 | 24 Mar 09 |
This past week about seventy or so authors descended on New York City for the PASIC conference (Published Authors Special Interest Chapter of RWA), a can’t-miss event that takes place every other year. In addition to affording us the opportunity to meet with our publishers (I taped a video interview for the new Simon & Schuster web site; will post a link here when it goes up!) and connect with our agents, this gathering also brings together industry luminaries who offer insights, advice, and opinions about the State of the Romance Publishing Industry. During these few days, there is a lot of discussion, laughter, commiseration, eating, drinking, whining and wining going on. And some sightseeing! Toni and I stopped to pretend we are Rockettes on our way out of the theater, when in reality we are simply headed back to the hotel after a memorable dinner with Allison and our agent.
It wasn’t all wine and limoncellos, however. Of course, the topic du jour of the industry discussion panels was the impact of the economy on books in general, and romance in particular. Authors may feel differently, but the wide consensus among those who publish, edit, promote, and represent romance novels and novelists is that our books are “recession friendly” if not “recession proof.” Yes, book sales — like car, home, widget, and soap sales — are down as wallets get clamped close. Yes, fewer outlets are selling far less books, giving a boost to brand name authors and squeezing the midlist more than ever. But, expert after pundit after editor after publisher reiterated that romance as a genre offers a greatly needed and highly affordable escape from reality. Moreover, romance readers, they reminded us, are voracious and loyal. Publisher/author/general really sharp and funny guy Lou Aronica of The Story Plant drew the comparison to the shopper who goes to the grocery story to fulfill her “must have to survive list” which might include a staple like chicken. To a dedicated romance reader, our books are on that list; we are her chicken.
To that I say, bawk, bawk, baaawwwk and hallelujah.
The audience is not just loyal and hungry, they are, according to Lou and many others, “targetable” via the internet. Time after time we were counseled to increase our presence on blogs (industry and our own), twitter (a resounding buzzword this past weekend), Facebook, Myspace and other cyber strongholds where we can brand ourselves with the reading public and reach romance readers directly. But this begs a question that I asked almost everyone. Given the finite number of hours in a day/week/year, is it more advantageous for a writer to use those hours creating a presence in cyberspace or writing another book?
The answers were not all the same. Some said book (all but one of the editors). Some said blog (the publicists, the publishers, many agents). Some, naturally, said both (but only one editor said this). All said whatever they said rather emphatically. Even among authors there is dissension on the matter. Loosely and unscientifically, my poll seemed to show that the paranormal/urban fantasy/YA authors felt the internet had a direct impact on sales, whereas those who wrote more traditional romance, i.e. romantic suspense, straight contemporary, and category romance disagreed. Perhaps its a matter of the age and mindset of the audience? So what’s a busy author to do?
This question plagues me. I have just started twittering, have a lackluster presence on Myspace, and haven’t ever been to Facebook. (I know, I know. Get. With. The. Program.) I do my level best to visit this and a few other blogs daily, and twice a month devote more than a few hours to writing something to post here that will inspire, educate, amuse, and entertain MSW readers. Of course I maintain a web site and update it monthly. Okay, almost monthly. But a “presence” the likes of which they refer to…not so much.
Neglecting to build a name brand on the internet through every possible portal to the romance reader, according to many who spoke to us in New York, is a huge strategic marketing error. And they were convincing, I tell you. My notebook contained a single action item, circled, underlined, and decorated with a few emphatic exclamation points: Create a Facebook page, stat!!! (And, luckily, I have this teenage son, and he likes money.)
But the fact remains that I want to write three books every year – three books I am proud to have published and confident will please readers. It takes about four months of full time writing for me to produce that book. Three times four…well even this blonde can do that math. Okay, I realize there are nights, weekends, holidays, and wee hours that can be given to blogging and tweeting and booking my face all over the web. But I have a family and a life, both of which fill my creative well and fuel my personal happiness. Writing much faster isn’t an option…as the other truth that came out of our meetings is irrefutable: every single book gets harder as we set the bar for ourselves higher. I refuse to compromise on quality. What good is it to reach a few thousand more readers if the book they pick up is forgettable?
So I ask you, writers…if you had to choose (and, honestly, you do have to choose!) would you write one more book or heavily increase your internet presence? And I ask you readers…would you rather read more fiction from your favorite author or get a daily dose of what they are thinking and doing when they are not writing?
I await your answers! In the meantime, I’ll twitter a little, stop by some blogs, tackle that Facebook challenge…but mostly I’ll be writing my next book. Guess that tells you where I stand on this debate!
© 2009, Roxanne St. Claire. All rights reserved.
Roxanne St. Claire is a New York Times bestselling, RITA-Award winning author of nearly thirty novels of romance and suspense. The author of two popular romantic suspense series, The Bullet Catchers and The Guardian Angelinos, Roxanne is hard at work on new books for 2012, which will include the launch of a contemporary series, Barefoot Bay, and her first young adult novel, Don't You Wish, and a brand new stand-alone romantic suspense, Space in His Heart. A five-time RITA nominee, Roxanne's books have won the National Readers Choice Award, the Daphne Du Maurier Award, the Maggie Award, the Booksellers Best, the Book Buyers Best, The HOLT Medallion, multiple Awards of Excellence, and Borders "Top Pick"" for Romance in 2007. She lives in Florida with her husband, two teenagers, and one impossibly cute Australian Terrier named Pepper.
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I’m not a writer but I tried the twitter thing and didn’t like it. Never did Myspace but I’m loving Facebook and enjoy reading what the authors I’ve friended have to say.
I would prefers to read more fiction by my favorite authors and a little insight on their daily happenings.
by Dru March 24th, 2009 at 5:56 amI keep hearing the love for Facebook, Dru, so I will definitely be adding that to my small repetoire of internet activities. Trust me, my daily activities are dull as dirt and my books are…not. (I HOPE!)
by Roxanne St. Claire March 24th, 2009 at 7:20 amHaven’t done Twitter. Don’t think I will. I find I can usually visit the blogs I like over morning coffee. My own blog doesn’t really eat up THAT much time (but I don’t have a contract to write 3 books in a year, and my kids are grown and out of the house).
All I do with my MySpace page is copy and paste my blog entries into the blog slot over there. Facebook, which I was pressured into joining by a dear friend, gets my blog feeds directly, so that’s zero time added. I block most of the applications (so don’t send me dogs, snowmen, or expect me to join the Mafia.) I’ve hooked up with some long lost friends via Facebook. I figure if I added the time I spent over there, it would be about 15 minutes a day.
As a reader, I’d rather read the books, but I also get a kick out of seeing what favorite authors are working on. As a writer, spending a little time on the social scene doesn’t seem to interfere. It often serves as a warmup exercise for the day’s writing.
by Terry Odell March 24th, 2009 at 6:27 amA good warmup if it doesn’t end up to be 11:00 am before I open a doc!
by Roxanne St. Claire March 24th, 2009 at 7:21 amI don’t twitter, facebook or myspace. I blog and I visit industry blogs (both of which I’m trying to do more of). Personally, I’d like to think quality trumps quantity. If an author has a good website and one or two good blogs, it ought to be enough to draw readers in. With Google, how many places does an author really need to be for people to find her?
As a reader, I enjoy learning about the person behind the books (most of the time – there are some things I don’t want to know), but the books are the most important thing. For instance, I love Allison but I don’t pick up her books because she a great mom or a lovely person. It’s nice to know, but I want the next book because she’s an awesome writer.
by B.E. Sanderson March 24th, 2009 at 6:40 amAllison is a great mom and a lovely person, I just have to second that. This past weekend, I spent so much time with my co-bloggers and dear friends, Allison Brennan and Toni McGee Causey and I can tell you these are a couple of smart, funny, warm, generous, delightful, and talented women. And, yes, I’d take a hurricane over an earthquake….didn’t get a chance to comment on that blog debate that Allison started.
by Roxanne St. Claire March 24th, 2009 at 7:24 amMutual admiration society here . . . every time I hang with Rocki I love her more
And I’m going through withdrawal leaving my southern soul sister Toni.
by Allison Brennan March 24th, 2009 at 11:49 pmHello Roxanne,
As a reader, I would rather have the books of my favorite authors over going to their blog everyday. Don’t get me wrong I do enjoy reading blogs, but in all honesty, only if I’m learning something about writing or history. If an author can teach me something on their blog, I don’t feel like it was a waste of my time to read. Too much personal information for me is a waste of time.
Have a great day.
by Roberta Harwell March 24th, 2009 at 6:53 amAnd it’s a fine line to walk – personal information vs. “branding.” One of the reasons I held off from blogging for so long was simply because I can’t believe there’s that much interest in what I think about anything. I joined MSW because the tone and tenor of the posts are more writing/reading oriented than lifestyle.
by Roxanne St. Claire March 24th, 2009 at 7:26 amSo much to do and so little time, Rocki! I don’t Twitter though I have friends who do. The Facebook is in my real name though my bio states I’ve got a release coming…sometime. (No date yet, though I’m closer to galleys.) I should learn how to feed my blog posts to Facebook. I wasn’t aware I could. MySpace is strictly an “Author” site. Pen name, book cover, contest announcements, etc. I’m there whenever I get a friend request or special occasion announcement so I can comment to my “friends.” I do blog. I started out every other day with a rhyme and reason to the posts but then traffic picked up and to capitalize on that, I now post every day. When I take a writing break, I go back and respond to posts. I “group blog” once a month. I have a list of blogs (MSW is at the top of the RSS reader – lol) and those blogs are my morning “water cooler” time.
As an unknown, it’s imperative I get my name out there (and establish a presence) long before my book is released. Conversely, I also need to produce. I have projects needing revisions before I pitch them. I have a third book in a trilogy to write (in case the second book is picked up by my publisher). My life is such that I can write anywhere and any time. I’m lucky. Writing is my “job” – along with laundry, dog/cat sitting, housework, feeding the grown family, etc. But I can structure my days. It helps.
I hope I don’t HAVE to choose, Rocki. Planning and executing are two different things, though. OH! You forgot to mention conferences and the time involved with them, too. So much to do! So little time! *runs around flailing* Aaaaack! *deep breath* Okay. Back to writing now.
by Silver James March 24th, 2009 at 7:13 amExactly, Silver! The conferences can be time consuming. I’m giving a breakfast keynote and two workshops in Dallas in two weeks, and I’ve already blocked off days and days to prepare those presentations. Plus travel time and, of course, the conference itself. I do love to attend conferences when I can, however, because the benefit to me is always a shot of adrenaline and motivation from being around other writers.
by Roxanne St. Claire March 24th, 2009 at 7:29 amI’m just sad that I can’t make it to Dallas! So close and yet so far. *sigh* But yes. Being around writers for a weekend or a few days is like sipping from a cold spring. Invigorating. Refreshing. And down-right fun!
by Silver James March 24th, 2009 at 1:26 pmI’m part of a group blog like this where I only have to write something for it once a week. Like Terry, I make my blog rounds over my morning cup of tea. I tried MySpace and found it too crazy and mostly dominated by teens and musicians. A friend’s husband works for Microsoft and he said Facebook is the best social networking site for grown-ups. LOL! My 40th high school reunion is this year (I know, you simply cannot believe I’m that old) and a bunch of us from the class of 69 have reunited on Facebook.
I don’t Twitter. I don’t have ringtones on my cell phone either. Or premium channels in TV. Only so many hours in a day and so many dollars in the bank.
But I think romance novels will carry on, and that being said, I’d rather read another book from a fave author than loads of blog entries. I enjoy the slice of life or craft perspectives I get here, and the bi-weekly gig y’all have here is a good one.
And now I must get back to polishing MY book with hopes of receiving “The Call” and being able to blog about it one day.
by Marilyn March 24th, 2009 at 7:16 amHear, hear, Marilyn. Polish on and quit lying about your 40th high school reunion. We don’t believe you. I hope you’re going, by the way – you will shine!
by Roxanne St. Claire March 24th, 2009 at 7:31 amActually, the reunion is the same weekend as my RWA chapter retreat. Do I drive 500 miles to see a bunch of people who didn’t know I existed 40 years ago or go to the mountains with a group of people I enjoy spending time with?
No brainer. The retreat wins hands down.
by Marilyn March 24th, 2009 at 7:44 amARGH! I am SO pissed. I wrote a well thought out response, but my @#%@#%$#^$#^ internet croaked when I submitted the comment!!
by Margaret A. Golla March 24th, 2009 at 7:27 amIn a nutshell:
1) Write the next book.
2) Blog on a group blog like this one (I’ve already bought Jen’s Blood Magic (EXCELLENT BTW!) and will buy Sylvia’s Eve of Darkness when it comes out. I wouldn’t have if I hadn’t gotten to ‘know’ them on this blog.
3) MS, FB, TW and personal blogs are real time sucks and creativity nabbers–ask yourself how many new readers you really get this way. The people reading your personal blog are already fans, not new ones! So–probably not enough to matter.
4) Write the next book . . . oh, yeah, that was #1.
See? That’s what the internet does to you! The comment may show up later, Margaret. I would say more…but I am truly opening my doc now and working on a book!
by Roxanne St. Claire March 24th, 2009 at 7:32 amI definately get overwhelmed with the social networking side of the business. I’ll still keep up with what I’m doing, myspace, facebook and perhaps I’ll get the guts to try Twitter, Roxanne, you’ve inspired me on that one, but at the end of the day I prefer writing books.
One good aspect for me about the social networking side of things is it forces me out of my Victorian cave and my reluctance to interact with modernity and current trends, something we need to do if we hope to be well-rounded writers.
It was such a blessing to meet you at this thrilling conference, Roxanne! Thanks for continuing this conversation, it’s really an important aspect to make choices and think about.
by Leanna Renee Hieber March 24th, 2009 at 8:34 amRight back atchya, Leanna. It was great to meet you. We won’t tell anyone that you’re gorgeous, thin, young, have enviably long straight hair that is that impossibly perfect shade of golden strawberry blonde, and flawless skin. And a great cover for your first book. Nope. Didn’t hear it from me.
I may have to twitter about it.
by Roxanne St. Claire March 24th, 2009 at 9:14 amThoughts from a reader.
I don’t twitter, facebook or myspace. Can’t stand them and I think a waste of time. I do read the blogs and have discovered quite a few new to me authors through said blogs. Beside your own website, I think the group author blogs with authors rotating their posts is an absolutely awesome perfect way to advertise you and your books.
I found this blog after reading several of your books and discovered the rest of the ladies and books I would enjoy reading. The exposure provided by blogging is valuable in my opinion.
Yes it is important to concentrate on writing books, plus have a life. If you spend all your time online, twittering, doing my space, facebook and blogging, then you don’t have time for any of that. Choose which medium works the best for you – which in my humble and very biased opinion is the blog.
by Robin of My Two Blessings March 24th, 2009 at 8:53 amNo need to be humble, Robin! You are the reader we love to reach, and your opinion matters more than a hundred editors and agents. Good advice and thanks for the comment!
by Roxanne St. Claire March 24th, 2009 at 9:15 amI’ve been on facebook for 2 months and it is a fascinating time suck. The first few weeks are kind of crazy as you search out friends and try to find your way around. I love it. I’ve made some really close friends with other writers who I can’t wait to meet in person at conferences.
I think a writer needs to carefully budget their time. Put in that 15 mins a day for FB and then write!!
by Kendra March 24th, 2009 at 8:54 amFifteen minutes a day is doable. Time sucks are no good!
by Roxanne St. Claire March 24th, 2009 at 9:15 am(Rocki is an amazing, warm, generous, kind, funny and did I say AMAZING? roommate.)
I was overwhelmed by the “ooooooh, the internets, they are helpful” mantra that everyone seemed to have. I barely check my MySpace page, go infrequently to my Facebook page and will Twitter only occasionally when something strikes me as funny. I am going to try to do better with all of those, but honestly, like Rocki, there are just so many hours in a day and I want to write more books per year–there’s just no way to do that and spend copious amounts of time on the internet.
Though–all of that is said by a person who is addicted to the wonderful feedback we get over here. It’s definitely a major positive in sustaining me through the hard times of writing and editing, wondering if there’s anybody out there, or did the world end while I was in my cave.
by toni mcgee causey March 24th, 2009 at 8:54 amI blush, Toni. We were a perfect team in 4517! I couldn’t have asked for a better roommate or conference buddy. And, oh, where *did* you get that belt?
AND YES TO THE COMMENT BELOW. Run, don’t walk, and buy SUDDEN DEATH this week. Allison Brennan is the VERY BEST in romantic suspense!!!
by Roxanne St. Claire March 24th, 2009 at 9:18 amAw, shucks, thanks guys
. . . it’s been a hard day to focus on the book, but I couldn’t justify going out and checking the stores. Though when I went shopping, I did see it at my grocery store . . . my heart did a little flip.
by Allison Brennan March 25th, 2009 at 12:01 amOH YEAH — everyone go out and buy Allison’s SUDDEN DEATH… it’s out TODAY!!
Seriously, you will thank me for making you go. Go now. What are you still doing here?
by toni mcgee causey March 24th, 2009 at 9:00 amAs a reader, I find new authors all the time through blogs. That’s how I found this page. I was a Jennifer Apodaca fan long before I’d ever heard of Karin Tabke, Deborah LaBlanc, Natalie Collins or Allison Brennan, but checking out her blog sent me here, which sent out to the library to check out these new authors, which got me hooked on their books.
I read comments on this blog and others and check out other websites from there, which is how I found Silver James (who sent me to Prarie Chicks), who I am anxiously awaiting the release of her book.
Maybe I’m weird, but I find new authors all the time through blogs. I took a small hiatus from blog hopping and came back to find five new authors on one of my favorite blogs and currently have their books in my TBR mountain.
by Erika March 24th, 2009 at 9:51 amAwww, Erika. You are the best! I found MSW through an acquaintance who guest blogged, fell in deep like (falling in love with ya’ll is just a bit creepy-stalker for my tastes *LOL*), and found a whole new set of books and friends!
Gotta love the “intrawebs”! Even if they are a time suck.
by Silver James March 24th, 2009 at 10:30 amSilver – deep like *giggle* I like it!
by Erika March 24th, 2009 at 1:58 pmThanks to Jennifer for bringing you here – and getting us on your TBR mountain!
by Roxanne St. Claire March 24th, 2009 at 1:35 pmRocki, thanks for a great summary! If I could, I would probably write one more book a year. Because that’s what pays the bills, but it really is hard. Connecting with fans and other readers is just fun.
I have a very low social networking profile, but I’m working on it a little at a time.
by Jen Lyon March 24th, 2009 at 10:10 amI may be in the minority here (possibly because I’m not into all the modern media “hype”) but I’d prefer my favorite authors choose writing quality books over focusing on their internet presence/marketing. (But that’s just me).
by catie March 24th, 2009 at 11:05 amMaybe the minority, Catie, but I can’t help but agree with you. Guilt drives me to worry about the internet presence, and the fear that if I don’t do SOMETHING that my book will not sell well, but after many years in marketing, I’ll always choose writing fiction over writing promotional materials.
Thanks for the comment – love your avatar!
by Roxanne St. Claire March 24th, 2009 at 1:36 pmWhew! sorry it took me so long to stop by today, rocki. I’ve been so busy tweeting, blogging and answering interview questions and reader mail I haven’t had a moment to spare. oh, and i did write 6 really good pages earlier today. i am now fortified with a six shot latte and ready to rumble! does any of that answer your queation?
by Karin Tabke March 24th, 2009 at 6:02 pmSo, you’d be in the “both” category! Well done!
by Roxanne St. Claire March 24th, 2009 at 6:40 pmRocki was SOOOO enthusiastic about twittering, or tweeting, or chirping, or whatever song it is, that I joined today. I love facebook because I’ve found two of my high school friends and we’ve been chatting. I loved catching up with them–ironically, I’d been looking for both of them on-line for about a year, and there they were on FB! It took me nearly a year to get 1,000 friends on MySpace, but less than 3 months to get the same on FB. There IS a different audience, however. More of my younger readers are on MS (young=18-30) and over 30 are on FB . . . not definitely, but probably 75% of each.
The thing is, FB is easy–five minutes I’m in, out, and done. MySpace is more of a time suck. Don’t know about twitter yet . . . I love having a group blog, but it’s more for fun than because I think it’s a great promotional tool.
When I’m deep in a book, I don’t even think about going online or playing on networking sites. When I’m stuck, I spend more time playing.
I do like to read blogs in the morning. My best writing time is from about 11 am to 4 pm . . . I just have to be diligent to cut off the internet at 11. I also will do a lot of the networking stuff in the evenings while the kids are doing homework, because while I write at night, it’s usually when they’re in bed.
So . . . I’m trying to find the balance. I can’t focus on a book for more than 5 hours–usually two, 4-hour writing cycles work for me (11-3; 9 pm-1am) As long as it doesn’t cut into my writing time, great. But if it’s going to interfere . . . I’ll choose to write another book. Except, I don’t think I can write more than three a year.
by Allison Brennan March 24th, 2009 at 11:57 pm