tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post8213480293106821620..comments2023-04-20T06:55:07.427-06:00Comments on Johanna's Spillworthy Thoughts: Readers are everything.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-77739355197151711012010-10-10T03:28:38.000-06:002010-10-10T03:28:38.000-06:00You've hit the nail on the head.You've hit the nail on the head.Simbelmynënoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-28564871733710673292010-10-10T03:37:38.000-06:002010-10-10T03:37:38.000-06:00Great article Johanna. You have skillfully articul...Great article Johanna. You have skillfully articulated what I have sensed is happening in publishing and the importance for authors to develop their readership directly. I used to use a distribution list but I find my blog works better for that self subscribing everyday contact. I send updates out only every 4-6 weeks via email. And twitter has been awesome as a way to connect with others and share links to my work be it writing, painting or photography.Terrill Welchhttp://creativepotager.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-22678777464207115822010-10-10T03:22:53.000-06:002010-10-10T03:22:53.000-06:00Wonderful post, Johanna. I've RT'd it.Wonderful post, Johanna. I've RT'd it.Maureenhttp://writingwithoutpaper.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-38553952636611496992010-10-09T11:03:10.000-06:002010-10-09T11:03:10.000-06:00Readers are everything: a paradigm for pre-publish...Readers are everything: a paradigm for pre-published authors http://johannaharness.com/blog/2010/10/0... #amwritingjohannaharnesshttp://twitoaster.com/country-us/johannaharness/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-23016249929832274882010-10-09T11:13:39.000-06:002010-10-09T11:13:39.000-06:00@johannaharness re: readers are everything -- grea...@johannaharness re: readers are everything -- great summary. I love "If it feels smarmy, it probably is." So much important stuff here.eyreanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-37215057671507722022010-10-09T05:25:08.000-06:002010-10-09T05:25:08.000-06:00[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Johann...[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Johanna Harness, Ryan Adkins, John Betcher, Whiz Buzz, Reader Writer and others. Reader Writer said: Readers are everything.: Last week in “Happy Trumps Smart,” I talked about choosing a writing path that... http://dlvr.it/6q3Gt #writerblogs [...]Tweets that mention Readers are everything. | Johanna's big thoughts -- Topsy.comhttp://topsy.com/johannaharness.com/blog/2010/10/09/readers-are-everything/?utm_source=pingback&utm_campaign=L2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-54617336971403462152010-10-09T12:27:26.000-06:002010-10-09T12:27:26.000-06:00@johannaharness WOW! Every writer should read your...@johannaharness WOW! Every writer should read your latest blog entry. You are on the verge of something big! http://johannaharness.com/blog/2010/10/0... #amwritingjas_chroniclesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-30023711846925400422010-10-09T11:47:03.000-06:002010-10-09T11:47:03.000-06:00This is EXACTLY why I like to give away my #Friday...This is EXACTLY why I like to give away my #FridayFlash stories - because I want to get readers excited about my writing. I've seen some success thus far, and have a small (but growing) group of people wanting a book.<br><br>I've listed ny writer's mission statement on my website: I will always leave you wanting to come back for more.<br><br>Focus on the reader is the only way to go.Tony Nolandhttp://www.TonyNoland.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-34200025872123603042010-10-09T17:41:40.000-06:002010-10-09T17:41:40.000-06:00@eyrea Thank you, Katherine!@eyrea Thank you, Katherine!johannaharnesshttp://twitoaster.com/country-us/johannaharness/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-24038665132040148682010-10-09T17:42:22.000-06:002010-10-09T17:42:22.000-06:00RT @jas_chronicles: @johannaharness WOW! Every wri...RT @jas_chronicles: @johannaharness WOW! Every writer should read your latest blog entry. You are on the verge of something big! http:// ...pabloamhttp://twitoaster.com/country-ar/pabloam/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-35722648724831249452010-10-09T12:31:10.000-06:002010-10-09T12:31:10.000-06:00Love it! I'm here, reading.Love it! I'm here, reading.misty provencherhttp://tenaciousink.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-25800406212936011102010-10-09T12:36:13.000-06:002010-10-09T12:36:13.000-06:00I've found that writing serial fiction, especi...I've found that writing serial fiction, especially serial fanfiction, taps into a huge market of very devoted readers. I've had over 100,00 reads this past year, hopefully some of those readers will recognize the name and also want to read my book ;) The problem with building a readership is the need to devote so much of your time not only to writing the short stories or serials, but also to interacting with your readers, replying to their comments, updating frequently enough that they look for your name. It's hard work that takes a serious amount of writing time away from working on your novels, so it's a catch-22 in a way ;) Still, it will hopefully be worth it in the end.Sessha Battohttp://sesshabattousai.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-19482095619331035032010-10-09T12:46:35.000-06:002010-10-09T12:46:35.000-06:00Great post!! Definitely something for writer's...Great post!! Definitely something for writer's to think about.Sara McClunghttp://babblingflow.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-3332218180392884372010-10-09T12:55:48.000-06:002010-10-09T12:55:48.000-06:00Can I just say ... "You took the words right ...Can I just say ... "You took the words right out of my mouth!" ::waves:: :claps:: <br><br>I have been saying this EXACT thing this week, to my writing partner, to my husband. This is SO true and SO valuable and is exactly the path I quite literally chose YESTERDAY (October 8th) in a fit of hysterics after my 4th novel started off with a prompt series of rejections and I said to myself ... "What do I really want with my work? To let them sit on my computer or to get them read?" <br><br>To get them read of course! That's ALL I want ... even if it means just one person somewhere whether they are published by a big agency or not, though for each new story, I will TRY and move on if it doesn't work. <br><br>So, BRAVO for self-realization and taking steps that make you happy! ::claps::Aimee Lainehttp://www.aimeelaine.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-24913104730002910082010-10-09T19:00:51.000-06:002010-10-09T19:00:51.000-06:00RT @johannaharness: Readers are everything: a para...RT @johannaharness: Readers are everything: a paradigm for pre-published authors http://johannaharness.com/blog/2010/10/0... #amwritingaimeelainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-49639552269758259022010-10-09T13:43:30.000-06:002010-10-09T13:43:30.000-06:00Jason--thanks for all your twitter comments! I ca...Jason--thanks for all your twitter comments! I can't wait to read your story. <br><br>Tony--Yes! Those of you involved with #fridayflash were way ahead of the curve. It's so great to hear reports from those of you who have been doing this longer. The fact that you continue to be enthusiastic speaks volumes.<br><br>Misty--Yay! :)<br><br>Sessha--I will write more about this next week. I've been thinking along the same lines. I come from the teaching profession where good teachers always feel the needs of their students. No matter how much we do, there is always more that can be done. We establish priorities and set boundaries. We do our best. We have to trust it's enough. I'm finding the same is true with writing. If I protect my writing time, I have more energy to give to readers and writers, but I can't do it all.<br><br>Sara--Yes. Changing the paradigm changes how we spend our time.<br><br>Aimee--I can feel your excitement! What do writers want? Readers. It's what we all want.Johannahttp://www.johannaharness.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-5899590879683899232010-10-09T13:46:53.000-06:002010-10-09T13:46:53.000-06:00Thank you so much for saying this out loud in such...Thank you so much for saying this out loud in such a clear, eloquent way. I think so many of us grew up with the idea that the only way to become a successful novelist was to get a good agent and get published by a major publishing house. Everything has changed, but the new ways haven't entirely jelled yet. It's exciting and I'm looking forward with hope and anticipation. I get so happy when someone writes that they liked a story on my blog. It's the best feeling to know someone read your work and it did something for them. Your post made my day.Pamila Paynehttp://www.pamilapayne.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-10775752503565626342010-10-10T12:04:09.000-06:002010-10-10T12:04:09.000-06:00Johanna, this is a wonderfully thoughtful piece. T...Johanna, this is a wonderfully thoughtful piece. Thank you for being so candid about your own experience. I wholeheartedly agree with this:<br><br>"You know what they say about watching how your date treats the waiter? Yeah. No matter how an agent treats clients, I don’t want to work with someone who treats people badly. I don’t care if you let me into the cool club if you’re mean to others. Period."<br><br>I've seen a lot of what you mention above on Twitter in the form of rants about people who query, and it's such a turn-off. I think I'm only now following two who treat people with respect on-line. Fact of the matter, if they're jerks on-line, they're probably jerks off-line. No thanks.<br><br>Great post.Ezzy G. Languzzinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-7394253456910238692010-10-10T12:32:43.000-06:002010-10-10T12:32:43.000-06:00Loved the blog Johanna--readers ARE what it's ...Loved the blog Johanna--readers ARE what it's all about. In trying to maneuver the publishing world, we tend to forget that. Thanks for the reminder. :)Jina Oravetzhttp://www.jinaoravetz.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-49942052788554452802010-10-11T02:43:56.000-06:002010-10-11T02:43:56.000-06:00I agree with you and have done the same as Mr. Nol...I agree with you and have done the same as Mr. Noland. I have short stories published online (in 4theluv markets) and I see it as sort of a 'calling card' of my storytelling abilities. <br><br>With so many people writing novels and trying to get published, I think you need that little something extra (an egar and captive audience?) to give you that advantage. It is fair? Probably not, but I feel it shows some degree of dedication if you're willing to give something away.J.L. Johnsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-68857167848800863252010-10-11T08:23:14.000-06:002010-10-11T08:23:14.000-06:00Great thoughts. I love your idea to go with short ...Great thoughts. I love your idea to go with short stories. Too bad I simply don't write them. But I do promote my work by giving away free copies of my books when I can to schools, shelters, etc. to help build an audience.LK Gardner-Griffiehttp://www.griffieworld.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-70211748225673840152010-10-11T12:17:09.000-06:002010-10-11T12:17:09.000-06:00Fantastic post!!! Wait, that's not enough excl...Fantastic post!!! Wait, that's not enough exclamation points - !!!!!!<br><br>I'd kind of been thinking similar thoughts, but they were half formed and nebulous. Everything crystallized when I read this article. Thank you SO much. Time to start hanging out with my readers.Angela Perrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-90841993591973928182010-10-11T13:50:08.000-06:002010-10-11T13:50:08.000-06:00Excellent. You've distilled the situation perf...Excellent. You've distilled the situation perfectly. I'm going to follow your example... just as soon as I devise my own strategy in doing so. I'll probably use you as a sounding board. Fair warning. Thanks for writing such an incisive article about the importance of readers.<br><br>Take care,<br>JessJessica Rosenhttp://jessrosen.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150322794779933406.post-70689481088213530842010-10-16T01:41:13.000-06:002010-10-16T01:41:13.000-06:00Pamila--Yes! As the publishing industry changes, ...Pamila--Yes! As the publishing industry changes, we must allow our writing identities to change too. It's amazing how much writers have invested in the old models.<br><br>Maureen, Simbelmynë--Thank you.<br><br>Terrill--Yes. I think we're seeing a transition in thinking and many are coming to the same conclusions. I'm still trying to find the right pattern for contacting readers. Twitter is great for me, but the turnover there is also big. To keep in long-term contact, I'm thinking it helps to turn that twitter connection into email. People tend to stay with the same email address.<br><br>Ezzy--I try to be compassionate about people who turn negative. Happy people don't tend to spend their time tearing others down and there's a lot of pain in the publishing industry right now. The more negative people are, the more I assume they're hurting. It's sad. That said, when I'm looking for professionals to represent my work, excessive negativity is a red flag. Something is wrong in that person's life--quite possibly their professional life. I don't want that bad energy attached to my work. <br><br>Jina--Yes! It's all about the readers.<br><br>J.L.--Yes, it is the something extra. It's a great opportunity! Why not embrace it?<br><br>LK--I love that you give away copies of your books. Short stories don't come naturally to me either, but neither do queries or synopses. At least when I finish I short story, I've added to the body of my work--and that feels great!<br><br>Angela--Hooray! Yes, that's what happened for me when I started putting readers at the forefront of my mind: it all crystalized.<br><br>Jess--Yes. I think the beauty of this is that authors can find their own path. All the details can be altered to fit the individual writer.Johannahttp://www.johannaharness.comnoreply@blogger.com