Internet Presence

[SarahD 10]

It's becoming increasingly necessary to have an 'internet presence' to get an agent interested in you as a writer.

 

So I thought, what if we all 'liked' each others Facebook pages, visited websites, followed on Twitter etc? It's really hard to drum out interested before you are published.

 

Any one have any blogs/websites/facebook/twitter etc?

 

Here's mine:

 

http://www.facebook.com/sarahdaltonbooks

http://www.twitter.com/sarahdalton

http://www.sarahdaltonbooks.com

[Lady Agatha 10]

Hi Sarah

 

I've just followed you on Twitter. I'm @agathadascoyne

[Jimmy 1984 10]

I know what you mean Sarah. I haven't got a facebook, twitter or website set up. I did once have a facebook account, but at the time I was on a Masters in Creative writing course at Manchester Met and found I was spending more time reading facebook than doing any work - it was a distraction so I got rid of it. Not sure I can really set one up again, I'll feel like a bit of a loser having to re add people...

 

I am going to set up a website though definitely think that is the way forward. Well done for getting your short story published!!

 

I was thinking of setting up a blog for the writing group by the way, I have been told its quite easy, attach it onto the bank street website so anyone can see the work being critiqued and what people are saying...scary but good..

[SarahD 10]

Thanks Agatha! I've followed back.

 

Jimmy, I think if you just log back into your facebook it basically is just the same as before with all your friends still there. You should definitely try twitter, there are loads of writers and agents who tweet. You can get some really good info and advice.

 

P.s would be great if people could like my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarah-DaltonAuthor/152388908154545

 

Thanks guys. Let me know if I can reciprocate.

 

I really need to start blogging but I find it so boring!

[EddM 10]

Good idea this.

 

I'm @EJMustill on Twitter and I've got a pretty basic wordpress website (only set up recently: eddmustill.wordpress.com/

[SarahD 10]

I've followed back. Thanks Ed

[cornucopia 10]

It’s always handy if you post on internet forums to make sure your ‘signature’ always directs people to your website. This way, no matter what you say, people can find out more about your work. For example Sarah, you can replace your signature with this (works on almost any forum)

 

Find me on the web at: [url="http://www.arahdaltonbooks.com"] sarahdaltonbooks.com[/url] | [url="http://www.twitter.com/sarahdalton"] twitter.com/sarahdalton[/url] | [url="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarah-DaltonAuthor/152388908154545"]facebook.com/sarah-dalton[/url]

 

Which will produce this:

 

Find me on the web at: sarahdaltonbooks.com | twitter.com/sarahdalton | facebook.com/sarah-dalton

 

Also you can shorten your facebook fanpage (so it's easier to share) by using the settings here: https://www.facebook.com/username/. Hope you and others find this handy.

[sharper_fin 10]

That's true Sarah but be careful: an increasing number of forums will throw you off their books for such 'inappropriate advertising' (under their forum rules). Always check with each site first.

[SarahD 10]

That's a great tip, thanks!

 

I pretty much only use this forum so hopefully should be ok, but thanks sharper_fin

[De Batz 10]

Your first link wasn't right - it leads to a null page. Check the spelling on the actual hyperlink - if you copied and pasted Cornucopia's html, the initial 's' was missing.

 

I'd be interested to know how many of you would be willing to give away substantial pieces of work for free over the internet. As in, a large collection of short stories or (gasp!) a novel... My current plan is to get a novel finished, then publish it online with no hope or attempt to make money out of it.

 

Andy

[Ian Rivedon 10]

Andy,

 

Had the same idea myself. Have you checked out the Kindle option? I registered some time ago in the expectation of publishing. It looks really easy, and your work becomes available on Amazon. I haven't used it yet because my university study has compromised things a little. Maybe other SWG members can add to this?

 

IR

[De Batz 10]

I'm still a few months shy of completing the first chunk of my novel, so at the moment all effort - other than the occasional foray on here - is directed at trying to get some actual writing done... With baby demands and what have you, I've not made much progress since last summer. But yes, my intention was to publish essentially a pdf or kindle format version for nothing, although no research has gone in as yet.

 

The other thing worth saying is that I have a plan for a huge, sprawling epic novel that I'm still only part-way through the first section, so if it did get picked up then I'd still have plenty in reserve. I'm not sure how I'd feel if I had wrenched my guts to write a perfect, complete piece of literature to then give it away, particularly if I had nothing else left to write.

 

Andy