No manuscript accepted if writer doesn't use blog, Twitter & eCommerce (POLL)

If anything, eCommerce makes a site look cheap, as though you're selling the books directly through the site because they're not available in the usual places.

You don't have a 'None of the above' option in your poll.

Millard said:

If anything, eCommerce makes a site look cheap, as though you're selling the books directly through the site because they're not available in the usual places.

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I haven't seen that many authors who only offer their books through eCommerce. The thought that their website looked "cheap" never occurred to me but I did wonder why they wanted to miss out on a lot of book sales? Amazon has more reader traffic than any single author's website in the world.

Also, I've seen authors selling autographed copies and special editions of their books directly through their website, something I'd like to begin doing someday. I think this is neat and adds value

D.A. Boulter said:

You don't have a 'None of the above' option in your poll.

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Good catch. Added.

Todd Russell said:

So which of the three do you have and actively use and what is your reasoning for not having/using them?

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None, because it hasn't been proven to me they would be worth my time and effort.

Oh ye gods, this "publishing company" is just sceevy. Is this how things are done across the pond?

They recruit MX Reviewers who are quasi-staff responsible for...reviewing MX Publishing books. One of their reviewers is also one of their authors. (Can we say "conflict of interest.")

Half of their business is actually subsidy publishing.

The NY address appears to be actually a virtual office.

So bottom line is...plz plz PLZ let's not allow this thread to turn into a blanket condemnation of the entire industry. I don't think this outfit fits the definition of a "traditional publisher."

Millard said:

If anything, eCommerce makes a site look cheap, as though you're selling the books directly through the site because they're not available in the usual places.

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I totally disagree. My knitting book is available in paperback from the usual sources ($20), on Kindle ($, and in PDF directly from my site ($14). I sell twice as many directly from my site as from anywhere else. People tell me they love that direct connection.

I also get a fair number of emails asking if they can buy my paperbacks (novels, short stories and knitting books) directly from me instead of from Amazon/B&N/etc. They want an inscription and signature and will pay extra for it.

I use Twitter, Facebook, my blog, several different web sites (KathleenValentine.com, ParlezMoiPress.com, MermaidShawl.com, EachAngelBurns.com, OldMermaidsTale.com, MyLastRomance.com, etc.), and any other place I can find to promote my books.

Millard said:

If anything, eCommerce makes a site look cheap, as though you're selling the books directly through the site because they're not available in the usual places.

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I think it looks cheap if you have a website with paypal buy now buttons. If you have a real ecommerce site with it's own shopping cart and store is just one of the tabs on the navigation menu I don't think it looks bad.

Kathleen Valentine said:

I totally disagree. My knitting book is available in paperback from the usual sources ($20), on Kindle ($, and in PDF directly from my site ($14). I sell twice as many directly from my site as from anywhere else. People tell me they love that direct connection.

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Specialised, targetted stuff like that is probably a different beast to more general fiction. And outside of, as you mention, signed copies or whatnot, I can't imagine eCommerce titles that are also available on Amazon do any numbers as far as passing trade goes, considering how lazy and one-click people are already. Nothing puts me off of buying something like having to spend 60 seconds typing my info in, rather than hitting up Amazon or Play instead.

swolf - I agree with you in part. Simply having a blog and Twitter account doesn't do much.

In fact, if a writer isn't going to actively use these services s/he might be better off not having them because those who try to connect through these services may feel like they are being snubbed. IMO that's worse than not having them at all.

There are several real world examples of active social media (ugh, hate saying that) writers selling tons of books: Amanda Hocking and Konrath (blogs, he doesn't actively Twitter) come to mind.

John Locke, who just sold a million ebooks in five months last update to his blog was May 1, 2011. He is more active on Twitter

There is also the whole issue of what to spend time doing: blogging and tweeting and facebooking versus working on your next book. Which actively pays off the most? From what many have said here, working on your next book pays the biggest dividends in the long run.

I have a policy *against* putting ecommerce on my sites. I don't want the security liabilities. I route people to Ridan and Amazon for purchases.

My fans finally convinced me to add a Paypal Donate button for the podiobooks (even tho I really prefer that people go donate at Podiobooks.com to support the site) only after getting several dozen emails in a month.

The only ecommerce I have on my site is a "donate" button for my beer fund and a drop-down for people to order autographed copies. I think I've sold two since I put the button up. But for the ten minutes it took me to add the button, and the nothing that it costs me, I don't mind.

tkkenyon said:

There's a theory out there that, especially in the US, Facebook has reached saturation and is declining in both use and users.

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I sort of feel that Facebook has become ridiculous. When I check my Wall it is just post after post of my "friends" promoting their books, paintings, crafts, music, businesses, etc. I've noticed people "collecting" friends. One writer friend now has over 1200 "friends". i asked her if it has helped boost sales and she said she didn't think so.

Goodreads has proven to be pretty good for me but it is a clumsy interface. When I stay active on it I do see sales go up a bit but it takes a lot of time.

Oh well, it is Fiesta here in Gloucester -- five days of accomplishing nothing useful. Viva San Pietro!

[Post content removed to protect my content and data because I do not agree to or accept VerticalScope's new Terms of Service. I hereby reject said terms and retain all copyrights to my information and content.

I disavow any association with the new ads that now exist that may be tasteless, racist, demeaning to women, sexist, or exploitative in any way.]

Kathleen Valentine said:

I sort of feel that Facebook has become ridiculous. When I check my Wall it is just post after post of my "friends" promoting their books, paintings, crafts, music, businesses, etc.

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None of my friends do that. They are all too busy posting game requests for Farmville

Bards and Sages (Julie) said:

None of my friends do that. They are all too busy posting game requests for Farmville

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LOL! I blocked those!

Bards and Sages (Julie) said:

Oh ye gods, this "publishing company" is just sceevy. Is this how things are done across the pond?
Half of their business is actually subsidy publishing.

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Agreed. "Subsidy publisher" was the first thought that ran through my head when I read the article (not to mention the illiterate wording of the title). Clearly, this "publisher" only wants authors who will spend all their time selling and then turn over half the profits.

Kathleen Valentine said:

I also get a fair number of emails asking if they can buy my paperbacks (novels, short stories and knitting books) directly from me instead of from Amazon/B&N/etc. They want an inscription and signature and will pay extra for it.

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Just want to add that buying DTB from the author to have them dedicated is great ... except for overseas people, who have to pay MUCH for the shipping.
The authors of the "Closed Circle" coop now provide what I find a clever way to bypass that : they sell autographed bookplates. Much cheaper to send, and once pasted into an "amazon bought" book, it becomes a cheaper equivalent.

Kathleen Valentine said:

LOL! I blocked those!

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See - there was your mistake. Those add variety