I’e2’80’99ve only been doing this blogging thing since February, and without a doubt there are niceties of behavior of which I am not aware. However, can I ask for feedback on the following comment:
Chris said (concerning my post last week about ARCs) ‘e2’80’9cNot keen on the ‘e2’80’98advert.’e2’80’99 It’e2’80’99s presumptious. Not the done thing to use someone else’e2’80’99s web site without permission’e2’80’a6’e2’80’9d
So I’e2’80’99m asking about web etiquette here. Certainly it’e2’80’99s not the done thing to use the CONTENTS of someone’e2’80’99s site without ACKNOWLEDGMENT, but are we forbidden mere reference to another’e2’80’99s post? I had rather assumed the rules went along the lines of scholarly debate in print journals, with reference and refutation. Or are we to treat the contents of a blog as a private letter, only to be used with the express permission of the author?
And second, did anyone else take my posting as being an ‘e2’80’9cadvert’e2’80’9d? It was a criticism, certainly, of those who receive free ARCs from the publisher and turn around and sell them for profit, but I did not think I was presuming to ask anyone to buy one of my books who wouldn’e2’80’99t be buying it anyway.
I’e2’80’99d appreciate some response to Chris’e2’80’99s remarks.
Polite response, of course.
Thanks, Laurie.
KLCtheBookWorm says
December 6, 2005 at 2:52 pmRead through the post and thread of comments. Chris wasn’t commenting on your post (which isn’t an advert and has a link to the Galleycat entry that sparked the post) but rather the commentor who left a lengthy advert in their comment. It’s a variation on spamming to say “great site” and then plop in an essay to go see your own site.
Now had the person said “hey I discussed this issue on my site” or “this site has another take on the ARCs” and provided a link, that’s contributing to the debate. But that’s not what they did.
And you asked whether posts like that should be allowed. Chris voted no and I have to agree with him.
Ris says
December 6, 2005 at 3:01 pmI see it as you do. Blogs and websites are public expressions, not private ruminations, and I have no difficulties with others politely criticizing posts or linking to or quoting from blogs. I see it as if a person were to give an interview on television or for a paper. That is a public statement and can and might be quoted (and sometimes misrepresented as has happened to me) by other sources.
For writers and artists who also have their own work to promote, a blog seems to me a natural procession from website marketing. I think when you do comment on the books you have on the market, you do so with grace and humility.
When authors write for public consumption, no matter if it is a blog or an interview, it becomes a marketing tool in some way. It’s simply the nature of the beast. I doubt anyone would comment on your advertising on your website. It seems odd to expect an author not to refer to the purchase of her own works in her blog, especially in reference to a practice that is neither encouraged or appreciated such as purchasing an ARC. You were making a point, and an excellent one. And I agree with it whole-heartedly.
Cheers!
Anonymous says
December 7, 2005 at 11:28 pmIts your blog, so say what you want! But as my 80 year old mother says–tacky tacky–for someone to use your blog to promote ‘his’ stuff, whether it is his book, or his blog, or his whatever. But you can promote, advertise, have a yard sale on your blog–and we can make comments! Here is my promotion:
Please remember the people on the gulf coast as you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year. Many people are living in tents with children staying elsewhere.
Kris G. says
December 8, 2005 at 3:47 amChiming in a bit late, I have to say I enjoy when a blogger references another’s blog. I use that as a way to find interesting other blogs to read, and I enjoy chaining through references to chase down a discussion.
Of course, I’m an academic by nature and training, so I may be biased 🙂
Anonymous says
May 27, 2006 at 9:31 pmNot to sound parochial and judgemental but, the use of the word “keen” in a phrase that is not juvenile tells us that the author of the remark is from an island where “keen” is used by adults. Perhaps one should consider the place of origin of the blog before one comments. For example; out in them Texas hills the speak a different venacular than we do on the California coast. On the Island or continent where “keen” is part of the venacular, they take rubbers to school to erase mistakes. Nuff’ said? No? Well, when in Rome use their tongues. And shopping is facilitated by conforming to local custom.