesty, I’m not sure of the exact reason. I didn’t like how she handled that whole brouhaha–she was very dismissive of fans who felt let-down and betrayed by how she wrote Decker/Sophia/Dave–but even if she’d handled it well, my disappointment over that story may have been enough to turn me off anyway. I can say that my politics are her politics, so I wasn’t turned off by her expressing her views in such an uncensored way. At the same time, because her politics were often not why people were visiting her board (they came to talk about the books, not gay rights), there were definitely times when I thought she should have divided her message board into two parts so people who didn’t want to have to read or participate in political talk could have still had a place to discuss her books.

And there’s the thing. I think authors need to decide if they want to take the opportunity to market a cause they believe in along with their books, or keep the two separate. If they choose the former, they have to be prepared for a lot of anger, chaos, and controversy.

Rike
Rike
Guest
07/01/2010 8:48 am

If I’m annoyed by the online behavior of an author I already know and whose novels I like, I will not stop buying her books, but I will stop discussing them in public: no reviewing, no mentioning them in blog posts or on the message boards. Less attention for her.

If an author is new to me, unprofessional public behavior will often influence my buying decision. With a limited book budget, and limited shelf space, why spend either on a person’s book if I consider her annoying, and if I’m not even sure the book in question is well-written?

Lynne Connolly
Lynne Connolly
Guest
07/01/2010 8:42 am

No, not really. I read books I enjoy by people I like. I love Brockmann’s books and I don’t care what she did on her board. I know she’s outspoken and she has strong beliefs, but she doesn’t preach to me in her books, and they are beautifully written, so I read and enjoy them.
My mother came close to giving up one of her favorite authors when I told her that Jessica Stirling was a man (and he’s a lovely man, too), but that’s not online behavior.
And do I have to say it? Author meltdowns are spectator sports, sources of endless discussion and exposure. If all you want to do is get your name out there, then create a controversy. They do that in all walks of life – look at the exposure (yes, I meant that) that Miley Cyrus has been getting recently.
As a writer, I get some wonderful letters and I try to reply to them all. But mainly they’re about my books and characters, and if they ask questions it’s about them. But it makes me wonder how I’d handle the kind of fan that authors like Stephanie Meyer attracts. I’m pretty sure I’d be terrified. Yet another reason why I don’t write YA, I guess!

Sandy C.
Sandy C.
Guest
07/01/2010 8:00 am

I also saw my favorite author’s message board blow up, and while I was sad to see its demise, I could see why that happened. You have to walk a fine line when you have an open forum like that.

I “”like”” several authors who are on Facebook, and they are all polite, nice, and friendly. They post about shopping, about their animals, and yes, about their books! I have no problem with any of this, even when they tell us repeatedly about their latest release. They’re online as professionals, and as such, marketing their books is important. But that’s the key – to be professional. As a professional, you can’t let yourself be drawn into an argument – even if it’s about your characters, your books, etc. Distance needs to be maintained; there will always be haters and detractors, and for an author’s own sanity it’s better to not engage with those people. :)

J.S.
J.S.
Guest
07/01/2010 8:00 am

Yes, author online behavior has led me to decide not to buy books, but it hasn’t made me swear off the author altogether. It takes a lowering of esteem for their product plus the bad behavior. Brockmann is a prime example, but she’s not the only one. I had already been completely disenchanted with the Troubleshooters series after the unrelenting despair that was Into the Fire, but I was still going to give her another go–I used to buy all her books hardcover–until all the kerfluffle happened. Now, if I hear that one of the books is amazingly awesome or it gets a really favorable review here, I’ll buy it. Probably second-hand, but I’ll buy it. Does she care? I’m sure she doesn’t, just like I’m sure it doesn’t affect her bottom line one whit. It’s more a matter of personal distaste for me than it is about “”making a statement.””

On the other hand, sometimes the way an author conducts herself online has led to me wanting to buy more of her books than I might have considered otherwise. So it goes both ways.

Tee
Tee
Guest
07/01/2010 7:07 am

No, I think I can honestly say that, to date, nothing an author has done or said made me stop reading them IF I enjoyed their writing styles and books.

There are a couple I recall who didn’t handle themselves in the greatest way here on the boards on very incidental minute issues, but I still continued to read their books. One of them is a major name. I just chalk it off to a personality thing and let it go.

As far as those who are doing it right? It’s good to be gracious, of course; but if you’re an author, you have a product to sell. I’m a consumer and looking for a quality product to read. Unless the personal issue with the author goes well beyond my parameters of acceptance (whatever that means), if I’m enjoying their stories, I really don’t pay any attention to their personal lives. Right now, I could tell you very little about my very favorite authors–only what’s revealed on the bio jacket. I don’t visit their websites and could care less about their personal lives. Now, their books…

Teresa
Teresa
Guest
07/01/2010 7:06 am

I heard of an author who closed her board due to an arguement that got way out of hand about gay marriage. This author has a gay son and had written a book where two of her gay characters had married and posted her views in the back of the book. Well, why this had gotten out of hand when the author had already expressed her views I don’t know.

I did get upset at this author because she led us through several books to believe that two characters were going to end up together, then the characters ended up with two other characters. The readers couldn’t understand why and she stated “”why did you think when they met and had oral sex that they would end up together?””. I had forgotten about the oral sex, it had happened several books ago and the characters had not had any sexual contact since then, it was the emotions they had about each other, and the friendship that had developed, along with the working relationship that led readers to believe that the two would end up together. Once the book came out, I understood and the storyline resolved to my satisfaction. (and other readers). I almost didn’t buy the book due to this comment–it was only my curiousity that led me to buy the book.

Other authors whose forums I joined, I knew from other messageboards or were published after I had gotten to know them as a fellow reader, so it doesn’t seem any different to me. Most have invited us to get to know them and vv in their forum to make it as friendly and open as possible and asked our opinions as readers. Many make their opinions known and themselves known in an effort to know what we’re looking for in a book or hero/heroine. I don’t see it as letting it all hang out, but as getting to know someone as a friend.