Busybird

Troll

April 14, 2016

The internet is replete with keyboard warriors and trolls who hide behind anonymity to espouse inflammatory opinions, or to attack and deride others, whilst trying to promote themselves as some omniscient authority.

A few weeks ago, we ran a blog entitled ‘Always Be Hustling’, which looked at the need for authors to constantly get themselves out there to generate interest in their books. Somebody took offense and posted a smarmy response.

We responded to the comment at the time, but will do so again, breaking down the comment. Bear with us, because there is a point to this, and isn’t just a case of oneuptrollship.

So, let me just work this out. You’re involved with a miniature publishing company that nobody has heard of …

Well, obviously they’ve heard of us, because they’re on our blog.

But this demonstrates the mindset of some people. Immediately, they attack. They’re not here for intelligent discussion, but to ridicule.

Busybird may be small, but we’re very proud of what we’ve done. We can only publish a handful of books yearly, but take great pride in each of them. We help authors self-publish, nurturing them through the experience, whilst also educating them on the realities of doing it themselves – not something many of our competitors do. We’re particularly proud of the creative hub we’ve created here in Montmorency.

… and you’re regurgitating what has worked for people who have actually had to do all the difficult work, probably via blogs featuring this very same list a hundred times over?

This comment doesn’t make sense: you’re regurgitating what has worked for people who have actually had to do all the difficult work, probably via blogs …

What?

What?

Are they referring to the difficult work of promotion? But it’s difficult work of promotion … probably via blogs’? That’s what they’re saying – that this hard work has been expressed through blogs. Probably.

Let’s take the comment at face value and give the commenter the benefit of the doubt. Regurgitating? Um, no, we’ve actually had to do it ourselves. So we’ve learned this by doing.

If someone has written a book worth selling, they’ve also probably got a deep understanding of their audience and a kind of savvy this columnist is no doubt lacking :’)

Quite possibly the funniest comment made. So, apparently, because you understand your audience, this translates to sales? Haha. The naivety behind this comment speaks of an inexperienced author, one who sits there thinking that whatever they’ve written is brilliant, and it’ll be a bestseller because, damnit, they know what they’re doing.

Understanding your audience and where you book sits in the market is important – there’s no denying that. But what makes your book stand out from the others which sit on the same shelf? From the other books released daily? Oh wait, because they’ve ‘got a deep understanding of their audience’? Hmmm. Okay. I must pass this information onto the big commercial publishers who perform market analyses, invest in PR, and yet can still struggle to sell books. Obviously, their understanding isn’t deep enough.

A huge part of that is realising no audience appreciates being “hustled” and squawked at via social media …

Yes, the blog mentioned developing an online presence. But this comment implies the blog was exclusively about promoting via social media when, in fact, the blog looked at a few different avenues online, and quite a few avenues that had nothing to do with the internet. Social media was a tiny part of it.

… and no one wants to read Yet Another Blog by a hopeful author.

Well, they read it.

Also please get a better graphic designer for your book covers. Please.

And this idiot closes their comment the way they opened it – attacking. We’re very proud of our designer and all the graphic work at Busybird, but again, the commenter wants to try assert their dominance, like a dog pissing on a nature strip to mark its territory.

They also ignored the link we posted – Jennifer Byrne interviewing Bryce Courtenay, Matthew Reilly, Di Morrissey and Lee Child. These are four bestselling authors who’ve written for multinational publishers, and at the heart of their message was get yourself out there and sell yourself. Take every opportunity possible. Hopefully, the commenter has also emailed them and descried their message.

We don’t write blogs based on guesswork. Advice comes from experience. We don’t know it all (and have never professed to knowing it all), but we have learned a thing or two in our experiences.

We’re sure that somewhere else on the net, somebody’s said the same thing – that’s the basis of the internet. You will find a lot of people saying the same thing, just in different ways. But if one person has said something, does that mean it reaches everybody it needs to? Does that mean nobody else can write about that topic? Does that mean anybody else writing about that topic is of less value than other authors?

You’d have to be megalomaniacal to believe so.

But here’s the point: this blog isn’t just about cutting down some troll.

That’s just a bonus.

Working in any creative endeavour, you’ll have your critics. Some will be legitimate. Others will be trolls. The internet breeds them. They amble around, hurling their faeces at any place they believe it may stick. You just have to scan reviews on Goodreads or Amazon to see the way they thrive behind anonymity, trying to find value (and validation) in destroying others – probably simply to feel good about themselves, or because they have a misguided superiority about their own work.

Their responses aren’t a reflection of you or your work, but them, and the people they are.

Don’t ever let anybody like this get you down or have you questioning your work.

They don’t deserve your time.

And, having said that, we won’t spend another second on this one either.

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The Value of Workshopping

April 7, 2016

One of the problems we face when revising is losing our objectivity. The more we work on something, the harder it becomes to see issues. We know our writing. We accept our idiosyncrasies unquestioningly. We know our content, so if something’s missing, illogically constructed, or lean, we can’t always see it because we subconsciously fill in what’s required.

This is where a fresh set of eyes helps.

Something we recommend to writers is finding or creating a workshopping group. The beauty of a group is you can get a consensus as to what works and what doesn’t. Often, you’ll engage in stimulating discussion that’ll challenge how you’ve articulated your concept. This is something that can help in the dilution of your ideas. It’s unsurprising if you walk away from a workshop with a clearer understanding of what you want to do or with renewed vigour about tackling your project.

There are dangers, too, though. You need to find people you can trust. Some people won’t click with your writing – it’s nothing personal. That’s just reading. Others – for whatever reason (and this is more a reflection of their character) – may be scathing. Some feedbackers, unfortunately, come at feedback from the angle of how they would’ve written it, which isn’t helpful.

If you’re thinking about putting together a group, here’s some precepts you can look at implementing as your foundation for workshopping.

 
Set a schedule and firm word limit
How often will you meet? Where will you meet? What’s the maximum amount of words somebody can submit? Try set a reasonable limit and, from the onset, be clear that everybody should be respectful of it. If submissions are a little over (e.g. 5–10%), that’s fine, but an exorbitant amount is just going to make readers feel obligated and create resentment.

 
Look at the piece as a whole
We don’t need to tick off every single thing that is right and/or wrong with a piece. It’s fine to cite a few examples, but look at the whole piece, at how it works, at how it could be improved.

Keep in mind that, often, these workshops may be part of a bigger work (e.g. a novel), so some concerns may be addressed elsewhere.

 
Try to recognise what the author’s doing
Get inside the head of the author and what they’re attempting, and make suggestions in accordance with that. We’ve experienced workshoppers who made great suggestions, but found the passages they were citing were fine. They wanted things done their way, rather than the author’s way. We’re all unique with our own voice and the way we want to do things, so try to empathise when you make suggestions.

 
Be constructive, not destructive
Be constructive, not destructive with your feedback, e.g. instead of saying, ‘This character’s motivation for taking this action is unbelievable’ (destructive), look at it constructively: ‘Perhaps you could strengthen the motivation for the character taking this action’. This might seem such a subtle variation, but it can really make the different between inspiring or demoralising somebody.

 
Where possible, give examples
Following on from the previous comment, you might give an example of how the author could strengthen the character’s motivation. Similarly, if you’re citing copy that’s unclear, you might suggest a way of rephrasing. Examples help illustrate where your coming from and avenues that can be pursued, whereas a comment such as, ‘This doesn’t work’, is hardly enlightening.

 
Be succinct
Clarity and precision is a necessity in writing, and it’s an invaluable practice in workshopping. Be clear in your feedback. A danger when offering feedback is spiraling into a tangent, or workshoppers other than the author discussing how things can be done amongst themselves, like it’s a piece they’re writing together.

 
Assign a time limit
Not always necessary, but it can be worthwhile assigning a maximum amount of time each feedbacker has to provide feedback, and how long as a whole you’ll spend on a piece as a group.

 
Finally … be respectful of everybody
Everybody is at different stages of their writing lives and development, and everybody is at different stages in regards to what they’re working on, e.g. you might be in the final chapters of your novel, while somebody else is just starting their novel. Everybody’s needs are different. Keep that in mind when you’re looking at a piece and working out what to say to others.

Ultimately, we’re all taking the same journey, so enjoy being with like-minded people who can help you.

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Page Seventeen #12

March 31, 2016

In case you haven’t heard, let me shout it anew: the latest issue of page seventeen is now available in paperback form.

You might be aware that Issue 12 was the first page seventeen to be produced as a digital edition. Which is awesome. But page seventeen has always been about having that physical copy as well – it just feels a little more official having your name on the page rather than on the screen, right? It’s something to keep on that bookshelf the digital age keeps telling us will no longer exist once e-readers become ubiquitous, because the digital age can go sit in the corner while we hang on to our print books (barely-relevant rant over).

But if you haven’t checked out page seventeen yet, both Kindle and paperback editions can be snapped up by dropping us a line at Busybird – call at (03) 9434 6365 or email via our contact form here. It’s over thirty short stories and poems from both established writers and talented up-and-comers – pretty good mix for a weekend read.

If you’re interested in older editions of page seventeen some issues are still available from Busybird – check out this site for more info. Unfortunately some of the older editions are out of print, but Issue 8 onwards are currently in stock.

And spread the word! It’s the whole point of page seventeen, after all – giving emerging writers a platform to share their work, break into the publishing world and get some momentum on their writing careers. A little extra nudge here and there never hurt anyone.

Beau Hillier | Editor, page seventeen

 

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Always Be Hustling

March 24, 2016

I’ve worked with a number of authors privately and through Busybird, and something many of them don’t seem to understand is that writing the book is the easy bit. It mightn’t seem that way, but at least when you’re writing, you have a clear objective: finish the book.

Then what? After all the editing and revision, and your book’s finally been printed, what’s next?

Many have the belief that the book will sell itself.

But that begs the question: Why?

You might have a great idea – it may be the next phenomenon – but why are people going to buy it? When it sits in a bookstore amongst hundreds of other books (and with more new books coming in daily), what is going to compel somebody to pick it up? What is going to alert not just one person to its existence, but the masses?

Luck?

Sure, that’ll help. And, you know, some things just take off, a maelstrom of right time, right place, right market. But you can’t rely on luck. Nobody really knows why things go viral. It just happens. And if you’re going to rely on blind fortune, you’re doing your book an injustice.

Being a success is the result of hard work and constantly selling yourself, constantly putting yourself – and your book – out there. If you can afford a publicist to help you with this, great. But publicists cost a lot of money (more than one thousand dollars a month), and that’s something most authors can’t afford, so you’re left to your own devices.

Let’s look at some options …

 
A Launch
A book launch is when you announce your book’s arrival to the world, just the way you would if you had a baby. Have a party. Invite people. Broadcast it everywhere – social media, in relevant newsletters, even in forums that might be applicable to your book (e.g. bookstores, or if you wrote a nonfiction book about dogs, ask the vet if you leave some flyers there).

 
Review Copies
Send free copies of your book to reviewers – from the major newspapers to radio and podcast reviewers to bloggers. There’s a chance your book won’t be reviewed – after all, these people are getting lots of books to review. But you won’t know unless you try. Also, because these people have a backlog, make sure you send your book as early as you can.

 
Public Talks
Lots of places are open to authors talking about their work. Amongst them:

• the library
• bookstores
• community newspapers
• community radio
• podcasts
• magazines
• blogs.

Seek out any opportunity you can. Some forums may pay, but that’s not your goal here. You’re trying to develop goodwill and expand the awareness about you and your book.

 
Pitch to Magazines and Websites
If you’ve written a nonfiction book – say you’ve written a guide to real estate – then look at markets where you can pitch and write articles about your specialty. Somebody reads your article, they like what you’re saying, they’re going to track down your book.

You can still do this if you’re a fiction author. Diversify. You might’ve written an espionage novel where you researched CIA operations – you could write about the importance of research. Or the CIA. Alternatively, you could try submitting short stories to journals.

 
Look for Any Relevant Opportunities
I had one children’s author who wrote books featuring positive messages for kids – amongst them, eat healthy and naturally. She was regularly at farmers’ markets and schools, pitching her message and getting her name – and her books – out there. She was constantly pushing herself, her book, and her message. Think about how you can get yourself out there.

 
Open Mic Nights / Readings
Track these down. Read an excerpt from your book. Bring a stack of copies with you. If people like what they hear, they might ask to buy a copy.

 
Develop an Online Presence
Start a Facebook page: YOUR NAME – AUTHOR. Spruik what’s happening with your book, if you’re making appearances, if you’re working on something new, what’s happening with your book, etc. If you can afford it, start your own website and blog. Post extracts of your work. Go on Twitter. Follow people relevant to your work – other authors, agents, publishers. Tweet updates.

 
Ultimately …
The pattern’s easy to identify. Get yourself out there. Get your book out there. Look at ways to publicise yourself, either with the written word, or vocally.

If you were selling your house or your car, you wouldn’t just wait for people to stumble upon it. You’d advertise it. You’d be hustling constantly. The philosophy is the same behind your book.

The reality is you’re Joe Blow. Who knows you exist? Who knows your book exists? Seek out every possible opportunity to expand the world’s awareness to your existence.

 
 
Postscript: If you have time (about twenty-eight minutes), I highly recommend this Jennifer Byrne Presents …. Byrne interviews Bryce Courtenay, Matthew Reilly, Lee Child, and Di Morrissey about writing and selling themselves. If you’re serious about writing, watching this interview is invaluable.

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How to Promote Your Book Launch for Free

March 17, 2016

Most people look at promoting as a struggle. But it’s about finding the right place to sell. This could be via blogging, social networking, pod casting or video. When you get down to the root of it, promoting can be easy.

Yes, there are markets out there where you have to pay to advertise, but wouldn’t you rather focus on getting the cheap way out and still have the same value?

This is where the power of social media comes in.

It is the perfect tool for authors to promote themselves and their book.

One type of media is creating an event on Facebook for a book launch.

1. Create an Event and Invite People
You need to create an event for your launch. With this, you can either set it as a public or a private invitation.

But, keep in mind that through invitation this will impact who will see the event, and if they like it then your invited guests can pass it on, “sharing” it so their friends will be able to see it too.

If set to private, then the event is only limited to those who are directly invited.

2. Set the Location for the Launch
You need to decide where this book launch will be located – country, city, etc. Think about whom your audience is, where they live – far away or local? The more specific you are, the better chance the promotion will have an impact.

3. Create a Headline
Creating a compelling headline will grab the audience immediately. It’s important to target the market. E.g.

‘One man, One Crow: A Pathway to Madness’

Think of it as trigger word + adjective + keyword = a promise well kept for the reader.

4. What Genre is Your Book
If your genre is romance there is no point asking people who are interested in thriller to come to the book launch. An idea would be to draw up suggestions. See what fits best and then use that to promote your book. E.g.

‘A stereotypical romance set in modern
society where a stripper provokes
an act of love through a lap dance.’

5. Genre Establishes the Tagline
Ideally, there should only be a few lines in the promotional text. It may be restrictive but do what you must to make the book launch count for something. Don’t use unconventional punctuation or all capitals.

In the film world we like to call this the ‘tagline’. Taglines are used to sell a movie to potential producers or directors. For you, they will be used to promote your event. E.g.

‘You don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies.’
~ The Social Network ~

6. Finally, Create an Image
By attaching an image, you need to make sure that it’s there to entice the audience, so be creative. But, also be clear. E.g.

7. Future Considerations?
If you want to add a little extra to your promotion, you can pay Facebook to make an advertisement in the sidebar so that everyone on Facebook can view it. However, it costs around $200 monthly and you will need to have all the things I explained above, plus a link to where your book is sold.

Conclusion
See, promoting your book doesn’t have to be hard, if you follow these suggestions you’ll be able to advertise your book to other mediums as well. They basically hold the same formula as Facebook, but have some varying approaches. Mess around and see what suits you best as an author.

– Belle Savage
Editorial Intern

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