Despite how large the publishing industry seems, in actuality it is very, very small. This business relies so heavily on networking—Facebook, Twitter, blogs, personal relationships—and as a result we are all very well connected. This is an excellent thing…most of the time. We become so comfortable in our own little “bubbles”, not thinking for a moment that what we say outright (meaning what we type J) or imply will go far beyond the regular visitors to our blogs, our friends on Facebook and our followers on Twitter. Remember the part about personal relationships? That’s where your personal business ends up receiving a much larger audience than you intended.
A recent incident led me to write this blog. I received an email from someone in my network (which is extensive—when you’ve been in this business for a while you get to know a lot of people) who thought I might find something “interesting”. She had been directed to a particular blog by someone in her network because that person thought she would find the little tidbit “interesting”. Without going into detail, the blog in question aired some insecurities the author had, along with the author’s personal take on what led her to be in that position. Not only was her perception of reality not quite on the mark, but to make matters worse, negative comments followed—none of them made anonymously. So I’m sure you can see how this downward spiral is forming. I am now aware of several author’s general negativity and harsh comments about an industry they are a part of. If I were a writer, I wouldn’t want my name associated with any negative thoughts or actions because Big Brother is watching. But that’s just me.
The publishing business is tough, and anyone who is in it knows it requires a tough skin. You must be able to accept criticism, constructive though it may be, on something you’ve poured your heart into. You have to be able to accept “no” when everything in you is screaming, “yes, yes, yes” (you’re thinking about an orgasm right now, aren’t you?). You have to adhere to your publisher’s policies, your editor’s schedule, your editor’s evaluation of your work, even if you don’t agree. You have to be flexible and understand that unforeseen changes occur in business, and you have to roll with those changes. And are you allowed to be frustrated, heartbroken, incensed? Absolutely. We’re all human, after all. Should you post these reactions in public? Absolutely not. Remember how small this big industry is. So share your concerns with a friend, a spouse, a fellow writer (via email or on the phone, please), the poor soul who is unfortunate enough to be stuck behind you in a long line at the grocery store (of course, assuming they aren’t in the industry…just how small can it be, right?). And the best solution? Take your concerns to your editor or publisher. I know that I would much rather have an author express their concern directly to me so that I have an opportunity to ease their distress and do what I can to reassure and help them.
If you take anything away from what I’ve written, it should be this: Do not publicly post anything you would not want your editor or publisher (or authors you don’t know) to see. While we don’t spend our time trolling the net looking for “authors behaving badly”—we simply don’t have the time or desire—Google Alerts set to our publishing house and networking contacts are quick to point out what we’re missing while busy working on your books. My best advice? Keep it clean, people 🙂
– Grace Bradley, Acquiring Editor, Ellora’s Cave
Twitter: http://twitter.com/GraceBradley
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Hmm. I agree with this blog. With the author who wrote this. It is true. You are better off getting together with a family or friend, etc, then blogging it for the world to read and see. Gossip can spread easily and others would seriously criticize you for any reason given. An email or a phone call, a get together is more private then internet related blogs or journals. If you want someone to read what you’ve got to say…that’s fine…but it doesn’t change the fact that people might take it wrongly and do hurtful things to you as individual. I don’t believe any human being is kind enough not to start gossip without having a word to use. Everything we do is basically very…interesting to pass it on.
Very interesting blog. I’m not an author, but I’m always amazed at what some people will post. I’ve been on some author’s message boards where people will tell the author they didn’t like their latest book. It’s one thing to talk about a book on a reader’s blog, but to actually post a negative comment on an author’s own BB seems in poor taste. As for an author posting about her publisher or editors that seems to be the fastest way not to be re-signed to a contract.
I try not to ever write anything online that I will be ashamed of later. I love Vicki Lewis Thompson’s books, she is one of my favorite authors.
It’s amazing what some people put out there in the world. It’s amazing what pops up on facebook or twitter and it just makes me think about what I say out there. You have to be very careful out there because everyone is watching. So i agree with Grace… keep it clean and professional!
Interesting post and very good advice.
Solid, good advice and so true, when you have your own blog it is so tempting to go on a rant. If you must, always keep names out of it, keep it generic, if you must rant at all. And point out positives as well as negatives.
Otherwise keeping it private is a good plan. I will bleed all over my keyboard privately.
Interesting post. I think that we that we live in a time that we have to be super careful with what we say online. No matter what we say or our stance the comment is there forever. Someone will be able to comeback and find it at some point. With that in mind I always try and be watchful of what I say because I don’t want something to comeback and haunt me. I try and write with no regrets.
I agree, I try never to submit negative comments about authors or inspiring authors, instead if it is something I don’t like either I do not comment or point out the positives.
That’s true for everyone, not just writers. People have lost their jobs over online comments/posts.
You have to be very careful what you put in writing and on line. Someone is always watching and reading and then more than willing to share. Good psot
I think with all of the Reality TV, blogs, Twitter, FB, etc…people are forgetting that some things should remain private. I can’t tell you how many times I cringe while on FB at people putting all of their business out there.
I am going to be a teacher and this is especially true. There is no way to erase anything from the web and people will find things that will change their opinions about you.
Very interesting and very true. I always tell my family and friends to be careful what they post on Facebook.
Great article, and yes, some things should not be said on Fb or twitter or public blogs etc etc
This good advice really should apply to anyone in any field of work. I have heard of people being fired after posting something offensive on Facebook.
Great reminder! I think we forget that emails or social networks that are written sometimes, may not be perceived the way we meant it. So yes, If we have a doubt, don’t write it! Thank You for sharing!
I’ve just discovered your blog tonight and enjoyed reading it. I look forward to following you.
This was a great post and very good advice for everyone. I always try to think twice before putting anything in writing. It is very easy to misconstrue what someone has written and read into it something much harsher than might have been intended. I censor myself all the time when sending emails and try to read them as someone else might. I’ve even had someone else read an email before I send it when I know I was not happy with someone and I’m responding to them, just to make sure it doesn’t come off critical or harsh. I make sure when I twitter or post on Facebook as well, that I don’t write anything that I wouldn’t want everyone to read, including my employers – it just makes good sense.
I’d love to win the books offered, especially Vicki’s book – I’ve been looking forward to that one for a while.
Great post and I totally agree! Both of these books sound really good. Please enter me!
People keep asking me if I have a Facebook account and my answer has always been, and will continue to be “NO!” It’s just not worth putting my private business out there for everyone to see. When email first got popular I quickly learned that if I was writing a message while I was in an emotional state, it was best to put the message aside for at least a few hours. Sure enough, those messages always ended up being deleted or significantly modified once I’d had a chance to cool down. More people need to learn that lesson.
Interesting post. I guess it makes sense to be careful about what you post since anyone can read it.
Thanks for another giveaway!
It is pretty hard to separate your profession as a writer and your personal life when you use a lot of social network tools to get publicity for your works, but I agree with this blog that you really have to be careful what you post for the public to see because it could jeopardize your career as a writer. However, when used properly, Twitter, blogs, and facebook are really good ways to get yourself out there. I like to look at authors’ blogs, tweets, and websites because if I have never read that author before, I can get a good idea of their voice and styles from their opinion posts. Sometimes I will decide to try that author because I enjoyed her posts or got hooked by an excerpt on her website.
So very, very true. My husband (different industry but just as connected) doesn’t even like me mentioning anything about his work (of what he tells me) to any status update or blogs I post in case someone who knows someone who know someone might read it and get the wrong impression, and we don’t even have the same circle of friends on facebook. I’ve always been of the mind that if you’ve got something negative to say or just need to vent – talk to a friend or talk to family, do it over the phone or in person. It can spiral out of control when other people see it and comment. I’ve heard of so many people who have lost jobs because they posted something they should not have, on a blog, on facebook, on twitter and the boss, publisher, editor, etc., saw it.
Good advice. Think this goes with anything and any profession, not just publishing. Once it’s out there you’re stuck with it out there. The old adage if you haven’t anything good to say goes for typing as well. If upset & pissed off, stop and step away before venting online. Hopefully you would do the same thing in the middle of a room crowded full of nosey old gossips — after all the internet can be that way — no offense to anyone on this blog for I know that none of us are that way in the least. I think I heard it put right when it was said, don’t say (or write) anything you wouldn’t want your mother, grandmother, child, boss or neighbor etc to see (or read). Venting can make you feel good for a moment, but the embarrassment of people you actually know seeing it could last a very, very long time.
Excellent advise !! The publishing world is VERY small and the internet makes it even smaller. My father used to say don’t put anything in writing that you wouldn’t want to read on the front page of the newspaper and don’t do anything that might get taped or recorded that you wouldn’t want to see on the six o’ clock news !!
Your post shows just how like a small town the industry is. Everyone knows everyone else’s business and and the gossip mills can spread things almost as fast as they happen. The old advice not to say anything because you don’t know who is listening and how well they know who you are talking about is so true. Some times you do need to vent, but do it safely and privately. At a later date you may find you concerns were unfounded, but the damage will have been done. None of us can afford to burn any bridges. They are much too hard to repair.
Thank for a post with an important message to all, in the publishing industry or not.
Geesh so many fields are small worlds. People should know better!
I agree !! don’t do something that you’ll regret 🙂
haven’t read both books ! would really like to win them.
I agree with this post. Social media has made the world a much smaller place and it is much easier to “track down” people — how many of us have found old high school friends on Facebook with relative after years of not being in touch? Is it because it is a new(ish) media and there isn’t the face-to-face contact that some people consider it anonymous in many ways? I know someone who has a personal blog, who sent out the address to parents, siblings, friends, etc. and then after posting something that might offend one of those people the blogger was AMAZED that this other person read it and was offended?!?! People need to approach blogging, posting, etc. as if anyone can read it. If you really don’t want the info to go to someone or some people, do not post it. Period.
That’s great advice for everyone. Whatever you post will always be out there somewhere in cyberspace.
Wow, you really have to get up early to keep up with you ladies (and gentleman, if there are any out there)! I should have set my alarm for five 😉 So many people have commented that this advice holds true no matter what your profession and that is absolutely true. Once it’s out there, it’s out there. And anyone can see it. Part of the process of considering a new author is research. How does this author behave online? Would he/she be someone I would want to work with. Google is a beautiful thing. If a writer is slamming their current publisher or a fellow author for any reason, in all likliness, I will find out. A comment above spoke of drafting an email and not sending it until the “emotional” moment has passed. That is sound advice. I’ll be checking in periodically during the day and look forward to reading more comments.
This post makes me think that my dad was right all along. He told me that if you don’t have anything positive to say, you best shut up.
I’m reading Vicki’s werewolf book right now and am loving it! Would love to win Laura’s. So please, count me in. Thanks.
You should always be careful about what you put in writing (publishing industry or not), whether it is comments, twitter, facebook, email etc. Everything you put out there is pretty much there forever (especially with Facebook) and you never know when it will come back to bite you – human resources departments, schools, lawyers, insurance companies etc. regularly search these sources and what you post can have devasting consequences. In many cases, you don’t even own the information which you post to social media sites, the site does. If you have to complain about your employer or tell your friends about the great party last night, telephone them or get together with them to show them the pictures!
Enjoyed reading the comments. Too many people share too much of themselves on these machines. Especially the younger generation. They really need guidance in this realm.
I really enjoyed and agree with this blog. No matter who you are, you need to be careful of not only what you write, but what you say. Neither can be erased afterwards, and a lot of time it does nothing but hurt the person it is directed toward. People lost respect and their jobs for doing this.
It is hard to erase the written word.
Interesting blog and so very true. Don’t put online anything you wouldn’t want your mother to read! If you do, chances are she or someone who knows her will see it and tell her! There’s no ‘recall’ button or do-overs on the internet. Once you hit send…..that’s it!
What’s that saying about never put it in writing lol. Everyone needs to vent once in a while but Facebook and blogs are probably not the place to do it – at least when you are talking about someone else. I am on FB but mainly for the games and keeping in touch with some family members. I can remember when I was emailing my sister and complained about someone or something, that I made the mistake of sending it back to the person I was talking about! I was beyond embarrassed (that’s what happens when something is forwarded) and even though I didn’t say anything that horrible, she wrote back and was insulted by my comment. That was a lessoned learned the hard way. As I said, never put anything in writing lol.
This has been interesting. People do write the most incredible things for public consumption! They don’t seem to realize how many people will eventually read their comments. You can’t take back either the spoken or written word.
I got a little shiver when I read the post about sending an email to the wrong address. I think everyone probably secretly fears doing the same thing. Or has already done it 😉
Gret post. I am very careful about what I say on any site online.
It’s very true that on the internet you have to watch what you say because it might come back to haunt you. I disagree with the person who says that it’s in poor taste to mention not liking an authors book on their own forum. I see nothing wrong with it. It’s better that people are honest and be constructive in their criticism, right?
Good advice Beverley.
It’s very true that on the internet you have to watch what you say because it might come back to haunt you. I disagree with the person who says that it’s in poor taste to mention not liking an authors book on their own forum. I see nothing wrong with it. It’s better that people are honest and be constructive in their criticism, right?
Good advice Beverley and thanks for the giveaway. I’m only interested in the Laura Lee book.
This is so very true. I’ve seen careers and publishers do down the drain due to negative blogposts after the person involved posted a very negative post. You have to be careful what you put out on the net, whether a blog, twitter, facebook or just a ‘harmless’ post on a group. It can come back and bite you in the butt!!!
Valerie
in Germany
valb0302@yahoo.com
So, so true. I think all of us have written something (whether on paper or online) that we wish we could take back. And as long as we learn from our mistakes, then mission/lesson accomplished.
I completely agree with you! Many of us use facebook, twitter and our blogs as outlets for our emotions. It’s very easy to forget that those are all public forums and they hide very little. We need to be very careful about the information we put out…you never know who is watching!
Great advice, Bev!
I think it’s true, and not just for authors. I tell my children, who are in college, to beware of what they put on the internet because they can’t take it back and you never know who might see it.
Solid advice!
I always try to watch what i am saying on the internet! I think if you can’t say anything nice just don’t say anything at all.
Very true.
Good advice.
Good advice! I guess when my parents told me that if I didn’t have anything nice to say, then say nothing at all applies to the internet as well!! Great giveaway!
Chris M
Great advice. People should always think twice before posting something.
I couldn’t agree with you more, Bev. I’ve even heard that some employers have gone so far as to Google potential employees, so it pays to be careful what you put out on the World Wide Web, even if you aren’t an author. Thanks for the great advice, the super giveaway, and for bringing attention to this important topic!
Wonderful advice to even us whom aren’t authors.
I absolutely agree. Although we may want to pour our heart and soul (and frustrations) in writing to ease our feelings we should think before we publish something on the web. This is one thing that I have always kept in mind. Although I’m not a writer, I still “edit” my blog posts, especially if it’s something that might be taken negatively.
It’s always good to rant, heck, I rant all the time (superlative here), but I never post my full rantings online. I do admit some veiled postings on my facebook wall but nothing that someone could take offense to.
I think a lot of people still do not realize that once something is out there on the internet, it is always going to be there. There are no take-backs in internet land! People need to be really careful about what they are putting out there…
Great and sensible advice no matter who it is.
Carol L
Lucky4750@aol.com