Do you read authors' blogs or follow them on Twitter?

[SolidGoldBrass]

I really want to know because I am a lazy bastard and don't want extra work. A lot of my writing pals have blogs and big up each other on their blogs and visit each other's blogs etc. And it's nice and I genuinely like the amount of mutual support they all give each other, but I can't help wondering if anyone outside the writers' groups actually reads the things or cares about them.

I am a bit old and I still struggle like buggery with Twitter, which always feels like shouting at passing traffic rather than actually interacting with anyone, but I don't want to miss out on useful promo, but nor do I want to put off potential readers by boring them with constant updates that basically consist of 'buy my book/buy my mate's book'.

[talkingnonsense]

I read Sarah Rees Brennan's livejournal, but probably because I started reading her fanfic before she was published. Sometimes look and see if an author I have enjoyed has a blog but not the other way around! Don't do twitter so not sure about that. Any help?

[SolidGoldBrass]

Hmm, still don't really know. On the one hand, as so many (reasonably successful) other authors are doing it, maybe it's just What You Have To Do These Days. ISTR reading in one of the writing mags that you should have a heavy-duty social media presence.

Maybe it's just my age (and the fact that I am more used to using social media for, well, social yatter) but I can't help thinking that endless online self-promotion might put people off rather than encourage them to seek out your work.

[talkingnonsense]

I have read authors blogs and not read their books, come to think of it- John Scalzi (sp? Was a long time ago!) for definite, poss Elizabeth bear, so people reading your blog won't neccessarily mean they read your books- what kind of books do you write btw?!

[SolidGoldBrass]

Erotic fiction [hgrin]. Don't know if that's your cup of tea but here's one of mine.

But I've also started doing more softcore stuff under another name and I think that's what I'd probably have to start a proper logrolling blog under...

[Cherrypi]

I love it when I tweet about a book I'm enjoying and the author replies.

[talkingnonsense]

I am intrigued- am getting a sample in my phone! Probably not my cup of tea to be honest- I like fantasy, detective stories and georgette heyer, and old school Star Trek slash! Am very impressed you are proper published though and I will look at your blog if you start one!

[CircassianLeyla]

I follow a good few authors on Twitter, really all I use it for. I use it especially because I like to go to book signings/talks and things.

I follow one or two on GoidReads and one in particular blogs and has a great website but I don't read the blogs particularly just dip in every now and then.

I run a book club too so it is useful and I like tagging the writers in my updates.

[SolidGoldBrass]

I have sort of got my head round Twitter now as all my new writer pals are on it and we all yack away about stuff and follow each other and cross-promote. I just have to consider it work along with the atual book-writing work...

[AnotherWorld]

I follow Kelley Armstrong. I like the glimpses into her world she gives on her site/fb/twitter.

[exexpat]

I follow quite a few authors on twitter, but they tend to be either people I know personally, or reasonably well-established writers whose work I have read.

The authors I follow are all ones who tweet interesting stuff, not just about their own work, and a lot of them also get involved in twitter-conversations with anyone who responds to them. I immediately unfollow anyone who just uses their twitter account for self-promotion.

I seem to get followed very frequently by authors I have never heard of, and who obviously follow thousands of people trying to get them to follow back, purely as a publicity effort. Not a good strategy, in my opinion.