When I started reading romance back in the early nineties, I knew next to nothing about the personal lives of my favourite authors. For biographical information, I was solely reliant on the brief author bio at the back of the book, and the occasional grainy, black-and-white photograph.
Fast forward eighteen years, and the author-reader relationship has taken on an entirely new dimension. Thanks to the internet, almost every author has a website. Many have blogs, Facebook and Twitter accounts, give interviews, and participate on reader message boards. I now know quite a lot about the authors whose books I read. Some choose to share more or less information on their private lives, but I generally know if they’re married, have children, their level of education, former professions, favourite authors, influences, etc. The grainy black-and-white photos have been replaced by glossy, colour shots. Many also have extra photos of themselves on their websites, plus everything from writing tips to favourite recipes.
This begs the question: is this increased intimacy between authors and their readers a positive development?
As readers, we expect to have access to our favourite authors nowadays. We are annoyed if they don’t have a website, or if they don’t update it on a regular basis. Ditto with author blogs. We feel entitled to see a photograph of them. We feel cheated if author interviews focus solely on their books and don’t provide at least a glimpse into their private sphere. Yet we don’t have a right to any of this information. We don’t automatically assume we’re entitled to know the intimate details of our dentist’s home life, so why should it be any different with authors?
From an author’s perspective, the internet provides a relatively inexpensive way to interact with readers and fellow writers and promote their books. For those who write full-time, it offers a social outlet with like-minded individuals who understand the passion of the pen. Seeing how positively readers respond to their work must give authors a buzz and encourage them to continue writing, even on days when the muse is not cooperating.
The flip side of the coin for authors is the pressure of expectancy. An author might not feel comfortable interacting with her readers and sharing personal details. She might wish to keep a strict divide between her private and professional lives. She might not want to provide a photo for fear of being judged too fat, too thin, too pretty, too unattractive, too young, too old, badly dressed, the wrong skin colour, and so on. Perhaps she doesn’t want to share information about her marital status and family members. Neither an author’s appearance, nor her family situation, has an influence on her writing abilities. These things shouldn’t matter to her readers, yet it seems they do.
Actors and other celebrities have PR experts to help them navigate the treacherous waters of interaction with fans. Writers are left to wing it on their own. I’m sure we’ve all seen blog posts on Authors Behaving Badly and read with glee the tales of a certain writer’s ill-advised remarks or otherwise untoward behaviour. There are some cases where an author is clearly acting like an idiot. However, there have also been occasions when I’ve felt she was clearly out of her depth when it came to dealing with the public, particularly when responding to criticism of her work.
Do you feel entitled to personal information about your favourite authors? Does an author’s online persona influence your opinion of their work? If you’re a published author, do you feel pressurized to reveal more of yourself than you would like?
No related posts.
Actually, I feel entitled to an author’s personal information. If they choose to share something that is fine with me. If not that is ok too. I do enjoy finding out what may have influenced their stories, brought them to writing in the first place and ancedotes that they want to share. But if they want to keep it private that is ok too. Everyone is entitled to their privacy regardless of what the media and others may think.
I do like it when websites are updated with current and future books though. Especially with so many authors on twitter, I have found new ones to read and like to know what is available from them.
All I expect of any author is a well written story. I have no pressing need to know the person behind the words. In fact I prefer not to know too much about authors beyond their publishing history and maybe educational or cultural backgrounds if either is greatly reflected in their writing. I’m the type who does get influenced by what an author says or does behind the scenes so to speak. A lovely online persona might persuade me to ignore my instincts and read a book I wouldn’t touch otherwise and then I’d be annoyed with myself for wasting money. On the other hand, I might miss out on books I’d probably enjoy very much had I not become prejudiced against their authors due to something in their personal info that displeased or disappointed me. So, no, I definitely don’t feel entitled to know all about authors’ personal lives.
There’s enormous pressure to be open and accessible.
Most of me loves talking with, and interacting with fans.
Some of me wishes I didn’t feel the pressure to do it on every new fad social networking trend to hit our electronically saturated lives.
I’m sorry, I can’t bring myself to Twitter. I don’t want to tell people what I had for breakfast, because even I don’t care what I had for breakfast.
I guess we have to find balance.
Personally I’m usually not at all interested in details of the author’s home life. I love to read them talking about writing and their books, but I usually don’t care that much about personal details, or their opinions on world affairs etc.
I suppose I make an exeption for a few blogging writers that I interact with say on live journal. But if I go to a site just to check out what else they’ve written and see if there’s anything about their writing process, advice etc and there’s not going to be any ongoing contact beyond me writing a fangirl email, that’s quite enough for me.
I think I’ve always been that way though. I’ve no interest in Hello! magazine spreads about people’s houses. I was never that bothered about what Mr Hot Actor feeds his cat. In fact I was never bothered about Mr Hot Actor in himself, more in the characters he played. I wouldn’t go to a movie I really didn’t fancy just because it has so-and-so in it for example (I’m a rubbish fangirl, I know!)
It can be a kind of self defence too. What if you get all the personal info on that writer and learn something that bothers you? Maybe they’ve got political views I totally oppose. That can mess with my enjoyment of their work. I get a weird feeling of not being able to look at them in the same way.
I don’t feel entitled, but being able to follow an author’s blog (or Twitter or Facebook, although not to the same extent) does make me feel more connected to that author.
And connected = sales.
I think the important thing is for authors to go into blogging or any social media with their eyes open. Some authors jump into it before they realize that once they put something out there on a website, that information may be there for ever. Blog about how your mother-in-law was a real pain in your ass at dinner one night, and that could be the one quote picked up by your local paper for a blurb or article about you when your next book comes out.
I think it’s up to each individual author as to what level of interaction they want with their readers. If someone is comfortable with blogging/Twitter/Facebook that’s great. But if not I don’t mind one bit.
And like everything else in life, think before you speak as words are not easily forgotten. Especially with the Internet.
Good post. As a writer I’m interested in things like inspiration and process. As a reader and fan I don’t feel entitled to know personal information about the author. Not any more than would be on the author bio or what the author is willing to share about upcoming books or characters.
I like a bit of mystery.
I met a Famous Author once, and something about her didn’t sit right with me, so I didn’t read her excellent books for ten years. I really can’t now even remember what it was I hadn’t liked about her. Whatever it was, it was immaterial to the quality of her writing.
There are authors whose works I love so much I*think* I’d like to meet them. But I really am better off loving their books rather than thinking I’d love them in person.
The Internet provides a middle ground. I’m a “friend” to Susan Elizabeth Phillips on Facebook. This means she posts pictures and comments on her life, and I or others can comment back. I am not actually friends with her, and I’m not confused about the difference. But I sure will know when her next book comes out. Everyone wins!
The author I admire the most in this way is Evelyn Keyes, the Irish writer. She publishes a monthly newsletter — available on her website — and it’s always personal and charming and appropriate. It’s great marketing, but it’s not TMI.
On the flip side of the coin, consider the harassment that the Yarn Harlot (Stephanie Pearl-McPhee) has gone through on her blog, http://www.yarnharlot.ca When the police have to be called, something has gone very very wrong with the fan – author interaction.
I don’t feel like I’m entitled to an author’s personal info, but it is a good way to connect. As a writer, I am careful about what personal info I share with my readers and about what I say on my site or Facebook. I don’t want it to come back and bite me in the butt
And I figure most don’t want to hear if I’m upset by something “aunt Sally” did at the family picnic.
As a reader, I enjoy knowing a bit about the authors I read, but I don’t need a lot of it either. I’m more interested in their upcoming books and writing info.
As a reviewer, I expect any author to have a website providing vital information, especially if they are a new author. As an author, I try to provide on my website the kind of details I would want from any other author. As to specifics on an author’s personal life, I think that is a risk the author takes. But I also feel a good adage is: if you wouldn’t say it to some stranger face-to-face in the supermarket check-out line, don’t post it on the internet.
The Internet has given us access to so much that I think people expect more these days.
I have a website with a bio about me but it’s mostly about the books. I’m far less interesting than my characters!
I’m also on Facebook, but I try to be careful about what I put up there. Especially when it comes to my daughter or my husband. Their privacy is important. Twittering worries me; it seems like more of an opportunity for stalking.
And in response to Magdalen, sometimes you might meet a writer who’s just “off” that day. It’s really hard when meeting people or at a conference or an event to be “on” all the time, and you may have met that author in a down moment. Although, that said, there’s no excuse if an author is rude.
I like to know a bit about the author.
Perhaps it is because an author can affect my thoughts, and my life more than any other medium.
I love when Stephen King does his Constant Reader passages.
Lilith Saintcrow has a great blog post on what authors should & shouldn’t do.
Thanks for sharing.
twitter.com/RKCharron
xoxo
I enjoy it, but certainly don’t expect it. I provide what I’m comfortable with on my blog and other sites. I’d rather readers judge my books separately from me.
But if they ask me questions, I do what I can to provide honest answers.
This is very timely as I was recently asked by a newspaper reporter to supply a photo.
For safety reasons (my dad, unfortunately, is a bad, bad man), I’ve blogged for over five years with no photo of me appearing online. The blogging community (and now the online romance community) has been very understanding and supportive of that. Yay romance readers!
Traditional media isn’t as.
So I had to decide whether the increased readership is worth it. The hubby and I decided it is (or rather that I wouldn’t spend my entire life being scared) but only the future knows if that is the right decision. I certainly won’t be flashy my photo willy nilly.
An unexpected upside to all this is I now have first hand experience of an alpha male in full protection mode. I have much more sympathy for my heroines.
@ev I think author websites are essential these days. Failure to update them to include current and imminent releases is a missed advertising opportunity.
@annette I’ve bought books by new-to-me authors because I’ve liked their blogs, or found their online comments interesting. I’ve also avoided other authors’ work if they’ve done or said something which annoyed me. This has only happened once or twice. I’ve also noticed that I’m less likely to be negatively influenced by an author whose work I’ve already read and enjoyed than by one whose books are unfamiliar to me.
@Jess Granger I think it’s a shame that authors feel pressurized to embrace every new social networking site. Twitter and Facebook are not for everyone and I think it shows if someone is uncomfortable using them. It’s the same with blogs. It’s better for an author to have no blog at all than to be a reluctant and infrequent blogger.
@Elizabeth I’m laughing at the Hello! spreads! My grandmother loved looking inside famous people’s homes but I’ve never understood the appeal. I will admit to reading the odd gossip column, though.
@Ember “And connected = sales†Yes! Absolutely.
@MicheleKS I don’t think an author needs to connect with readers on every social networking platform available – unless she feels comfortable doing so.
@Kwana “I like a bit of mystery.†Very true. Some authors over-share, particularly on blogs. It’s up to them to do so, of course, but there’s a fine line between being authentic and providing intimate details.
@Magdalen Ouch! Thanks for that link.
@Terisa Wilcox It might not be fair but it does make good business sense for writers to be particularly careful about what they say online. Actually, I think everyone should think before they type because you never know who is reading. It’s so easy to write something in the heat of the moment and regret it later. Been there, done that, as I’m sure many of us have.
@Gail Carriger The only author I can think of who doesn’t have a website is Linda Howard. She’s so well-known she can probably get away with it but I don’t think a newer author could.
@Karen Olson It’s up to each individual to decide how much is too much when it comes to sharing details of their home life. I would never put photos of my children on my blog, for example. Twitter is dangerous as I sometimes need to remind myself that my tweets can be read by anyone who chooses to do so, unless I’ve blocked them.
@Rob Charron “Perhaps it is because an author can affect my thoughts, and my life more than any other medium.” So true!
@Terry Odell “I’d rather readers judge my books separately from me.” I can respect that. However, I think it’s difficult for a reader to separate the work from the author once the personal connection is made – if that makes sense. For better or for worse, a reader will connect your online persona with your work.
@Kimber Gosh, I hadn’t even addressed the safety aspect in my post. I hope it works out for you. Congratulations on having a supportive Alpha Male!
I really don’t want too much personal information – like Magdalen said, any little thing can turn you off to books you otherwise enjoy. I was actually got turned off meeting one of my favorite authors because she smelled of cigarette smoke – and it’s hard to adore her books as much as I used to. I like to know education and professional background for some context, but the only information I’m really interested in online is release dates and info about upcoming books (and sometimes older books if I’m late to a series and trying to figure out order and relationships). Actually, too much online presence really annoys me. I don’t have time to follow every author I like and their blogs, twitters, etc. And I don’t like the feeling that I’m missing out on online exlusives or members only. Release one or two good books a year, let me know when they’re coming out, and I’ll go buy them
.
Note: I’m replying without reading the other comments, though I’ll post another comment after reading them.
Reading this I feel that there is a conflation *tip o’ the hat to Robin* of author websites as promotion and marketing tools with some readers’ very real sense of entitlement.
That’s not to clear, so let me expound: many readers feel annoyance when checking an author’s website and finding it out of date not because we feel entitled to personal information but because we are looking for things like the date of release of the next book, or the reading order of a series, or a complete back list.
Speaking solely for myself, I don’t feel “entitled” to any of those things, but having them readily available will make it more likely I’ll make notes and later buy the books. Not having them is likely to translate into my shrugging and forgetting about the series.
Authors need to be aware that readers have way too many options out there and that if they don’t make it easy for readers to find their books, they’ll likely be passed over in favor of someone else who has all that information up.
Fair? Not necessarily, but realistic.
As far as personal information and pictures, blogs, etc. I would like to refer people to Shiloh Walker. She does have a blog. She talks in very general terms about her family (no first names, for example) and she has never posted a picture of herself. She’s also quite successful, both in digital and print.
Yet, wonder of wonders, I have yet to read a rant about her decision to keep her private life private.
Hey, even here at RtB
there are contributors who use avatars in lieu of photographs, and that’s perfectly fine too.
On the PR side of the question, I see it like this: each author is basically a business concern. Some have reached a point where their work speaks for them and where not having a website doesn’t hinder their career in the least (Linda Howard, anyone?)
Many, though, are just starting out and they need the added boost of a (relatively cheap) promotional tool such as online presence–website, blog(s) and the like.
But just as it behooves every author to do their homework regarding publishing–agents, publishers, contracts, etc.–it is also their responsibility to learn how to navigate their way online.
You mention actors having PR people. Many starting actors don’t have representatives–and even some who do still manage to embark in terribly public and career damaging stunts. Because in the end they have to make their own decisions–just as authors do.
[now off to read the comments]
heh, I could have just said, “what Ember said”
I was like you once, where I had no clue about an author’s personal life. Now with the upswing on the internet and blogs and sites, it can really help an author sell their books. But is can also be a negative. If an author allows the public to know too much about them personally, it can back fire. Now when a reader picks up an author’s book, they may make a decision if they like the author’s on-line personal rather than their work.
I want two things from authors. 1) Good books and 2) a web site that tells me about their books. I don’t “need” them to blog, Twitter or show up on Facebook to keep me happy. But I do want to KNOW about their books. Nothing irritates me more than reading a great book by a new-to-me author only to discover they 1) don’t have a web site or 2) haven’t updated their web site in a long ass time. Jumping to an author’s web site to learn about their BOOKS is the first thing I tend to do after I’m done reading. It’s a relatively painless way of providing information about your BOOKS without laying all of yourself out there for readers to pick at and dissect.
Heck, it doesn’t even have to be a fancy web site. Just something that’s easy to navigate and tells me about your BOOKS.
Gee, can you tell what’s really important to this read?
As a newly published author, I would LOVE to find a way to attract more people to my different online pages, etc, whether it be my
http://www.eloquentbooks.com/TheRoadToLove.html
or my Facebook/Myspace pages. Obviously my publisher’s page only gives that personal information that is included on the back cover of my book, but my FB and Myspace pages (one for me personally, and one for the book) share an enormous amount of personal information and day to day things. I want people to know that I am just a normal, 30-something (lol) working mother of three, that has a huge passion for writing and would love to see my passion shared with everyone, and see that same passion leave a legacy for my children.
The release of my first book, The Road To Love this past April was an adjustment for me but now I find that I am anxious to reach as many people as I can…and not just for the sales of this book, but to hopefully find a receptive audience when my second book is finished and released (which will hopefully be early 2010).
I love all of the feedback I have received since the book released, and although I am not “blogging or twittering” just yet, once I have someone help me set up those pages, I will be excited to do those things as well!!
Between now and then, I hope you don’t mind if I keep responding to your posts and shamelessly plugging my book!!
Lisa Renee Faust
http://www.eloquentbooks.com/TheRoadToLove.html
http://www.myspace.com/road_to_love
@Jenica @Wendy A decent website is essential. I don’t need an author to have an elaborate website but she should at least list past, current and future releases, preferably with excerpts.
@AztecLady I’ve visited Shiloh’s blog but the lack of photographs hadn’t registered. Personally, I have no problem with an author – or anyone else online – choosing not to display a photo of themselves. As Kimber Chin said above, though, the media doesn’t always support this.
@katiebabs I’ve been positively influenced to try newbie authors (or new-to-me authors) on the basis of their online personalities. I’ve also been put off buying other authors’ books for the same reason. I have noticed that I’m not swayed either way with regard to authors whose books I’ve loved in the past. If I trust them to write a good book, I’ll keep buying their work, irrespective of their online behaviour.
@Lisa Renee Faust Best of luck with your new book.
I certainly don’t feel entitled to their personal information, but I have a natural curiosity for the creative process. I am often too shy to ask the author directly if I’m curious about where they grew up, what aspects of their life influence their writing, etc. I check their website for the answers, and if I don’t see it I’m not too disappointed.
An example: Eloisa James often writes about the industry, research, and her influences. I have never seen her share any information that I would consider too personal, but she likes to share with her readers.
Twitter is good because it is 140 characters and there is only so much damage you can do (if you’re smart). Following an author’s blog is another story. If an author goes into a long rant about something with which I strongly disagree, it will be much more likely to affect me than a 140 post and a link to a news article (which rarely happens anyway – the authors I follow tend to keep things pretty general). Oh, and the 140-character banter between authors is pretty fun too.
I like author websites–esp w/o music and sparkly things, lol! And I like it when an author blogs about her writing life or about her books–it’s kind of a bonus. I don’t mind if s/he wants to talk abt personal things, but at the same time, I don’t know if it’s wise–you never know who’s out there and how that person thinks. Professional fb accounts are nice, and I’m “fan” of several authors and get updates that way. There is one particular author I really like who is on fb, but it seems to me that her account is personal, so I haven’t submitted a friend request to her because I don’t want to seem like a stalker–you know how you feel when you think you’ve friended every you possibly know and yet, there’s another request! A little creepy!
@CupK8 That’s a valid point about Twitter being less personal than blogs or Facebook. As you say, 140 characters should protect most authors from themselves…unless they’re Alice Hoffman!
@Leah I think some authors have Facebook accounts which are purely for their fans. My own FB profile is for family and friends and I haven’t put in friend requests for authors because of this. My Twitter account is for interacting with fellow readers and authors. This separation wasn’t initially planned but it works for me.
I don’t feel entitled by any means, but I’ve certainly picked up books by new-to-me authors based on their voice and information they share on their blogs or websites. I’m fascinated by other people’s lives, in whatever measure they wish to share, and that information has led me to books I might not have taken a chance on.
I must admit, while I will sometimes look at an authors bio page, I am not fussed over what I find there, I am generally procrastinating and just looking to waste some time.
BUT I do expect authors to keep an updated website in relation to their books. Being in Australia, with very little romance books in shops or dealt with anywhere else, (though now I have discovered the blogs I am in a better place now) author websites were the only place I had to get information was author sites damn it. And I think it is poor customer service not to have it. (Is that stretching my point too much?)
For me, as a published writer, it comes down to what I’m comfortable sharing. I’ll talk to anyone or post in public about my experiences with bipolar disorder, first because I don’t think it’s anything to be ashamed of and second because if someone’s going to go all wierd on me about it, I’d rather know now than later. But there are no photos of me online and aren’t going to be in the foreseeable future.
My decision to say “no” about anything I consider too personal is mine alone. Past a certain point, I really don’t care what my readers want. If that sounds harsh, I’m sorry, but the people who read my fiction aren’t actually entitled to know anything other than what stories I have available, what they’re about and where to get them.
That said, I’m incredibly open and will talk about a lot of things other people won’t. But when I or any other writer (or celebrity, or person — anyone) hits a boundary, that’s it. Every individual’s boundaries are her or his own, and that individual is the only one whose opinion counts. It doesn’t matter if someone else, or a whole crowd of someone elses, thinks that a question or a request is no big deal or not “really” personal. If the person being asked thinks it is, then it is. All we as writers can do is hope the readers will enjoy our fiction anyway, despite having been closed out of this or that corner of our lives.
Angie
@Dayle I’ve also bought books on the basis of info shared by authors. For example, I first bought a romantic suspense by Pamela Clare after I found out she’s an investigative journalist.
@Edie “And I think it is poor customer service not to have it. (Is that stretching my point too much?)” No, I think you’re spot on. I’m in a similar situation to you in that I’m reliant on the internet for information on new romance books. Author websites pay a huge role in my decision to try their books, particularly when they include excerpts.
@Angie “Every individual’s boundaries are her or his own, and that individual is the only one whose opinion counts.” Well said!
If I’m understanding correctly, this is what you – cumulatively – think is the best combination of material, in a rough order of importance:
1. Pub dates for upcoming books (kept carefully current)
2. Extracts from each of writer’s related books
3. Reading order for writer’s related books (good idea, azteclady)
4. Author blog
5. Calendar of upcoming author- or book-related events (kept carefully current)
6. Author Interviews for each of writer’s related books, addressing influences and process employed for particular book (good point, Elizabeth, Kwana and CupK8)
7. Author General Discussion regarding basic writing process, how writer became a writer, and any writing tips writer may have
8. Context material on author: occupational and educational background; and minimal, very general personal info unless personal life informs writing in a significant way and so justifies more attention. (I think what Gail Carriger said re this says it all: “If you wouldn’t say it to some stranger face-to-face in the supermarket check-out line, don’t post it on the internet.â€)
9. Author photo or avatar, if author is comfortable with this – otherwise, it’s OK to omit this.
Is this correct? Are there any other suggestions? I really appreciate any input you can offer.
Gail
Great summation!
On the whole, I prefer to keep a certain distance between authors and myself. I don’t WANT to know too much about them. It helps keep me objective when reading their books and keeps me from feeling bad when I don’t really care for one of their books. So I don’t really follow author blogs.
Occasionally I do connect. If I’ve read a book I particularly enjoyed, chances are I will email them if there is an email address.
If I meet them as non-authors though – it’s a different story. When I was in DC, I had a wonderful chat with an author about something totally unconnected to books – so it was different then an author/reader connection. It was a connection over something entirely different.
Thanks, KristieJ. I think you’re right re the possible downside as to blogging of a personal nature by those authors whose personal life has nothing to do with what they write. Maybe the way to go is to have a facility that allows those visiting the site to make comments or ask questions to which the writer responds.
Gail
Thanks, KristieJ. I think you’re right re the possible downside as to blogging of a personal nature by those authors whose personal life has nothing to do with what they write. Maybe the way to go is to have a facility that allows those visiting the site to make comments or ask questions to which the writer responds. That way the writer is being responsive without as much risk of being over-communicative from the perspective of the reader.
Gail
Hi all – sorry for the duplicate post. The ‘net connection glitched in mid-send, and I didn’t think it had gone through as it hadn’t showed up, so I resent. Thanks again for any input you can provide re what I should request re the author site.
Gail
@Gail Hewitt I’d say all the items you’ve listed are important on an author website, with the notable exception of a blog. In my opinion, this really isn’t essential. If blogging feels right to you, go for it, but I think readers can tell if an author is only blogging because she feels obliged to do so.
With regard to book excerpts: my personal preference is for a well-chosen scene featuring both the hero and the heroine. Many author websites include first chapters of their books. This is fine but sometimes the main characters don’t appear together until a couple of chapters into the story.
@KristieJ I follow more reader than author blogs for pretty much the same reasons you mention.
Hi Sarah – Thanks for the input, especially re the blog. I’m particularly interested in what you say about extract content, as it definitely makes more sense to extract a particularly engaging scene rather than select something based strictly on position in the book. Do you have any opinion as to optimum length?