tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post3072307665690138252..comments2023-11-02T02:40:48.410-07:00Comments on Crime Fiction Collective: Stop the Spin Cycle!L.J. Sellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10213491074676394406noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-89076196962060753992013-09-08T15:46:20.422-07:002013-09-08T15:46:20.422-07:00Happy Anniversary. (I don't think belated beca...Happy Anniversary. (I don't think belated because I noted it on Facebook, which I can skim faster. I'm six months behind you on the anniversary front. Hopefully not that far on the publishing front. :)<br /><br />Regarding spin: It's something I fight against in my classes and in my non-fiction. It's one of the biggest, and one of the few correct, criticisms against independent publishing. If someone wins an Edgar (or a Hugo or an Oscar, etc.), they have earned the right. The same applies, in a different way, to a curated best-seller list. The label must mean something - it must be verifiable and related to common meanings.<br /><br />The advent of Newspeak in TV, especially news, and the internet puts a "puffery barrier" around people. It allows pretense to be real. (I tried out for the basketball team in high school. There was no spin or puffery there. I wasn't tall enough or athletic enough to make the team. No spin. If I wanted to be on the team next year, I would have had to make the effort to become more athletic. (Becoming taller wasn't an option.) <br /><br />Seth Godin talks about authenticity, building trust, connecting. Spin and puff eventually dissipate, leaving spatters of mud to be wiped up.David Y.B. Kaufmannhttp://www.davidybkaufmann.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-4483914312136744762013-09-08T13:34:59.405-07:002013-09-08T13:34:59.405-07:00Maybe, but these days, the phrase is passed out so...Maybe, but these days, the phrase is passed out so loosely, that I suspect readers are wising up to it and maybe giving it less credibility. More than anything else, I still hold firm to the belief that writing the best damned book you can is the most effective tool for selling one. Everything else is just window dressing.ANDREW E. KAUFMANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08835920472268730244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-75841566198447403702013-09-08T13:23:08.873-07:002013-09-08T13:23:08.873-07:00I love that you hold the ranking more as a reminde...I love that you hold the ranking more as a reminder to yourself than a sales tool. I do think it helps sales though… if a new reader isn't sure, she can feel better because you have passed approval by so many others.Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-61976790612689896212013-09-08T13:20:21.394-07:002013-09-08T13:20:21.394-07:00And thanks for providing a different perspective.And thanks for providing a different perspective.Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-52046394220496401742013-09-08T12:42:28.255-07:002013-09-08T12:42:28.255-07:00I didn't actually call myself a bestselling au...I didn't actually call myself a bestselling author until I reached the higher tiered ranks (top of the broader genres and overall list). I could have before that, but it didn't feel authentic to me--so instead, I called myself one privately and enjoyed it in the same way. I do now use that statement in my logo, but really, I don't actually feel it sells more books. Again, it's more for me--to remind myself of where I started, where I am now, and to appreciate it so I keep working harder to do better.<br /><br />Congrats on your anniversary, my friend--that is something to proudly proclaim :)ANDREW E. KAUFMANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08835920472268730244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-4715842110576654072013-09-08T11:16:04.961-07:002013-09-08T11:16:04.961-07:00I guess everyone needs to evaluate their own value...I guess everyone needs to evaluate their own values and decide whether or not "permissable puffery" aligns with them. <br /><br />To me, and obviously not for everyone, permisssable puffery is just a cuter word for spin, and to me, it's deceptive.<br /><br />Thanks for commenting.Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-59985905509681065032013-09-07T21:07:18.481-07:002013-09-07T21:07:18.481-07:00The "bestseller" label for books that re...The "bestseller" label for books that reach number 1 in their very small categories always induces the eye rolling for me. It's the most irksome false advertising. While one of my books reached #1 in thrillers for a very short time, I don't consider that a best seller when it comes to marketing. If it stayed there for a year, that's an entirely different matter. Great post Peg. Congrats on 33 years, and congrats to all who have won legit awards and earned legit bestseller status.Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10384070533603453713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-44084071590532063072013-09-07T20:31:44.785-07:002013-09-07T20:31:44.785-07:00GREAT POST!
My son is VP of an international adver...GREAT POST!<br />My son is VP of an international advertising firm in Boston. I defer to him, a lot. In the advertising business it is common practice to consider the use of 'permissible puffery'. We see it on product after product--number one, best-selling, etc. I suppose in all avenues of commerce there is a great deal of misuse, if not blatant abuse, in their sales tactics.<br />We authors are told by our publicists to create our platforms, and that means digging deep into who we are and what has made us who we are. I don't feel like that is deceptive. Sidney Sheldon endorsed me with a blurb or two. And I state he went on to mentor me for several years. Did he converse with me every week? Every month? Heck no. But enough that I have absolutely no qualms taking this to my platform. Funny, though. I've saved the communications because I've had Doubting Thomas's. What's that about?Lala Corrierehttp://www.lalacorriere.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-88244473844420470372013-09-07T12:40:35.705-07:002013-09-07T12:40:35.705-07:00Thanks, Terry. I'll be sure and add that. ;DThanks, Terry. I'll be sure and add that. ;DPeg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-25201168701353828542013-09-07T06:15:05.537-07:002013-09-07T06:15:05.537-07:00Thanks, John! You made my day. Thanks, John! You made my day. L.J. Sellershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10213491074676394406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-36465706251420291202013-09-06T20:35:27.224-07:002013-09-06T20:35:27.224-07:00Peg, this is a fabulous post! But, you forgot one....Peg, this is a fabulous post! But, you forgot one...international bestselling author!!! :D<br /><br />And Happy Anniversary! That's a lot of years, I know because I've got you beat by one year.Terry Ambrosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14859532145979982213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-86163265879578116592013-09-06T16:12:28.595-07:002013-09-06T16:12:28.595-07:00You're a quick study, Morgan.You're a quick study, Morgan.Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-32395858302453076952013-09-06T14:54:18.439-07:002013-09-06T14:54:18.439-07:00Now I know how to do it, I'll have to try some...Now I know how to do it, I'll have to try some! lol<br /><br />Morgan MandelMorgan Mandelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-30934652928428248432013-09-06T10:24:01.348-07:002013-09-06T10:24:01.348-07:00How could I forget that?!How could I forget that?!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12487464497446199247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-63719319732993153612013-09-06T10:20:56.322-07:002013-09-06T10:20:56.322-07:00Being an avid fan of all mystery and who done it b...Being an avid fan of all mystery and who done it books, I follow most all of those authors who write books with good story lines. For years I have followed authors such as Cornwell, Patterson, J.D Robb, and Jack HIggins to name a few. <br /><br />I have been reading for pleasure until three years ago do to a medical issue I know read out of necessity. Last year thanks to Google, I found the books of L J Sellers as I needed a new author who wrote with the reader in mind. LJ had me hooked with the first Wade Jackson book that I have now read the entire series. Her stand alone books were great and I know her new series in January will be a great read.<br /><br />My enjoyment is that the story line is not predictable. I have also been happy with those authors she has suggested I read. I for one would like to see more authors creating characters that seem real. Chicago John's Mystery Thoughtshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03127394292117694370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-51971985112965108472013-09-06T10:18:47.235-07:002013-09-06T10:18:47.235-07:00You left out the fact you're a founder and con...You left out the fact you're a founder and contributing author of the internationally renowned blog, Crime Fiction Collective. Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-22012780372321946182013-09-06T10:12:05.680-07:002013-09-06T10:12:05.680-07:00Great post, Peg.
I am an award-winning actress (hi...Great post, Peg.<br />I am an award-winning actress (high school drama competition), published poet (local newspaper), acclaimed book reviewer (just look at my LinkedIn page) and an experienced editor (high school and library school yearbooks).<br /><br />Happy anniversary to you and LOYL.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12487464497446199247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-28126052659048473772013-09-06T09:03:26.125-07:002013-09-06T09:03:26.125-07:00Just realized that should have been "roll&quo...Just realized that should have been "roll" of stickers. I should never post before I'm fully awake. L.J. Sellershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10213491074676394406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-58870548317595531012013-09-06T08:45:16.471-07:002013-09-06T08:45:16.471-07:00I hadn't even considered the additional resear...I hadn't even considered the additional research conference organizers are forced to go through. Unless it's a famous author, you can't be quite sure of their bios, can you? Ugh.<br /><br />Even the Times bestseller list is open to wild manipulation, but at least it's more valuable than the Family Newsletter. ;-)Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-12844411366166619882013-09-06T08:01:25.143-07:002013-09-06T08:01:25.143-07:00Thank you for writing this, Peg. As someone who he...Thank you for writing this, Peg. As someone who helps organize a conference, I cringe when I see this kind of spin. Unless it's a "New York Times/USA Today bestselling" or "Edgar/Anthony" nominee or the like, I have to go on a search to see how accurate those well-spun labels are. We do try to place all of our authors, but it's important to know which are likely to draw attendees and which are more likely to be new discoveries.<br /><br />(When my publicist wanted to call me an award-winning author, I told him he had to specify that it was an award for service.)<br /><br />Happy anniversary, Peg. May you and DH have many more.<br /><br />Jaden Terrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11113218513166921429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-19651928938214167592013-09-06T08:01:02.456-07:002013-09-06T08:01:02.456-07:00Queen of Something sounds good. I have a pillow th...Queen of Something sounds good. I have a pillow that says Princess of Quite A Lot.Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-20286635674370383922013-09-06T07:59:06.876-07:002013-09-06T07:59:06.876-07:00That's the sad thing about the spinners. They ...That's the sad thing about the spinners. They ruin it for everyone else, including readers who used to be able to rely on that sort of thing.Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-50711894630596003012013-09-06T07:57:26.824-07:002013-09-06T07:57:26.824-07:00I know! Don't you want to ask them on what lis...I know! Don't you want to ask them on what list?Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-68663039879261555112013-09-06T07:56:17.845-07:002013-09-06T07:56:17.845-07:00I remember when Amazon first attached the term &qu...I remember when Amazon first attached the term "bestselling" to me. What did they know I didn't? I'm still not sure, but like you, I know that selling well doesn't equate to bestselling.<br /><br />It feels good to take the high road though, doesn't it?Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-66731085499525041072013-09-06T07:52:57.193-07:002013-09-06T07:52:57.193-07:00L.J., you're one of the "Legits" who...L.J., you're one of the "Legits" who, if anything, downplay your accomplishments. The sad thing is that spin-monsters corrupt acknowledgments for everyone.Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.com