Writer's Websites And Ways To Market Your Book
Authonomy is a social website directed at building a community of writers and fans of books. It's is the brainchild of HarperCollins UK.
Authonomy allows you to build a profile and then, if you choose, you can upload a book you have written. If someone likes your book enough, they can "BACK" your book by placing it on their bookshelf. Backing your book gives your book a rating in the community and moves it up the rankings. If someone likes your book, but chooses not to BACK it, they can also put it on a "Watchlist" which also adds to the books rating in the community. The goal is for your book to make it to the editor's desk.
Only members of the community can "BACK" or "WATCH" a book, but anyone can read your book. Members of the Authonomy site are also encouraged to comment on the books they read. At the end of every thirty day period the top 5 books on the editors desk are reviewed by editors at Harper Collins.
Harper Collins is a publisher that gets 1000's of queries a day. As any aspiring writer knows, when you send a query to a publisher, you're lucky to make the slush pile instead of the circular file (garbage pail for the people who are younger than myself). At Authonomy you have a chance to make it off the slush pile and right into an editors lap. They promise to read the first 10,000 words. Does this mean you will get a publshing deal? ABSOLUTELY NOT!
It seems as though some writers think that just because their book makes the top of the list, they deserve a contract. Just because you've managed to socially market your book, does not mean that book is worthy of publishing.
In my first week on Authonomy, my book Peninsula, climbed 5500 spots. I received great critiques from a lot of talented writers. So much so that I am already re-editing. In return for their critiques and votes for my book, I felt obligated to read some of their books. When I come across great plots and great writing, I happily BACK or WATCH that particular book.
Like so many other people though, I have preferences. Books that I back must have some attribute that hooks me. If the book is something I don't care for, whether the plot is not that great or the story has been told before, or the writing is just plain bad or it's just a genre I don't particularly enjoy, I find it hard to support that book. For instance, I have a big problem with people who have lived what they consider a long life with ups and downs, and believe that they must tell their story. That may be a great hand me down for your family....BUT....
This type of book has been done a million times by the not so well known to the famous. In every case, I am just not interested. In fact, as a health care professional, I have seen real suffering and real stories. Sometimes they need to be written, but in a lot of cases, very similar stories have already been written. They don't need to be done again. I just find it hard to believe that these books have much of a place in the literary world. When they do find a niche, they are superiorly written and have a story that NEEDS to be shared.
A perfect example would be the "octomom" lady. I had heard rumors that she has a book deal....WHY?!?! Or Kate Gosselin, she has a book deal. WHY?!?!
On Authonomy, because it is also social marketing, there are some people who hang over the site like vultures. They wait for each new member, say something nice, and then drop the question...Would you back my book because I backed yours?
This is my biggest problem with the site. I have what I think is integrity. I consider myself a good writer and work on my craft daily. I write 3 online columns, 3 blogs and submit to contests all the time. I am also working on my third novel, with notes for a fourth. I can't back a bad book.
The flipside to that thought is that if I don't back someone who backed me, I don't get anymore votes. It doesn't sit well with me. After backing 2 books like that, I felt sick to my stomach. I then reversed my decision and pulled those books from my page. It is not fair that a talented writers' work gets passed up for someone who has all the time in the world to network.
Now, don't get me wrong, the majority of books that climb high in the rankings are great books. I hope these writers get to see them published. On these books that deserve support, I offer my support with any critique I think might improve them. The author can take the critique or leave it, but I offer it constructively.
The books are listed by genre of course. This raises another issue...or not. Some genre's are just more popular than others. Let's be honest. A LOT of women read. Though they might not all be into Chick Lit, chances are that a Chick Lit story will attract them more than something such as Science Fiction. It's a matter of taste. That being said, a good Chick Lit novel may climb the ranks faster and higher than the latter category. It's not wrong, its just the way it is. As a writer I understand that, but I write what I write because that IS what I write. Popluarity be damned,
I have a friend who wrote a novel that fits into the Chick Lit category. She did not want to list it as such, but that's what it is. You have to find your crowd of readers. Listing your book under something it's not is just not going to help at all. Now, what she is finding is that although she had to list her book in that genre, she is getting great feedback and climbing the ranks. When she passes me, I am only proud of her and her book. It's well written and a great story. Look for it. It's called Harper's Road written by Melody Lark. You won't be disappointed.
Now I have heard complaints fom authors that made it to the top of the editor list. They believe that they made it to the top and they should be published. Sorry, that's not the way it goes in publishing, and Harper Collins does not promise that. What they promise is a read and a critique. If the author chooses to accept the critique and make changes, then they may get another read. If on the other hand, the editors like the book, they may just get published. A NOTE TO HARPER COLLINS, I AM READY AND WILLING TO MAKE ANY CHANGES YOU SEE FIT....IMMEDIATELY!!!
Again, just by listing my book Peninsula, the feedback I have gotten from people has been tremendous. Great ideas, points, suggestions. I am eating it up.
Harper Collins has taken some steps to protect the writers on their site as well. Copy and paste has been disabled on the books that are listed, and when you delete a book or chapter, it is completely taken off the Authonomy site. They warn that if someone is going to steal your material, they will probably find some way to do it. The one solid way to protect yourself from this is always to apply and confirm a copyright. In the USA, you apply through the United States Copyright Office. If you choose to upload your book without that copyright, you still have an automatic copyright if you can prove when the book was written, but that is very risky and I do not recommend it. Always protect yourself as much as possible.
I have also heard that Authonomy may take the books listed on their site and offer them as ebooks. I have searched the website, and I can not find anywhere that this is stated or inferred. In fact, they do specifically state that the writer gives up nothing as far as rights to their material...at all. Again, protect your material. Authonomy states that you only have to upload 10,000 words to make your books public and available for viewing and backing. There is no need upload anymore than that. Why take that risk?
All in all, Authonomy is a good idea and a site that is filled with writers and readers. My experience has been good so far, and I look forward to climbing the ranks. Look for Peninsula By RC Shivers and make some comments. I wlecome the feedback. Good or bad, it will always improve my craft.
