Writers: If you were published...(Random writerly questions)?

1) Offer to read and blurb writers soon-to-be published manuscripts?

You bet. My publisher needs to know I'm a team player. This is simply good business.

2) Have a blog dedicated (keyword) to offering advice to aspiring authors?

Again, pretty much expected of the team player.

3) Have a Twitter account, Author blog, or author Facebook fan page?

And more team player BS--how am I supposed to make time to write, again?

4) Read the good, bad, and ugly reviews for your book?

I will try not to read my reviews and let writing friends direct me to the good ones--but I know most authors do not have the strength to do this. (And yes, they're stung by bad reviews.)

5) Criticize other published authors publicly without being questioned or baited by fans or an interviewer?

Never, even those who richly deserve it. My name is synonymous with a brand name once I'm published, and I will not tarnish it.

6) Do a blog tour if you're asked?

I'm not really sure what a blog tour is, but sure.

7) Do a regular national tour if you're asked?

Definitely. I have writing acquaintances all over the US, people I've met online. I'd love to meet them and sell some of my books in a single trip.

8) Sign copies of your books for the local bookstore so fans can get signed copies when they buy the book?

Absolutely. I already signed a writing conference program sheet. The girl could not be convinced I was nobody, just some bozo with a few short stories.

9) Let readers send you their books so you can sign them and mail them back?

10) Do an overseas book tour if your foreign publisher asked (assuming you've sold foreign rights)?

Yes, but I'd need hand-holding. Want to come along?

11) Give out bookmarks, bookplates, clothing branded with your book's title (like hoodies that some authors giveaway), pins, or other tangible items branded with your book to fans? [You'd have to pay for it.]

If and only if my publisher believed the uptick in sales would make it worthwhile. That seems unlikely with clothing.

12) Give away books to all your family and friends who wanted one?

No. I get a limited number of free copies, a pretty small number, in fact. If they like or love me, they'll buy it.

13) Hire an assistant?

No. Maybe a maid, though!

14) Hire a publicist? [Publishers don't do it all or might not put a lot of money into it.]

I doubt it. I'm pretty shy and don't relish 'events'--and I'm not convinced publicity = sales.

15) Communicate with fans regularly on Facebook and Twitter? [Some authors do, some don't.]

Specific fans in a limited way. I won't have time for online buddies. But I will attempt to add content to FB and Twitter for my fans often, and try to make it worthwhile.

16) Give exclusives (interviews, info about upcoming books, or whatever.) to fansites dedicated to your book and/or characters?

If my publisher thinks it increases the buzz. (What, I'm getting a buzz? For my *writing*?) Buzz = sales.

17) Hold a contest to have a fan name a character in your book (including using their own name)?

Sure. My work always has a few innocuous walk-ons. I might even try to make room for a character the winner defines, in a small role.

18) Have family and friends go to review sites and review your book?

No. If my book is good, I won't need to send in shills.

19) Quote the good fan reviews your book has received on your Facebook, Twitter, blog, tumbler, etc.

Yes. Here's my best so far: "A few stories save the collection from total mediocrity. [My Penname]'s “Whatever It Takes” is a satiric gem..." I'd be foolish not to use that.

20) Follow fans on twitter, Friend fans on Facebook who send you a request, or follow fans blogs who follow you? [I know this is kind of confusing, hehe, but if you have one of these things then you'll know what I mean.]

It 'costs' me nothing to return a follower. I don't have to actually view it.

1) Yes

2) Yes

3) Yes

4) Yes

5) No

6) No

7) No

8) Yes

9) Yes

10) Maybe

11) Maybe

12) No

13) No

14) Yes

15) That'd be nice.

16) Yes

17) Sure!

18) No (better to be judged by people who don't know you)

19) Yes

20) Yes

21) Yes

22) Maybe not

23) Yes

24) Yes!

25) Yes; I can't decide that right now. It depends on how I fare.

1) No.

2) No.

3) Yes, probably.

4) Of course!

5) Their books, yes.

6) Not sure what this is.

7) Yes.

8) Absolutely!

9) I don't see why not.

10) Absolutely.

11) Yes, I love that sort of stuff!

12) It would depend. I would like to think that they'd buy the book and support me.

13) Maybe.

14) Maybe.

15) Yes, definitely.

16) Yeah, of course!

17) Yes, sounds like a fun idea.

18) Nope.

19) Sure.

20) Yes, providing there wasn't too many of them.

21) Yeah, sure.

22) No.

23) Yes! Definitely!

24) Of course.

25) Yes and no, I wouldn't charge.

1) Offer to read and blurb writers soon-to-be published manuscripts?

~ No

2) Have a blog dedicated (keyword) to offering advice to aspiring authors?

~ Maybe

3) Have a Twitter account, Author blog, or author Facebook fan page?

~ Yes

4) Read the good, bad, and ugly reviews for your book?

~ Yes

5) Criticize other published authors publicly without being questioned or baited by fans or an interviewer?

~ No

6) Do a blog tour if you're asked?

~ No

7) Do a regular national tour if you're asked?

~ No

8) Sign copies of your books for the local bookstore so fans can get signed copies when they buy the book?

~ Yes

9) Let readers send you their books so you can sign them and mail them back?

~ No

10) Do an overseas book tour if your foreign publisher asked (assuming you've sold foreign rights)?

~ No

11) Give out bookmarks, bookplates, clothing branded with your book's title (like hoodies that some authors giveaway), pins, or other tangible items branded with your book to fans? [You'd have to pay for it.]

~ Sure

12) Give away books to all your family and friends who wanted one?

~ Yes

13) Hire an assistant?

~ No

14) Hire a publicist? [Publishers don't do it all or might not put a lot of money into it.]

~ No

15) Communicate with fans regularly on Facebook and Twitter? [Some authors do, some don't.]

~ Yes

16) Give exclusives (interviews, info about upcoming books, or whatever.) to fansites dedicated to your book and/or characters?

~ Yes

17) Hold a contest to have a fan name a character in your book (including using their own name)?

~ No

18) Have family and friends go to review sites and review your book?

~ Only if it is truthful.

19) Quote the good fan reviews your book has received on your Facebook, Twitter, blog, tumbler, etc.

~ No

20) Follow fans on twitter, Friend fans on Facebook who send you a request, or follow fans blogs who follow you? [I know this is kind of confusing, hehe, but if you have one of these things then you'll know what I mean.]

~ No

21) Have a list of fan sites on your website?

~ No

22) Give away books to random fans for no reason?

~ No

23) Read all your fan mail, including physical letters and email?

~ Yes

24) Accept gifts from fans? Including the innocent like a fan's drawing of your characters to someone's homemade pie.

~ I wouldn't accept a homemade pie, but something innocent like a drawing I would accept.

25) Attend a book club discussion of your book if asked by the book club? If so, would you charge?

~ No.

1) Offer to read and blurb writers soon-to-be published manuscripts? -- Nope.

2) Have a blog dedicated (keyword) to offering advice to aspiring authors? -- No.

3) Have a Twitter account, Author blog, or author Facebook fan page? -- Yes.

4) Read the good, bad, and ugly reviews for your book? -- Sometimes.

5) Criticize other published authors publicly without being questioned or baited by fans or an interviewer? -- It depends on the author and what I have to say about them.

6) Do a blog tour if you're asked? -- No.

7) Do a regular national tour if you're asked? -- Depends on how busy I would be at the time.

8) Sign copies of your books for the local bookstore so fans can get signed copies when they buy the book? -- Certainly.

9) Let readers send you their books so you can sign them and mail them back? -- Not really...

10) Do an overseas book tour if your foreign publisher asked (assuming you've sold foreign rights)? -- Probably.

11) Give out bookmarks, bookplates, clothing branded with your book's title (like hoodies that some authors giveaway), pins, or other tangible items branded with your book to fans? [You'd have to pay for it.] -- Sure.

12) Give away books to all your family and friends who wanted one? -- Yes.

13) Hire an assistant? -- Depends on how much work I end up with.

14) Hire a publicist? -- Same as above.

15) Communicate with fans regularly on Facebook and Twitter? -- I'd try to keep in touch. X3

16) Give exclusives (interviews, info about upcoming books, or whatever.) to fansites dedicated to your book and/or characters? -- Sure!

17) Hold a contest to have a fan name a character in your book (including using their own name)? -- No way. XD

18) Have family and friends go to review sites and review your book? -- If I figured they'd say something nice. XD

19) Quote the good fan reviews your book has received on your Facebook, Twitter, blog, tumbler, etc. -- No, unless they said something cute or funny.

20) Follow fans on twitter, Friend fans on Facebook who send you a request, or follow fans blogs who follow you? -- No way. I don't know those people. X3

21) Have a list of fan sites on your website? -- No.

22) Give away books to random fans for no reason? -- If I'm in the mood, sure.

23) Read all your fan mail, including physical letters and email? -- Yes!

24) Accept gifts from fans? Including the innocent like a fan's drawing of your characters to someone's homemade pie. -- Depends on what it is.

25) Attend a book club discussion of your book if asked by the book club? If so, would you charge? -- I might, but I wouldn't charge.

1) Offer to read and blurb writers soon-to-be published manuscripts?

No

2) Have a blog dedicated (keyword) to offering advice to aspiring authors?

Nah

3) Have a Twitter account, Author blog, or author Facebook fan page?

Yup

4) Read the good, bad, and ugly reviews for your book?

Yes, need feedback some how.

5) Criticize other published authors publicly without being questioned or baited by fans or an interviewer?

No

6) Do a blog tour if you're asked?

Maybe

7) Do a regular national tour if you're asked?

Maybe

8) Sign copies of your books for the local bookstore so fans can get signed copies when they buy the book?

Yes

9) Let readers send you their books so you can sign them and mail them back?

Sure

10) Do an overseas book tour if your foreign publisher asked (assuming you've sold foreign rights)?

Maybe

11) Give out bookmarks, bookplates, clothing branded with your book's title (like hoodies that some authors giveaway), pins, or other tangible items branded with your book to fans? [You'd have to pay for it.]

If people like my book to that point but doubtful.

12) Give away books to all your family and friends who wanted one?

No...(Close family maybe)

13) Hire an assistant?

No

14) Hire a publicist? [Publishers don't do it all or might not put a lot of money into it.]

Maybe

15) Communicate with fans regularly on Facebook and Twitter? [Some authors do, some don't.]

I'd try to.

16) Give exclusives (interviews, info about upcoming books, or whatever.) to fansites dedicated to your book and/or characters?

Yes

17) Hold a contest to have a fan name a character in your book (including using their own name)?

Sure

***Takes a break*** o_O

18) Have family and friends go to review sites and review your book?

If they wish to do it, they can. Good or bad, idc.

19) Quote the good fan reviews your book has received on your Facebook, Twitter, blog, tumbler, etc.

Maybe

20) Follow fans on twitter, Friend fans on Facebook who send you a request, or follow fans blogs who follow you? [I know this is kind of confusing, hehe, but if you have one of these things then you'll know what I mean.]

No

21) Have a list of fan sites on your website?

No

22) Give away books to random fans for no reason?

No

23) Read all your fan mail, including physical letters and email?

I'd try to.

24) Accept gifts from fans? Including the innocent like a fan's drawing of your characters to someone's homemade pie.

Sure. If i had those pages (favebook, twitter) i'd post them.

25) Attend a book club discussion of your book if asked by the book club? If so, would you charge?

Sure and no i wouldn't.

yay! I love that you did a bunch of questions! :D

1. Yes. I love doing that. I love helping people, even if I'm not that good. XD I still would.

2) Yes. Any advice is good advice. Even more from someone with expierence.

3) Maybe facebook page. I'm not into Twitter, don't think I'll do a blog too much... I might do the facebook because I can. :P Better from me than others, I guess...

4) Yes. I love those reviews. Each and every one of them. I improve with each one-good, bad and ugly.

5) If they ask for my honest opinion, I would give it. If that means criticize, then yes. But I'm not going to go around saying "oh, this person sucks in writing".

6) Yeah, why not? :D

7) Why not, I guess?

8) Yes. :D I wanna see my fans! I'll do signings. Hey, if a self-published author can do book signings, why can't I?

9) Yep. :D Or I might just send them a signed copy of it.:P

10) And go to a foreign country and have it as a tax deduction because I'm working? Hell yes!

11) I don't mind pins, but other things... I'm not sure I would do all that. It seems... odd. Maybe bookmarks too....

12) Not all because it's my family. >.> Not only do I have a lot of family, but I don't even like most of them.

13) Only if it was too much for me at times. And if it was chances are, I'd just hire my sister. XD

14) Only if I felt the need to.

15) Yes. I love the fans. Fans are awesome. :D Besides, I can get their opinions on things. Or whatever.

16) Yes. I'd make little hints here and there for certain books or whatever. I might even post some random excerpts on a fansite, like an excerpt that didn't make it sort of thing.

17) Depends on the book and the character. I'm not into that too much, but if I felt like it, I might.

18) Only if they're completely honest. But I don't think I would because they would most likely say how amazing I am. That's not helpful. (seen it done)

19) Maybe. I might post some on a fansite that I have or something. But not out for reals or for proof.

20) I'm picky on who friends me on facebook. I've had some stalkers and I don't randomly friend people. If I know them more than just a fan, then maybe.

21) Yes. I'll have a link to the facebook page. And if I did twitter, I'll have a link for that as well.

22) Sure, why not. I'll give out signed copies or something. I might do contests and give some out to fans as well.

23) Yes. I love mail. :D If it was too much, I might not get a chance to read all of it, but I would try. XD

24) I would, but I wouldn't advertise that I do. It's kinda strange. And I don't want people thinking that I have to have these things.

25) Sure. Why not? As long as I don't have plans already. Depends on where it was. If it's far away, at least for the flight and hotel and maybe a bit more. If it wasn't too far, maybe not much. I'm cheap too. XD

1) I probably wouldn't offer, but if the publisher asked, I might read some of them and offer a quote to any manuscript I thought deserved one.

2) I might do an occasional post of advice for writers, but wouldn't have a blog exclusively for that purpose.

3) Twitter - probably not. Blog - maybe. Facebook - if it's a fan page, wouldn't that mean it was made by fans, so I shouldn't have any influence over it?

4) To begin with, but I'd probably give it up after a while. The temptation to argue with reviewers would become too great after a while, and no good ever comes of it.

5) Not unless my publicist told me to, and convinced me that the controversy would generate enough sales to make up for the ill will I'd generate among the other authors' fans. I'm so cynical sometimes...

6) Sure.

7) Sure, if the publisher paid for it.

8) Yes.

9) As long as they paid the return postage.

10) As long as it was somewhere I'd care to go on holiday, and as long as the publisher paid for it.

11) Not if I had to pay for them. Fans would come to expect them, and I probably wouldn't be able to afford a lot of them.

12) Not to everyone who wanted one - only to people who'd helped me before I got published.

13) Maybe, if I was busy enough to justify one, or if I could afford one.

14) Maybe, if I thought he would bring in a lot more money than he cost.

15) I don't know about "regularly", but I'd try to do it.

16) Yes.

17) God no. Actually, maybe I'd do it for charity. If the fan insisted on naming the character after himself, I'd make something ridiculous and/or humiliating happen to him.

18) No. Readers can almost always tell when a review has been written by someone who is... let's say "predisposed to favour the author."

19) Possibly, but I'd much rather quote from professional reviewers. The trouble with quoting fans is that nobody knows who they are, and so people who don't know them will probably assume that the "fans" are actually your mum or your best friend.

20) Probably not.

21) If there were only a few of them. If there were lots (I can dream, can't I?) I would either have to list all of them (which would confuse new fans who wouldn't know which were the good ones) or pick the ones I thought were best, and risk pissing off the fans who I didn't think had good sites.

22) Probably not.

23) *Read* all of it? Sure. *Answer* all of it? Highly unlikely.

24) The post office will usually refuse to carry anything edible or perishable... Where I live at the moment is very short on space, so if I received more than a few "gifts" I'd have to ask fans not to send them.

25) If it was somewhere I could get to without having to stay overnight, I'd consider it. I'd probably just ask for my expenses.

(Sorry for cutting out the questions, but Y!A seemed to think my answer was too long otherwise. Me? Long-winded? Whatever gave you that idea?)

1) Offer to read and blurb writers soon-to-be published manuscripts?

Yes

2) Have a blog dedicated (keyword) to offering advice to aspiring authors?

I would a section to my own website that might help them out

3) Have a Twitter account, Author blog, or author Facebook fan page?

Yes

4) Read the good, bad, and ugly reviews for your book?

Yes

5) Criticize other published authors publicly without being questioned or baited by fans or an interviewer?

No

6) Do a blog tour if you're asked?

IDK what that is

7) Do a regular national tour if you're asked?

Yes! I mean (too excited) yes ;)

8) Sign copies of your books for the local bookstore so fans can get signed copies when they buy the book?

Yes

9) Let readers send you their books so you can sign them and mail them back?

Maybe for like a limited-time thing

10) Do an overseas book tour if your foreign publisher asked (assuming you've sold foreign rights)?

Yes

11) Give out bookmarks, bookplates, clothing branded with your book's title (like hoodies that some authors giveaway), pins, or other tangible items branded with your book to fans? [You'd have to pay for it.]

Maybe

12) Give away books to all your family and friends who wanted one?

My family only

13) Hire an assistant?

No; I work solo

14) Hire a publicist? [Publishers don't do it all or might not put a lot of money into it.]

IDK

15) Communicate with fans regularly on Facebook and Twitter? [Some authors do, some don't.]

Not regularly. I'd give them updates, though

16) Give exclusives (interviews, info about upcoming books, or whatever.) to fansites dedicated to your book and/or characters?

Maybe but I'd do interviews that would benifit everyone

17) Hold a contest to have a fan name a character in your book (including using their own name)?

No

18) Have family and friends go to review sites and review your book?

Only if they wanted to. I'd never make them.

19) Quote the good fan reviews your book has received on your Facebook, Twitter, blog, tumbler, etc.

No

20) Follow fans on twitter, Friend fans on Facebook who send you a request, or follow fans blogs who follow you? [I know this is kind of confusing, hehe, but if you have one of these things then you'll know what I mean.]

No

21) Have a list of fan sites on your website?

No (gosh I seem so grumpy now lol)

22) Give away books to random fans for no reason?

No, unless I held a contest or a limited edition book signing

23) Read all your fan mail, including physical letters and email?

I would try

24) Accept gifts from fans? Including the innocent like a fan's drawing of your characters to someone's homemade pie.

Yes that is so sweet!

25) Attend a book club discussion of your book if asked by the book club? If so, would you charge?

I might charge if they wanted me to attend. If they asked if I wanted to come (there is a difference if you look carefully) like an invitation and not a request, I'd think about it but still would want to go.

1) Offer to read and blurb writers soon-to-be published manuscripts?

Yes.

2) Have a blog dedicated (keyword) to offering advice to aspiring authors?

Yes.

3) Have a Twitter account, Author blog, or author Facebook fan page?

Yes.

4) Read the good, bad, and ugly reviews for your book?

Yes.

5) Criticize other published authors publicly without being questioned or baited by fans or an interviewer?

No!

6) Do a blog tour if you're asked?

Perhaps.

7) Do a regular national tour if you're asked?

Yes.

8) Sign copies of your books for the local bookstore so fans can get signed copies when they buy the book?

Yes.

9) Let readers send you their books so you can sign them and mail them back?

Yes.

10) Do an overseas book tour if your foreign publisher asked (assuming you've sold foreign rights)?

Yes.

11) Give out bookmarks, bookplates, clothing branded with your book's title (like hoodies that some authors giveaway), pins, or other tangible items branded with your book to fans? [You'd have to pay for it.]

Perhaps not clothing but bookmarks and bookplates yes.

12) Give away books to all your family and friends who wanted one?

Of course I would of course.

13) Hire an assistant?

Does my Mom count?

14) Hire a publicist? [Publishers don't do it all or might not put a lot of money into it.]

Nah. Fans can see me as the real me. The person who created the enjoyable read they favored.

15) Communicate with fans regularly on Facebook and Twitter? [Some authors do, some don't.]

Yes!

16) Give exclusives (interviews, info about upcoming books, or whatever.) to fansites dedicated to your book and/or characters?

Yes

17) Hold a contest to have a fan name a character in your book (including using their own name)?

Sure

18) Have family and friends go to review sites and review your book?

I'm naturally shy so...self-conciously no

19) Quote the good fan reviews your book has received on your Facebook, Twitter, blog, tumbler, etc.

Yes

20) Follow fans on twitter, Friend fans on Facebook who send you a request, or follow fans blogs who follow you? [I know this is kind of confusing, hehe, but if you have one of these things then you'll know what I mean.]

Follow fans on twitter, don't friend those on facebook, and follow fans blogs.

21) Have a list of fan sites on your website?

One or two or three.

22) Give away books to random fans for no reason?

Not too much. Maybe the poor or disabled.

23) Read all your fan mail, including physical letters and email?

Of course I would. Readers deserve it.

24) Accept gifts from fans? Including the innocent like a fan's drawing of your characters to someone's homemade pie.

Of course! It would show that they appreciated my writing as much as I appreciated them for reading it.

25) Attend a book club discussion of your book if asked by the book club? If so, would you charge?

Yes and no. The people support me and that's salary enough.

1) Offer to read and blurb writers soon-to-be published manuscripts?

Maybe.

2) Have a blog dedicated (keyword) to offering advice to aspiring authors?

Yes, I would.

3) Have a Twitter account, Author blog, or author Facebook fan page?

I'd have a blog, but nothing else.

4) Read the good, bad, and ugly reviews for your book?

Yes. If only to learn what I was doing wrong or what I could improve on. Bad reviews are the best you can get, they teach your something.

5) Criticize other published authors publicly without being questioned or baited by fans or an

interviewer?

I wouldn't butt kiss, but I wouldn't completely trash another author, even if I didn't like them. I wouldn't like it if someone did that to me, so I wouldn't do it to someone else.

6) Do a blog tour if you're asked?

Maybe

7) Do a regular national tour if you're asked?

Not regularly, no.

8) Sign copies of your books for the local bookstore so fans can get signed copies when they buy

the book?

Yes.

9) Let readers send you their books so you can sign them and mail them back?

Yep.

10) Do an overseas book tour if your foreign publisher asked (assuming you've sold foreign rights)?

Yes.

11) Give out bookmarks, bookplates, clothing branded with your book's title (like hoodies that some authors giveaway), pins, or other tangible items branded with your book to fans? [You'd have to pay for it.]

No. I don't want my work to turn into a novelty item. Bookmarks, maybe. That's it.

12) Give away books to all your family and friends who wanted one?

Yes.

13) Hire an assistant?

Nah.

14) Hire a publicist? [Publishers don't do it all or might not put a lot of money into it.]

No.

15) Communicate with fans regularly on Facebook and Twitter? [Some authors do, some don't.]

Other than a blog, no. I'd talk to them through that.

16) Give exclusives (interviews, info about upcoming books, or whatever.) to fansites dedicated to your book and/or characters?

Yes.

17) Hold a contest to have a fan name a character in your book (including using their own name)?

No.

18) Have family and friends go to review sites and review your book?

No, that's cheap.

19) Quote the good fan reviews your book has received on your Facebook, Twitter, blog, tumbler, etc.

No.

20) Follow fans on twitter, Friend fans on Facebook who send you a request, or follow fans blogs who follow you? [I know this is kind of confusing, hehe, but if you have one of these things then you'll know what I mean.]

I'd follow the blogs, but not all of them.

21) Have a list of fan sites on your website?

Maybe.

22) Give away books to random fans for no reason?

Yes.

23) Read all your fan mail, including physical letters and email?

Yes. It irritates me when famous people don't, I don't care how busy they are.

24) Accept gifts from fans? Including the innocent like a fan's drawing of your characters to someone's homemade pie.

Yes. Within reason. Drawing are fine, little presents, but not an actual gift that's bee paid for.

25) Attend a book club discussion of your book if asked by the book club? If so, would you charge?

Yes. I wouldn't charge.