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| Marianne Evans |
For the
record, I’m kind of a social media junkie. Facebook most, Twitter next, with
Instagram running a distant third. I love connecting with readers. I love
connecting with friends. I love connecting with family and work colleagues from
my nine-to-five life. For better or worse, the reach of social media outlets is
far and wide, and it can enrich personal relationships as well as garner
exposure for writers.
But this
edition of Encouraging Monday’s isn’t about the discipline of pushing away from
the siren call of FB and Twitter when you should be writing and chasing
deadlines. Rather, I’m looking at social media through a different lens. Like
most visitors to Seriously Write, I function within the cyber realm in both a
personal and professional sense, so I wanted to share a few observations about
what I love and what I…well…don’t so much love about authors using Facebook,
Twitter and Instagram as a publicity platform.
First, the
love. I treasure the reading and writing relationships that I’ve discovered in
cyberspace. Some have even transformed to friendships IRL (in real life). I’ve
been blessed to be able to meet a number of fantastic reader friends and fellow
authors who are now vital ribbons within the tapestry of my life and heart. (I’ve
included a few pix of those precious ‘connection’ moments!) I also love the way
social media allows me to remain connected to extended family and helped me
maintain strong bonds despite logistical distance.
Now, on to
the…not so love. Being honest, I have to say, I’ve seen way too many authors forsake
balance, and friendship versus salesmanship to become ‘hawkers’ of their wares,
pushing for sales and exposure at every single click of the mouse and tap of
the keys. They tie their books, stories and characters to every post. I’m not
saying we shouldn’t advertise and promote our work. Far from it. I do so
frequently, and have been rewarded by support, encouragement, and those
friendships I mentioned just a bit ago. But, for example, when a reader friend
(non-author) remarks that they’re taking a vacation to New York City to
celebrate a birthday, and an author friend replies, “You should take my book ‘Love
Beyond The Empire State Building’ – you’ll just love it.” And in a second post
a few minutes later, adds, “BTW, happy birthday…”
Um…NO.
Sorry, but, just NO.
I changed
the details, of course, but I’ve seen varying episodes like this play out
repeatedly. There’s a fine line—a balance—that I believe must be established
between friendly posts and hitting readers over the head with 24/7 promotional
efforts. I watch over-eager authors push and prod and I think, ‘Breathe…and let
your reader friends breathe.’
The social
media conundrum makes me realize I shouldn’t be all about the next sale.
Instead I’m all about sharing, ministering, and communicating with the people
who connect to me as a person and connect to the books I write. One embellishes
the other; one honors the other. And, for me, the friends I make in
relationship to the personal, and the God-driven far outweighs the idea of
shamelessly and constantly promoting book after book after book.
What are
your thoughts? I’m eager to hear your take on the social media/promotion craze!
~~~~~
Marianne Evans is an
award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread
the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to
create. Devotion, earned the Bookseller’s Best Award as well as the Heart of Excellence
Award. Hearts Communion earned a win for Best Romance from the Christian Small
Publisher's Association. Finding Home won the Selah award for Best Novella.
Marianne is a lifelong resident of Michigan and an active member of Romance
Writers of America, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served
two terms as President.
~~~~~
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| Forgiveness |
Country music bad
boy Chase Bradington is on the comeback trail. Fresh from rehab for alcohol
addiction, and transformed by the power of Christ, Chase is battling to
rediscover the music he loves and a career he nearly ruined. Then he meets up
and comer, Pyper Brock, and instantly sparks ignite.
Pyper knows of
Chase’s reputation, so despite a rampant attraction to the handsome and
talented icon, she soundly dismisses his romantic overtures. Decades ago, her
father, in a drunken rage, tossed her and her mother onto the streets. No way
will Pyper make the mistake of falling for a man whose done battle with the
bottle.
What happens when
Chase’s quest to win Pyper’s love breaks down chains of resentment and eases
the long buried wounds of her childhood? And what happens when Pypers father
shows up in Nashville, clean, sober and seeking a chance to apologize?
Can Pyper
follow a pathway to peace when it comes to her father? Can she fully trust
Chase? Above all, can a sin damaged past be released in favor of forgiveness?
Releasing 11/1/2016 ~
Available for pre-order now at Amazon.com in PRINT and E-BOOK formats