From someone who writes a blog – from someone who writes, full stop – the message here might seem strange. Writing, by its very nature, is a solitary pastime. It’s not the sort of thing to do while you’re chatting to the person at the next desk, or if other people are in the room talking. For me, anyway, writing involves quiet space to concentrate. So you have to like being on your own.
For someone who likes their own company, social media seems like an ideal way to communicate. Reaching out to potential readers using Twitter, Facebook et al must be a godsend to most writers. But I’m still not comfortable with it. Don’t get me wrong. I can see the merits. And I use social media (otherwise, the chances are you wouldn’t be reading this), so I’m not suggesting it should be banished from this world. I just don’t get on with it as well as I should.
The really strange message I have is that, far from wanting to spend all my time alone, hidden behind a screen, I like meeting people. If you’re trying to sell books, it does limit your audience if you focus on personal contact to raise your profile. But it always feels much more satisfying.
In the space of a month, over April and May, I attended three completely different events that allowed me to connect personally. If I’d been a better blogger, I would have written about each event in detail long before now, but time passed by and I didn’t get to it. This late on, it doesn’t seem pertinent to provide extensive details about those events. Nevertheless, I can’t ignore them.
The first was the Self-Publishing Conference at Leicester. I had been to a couple in the past and found them useful. They are informative, with a choice of presentations covering a wide range of subjects, from ISBNs to overseas rights to (ironically) using social media. Over and above that, though, it provides an opportunity to talk to other people in the business, from fellow authors to professionals like editors and cover designers.
After each Conference I’ve been to, I’ve come away feeling more motivated to get on and do something – whether it’s writing more or knuckling down to some promotion. If you have self-published or are planning to, I’d recommend it.
The second event was quite different. Much more informal, but probably even more motivating. The delightful Anne Williams of Being Anne fame, arranged a gathering for the Facebook Group Book Connectors. For those who aren’t involved with the group, it comprises a range of authors and book bloggers, allowing them to connect informally through Facebook, but there also meet-ups arranged periodically. This was my third meeting in less than a year. The gathering took place in a pub in York – two boxes ticked there – and attracted people (that I know of) from as far afield as Hertfordshire and Edinburgh.
It was good to catch up with people I’d met at previous events, as well as making new friends. So I now have some additional authors to watch out for, as well as some new contacts in the book blogging community. As a result of that meeting I ended up arranging my first blog tour – it’ll be on in September, so watch this space.
The afternoon flew by, and I enjoyed every moment of it, especially when a few people said they’d heard good things about Ravens Gathering. I haven’t noticed a surge in sales yet, but it’s a slow process when you don’t use social media…
A week later, I was heading to Chiswick for the Bloggers Bash. In this case, I was going along in a semi-official capacity because I’d been on the committee arranging it.
The Bash was taking place in a room at the back of a pub that was set up for hosting regular comedy nights, so was kitted out perfectly. And there was enthusiasm for the event, with people arriving early, and leaving up to two hours after it was officially over.
Like the SP Conference, the day was structured, but there were plenty of opportunities to chat to people. Although it was an event aimed at bloggers, a good proportion were either authors or blogged about books, so I had lots of people to talk to with a common interest. I even managed to sell a few books on the day, as well as extracting some promises of reviews from book bloggers.
For those of you who weren’t there, here’s a picture taken at the event*.
Feel free to say in the comments what you think I’m singing.
Since May, I haven’t had any events to go to, but am looking around now and will make sure I go to a few during the rest of the year.
In short, social media is useful, and you can get to know people surprisingly well online, but nothing quite beats the experience of sitting and having a chat, putting a proper face to a name, and connecting properly.
*A whole range of pictures were taken by Duncan Walker, one of which is so good I have it as my desktop display on my laptop. Feel free to take a look here at some of his work.
I’m a long haired lover from somewhere near Oxford?
I think you need to work on your geography, Geoff, but close enough!
I didn’t know there was a self-publishing conference in the UK, but I looked it up and signed up for the newsletter.
I hope you can get to the next one, April. You can get a lot out of them.
Yesterday…
Well that’s the first sensible one, Leea… Thanks for contributing. Let’s see if we get any more.
From someone who is hit and miss with social media, I know where you’re coming from. Though I can also be hit and miss in real social situations as well so no hope on that front lol. Will keep an eye out for the next Book Connectors meet up and hopefully try and be more sociable. When you see my Harrogate pics you’ll not believe my claims, but the reality is that asking for a photograph is easy, initiating a conversation and sustaining it is totally different.
I think the social situations vary for me as well, Jill. One to one is okay with a lot of people, but some make it hard work, and I will admit to being star-struck with some others as well.
I’ll look forward to seeing you at another event in the future. In the meantime, any thoughts on a song?
I’m probably the same, and constantly star struck at Harrogate. Re the song for some reason the first person who sprang to mind was Kenny Rogers (sorry) so let’s go with Ruby Don’t Take Your Love to Town – showing my age again.?
It’s the silver fox look, isn’t it? And I seem to remember “Ruby” being released, so I think we should just make no reference to ages and leave it at that! Though I was expecting something by Ultravox from you…
Aah Ultravox, now you’re talking. Never saw them in their heyday, despite being in love with Midge since his Slik days. Have seen him solo since several times. When Ultravox reformed a number of years ago went with OH who sat bored rigid through the whole performance! Lesson learned, second row seats with my baby brother the next time. If you want Ultravox I choose Dancing with Tears in my Eyes.
They were good, and I did get to see them in their heyday – a couple of times. Also saw them on their reunion tour. I think the people sitting around me were taken aback when I jumped up and yelled with excitement when the drums appeared for The Voice. It didn’t work as well as it had done in the ’80s, but it was still bloody good. Fantastic songs and a great live band.
Never good to go and watch anything with someone who isn’t interested. It does take the edge off things.
Ooh I’d forgotten that, it was dramatic. They are a great band. I often go to concerts with a friend now, or even on my own. Took OH to see Elbow another night of sighs and looking at his watch. Next time round they did a concert in Delamere Forest, got my solitary ticket and when the time came got him to drop me off with my fold up picnic chair. Bliss!! In his defence we do go to concerts together but I’m more selective. Paul Simon and Seal proved to be winners (how could they not be?). Next one Joan Armatrading!
Sounds as if you like your live music. When I get to do some more, you might enjoy my Gigging Years posts. It’s an eclectic mix of music styles, but some very happy memories.
I don’t get out as much as I used to, especially as it invariably means travelling but you can’t beat a good live concert. Looking forward to your posts, curious to see who else we have in common.
They are sporadic, and I haven’t done one for a while. Here’s a link to the first one I did. I started out with my first ever gig, and tried to do them in order but, frankly, there were so many (back in the ’80s) that I lost track. There are probably only about half a dozen posts in the “Gigging Years” category, so there’s not a lot to catch up on. I have another one half-written, which I must get round to finishing soon.
Never saw Darts but did manage to see Rod Stewart at the De Montford Hall in 1978. I also saw Mari Wilson c1981 in Stirling.
I’m guessing from the Mari Wilson comment that you moved on to the Roxy Music post. Rod at DeMont must have been brilliant. By the time I saw him, he was playing arenas and stadiums, so not quite the same experience.
It was part of his Blondes have more Fun tour and I also we him again at Manchester Belle Vue on the same tour. I was going out with someone keen to impress me! I still like Rod, unlike some ‘older ‘ artistes he still has a voice and can knock out a tune. I’ve seen him twice since Maine Road and MEN ( or whatever it called itself then – the size does lose some of the intimacy and atmosphere).
I only saw him the once, and it was at the old Wembley stadium in the ’80s. To be fair, he’s not an artist I craved seeing, but I did enjoy the show, though it over-ran, so we had to leave early to catch our train home.
I didn’t know about the SP conference! Will look out for that next year. I was at the Book Connectors lunch but didn’t get chance to say hello. I reckon you’re singing My Way – or Paperback Writer?
Hi Sharon! It was a busy day in York, and I got to speak to loads of people, but it would have been very difficult to speak to everyone. I seem to think you did go to the trouble of connecting with me online afterwards, though, so thanks for that. I’m sure we’ll speak at a future event. Well worth going to the SP conference, even if you just give it a go the once. Thanks for participating in the “song contest”. Always did like Paperback Writer…
I didnt know about the self publishing conference Graeme. One to go to in the future perhaps. I agree that meeting folks in person is the best way to go. I always enjoy events just wish I had more free time for all the things I want to do.
Ah, now, free time… That’s a whole different blog post!
Any thoughts on the song?
I think you’re shouting out “Scooby-Dooby Hugh, where are you?” as we were waiting for the results of the blog post competition. ?It’s a great photo, Graeme.
I do enjoy Social Media but, ironically, I’m probably very naughty at not socialising on it very much. Sometimes, it can take a whole morning just thanking people for retweeting etc, whereas I rather be writing. Still, I think most people know that I’m always very thankful when they share my work. I usually thank people by retweeting their work or tweets.
I seem to recall it being Geoffle I was looking for at some point in the proceedings… Duncan did a brilliant job with those photos. I have another he took of Ess and me. We weren’t aware at the time, so it looks very natural, which is how it should be.
Agreed. Photos always look at their best when they’ve been taken naturally. You’ll usually find me grinning like a cheshire cat if I know the camera is being pointed at me.
Chicago – If you leave me now
Good call. I can see that working…
Glad you like it Graeme, talking social media and connecting it can be tough. I’ve found starting and running the group has had the most significant, beneficial way, although it hasn’t help sell my books It has helped many others and now I feel I have a great platform for my next novella too. As the group grows I am looking for a moderator to help out here and there, which would also swing in their favour, if you think this is you let me know?
Hey Graeme… speaking of getting out there and connecting, I’ve been having trouble connecting to your new blog. The only links I can find on your profiles are to your old blog – in fact I thought you’d stopped altogether at one point! Just to say sorry for my absence. And the lame excuses. But you knew I was like that…
Thanks for flagging that up, Tara. Which profiles are you looking at, though? I obviously need to update them, but the obvious ones look as if they’re correct. Is there a special one for the Irish that I’ve not heard of?
It’s probably whatever’s linked to your Gravatar, Graeme… when I get a notification that you’ve done something on my blog, I can’t follow a link back to yours. Most people probably don’t blog hop that way, but I do.
I wouldn’t even know how to blog hop using a Gravatar, so it’s clearly never crossed my mind, Tara. That said, I’ve just had a look at my profile and it doesn’t seem to reference the old blog site any more. I am due to make some changes to my website and will be in discussion with my web designer about it, so I’ll mention this at the same time. Apologies for the inconvenience. To be fair, though, I’ve never been prolific with my posts, so you probably haven’t missed much! Hope all is well with you