New Forum Possibility for Authors

[Motokid]

Thanks for the reply Darren. I used the email funtion in your profile. Not sure why you would not have received it?

I understand your hesitation on a "self-promotion" forum. I just have a different opinion I guess.

I think the forum might attract more "active" authors if there's a place where they can post some "light" promotion without being jumped on for violations.

Just a thought.

 

[Darren]

I think the forum might attract more "active" authors if there's a place where they can post some "light" promotion without being jumped on for violations.

Doesn't the "Writers' Showcase" forum do that, or are you thinking of something more direct?

 

[sirmyk]

Doesn't the "Writers' Showcase" forum do that, or are you thinking of something more direct?

I was under the impression that the "Writers' Showcase" section was strictly for writers to post short stories, poems, random thoughts, et cetera, and by posting excerpts of one's own work (books), the poster could look forward to getting his or her fingers slapped for self-promotion.

I remember getting some hate thrown my way for posting some artwork and ideas for a novel I was working on.

I'll check out the links you posted.

 

[Motokid]

Doesn't the "Writers' Showcase" forum do that, or are you thinking of something more direct?

Actually I was trying to get a feeling for what forum members might be willing to accept as far as new authors coming in and, at times, making a critical error in Book Forum etiquette. Having an offical warning leveled on them for their first post in addition to having regular members jump on them is not altogether very inviting.

My main drive for this question was based on a TBF member pm'ing me about the "un-friendly environment" at this forum towards authors, and how ironic that was based on the type of forum this is.

If it's as simple as providing the link to the "Writers Showcase" and specifically pointing out that sticky by Prolixic then maybe that's all that's needed.

If it were me, I wouldn't mind having an "Author's Shameless Promotion" forum. It's quite specific in what it's for and about. No MP3, Free Printer, or Viagra "commercials....just news and information about, and for The Book Forum's authors, who are also Book Forum members.

But that's just me. Thanks for taking the time to consider it though. That's all anybody can ask.

 

[Stewart]

...as far as new authors coming in and, at times, making a critical error in Book Forum etiquette. Having an offical warning leveled on them for their first post in addition to having regular members jump on them is not altogether very inviting.

Well, to be fair to them, they are asked to tick the checkbox that says they have read and agree with the conditions of the site.

 

[Motokid]

I have always sort of enjoyed the overly aggressive pouncing on trash posters. Think Olympian Pen for instance. That was wonderful fun. I also enjoy counting the seconds for the wolf-pack to come blasting in after reading a first time post about some great hair-loss product.

I just think maybe we should be a little more careful when a first time poster signs on with a "I'm so excited because I just got a copy of my first book, and a web site, and I'd love to share it with people who love to read..." type posts. Rather than cause them to run screaming from "The" forum that's full of anger and hate, moving that post to a specific forum and then asking that they keep self-promotional type posts confined to that area might help generate useful, and new forum members.

It's just a suggestion, and I think we all know which side of the fence you sit on Stewart.

 

[Shade]

Reluctant as I am to keep this thread going when Darren has made his decision (and one I agree with), I just wanted to say that although I agree your motives are good, Motokid (Motivekid?), I can't remember seeing that many new writers who do announce themselves in the way you cite above.

I'm so excited because I just got a copy of my first book, and a web site, and I'd love to share it with people who love to read...

The normal form, unfortunately, seems to be to spam the forum in a feeble disguise. To be honest, I never read the stuff on the Writer's Showcase anyway so I'd be happy for the promoters to keep to the rules and put their stuff there.