Each day I get more and more perplexed. I'm pretty sure that creating this blog is one of the most beneficial things I've done, however. The thing that confuses me though... and I apologize for devoting an entire blog post to questions, but...
How are all the people that I see without contracts getting all over the place to book signings and such? What is this "ARC" thing I keep reading when I see reviews (prepared to feel very stupid upon a possible answer, haha!)? How does everyone keep meeting/befriending published authors? Perhaps it has something to do with my living in a very, very small town.
And for something less worldly, what do I blog abouuuut? I hardly see any posts like this, and these are the ones I like doing the most. Maybe it's a personal preference, I don't know. Pout. It seems like the majority I see are book reviews, but of course we're talking about me—lazy-as-heck central!—doesn't like looking up the book information! Maybe it's time for me to get off my bum for good.
I'm getting more friends though :D
But I'm glad to say I AM making progress somewhere amidst all this confusion! Flame Dancer is moving along nicely (and hopefully I'll get over this sudden case of laziness soon. Hopefully next week). Hate to say book 3 is on major hiatus thanks to progress on 1 and 2, but I'll get there... eventually... no matter how much it tortures me...
That's all, folks. I should have something a little more entertaining next time!
Reading: Personal Demons - Lisa Desrochers
Listening to: Fabula Nova Crystallis - Masashi Hamauzu
Watching: Toy Story
Quote: "If there's a Hell on Earth, it's high school." - Luc Cain / Personal Demons / Lisa Desrochers
Good luck with your writing! And if you ever need someone to commiserate with in lazy land, I'm hear for you. I am a notorious procrastinator. Which is probably why I haven't blogged in a week....
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I have answers to your questions! And I'd also like to direct you to a post of mine from September of 2009. It looks a lot like this one. --> http://madeleinerex.com/?p=118
On to your questions.
1. I'm not quite sure I understand. Are you asking how we get books signed by authors? You go to the bookstore! Author signings are everywhere. Maybe I'm reading the question incorrectly.
2. ARCs are Advance Reader's Copies. They're copies sent out by publishers to reviewers before they are released to the public. It's primarily for feedback and publicity.
3. I've "met" most of the authors I know via the internet. Search for their blogs and comment. The best way to meet agents, authors, and other writers in a casual space is by joining Twitter. YOU MUST JOIN. ;D It's fantastic. You'll be surprised how many authors will reply to you. Also, befriend debut authors. They tend to have more time to know and respond to you personally.
4. I blog about a bunch of nonsensical things! Lately, I've been such so out-of-it emotionally that my posts have been jumbles of thoughts. Go for it. I think posting a book review a week, two publishing/writing posts a week, and a few random ones works fine. Or some variation of that plan!
You answered number one fine, I see how that was confusing. XD That would explain it, the only major bookstore around here is forty miles away. And sadly I've never been to it.
ReplyDeleteI have a Twitter and I'm following youuuu. [creep] I've thought about it but I always chickened out for some reason.
That was a BIG help! And I was glad to see I wasn't the only one who got really confused/overwhelmed all of a sudden. Thanks!