Let's see...JD's been at this writing thing for, ah...three years now and I remember the first thing I wanted to do when getting online:
Post excerpts of my work.
Afterall, if people can't SEE it, how can they fall in love? It was on my blog, my FB account, and other random places. Mind you, I didn't post the stuff to get feedback, I posted it just because I wanted people to read it (let's forget that it was total crap). So, I didn't have a good reason. Newbie. :-)
Now, there are several good reasons to post your work online:
1. To get feedback. (Thank you, Nathan Bransford's Forum!)
2. To make a point about something. (Like that time Sarah and I posted crits of our pages, which you can still find on this here blog. Well, my pages, anyway. Sarah's had to come down--read below to find out why.)
3. People DO do it to get a fan base (fanfic websites, their blogs, etc). And hey, if this works for you--go for it!
But there are also reason not to post your work online:
1. Some people are paranoid their idea will get swiped.
2. Some people don't want the attention (good or bad) that comes with it. Or they do want the attention and then realize they aren't getting the kind they didn't want!
3. And whatever reason you have come up with.
There are lots of reasons on both sides (depending on you).
In either case, there's ONE very important thing to remember:
When you snag that super agent and your book goes out on sub, all those excerpts need to come down. And even after the subbing is over and you've got a book deal, you'll still need to keep the book contents out of sight. Why?
When your agent is subbing, publishers might google you. What if they find a super old crappy copy of the book? I guarantee the book that is out on sub is way different than the original. The publisher needs to know about the book NOW, not the book ten years ago. And then once you land that contract, the book will change even more and the publishers want possible readers to see the BEST of you. The BEST of your work. So when you get the final, polished copy, you will be able to share excerpts, lines, etc. But you'll have to wait until that opportune moment.
I'm sure there are even more reasons you could add to all three of these topics. What do you guys think? Any of you had to go through this? What was your experience like?
~JD
Post excerpts of my work.
Afterall, if people can't SEE it, how can they fall in love? It was on my blog, my FB account, and other random places. Mind you, I didn't post the stuff to get feedback, I posted it just because I wanted people to read it (let's forget that it was total crap). So, I didn't have a good reason. Newbie. :-)
Now, there are several good reasons to post your work online:
1. To get feedback. (Thank you, Nathan Bransford's Forum!)
2. To make a point about something. (Like that time Sarah and I posted crits of our pages, which you can still find on this here blog. Well, my pages, anyway. Sarah's had to come down--read below to find out why.)
3. People DO do it to get a fan base (fanfic websites, their blogs, etc). And hey, if this works for you--go for it!
But there are also reason not to post your work online:
1. Some people are paranoid their idea will get swiped.
2. Some people don't want the attention (good or bad) that comes with it. Or they do want the attention and then realize they aren't getting the kind they didn't want!
3. And whatever reason you have come up with.
There are lots of reasons on both sides (depending on you).
In either case, there's ONE very important thing to remember:
When you snag that super agent and your book goes out on sub, all those excerpts need to come down. And even after the subbing is over and you've got a book deal, you'll still need to keep the book contents out of sight. Why?
When your agent is subbing, publishers might google you. What if they find a super old crappy copy of the book? I guarantee the book that is out on sub is way different than the original. The publisher needs to know about the book NOW, not the book ten years ago. And then once you land that contract, the book will change even more and the publishers want possible readers to see the BEST of you. The BEST of your work. So when you get the final, polished copy, you will be able to share excerpts, lines, etc. But you'll have to wait until that opportune moment.
I'm sure there are even more reasons you could add to all three of these topics. What do you guys think? Any of you had to go through this? What was your experience like?
~JD
9 comments:
I very rarely post things except for scenes that were cut...but this is a good thing to keep in mind, even for things you sweep off the cutting room floor.
I post excerpts on my site. I find it draws people in
Thanks for the love over at Unedited!
I don't post excerpts of my work not for this reason, but it makes total sense. This is good to keep in mind if ever I feel like posting excerpts.
Sounds like a total nightmare! :0)
I wasn't even online when I signed my first book deal! I have posted two very short excerpts from my books and got permission from my publisher before I did so.
I wouldn't dare post any of my stuff online (unless it's very very bad poetry! LOL!) as I just don't think my stuff is good enough! Maybe once I'm all writerly famous (LOL!!) then maybe!
Take care
x
I hope to become a published writer someday. When I am, I wouldn't dare put excerpts on my blog for fear that I will be plagiarized.
www.modernworld4.blogspot.com
i don't know if it's true, but i read somewhere that if over a half (cumulative) of your novel is posted online, it is considered unpublishable per rights issues...
I've read that posting is publishing so I refrain. Plus I go to blogs for information and quick entertainment. I'm not usually in the frame of mind to appreciate long passages of someone's work.
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