New Topic for MN-authored books?

[Christmasbooks]

Hello MN and all MNers!

So, I posted in AIBU about my mum's excellent new book, which she has just self-published on Kindle (won't mention it by name here in case people think I'm doing a stealth extra plug for it) and loads of people were very kind and lovely and went off to buy a copy on Kindle.

However, some people thought I was being spammy and trying to make a buck. I wasn't; I was just trying to get some support for my lovely mum, but fair enough.

Some other people made the excellent suggestion of having a new Topic called "The Plug Hole" (geddit?) where MNers could freely and merrily post away about the books they've written or their family/friends have written.

I think, in this new dawn of self-publishing (!) that this is a totally awesome idea. I am often looking for a new, cheap Kindle book but buying the "top rated" on Amazon does not usually result in a good read. Something written by an MNer whose writing style I had admired would be a better bet and also, it would be nice to support each other.

So go on, MNHQ, how's about it??

[SconeRhymesWithGone]

Great idea, OP (and I bought your mum's book).

[ArthurShappey]

Ooh you and your 'lovely mum' are back. Glad you're sticking to MN guidelines this time though. ;)

I think this 'plug hole' thing still goes against MN advertising guidelines though and will be interested in seeing what they say about it.

The reason I'm still not keen though is what's to stop say MN crafters saying they want a topic for advertising their crafts for sale. And the next thing and the next thing.

It would be really annoying too if these kind of 'buy my book', 'my buy children's hand knitted wooly jumpers', 'buy my children's birthday cakes', 'buy my handmade jewellery' threads started to appear and clog up active convos though.

[Graendal]

I can't imagine who would visit that topic other than people plugging stuff and I would want it kept out of active convos too.

[tipsyloolah]

I was one of the miserable ones who said it was spammy .

I think this is a terrible idea - there are plenty of ways to publicise books, I don't want to come on here and see everyone plugging their latest tome (and I say that as a writer).

PP is absolutely right - why wouldn't it then be open season for everyone who creates something to want their own space? No, no, a million times no.

[Christmasbooks]

Oh dear, doesn't seem v popular! Good point about it inspiring multiple other requests for plugging stuff. I guess it's because I don't really think of books as "products" - I hadn't really considered that.

Also I guess loads of people would just join MN specifically to plug their books and we'd be no better off at all.

But nonetheless I do want to read books written by MNers. So - how can I find out about them?

[Christmasbooks]

Ps thanks scone for buying the book and totally agree that of course scone rhymes with gone btw.

[OutrageousFlavourLikeFreesias]

Hi ChristmasBooks, you could posts thread in Creative Writing and ask for writers to PM you with details?

(And well done to your mum by the way, I wish her all the best!)

[Christmasbooks]

Good idea Outrageous!

[Christmasbooks]

Found the perfect thread in Creative Writing :)