| Author |
Message |
    
Stacy Anderson
Hunger Member
Post Number:
64
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 12:36 pm: |   |
Hello All,
I hope everyone is doing okay. Something's been bothering me lately. First off let me say that I've always been a worrier but I guess with the pressures of having my books come out around December I'm getting more antsy. Anyway I wanted to share something with you guys. I wanted to know if I am the only one who feels this way.
It seems as authors we all encourage fans to contact us, send mail, etc. But do we honestly realize how a simple fan can quickly turn into someone completely nuts? I'm becoming frightened ( and I am not a baby ) but truly scared because in the last four months I have heard horror stories from writers where fans were concerned. And these are all new authors whose books haven't even been out for more than two years. All of them claimed they were being harrassed and even stalked by so-called fans. As authors we should be able to interract with our fans because that's where the dollars are coming from, but has anyone else on this board thought about the potential dangers if a fan turns out to be someone you can't get rid of or deal with?
I am just wondering if any of you ( already published ) have experienced this kind of treatment? Even if it was one letter, someone following you or etc. I was just interested in what you guys think about this? More and more I am reading about authors getting harassed and stalked. If I have to deal with it, I hope I can. But when I sat down to write my books, I never once in a million years thought about things like this. The funny thing is I had someone email me from seeing my website. My books aren't even out yet and he felt the need to approach me. Let's just say his email wasn't exactly the type I expected to receive. Of course I sent him a polite letter asking him never to write me again. He hasn't so far but it sure is funny how people can approach an author even BEFORE their books are out? When I first started writing I dreamed of getting fan mail. Now I am starting to dread it.
Anyway, just a topic I wanted to bring up. Feel free to speak on it if you will. I just wanted to know if any of you have thought about potentially being harrassed in your careers.
Stacy-Deanne
www.stacy-deanne.net |
Kevin P. Grover
Unity Member
Post Number:
1241
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 12:40 pm: | |
I made it a policy to never give my home address out. When corresponding with someone, I either used a 'generic' e-mail (yahoo, etc.) or a post office box.
With our authors and artists, no address or other contact info is given out. Any correspondence received is forwarded with the warning about replying.
I can only imagine what it would be like...and wouldn't want to experience it. However, the best you can do is take whatever safeguards you can and then go from there.
Hope this helps!
www.winterwolfpublishing.com |
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
3461
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 01:01 pm: | |
believe it or not, I've had a couple kind of scary experiences. I laughed them off at first until a male writer said the same thing my husband did - These guys are stalkers.
I don't give out my home address orphone number or my personal email address. But I do correspond with authors, agents, publicists, and publishers whose books I review, using my persoanl email.
One man became obsessed with me. He bought and read my books and searched for clues as to what might be of interest to me, then engineered social events or meetings with people who shared those same interests. I did not accept any of his invitations or attend any meetings.
It took me a long time to catch on to what was happening. It was hard for me to believe anyone would find me interesting or worth meeting. I finally had to be blunt and tell him not to contact me again under any circumstance.
A man from another state sent a clearly worded invitation to join him in an out of the way place. He sent that invitation through a mutual friend. I did not reply.
Both turned out OK but were scary in retrospect. Be wary, and like Kevin says, don't print or give out personal info. |
priceless1
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
387
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 01:36 pm: | |
Ditto, Kevin. We've had a few people ask for an author's email address and we flatly refuse, only offering to serve as an intermediary.
Lynn
behlerpublications.com
lynnprice.net
|
Bill Nelson
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
568
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 01:48 pm: | |
Stacy,
If you worked at WalMart, the same guy could fixed on you! The world is full of nuts. Just watch your back.
Now, send me your home address and I'll...
bn |
Stacy Anderson
Hunger Member
Post Number:
65
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 07:17 pm: | |
Kevin,
I agree! I don't understand how some authors can give out their real addresses. I plan on getting a PO box address when my books come out. Right now people can just email me through my yahoo email address. I don't give out my original one ever.
Laurel,
That's how it happens and you were lucky enough to fight it in time. You were right, stalking does creep up on you. Sometimes you think someone is just being nice when all of a sudden they're obsessed with you and you find yourself trapped because it happens so fast.
Lynn,
That's very honorable and publishers should look out for their authors. You are doing the right thing. One of the horror stories I've heard about happened when a guy got the author's information by posing as a book reviewer for a magazine. So the author's publisher ( I guess didn't check out any sources ) just gave out the information and from then on the problems began for the author. I trust my publisher dearly but we all know that if someone wants to get your information bad enough they will dig and hack until they can find some way to contact you.
Bill, LOL I'm sure you would scare any potential stalkers away.
This topic is becoming very interesting and I am glad other authors are becoming aware of this problem too. Maybe being as smart as we can will keep us safe from possible lunatics.
www.stacy-deanne.net |
Joyce Scarbrough
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
326
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 06, 2004 - 06:22 am: | |
Stacy, I am currently dealing with this exact issue, but I will post my reply on the Registered Users board for privacy.
Toyce
True Blue Forever
Read the first chapter at http://www.authorsden.com/joycelscarbrough1
See the hunk at http://www.southernbelleauthor.com/joycepersonalpage
Read my interview at http://www.yabookscentral.com/cfusion/index.cfm?fuseAction=authors.interview&interview_id=44
|
Stacy Anderson
Hunger Member
Post Number:
67
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 06, 2004 - 09:34 am: | |
Hi Joyce,
I'll go right over and read it. |
Frederick A. Babb
Wandering Member
Post Number:
157
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 07, 2004 - 07:32 am: | |
I had a problem with a fan once. It was a three speed and the high speed on it wouldn't work. It made for a hot summer.... OH... wait... it isn't that type of fan...
Then read my comments on the Registered Users board. For those that do have problem with three speed fans, a new switch will do the job.
Frederick A. Babb
Preview books: http://www.frederickbabb.bravehost.com |
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
3464
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 07, 2004 - 08:05 am: | |
Fred you've been hanging around Bill Nelson too long.  |
Stacy Anderson
Hunger Member
Post Number:
71
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 07, 2004 - 10:38 am: | |
LOL! Fred that was a good one! |
Snarzler
Awareness Member
Post Number:
30
Registered: 07-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 07, 2004 - 04:43 pm: | |
I like the crinkly ones you can fold up and whip back out like a Southern Belle.
My, this board certainly does wuuuunders for ones thinkin'.
Andrea 
If there were no creative people, would life be as interesting? |
Rita (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 208-59-124-54.s54.tnt1.frdr.md.dialup.rcn.com
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 02:09 pm: | |
When my first book, The Rebel’s Pledge, was released, a woman emailed me several times, gushing with compliments even though she hadn’t read my book. She somehow found out I am Nora Roberts cousin. She talked about driving up to visit me in her convertible sports car. I contacted Nora and asked her if she knew this person. She didn’t, but her advice was as an author you are going to have this happen from time to time. Just be careful, don’t give out your address or home phone. She told me it would be best to ignore the emails.
On the other hand, I am building a fan base, especially in Maryland. I have been invited to speak to several groups like the Women’s Civic Group and The Daughters of the American Revolution. I’ve visited the local book clubs. The people there have been wonderful. True readers have a curiosity about the writing and publication process that authors experience. They want to know ‘how do we do it’. It is unlike the whole Hollywood fan scene, where people are enamored by an image and the lifestyle of someone rich and famous.
I just sent out my marketing newsletter Stepping Stones for the month of October, and they marketing article was on Building Your Mailing List of Fans. It is an important aspect of marketing and promoting. If anyone wants to see the newsletter, let me know. I’ve been writing it for over a year, and I have decided to put all the tips together in a book. Each month I send out marketing ideas, and it has been a blast doing it. I give authors the chance to have blurbs in the newsletter, too.
But to the point, we do have to be careful. Like Teddy Roosevelt said, “Walk softly and carry a big stick,” his interpretation of the biblical admonition to “be wise as serpents and harmless as doves”.
Rita
http://users.starpower.net/rpkg/index.htm |
Frederick A. Babb
Wandering Member
Post Number:
214
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 12:43 am: | |
I have a very strong fan base here in Spain. My dog follows me around everywhere. I am starting to get worried when he bought a digital camera...
But seriously....
Rita, tell me more about your newsletter Stepping Stones.
Frederick A. Babb
Preview books: http://www.frederickbabb.bravehost.com |
Rita (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 208-59-124-3.s3.tnt1.frdr.md.dialup.rcn.com
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 08:57 am: | |
Thanks for asking, Fred.
When I had my first book published, I had little knowledge of marketing. You should have seen my business card. It was pitiful. After searching high and low for information on marketing, I decided to start sharing every thing I found with authors in my email address book.
As time went on, the newsletter took shape and I started including the following:
Marketing Tip of the Month
Authors' Websites
Book Reviewers
Review Requests
New Book Reviews
Editing Tips
Authors' News
Links
As more authors requested the newsletter, it got to be a lot of work. I had to cut back on a few features. For October's newsletter, the marketing tip was Building Your Mailing List of Fans. September's marketing tip was Author Trading Cards. I include lots of useful links. The response has been great. People really like it, and some have said it is the best marketing newsletter they have seen.
Basically,‘Stepping Stones’ is a monthly newsletter for authors whose characters face and overcome hardships in life, and end up turning stumbling blocks into Stepping stones. Their stories have a positive impact on the reader, whether fiction or non-fiction.
I will be happy to send it to you. When an author first subscribes, I send out a newsletter with past tips, and then the one for that month. I am excited about November's issue. It will be on How To Make A Visual Book Promotion. I've been working on this project for a month, and it has turned out to be one of my best ideas yet!
At present there are almost 400 authors on the list. If an author sends me a blurb about their new book release, or their new website, etc. I will put it in the newsletter. It gives them exposure. Submissions have to be in Times New Roman 12 point and any website hyperlinked.
I am writing the newsletter into a marketing book simply entitled 'Stepping Stones to Marketing Your Book'. I am thinking of having it printed and bound like a spiral notebook and selling it myself.
Shoot me an email if you would like to see the newsletter.
Fondly,
Rita Gerlach
http://users.starpower.net/rpkg/index.htm
email: rpkg@erols.com |
Frederick A. Babb
Wandering Member
Post Number:
218
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 12:06 am: | |
Thanks Rita!!! You have email.
Preview books: http://www.frederickbabb.bravehost.com |
Harry Simenon
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
431
Registered: 10-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 01:00 pm: | |
Sometimes the shit hits the fan.
But I could do with some people who would like to read what I write... |
Ed Williams (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: ip68-1-137-159.mc.at.cox.net
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, October 31, 2004 - 11:54 am: | |
I had the public relations person with my publisher give me some good advice on this subject. When you write wild country boy books with titles like "Sex, Dead Dogs, and Me," and "Rough As A Cob," you get some interesting correspondence. I do include an email address on my web site because 99 times out of 100, when people email you, it's good. Just responding can end up gaining you a reader for life, plus, I just enjoy interfacing with people who write me. All that being said, though, you do get your share of "unusual" fans. Take these examples:
1. The lady from the mid-west who emailed me once, I answered, then she started inquiring about available real estate in my home town.
2. The female physician who researched and found out where I work and showed up one day.
3. A male writer who threatened me when I told him I did not have the time to read his 700 plus page manuscript about the Civil War.
The advice I was given was to be friendly, but, if someone came on too strongly to cut back on corresponding. If shortening responses doesn't work, stop responding - it's hard for someone to have a relationship of any sort with you when only they are participating in it. And finally, if they don't go away on their own, make a good friend in your local police department. They can go a long ways towards cooling off a too-ardent fan.
It's terrible to have to deal with stuff like this, isn't it? Unfortunately, when we all chose to write and put stuff out there in the public eye, this is a by-product that at some level we have to deal with. |
Lynn Price
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
442
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, October 31, 2004 - 03:16 pm: | |
"2. The female physician who researched and found out where I work and showed up one day."
LOL, Ed. Only you would get a personal exam in the privacy of your own office. Guess she wanted to see how rough that cob really was. Yuck, yuck.
Lynn
behlerpublications.com
|
Ed Williams (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: ip68-1-137-159.mc.at.cox.net
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, October 31, 2004 - 04:58 pm: | |
Now, now, Lynn, let's not take this into the gutter, no matter how badly I might want to go there.
 |
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