2020 is Coming - Is Your Website Ready?

If you have an author website, now is the time to make those 2020 updates. Here are a few tips based on website housekeeping I just completed:

     • update your copyright notice at the bottom of each page to include the new year
     • check your "about" page - add any new bylines, titles, projects or accomplishments from 2019
     • update your social media links (that may mean replacing links to platforms you don't really use or get traction on with others that are more popular)
     • freshen those pics (and if you haven't taken a new headshot in more than five years, you may want to make that a 2020 priority)
     • if you do presentations, add a calendar to your site that not only promotes these appearances, but let's folks know when you're available
     • remember to offer "value added" content like interesting data from your book research that others might find useful

Hope these tips are helpful and here's to a happy, healthy holiday season and coming new year.

Are You Preaching to the Choir?

Other than the fact that acquisitions editors ask about them, I'm not completely sure how beneficial my social media accounts are. Certainly, there are those core supporters who do enjoy and respond to updates about my writing process or recent, special news. (I'm always grateful to get a thumbs up from those folks.) And, these public platforms are a great way to acknowledge people and organizations I've encountered in the course of research, or for whom I've given presentations. But, overall, for mid-level authors like myself, the ROI on social media probably lags behind the cost of my labor. Then again, I'm a bit conservative in my usage. It is about authors for whom this is not true that I write this post.

   Let me be clear: I have no beef against self-promotion. As goes the old cliche, if you don't believe in yourself no one else will either. There are, however, some logical guidelines I believe authors should follow regarding social media interaction. First and foremost among these is "Don't preach to the choir."

   How many times has this happened to you? You get a connection request from a fellow writer. A quick preview of his social media account demonstrates his enthusiastic marketing approach, but you don't want to be rude, so you accept the link. Sure enough, your instinct is correct. Seemingly simultaneously with clicking "approve," you receive the following message: "Hi and thanks for connecting. Here are the links to my Amazon Author page and my YouTube channel. And, here are links to my four most recent books. Please tell all of your friends and relatives about them, and let me know what you think of my writing!"

   I must be honest. None of that is going to happen. 

   Surely you must have known that I'm a working author when you contacted me. Consequently, you must realize that I'm very likely busy with my own writing and/or book promotion. So, even if I had the interest, where in the world would I find the time to read your complete oeuvre AND promote it to my relatives and acquaintances?

   Why authors persist in promoting their books to other writers is a mystery to me. Wouldn't your time be better spent creating relationships with agents, or publishers, or publicists? What is a fellow writer able to do for you? None of the things those professionals can, that's for sure.
   Lest you assume I'm heartless, please don't confuse my limited availability with a lack of empathy or interest in helping new authors. I (eventually) answer 99% of all emails, many from aspiring writers and researchers looking for career tips and advice. (The 1% I don't answer are from senders who expect me to do work a simple Google search would accomplish.) I have enjoyed selfless help from others and I try to pay those favors forward. But I can't read your books and I won't help you sell them. That's not a favor - that's an expectation of free labor based on the erroneous assumption that I've got all the time in the world to provide it.
   So, here is my advice. Stop preaching to the choir. Fellow writers are all too familiar with the struggles of the book world. The chances of them helping you reach the best seller list are as good as my chances of winning a Dolly Parton look-alike contest. Instead of hard selling your latest release, how about - when you contact writing colleagues via social media - you simply introduce yourself and express your hope for future interactions. Few of us remember uninvited sales pitches, but most appreciate a friendly greeting or kind word with no strings attached. I know I do.

The Video That Ate the Author's Stage Freight

No, this post isn't about a B-rated horror movie. It's my strategy for keeping my cool in front of audiences.

I used to have absolutely zero stage freight. None. Didn't even cross my mind. In high school, I was in plays, emceed pep rallies, and led (highly unwelcome) student protests about everything from the lack of ice cream as a lunch option, to the double-standard athletes enjoyed as it related to a preposterously lenient bell curve.

In my late teens and early twenties, I sang in bands, worked in radio (as a production talent) and, as marketing director for the regional transit authority, gave countless talks on the benefits of riding the bus.

It was not until several decades later that I, inexplicably, developed extreme anxiety about any kind of public activity. Talk about bad timing. Just when publishers started buying my books, I was too terrified to go out and market them.

Fortunately for me, things have now swung back the other way. I'm in front of audiences again, doing radio and TV appearances, and greatly enjoying interacting with readers and fans. Part of this healing process was a natural by-product of aging and growing comfortable in my own skin. But another equally important part, one that you can use as your own secret weapon, is my use of short videos during my presentations.

This is the title page of my most recent video. It serves as a companion piece during talks and book signings for my latest release, Spiritualism and the Supernatural: An Entertaining Encyclopedia for Believers and Skeptics Alike.

Now, I can hear many of you pointing out, in rather terse and aggressive tones, the fact that you don't have the slightest bit of experience with video production. Well, neither did I. But I can read instructions, FAQs and help files - and so can you. You may not rival Francis Ford Coppola first time out, and that's okay. You just need to be you.

If you use a slightly older Windows computer, you already have Movie Maker. If you have a newer computer that doesn't feature this program, there are other free video making software packages, one of which is VSDC free video editor. (And, no, I'm not making money on that recommendation.)

Your videos can be as complex or simple as you like. Maybe just still pics with voice overs, for instance. Or, maybe you (like me) choose to film yourself delivering anecdotes or demonstrations. Maybe you just prefer background music and no voice over at all. Do it.

The point, of course, is to give yourself a diversion at the same time you're offering your audience added value. "Look at me," you'll be crowing silently to yourself. "Not only am I speaking to you - I'm showing a short film, too!"

The best thing about videos is that you can choose when and how to present them. If you're nervous the moment you hit the stage, thank the audience for turning out, and hit "play." Let the video introduce you and your topic. Then hit "pause" and deliver prepared remarks. Take some questions. Embellish what your video has summarized. Whatever pacing or approach you choose, let the video alleviate some of the pressure of public speaking.

Let's face it: folks wouldn't turn out if they weren't interested in you or your book. They're not going to insult or embarrass you. They're rooting for you to do well. While I can't give you a hard and fast rule, for me it takes about five minutes to achieve complete ease at the podium. By then, I can see the audience enjoying the video and my interjected live comments. Once I feel that wave of welcome, the rest of the event is pretty much smooth sailing.

Will the first video you make be the one you show at your book signing? Probably not. It takes a little while to get things the way you want them. On the other hand, your audience isn't expecting mind-blowing special effects, either. Go easy on yourself. Include a few interesting details not in the book. Tell a few personal stories you've not shared before. Open up with some unique details about how you went about researching and writing the story. In short, capture YOURSELF on film, in whatever way best illustrates the kind of author that you are. This isn't just for the audience's benefit - it's for yours. You're making a video you can use time and time again. That makes your next appearance even less stressful than the first.

The best person to sell your book is you, though that doesn't make public speaking any easier. An entertaining video relieves some of that anxiety. That eight-minute film may never fully eliminate stage freight, but it can certainly keep it at bay until your confidence kicks in. And trust me: it will. So take a deep breath, relax, start filming, and get ready for your close-up.

Don't Ask People Who Love You to Proofread Your Work

It seems natural. You write a few pages, or chapters, or a whole book, and you want a second opinion. So you hand your newborn literary baby to the person closest to you and ask him or her for feedback.

I mean, they're right there, right? So why not use family, friends and neighbors as sounding boards?

I'll tell you why. Unless they're the worst family, friends and neighbors in the world, they really want to like your book. Because they like you. And, perhaps more importantly, they want you to still like them when they're done reading your manuscript.

Aside from the unfair pressure this involuntary editing role creates, consider this more pertinent drawback: what you write might not at all be what these kindhearted folks enjoy reading. In the case of non-fiction, the topic may be incredibly boring to them. Or offensive. Or ridiculously unimportant. It could be a book they would never, ever choose to read, were it not for you thrusting the manuscript in their hands. So how in the world can they be expected to critique it?

But let's say you've already given the book to a work friend and he's finished reading it. Now what? Are you expecting sentence-by-sentence analysis? Objective criticism of plot transitions? A conversational deep dive into how your approach to Victorian vampire romance differs from the supernatural shenanigans of other early 20th century cultures? (Clearly that last one will NEVER happen, and if it does, you must tell me where you work and what else this friend does in his spare time.) The point is - and I'd be willing to bet on this - the response you receive will be one of the following: 1) I really liked it; 2) I wouldn't change a thing; or, 3) You're a really good writer. None of these are necessarily true, they're just an expedient way for your indentured reader to end the ordeal.

Even more disappointing, none of these responses give you what you're craving. What you really want is someone to tell you how to make your book better. No one who loves you will tear out your heart - or tear up your pages - and demand that you start all over again. And THAT'S who you need as your proofreader.

Want to hear how great you look since losing 20 pounds? Your husband's the guy to ask.

Want to know if two flashbacks and a flash forward are too much for one chapter? Ask a literary professional whose job it is to give you an honest answer.

Unless that literary professional is your spouse. If so, hire someone else.

How's This for Offensive: Take Your "Morals Clause" and Shove It

The Authors Guild reports an increase in publishers' demands for a "morals clause" in writers' contracts. Vague terms for our punishable sins include "publicly condemned behavior."

Let's be honest: under the back-breaking yoke of the "influencer" era, every time you write a Facebook post in opposition to the majority of your followers, you will be "publicly condemned."

So... should you have to repay your royalties because a friend-of-a-friend's cousin-in-law finds your position on hemp farming "offensive?"

Should you be forced to return your advance if your comments in support of a family member someone simply dislikes create a Twitter backlash?

Should you lose your book contract if your old college roomie posts a picture of you sleeping with both arms wrapped around your beer bong?

In my view, this trend toward "morals clauses" is one more way that writers - or, as I like to call us, the income generator that finances the publishers' yachts - are trivialized.

It's not bad enough that the vast majority of publishers do NOTHING to assist with the marketing of our books. That they apparently regard the words "book launch party" as vestiges of a dead language. That their business model seems to be "quantity over quality," resulting in a stable of writers so large that providing sales and promotional support is impossible. That their royalty statements are written with the sole purpose of confusing the author.

Nope. All that's just not enough. Now they want to base our (dwindling) income on our level of "morality."

That, my friends, is TRULY worthy of "public condemnation."

Book Launch: Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookshop, April 24, 2019

I am thrilled to announce that the launch for my latest book, Spiritualism and the Supernatural: An Entertaining Encyclopedia for Believers and Skeptics Alike, happens April 24th at the Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookshop.

I'll be giving a presentation about the tricks used by 19th century mediums and - of course! - signing copies of the book.

For details on the event, visit Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookshop's website.

For information on the book, visit StephanieHoover.com.

Thanks, Mr. Publisher - but No Thanks

So... the acquisitions editor of a traditional publishing house I will not mention has been contacting me over the last several weeks, encouraging me to submit a book proposal. 

I was sort of flattered - UNTIL I learned that they use a PREVIOUS traditional publisher I worked with to market their books. 

You know... the publisher that "forgot" to ship the books for the launch party of my third book for them...? The launch party attended by nearly 50 people including state and local politicians, local historians, and lots of really nice readers - some of whom were related to people in the book...? The launch party where I had to announce that there were going to be NO BOOKS - even though it was a book launch and signing...? 

Do I even have to tell you that I sent a polite "Thanks but no thanks" to this editor?

Latest Authors Guild Survey Bad News for Writers

The latest Authors Guild survey results are in - and they are devastating. 

Income for writers across the board is down 42% since 2009. 

Those of you who self-publish are in even worse shape, with earnings of 58% less than traditionally published authors.

Why these declines...? Smaller royalties, Amazon and Google using "fair use" as justification to freely distribute many writers' works, and Amazon's lock on ebook prices, among other reasons. 

If you're NOT a member of the Guild, what are you waiting for...? We can only make changes by working as a strong, united front. 

Or perhaps you disagree with these findings. If so, I'd love to hear your thoughts.