tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post5319315061020098417..comments2024-02-21T03:32:15.577-05:00Comments on Jill Kemerer: Does an Internet Presence Really Help Unpublished Authors?Jill Kemererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-91540290732534633772011-02-07T10:43:45.737-05:002011-02-07T10:43:45.737-05:00Karen: I like the way you put that--advantages of ...Karen: I like the way you put that--advantages of an online presence are multi-faceted. Nicely put!<br /><br />Natalie: Ha! There are at least two other Jill Kemerer's--neither writers--online so I'm glad I've made an effort to set myself apart. Very interesting to hear your agent's take on this--thank you!<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-84033756584936542712011-02-06T19:13:04.688-05:002011-02-06T19:13:04.688-05:00When I got my agent I had NOTHING. If you searche...When I got my agent I had NOTHING. If you searched for Natalie Bahm online you got three results and none were in reference to me.<br /><br />Now Sara says not having a professional author website is almost a deal-breaker for her when she's considering an author. So yeah, I think it's really important.Nataliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00861022355718378425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-91098931798156657672011-02-05T16:21:22.100-05:002011-02-05T16:21:22.100-05:00I think it certainly helps, but as you said, can b...I think it certainly helps, but as you said, can be done without it. I think the advantages of an online presence are multi-faceted. Good discusion going!<br />Blesings,<br />KarenKaren Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-6598197376944113092011-02-05T14:59:28.050-05:002011-02-05T14:59:28.050-05:00Lindsay: Your site is beautiful! Nice job! I think...Lindsay: Your site is beautiful! Nice job! I think it's important to start building relationships with other bloggers. They will love to share your big news when you land a contract and will happily run interviews or book reviews for you when the time is right. <br /><br />Carol: Good point! I have to say I've run into very few blogs that show poor writing skills. I'm continually impressed with the authors who take the time to blog! But you're right, we need to watch how we're coming across. <br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-79862515166447273682011-02-05T13:19:16.990-05:002011-02-05T13:19:16.990-05:00Great topic, Jill. When I first dipped my hesitant...Great topic, Jill. When I first dipped my hesitant toe in the blogging waters it was because my research said aspiring writers should have an online presence. Now in my third year of blogging, I believe that presence alone isn't what's important. Knowing before you start what you want that presence to accomplish is imperative. IMO, a blog that demonstrates poor writing skills and a lack of suitable content is worse than having no blog at all. Like snarky tweets or embarrassing FB photos, it could be a detriment.Carol J. Garvinhttp://careann.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-74710217800805359742011-02-05T13:14:44.914-05:002011-02-05T13:14:44.914-05:00Great post, Jill. I was surprised to find some mo...Great post, Jill. I was surprised to find some months ago that an author should go ahead and have an author website before a publishing contract is in the works. I'm very excited to have launched my site this last week, but after I did, there was definitely a sense of, "OK, now what?" I guess the answer is to blog and Tweet to my heart's content. :)Lindsay A. Franklinhttp://lindsayafranklin.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-19188636080332040772011-02-05T12:43:08.386-05:002011-02-05T12:43:08.386-05:00I've niminated you for the Stylish Blogger Awa...I've niminated you for the Stylish Blogger Award. If you wish to receive it, come to my blog.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163662759281341381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-5657981311080679572011-02-05T10:54:15.994-05:002011-02-05T10:54:15.994-05:00Great post, Jill! As part of my Small Publisher se...Great post, Jill! As part of my Small Publisher series, Rhemalda Publishing talked about this very thing and how important it is what comes up when someone pulls up our name. It can make or break a decision regarding a contract or representation. Not to be underestimated!Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-79876859360599552532011-02-05T10:05:59.156-05:002011-02-05T10:05:59.156-05:00Kara: I agree!
Linda: Thank you!
Nancy: I'm g...Kara: I agree!<br /><br />Linda: Thank you!<br />Nancy: I'm glad it's helpful!<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-33757774771444338332011-02-04T19:52:11.011-05:002011-02-04T19:52:11.011-05:00It's probably a great idea and you have a lot ...It's probably a great idea and you have a lot of food for thought in this blog. Thanks.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163662759281341381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-57185839113452163022011-02-04T19:24:15.136-05:002011-02-04T19:24:15.136-05:00Great post, Jill. Thank you for the confirmation o...Great post, Jill. Thank you for the confirmation of what I have long suspected to be true!Linda Hoyehttp://lindahoye.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-21405683554002946392011-02-04T18:10:23.290-05:002011-02-04T18:10:23.290-05:00Susan M: I feel the same as you. Your comment is a...Susan M: I feel the same as you. Your comment is a good guideline, though, not every agent finds it important to have a fiction platform in place. I wonder how they'll feel once their client is published though? Most authors ARE expected to actively promote their writing--and the Internet is an effective way to do this!<br /><br />Thank you for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-25537030563721806942011-02-04T18:08:23.399-05:002011-02-04T18:08:23.399-05:00I do think it is important. It is a form of networ...I do think it is important. It is a form of networking and most professionals do this, whether a writer or an engineer. Great topic Jill!Karahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03925811510913201292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-37235482603879237152011-02-04T18:08:10.708-05:002011-02-04T18:08:10.708-05:00Jenna: So great to see you here!! I would love to ...Jenna: So great to see you here!! I would love to help in any way I can--I know you'll have a book to promote soon!<br /><br />QuietSpirit: Your blog offers beautiful devotions--if you choose to publish devotions, your blog will be a great showcase for your skills.<br /><br />Donna: Welcome! Ha! Ha! That's definitely something I hear from authors all the time. Listen, there is no magic. It does take time, but I consider writing my business. The majority of time available to me I write, but I schedule time to social network because I do believe it's important. And it's good practice to figure out how to juggle different writing responsibilities now, because every published author I know has to fit in many more tasks than just writing.<br /><br />Charlotte: Welcome! Same here. I guard my writing time, and I fit social media into the pockets of my day. Works for me!<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-9473135347755555672011-02-04T18:04:49.787-05:002011-02-04T18:04:49.787-05:00Timely question. I just read on an agent's bl...Timely question. I just read on an agent's blog that she doesn't think unpublished aspiring writers need an on line presence. In fact, she almost discourages it. I, however, think it is important and unless you post, tweet, facebook poorly, it can't hurt.Susan R. Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09578747592345750650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-62576608307802671162011-02-04T16:50:03.020-05:002011-02-04T16:50:03.020-05:00An online presence is crucial, and brings so many ...An online presence is crucial, and brings so many opportunities you might otherwise not get. Besides,its fun. I'm learning to do my social media while I do work that doesn't need intense concentration. Then when its time to go write, I just tell folks I'll be unavailable for awhile. Seems to work well. Thanks for this great info.Charlotte Rains Dixonhttp://www.charlotterainsdixon.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-65351401600175338212011-02-04T14:01:25.560-05:002011-02-04T14:01:25.560-05:00Great post, but it does beg the question. While as...Great post, but it does beg the question. While aspiring authors are building that online presence, when the heck do they have time to write. ; )Donna K. Weaverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17158114738303231773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-21291970498589977202011-02-04T13:57:28.423-05:002011-02-04T13:57:28.423-05:00Jill:
I have tried to have an online presence f...Jill:<br /> I have tried to have an online presence for a few years. Due to circumstances I haven't been able to do very much in the way of getting things published. But I enjoy the fact that I have all these resources where I have learned some valuable facts about the craft.quietspirithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06086016141181470311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-42731483725968887762011-02-04T13:47:11.344-05:002011-02-04T13:47:11.344-05:00Jill, You've been a true believer of the power...Jill, You've been a true believer of the power of social media for as long as I can remember. It finally took all this time for me to "get it". So...I'm going to start small and work my way up! Thanks for your support and never-ending energy to share your knowledge with us.Jenna Rutlandnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-90135135946231137702011-02-04T12:42:25.854-05:002011-02-04T12:42:25.854-05:00Diane: You're a master at it!
Thanks so much...Diane: You're a master at it! <br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-62184536403256227802011-02-04T12:40:35.730-05:002011-02-04T12:40:35.730-05:00Kelly: Right on! Opportunities open up for us when...Kelly: Right on! Opportunities open up for us when we make an effort online. <br /><br />Wendy: Thanks for sharing the KidLit advice and link. I DO NOT believe every author, or aspiring author needs to blog. I DO believe every author and aspiring author needs to network in an effective way, whether through Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, GoodReads--whatever they find works for them. <br /><br />T.Anne: Great points. You have a very effective online presence--any aspiring author could take notes from you!<br /><br />Leigh: Welcome! Your comment stirred me up in a good way! How exciting! I will gladly stop by and check out your blog!<br /><br />DarkEva: Thank you for your detailed response. I understand your feelings, but I am a FIRM believer that aspiring authors DO HAVE something to share with the world. #1: Friendship and Support. I've made dear friends when they were still aspiring authors and happily supported them when they made the transition to published authors. I know they will support me when I'm published by reviewing my book or posting an interview #2: Unique ideas. Show the world what YOU are passionate about, and people will read. I'm not published, but I've had a good following for two years. Some of my posts haven't resonated with readers and others have, and this gives me an opportunity to strive to give readers what they want. Thanks again for popping in!<br /><br />Lisa: I only recently found you, but I can tell you now my initial impression is that you've been active on social networks for a while. In addition to your fantastic blog, I see your name in many blog comments. Then, I saw you're represented by a great agent--this solidified my view. You'd be surprised how many things add up to a high opinion from a virtual stranger. :)<br /><br />Jill: Thank you! My secret? I use Tweetdeck to manage lists. I have one for business (a source of many great agent and industry links), for new writer friends (so I can share their blog posts), for core writer friends (so I can keep in touch if I don't read their blog each day), and columns for #amwriting and #amrevising (to meet new people). I love Twitter!<br /><br />Thank you VERY much for your thoughtful comments. I appreciate you stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-53015716215526621702011-02-04T12:32:20.904-05:002011-02-04T12:32:20.904-05:00I would say yes! Every little bit helps to get you...I would say yes! Every little bit helps to get you out there. :O)Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07604687906788800639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-9324937576755617102011-02-04T12:16:56.143-05:002011-02-04T12:16:56.143-05:00Sigh, I guess so! I say grudgingly. I'm trying...Sigh, I guess so! I say grudgingly. I'm trying to get the hang of Twitter, and I've found I like the links others post. In fact, I came here because of your link. You put up the best links, BTW--and not just for your own site. I don't know where you find all those articles. You must have a very big net.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05536293384635588296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-84387888037706977512011-02-04T12:07:12.894-05:002011-02-04T12:07:12.894-05:00Great post, Jill. I've been trying to up my so...Great post, Jill. I've been trying to up my social media platform because for now, it's all I can do to get my name out there. <br /><br />Agents and editors who blog, use Twitter, Facebook, etc. get familiar with those who read and respond to their posts. I was able to use this knowledge when I met my agent (prior to signing with her) at ACFW. I shared how much I enjoyed certain blog posts. <br /><br />If we are writing as a business, this is basically free advertisement. Additionally, I've met some great friends through online resources.Lisa Jordanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16334253815212707025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-85380875505052809572011-02-04T11:49:53.787-05:002011-02-04T11:49:53.787-05:00Dear Jill,
Apologies in advance for the long respo...Dear Jill,<br />Apologies in advance for the long response, but this really got me thinking :-) <br /><br />First of all, thank you for yet another timely and significant post. I think that this is a matter of great importance and that it has been debated with many different points of view, some of which support what Lucky Press and Bob Mayer pointed out, in that they look to see if a writer has a social media presence when they receive a query letter, but the other side's point of view is that if you don't have anything to sell, i.e. you don't actually have a novel, published or unpublished, or significant short story sales to the Pro markets, then it might be a bit premature to have a blog, website, and other social media links. <br /><br />Certainly there's nothing wrong with connecting to one's favourite writers and following them on various social media outlets as a way of becoming known in the writing community, but the people who subscribe to the second point of view believe that if you're not selling anything or if you're not offering anything useful to people, i.e. a blog about industry tips, news, or the process of querying agents, editors, offering interviews with industry people, or useful links for people either for the process of writing or for the business side of writing, then it might be wise to consider delaying the "aspiring author" platform. <br /><br />At this point, I'm in the middle. I used to think I was 100% sure of which side of the debate I leaned towards, but now I'm a bit divided.<br /><br />The usefulness of an online presence -- if established well -- makes sense, but it's a difficult job and although many people do succeed at it, this takes a long time. <br /><br />As well, another important issue is that too often I think unpublished writers get overwhelmed with a need to be online and to build a platform before they've even had one major sale and it's because they hear the importance of building a platform everywhere from the pages of Writer's Digest to industry blogs, and from agent interviews, etc, but they often jump the gun too soon, don't plan out what it is they want to offer through their blog, and as a result find that they don't get very many unique visitors or much interest from anyone let alone agents. Simply having the tools isn't enough -- you have to know what to do with them and do it well to succeed. <br /><br />I think it would be interesting to get more agent perspectives on this issue, because there are other ways for a fiction writer to build a platform apart from a blog/site devoted to their own aspiring career. Many aspiring writers start book review blogs as a way of getting known in the book reviewing community and this affords them the opportunity to reach out to potential future readers, lets them have a great sense of what's out there already and who's doing what, and it gives them the chance to connect to authors who might help them out later on in terms of being a good connection. <br /><br />These are just my thoughts, of course, but I'd like to hear your perspective, Jill -- do you think it makes sense for an unpublished writer who hasn't sold/self-published a novel or a decent amount of Pro short stories not only to start a writing blog and if so, what are a few of the things that you think make up the successful elements of such a blog? Why would people visit? <br /><br />Thanks!<br />DarkevaDarkevahttp://thedarkeva.comnoreply@blogger.com