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I'm an author and freelance journalist, venturing into the world of 'blogs' for the first time. Although I usually write from dreams, these are purely formed from my own opinions, observations and general silliness. If you're feeling brave, why not read a couple? Or if you want to go back to the safety of nice, familiar books, venture back to the main site.
The Author Code - Posted on 2/22/2009
I post regularly on a certain book forum, which is fine for me to do and as an author, occasionally I get the platform to bring up signings etc. about my books. I also get on with a few people there since I joined, and chat about other books and just general stuff. Which is also fine. But what I'm really sick of, and have witnessed a few times now, is the fact that (some) authors seem to join up to these forums, post up about how great their book is while pretending they are just a random reader, not the actual author of the book, and then leave, thinking that their work there is done. At best, it's dishonest, and at worst it really puts off readers from picking up their book at all. Recently, an author did just that by first arguing with the administrator for moving their post to 'author promotions' and then insulting them - although not once denying they were indeed the author of the book. It's not smart and it's not clever, and these people must be really desperate to go to such lengths for a sale.
I mean, come on, at least I am openly honest about who I am and have fun posting there. It's an open enough place and many other writers are also involved. I'm really not surprised the administrator has taken to banning these dishonest posters who try and make out their book is great by posting 'Have you read this great book? I've just read it and it was absolutely fantastic' when it's actually their own book they are writing about. This last poster went a step further by posting up what almost looked like something to be sent out in a press release.
What makes authors go to these lengths to try and promote themselves? Do they really think it is going to do any good? What a disillusioned world we live in. There has to be some sort of code that authors should stick to when trying to promote their work, there has to be a line drawn somewhere in the sand.