Published author/unpublished writer etiquette

[Feathers]

This is a question for all you published writers out there. What is the appropriate, respectful way for us unpublished writers to get to know you? I know sites like AW make it easier, but not all the authors I admire happen to be active on AW. If I write a fan letter, I come out as "just a fan." If I mention I'm a writer, I'm afraid the author will assume I just want a reference or something.

What do you like to hear, want to see, and respond to?

What makes you run screaming from the room?

How does this differ when physically meeting an author, (book signing, conference) and virtually meeting an author (e-mail, Myspace.)

And specifically, what's the best way to present yourself as a fellow writer, a professional, who's interested not for perks or anything like that, but because they just admire your work? How do you set yourself apart?


And hey, if any fellow unpubbed writers have found a good method to contact authors, please share.


-Feathers

[CheshireCat]

Feathers, you might be surprised at how many of the authors you admire are possibly here under a pseudonym. :)

That said, we all get notes from fans who are also aspiring writers. For myself, if the writer just mentions it but asks nothing, I wish them luck with their writing -- and offer nothing more. Not that I wouldn't if I could, but I simply don't have the time to mentor, except in places like this forum, where I visit on my own schedule and pretty much pick and choose what I respond to.

Know that few if any published authors can read your unpublished work; our agents and attorneys would have a fit. Know that we can't just hand out our agents' names to everybody who asks; my own agent doesn't happen to be looking for new clients. Same with our editors; I could give you my editor's name, but that's pretty much a no-no unless I'm specifically recommending someone, and I generally don't do that.

I am curious as to why you want to "set yourself apart" from other fan/readers, and yet you don't appear to want to ask advice or favors of the writers you wish to contact. So what's the point of setting yourself apart? Do you hope to be able to contact the author at a later time and ask for a quote or something pre-publication?

[Mumut]

I'm always happy to talk to writers. If it's a book signing, I hope they'll realise to step back if a victim comes along who wants to talk about buying a book, but otherwise I'm really willing to answer any questions. If I can be of help, pm me. I don't regard other authors as rivals and love to share ideas.

But then I'm not yet a well known author even though my local newpaper now reports me as a "renowned local author".

[swvaughn]

Do you hope to be able to contact the author at a later time and ask for a quote or something pre-publication?


That's a good subset to this question, and I'm curious as to how published authors feel about being approached for blurb requests by writers who find them through forums and blogs. So . . . if I may piggyback onto Feathers' thread: how 'bout it, published authors? How would you feel about casual Internet acquaintances asking for blurbs?

I may have to do this soon. *gulp!*

[ChaosTitan]

how 'bout it, published authors? How would you feel about casual Internet acquaintances asking for blurbs?

I may have to do this soon. *gulp!*

I know this isn't quite what you asked, but three of the four authors who've blurbed my debut were approached by my editor via their editor. I didn't have to directly ask; however, this policy may vary by editor/house. The fourth author actually emailed me, because she'd read previous work of mine (still unsold work) and we were casual internet acquaintances.

[Feathers]

I am curious as to why you want to "set yourself apart" from other fan/readers, and yet you don't appear to want to ask advice or favors of the writers you wish to contact. So what's the point of setting yourself apart? Do you hope to be able to contact the author at a later time and ask for a quote or something pre-publication?

I was thinking it would be nice to get to know other authors. What they can do for me is nice, an added bonus, but I want to reach out and build connections in general. I hesitate to say networking, because that usually means helping someone so they'll help you in return. But networking is essentially what I'm talking about. How do you connect in a way that lasts longer than one e-mail where you rave about the authors book?

I know this isn't quite what you asked, but three of the four authors who've blurbed my debut were approached by my editor via their editor. I didn't have to directly ask; however, this policy may vary by editor/house.

But you knew the authors? Or did your editor just contact other editors HE knew?

-Feathers

[ChaosTitan]

But you knew the authors? Or did your editor just contact other editors HE knew?
-Feathers

I knew who the authors were and had read their books, but I didn't know them personally.* My editor asked for a list of authors I'd like to blurb me and I gave her names. She did all of the contacting.


*Edit to my previous post. One of the three I said I didn't know I actually sort of knew from her postings here on AW (mea culpa). However, she didn't realize who I was until after she gave me the blurb--so knowing or not knowing her didn't matter or affect her decision to write the blurb.

[CheshireCat]

That's a good subset to this question, and I'm curious as to how published authors feel about being approached for blurb requests by writers who find them through forums and blogs. So . . . if I may piggyback onto Feathers' thread: how 'bout it, published authors? How would you feel about casual Internet acquaintances asking for blurbs?

I may have to do this soon. *gulp!*

Well, since I'm anonymous here ... I'd rather not be asked through AW or other forums. I'd also much prefer that an agent or editor ask rather than an author, at least in part because they don't take it personally if I just don't have the time to read and quote, or if I have a strong feeling that the writer's work just isn't for me.

As a matter of fact, my agent just politely turned down two requests for me to quote, because she knows what my deadlines are. For one of the two, however, I specifically sent word to please check back with me on the author's next book, since I do like her work. Maybe I'll be able to give her a quote then. Or maybe not. :Shrug:

I was thinking it would be nice to get to know other authors. What they can do for me is nice, an added bonus, but I want to reach out and build connections in general. I hesitate to say networking, because that usually means helping someone so they'll help you in return. But networking is essentially what I'm talking about. How do you connect in a way that lasts longer than one e-mail where you rave about the authors book?
-Feathers

Well ... again, that depends. Between answering reader email and participating in a couple of forums, plus private email loops and lists and digests, and stuff from our editors and agents, and personal stuff, and, oh, yeah, our actual writing, most of us are lucky if we can respond to one stranger/reader just one time. I know authors who have a firm policy of only answering the first note from a reader -- because readers and aspiring writers can get the odd idea that you're penpals or something, and that can get messy and uncomfortable.

The truth is that most of us already have whatever networks we can handle. Which is why sites like AW are so valuable; you'll always find somebody here, somebody to respond to a question or a problem. Sure, you can't know, in many cases, just who is responding, so you have to work harder at judging experience and the value of advice/answers. But, hey, when I was starting out (Back in the days when you had to walk to your manual typewriter through the snow, uphill, both ways!) I didn't know another soul even interested in writing.

So count your blessings for AW and other sites like it. There's a wealth of information and advice here, and some good, solid, supportive networking.

Don't sell it short.

[Toothpaste]

Truly the best way to meet other authors is in person. I have met so many thanks to conferences and book signings. Before I became an author I didn't really know any authors at all, maybe the odd one who happened to be a family member, and now I know so many it's hard to believe I didn't before. Fan mail is tricky though. If you can start up a little back and forth, that's awesome, and with someone like me (who's not exactly at the top of the fame ladder) it totally happens all the time. I have several kids with whom I am penpals. But with someone who gets thousands of letters a month, it's a lot harder to get their attention.

So I'd recommend conferences. And when I say conferences, I mean the hotel bar. Panels are great for learning, but you want to meet an author? It's all about the bar.

[Polenth]

Do you mean contacting famous people as potential friends? If so, I treat them the same way as anyone else. I talk to them about whatever they're talking about (blogs and forums are ideal for that). Either they'll want to respond or they won't. If they respond more often than they don't, we might end up as friends (though odds are, most people you talk to online won't become a friend... that's just life).

If you mean more an 'OMG I'm you're biggest fan!' way, I don't know about that. I don't really get the whole celebrity/fan thing. I might like someone's work, but I still see them as a person.

[Feathers]

The truth is that most of us already have whatever networks we can handle. Which is why sites like AW are so valuable; you'll always find somebody here, somebody to respond to a question or a problem. Sure, you can't know, in many cases, just who is responding, so you have to work harder at judging experience and the value of advice/answers. But, hey, when I was starting out (Back in the days when you had to walk to your manual typewriter through the snow, uphill, both ways!) I didn't know another soul even interested in writing.

So count your blessings for AW and other sites like it. There's a wealth of information and advice here, and some good, solid, supportive networking. Don't sell it short.

I do get that. I mean, that sort of thing happens everywhere in all social groups. You create a niche and your own personal network and just end up being comfortable there. I do appreciate your comments though! :)

Do you mean contacting famous people as potential friends?

Um - sort of. To be honest, I've stopped trying to contact a people after they've reached a certain level of popularity, unless I have some kind of "in." Being buddies with someone famous would be nice, but I don't mind if they're midlist authors either.

-Feathers

[JJ Cooper]

That's a good subset to this question, and I'm curious as to how published authors feel about being approached for blurb requests by writers who find them through forums and blogs. So . . . if I may piggyback onto Feathers' thread: how 'bout it, published authors? How would you feel about casual Internet acquaintances asking for blurbs?

I may have to do this soon. *gulp!*

I've met a stack of published authors (specifically within the genre I write) through facebook and as a member of International Thriller Writers. I've recently requested blurbs from some well-known published authors, some have responded in the positive whilst others have politely declined due to time restraints - perfectly understandable.

I've been networking for a short while and have my own facebook page with information on my book. Due to some of the contacts I've made, my editor asked me if I could get one certain big name to blurb. So, I asked and the big name agreed. If the blurb comes back in time (and is positive) we plan on placing it on the cover. This would certainly help me out, maybe with sales, but I suspect more in the push from my publisher's marketting team.

JJ

[swvaughn]

Great responses! :) I expect S&S will handle blurb requests for me, but I'm interested in being as proactive as possible. Maybe I should just leave it to them after all. LOL It seems a tricky business, asking for blurbs.

[Irysangel]

My editor mentioned one author she has on her roster. Other than that, I've been doing all the asking around. I think it varies from house to house (or heck, even editor to editor since I am S&S as well).

For meeting authors - hang out on writing boards, in chat rooms, in author loops. Visit blogs and chitchat. Twitter. Whatever. Socialize in a comfortable way.

And this is going to sound weird, but I met a lot of authors AFTER I was contracted for publication. I think it's easier at that point, because when you get an email from someone out of the blue that is trying to open a dialogue with you, you assume they want something. Do they want a critique? Do they want you to refer them to your agent? Your editor? Pump you for knowledge about the industry? It's much easier to be relaxed around someone when they already have the agent/editor/contract because you know that won't come into play. Or, at least, it usually does not. :)