3 S.R. Johannes: Friday Five/Marketing Round Up

Friday, August 21, 2009

Friday Five/Marketing Round Up

Friday Five

1) Schedule Schmedule - My first week on a new schedule stinks. I have to get up at 6, wake daughter up at 6:30, get her breakfast and packed for school. Wake son up at 7. Drop daughter off at 7:30. come back and get son breakfast. take him to school at 9. 9:30 - 12:30 my time (of course that means laundry, cleaning, paying bills, blogging) 12:45 pick up son. Stretch him until 2 so I can pick up my daughter. come home and get son down by 2:30 for nap. 2:30 - 3:00 quiet time for daughter. 3-3:30 one on one time with daughter. 4:00 wake up son. play until 5 when dinner gets started. By the time 7:30 comes and kids are down - I'm exhausted (and I this doesn't even include my work, writing, hubby or self time.)

2) Take 3 - Yes I am back to the drawing board on my book. Spent hour with Super Agent this morning and it was very productive. I have until Sept 18th to work out some character issues, line edits and other minor fixes. I like my agent because she says things like: gusto, whole hog, and bravo. We are hoping this is the last round before we go to submission. So far, my agent has several editors interested in reading it so that makes me even more anxious to get this thing done and out. I do trust her however and she is very picky and pushes me which I like. I know when the book goes out, it will be the best it can be at this point.

3) I'm not a day over 25! This weekend is my bday (23rd). Yes it is. I wont say how old (you can guess as long as you don't go over 25 :). Its always awkward on my bday. I don't' know why but when you spend time with family, you feel the same age you did when you were 16. As if time stopped. Or maybe its just my family :) Do they have to still sing? Do I have to still wear a bday hat? (Feel free to email me if you have any bday presents you want to snail mail my way. I may be too old for hats and singing but never too old for gifts :)

4) To defriend or not to defriend. This week was my first experience with "defriending" someone. It was all but necessary since the person insisted on posting vulgar/mean posts on my Facebook page. Yes on my public forum. I tried to reason with this person who is mad at me - for reasons I am still not sure about - but I can only apologize so many times (especially when I don't really think I did anything wrong.) Anyway, I tried to call and work it out but at some point, you have to just let people be mad and go their own way. It's sad b/c after 20 years, you'd think one argument wouldn't break the friendship. Anyway, It sucks to sit in front of FB screen and read the note "Are you sure you want to defriend this person?" And then you have to hit "yes". I mean people come and go in your life but there is never a definitive question or sentence that completely ends it. Needless to say, I cried that night. I am such a softy! Honestly, it was either that or continue to be cussed out (as well as my family!) and berated on my (PUBLIC!!!) Facebook page. I mean send me an email for god sakes, you can cuss me out all you want. I can take it. But on my Facebook Wall? Tacky?- yes, immature? double yes. heartbreaking - no matter who it is - my answer is yes. Even though I don't want to be upset, I can't help it. Not to mention, after talking to many people, I think it was all so undeserved. And hey, I am one to take a hit for the team. I am one to apologize even when I shouldn't. But at some point, I guess you have to draw your line in the sand. Right? *sniff - though I am sad*

5) Another award? Really? I am almost putting myself to sleep typing this, you mean you guys don't use my blog as night reading to shut your brains down during the day? who knew? Anyway, thank you to Lauren over at Book in the Oven (isn't that the cutest name!) for the Humane Award (obviously she gave it to me before knowing I am probably the only person who just DEFRIENDED someone!) While this award is traditionally used to represent nature friendly bloggers, the writing community has embraced it as celebrating those who encourage other writer. So I will say five bloggers who have been encouraging me in my writing. My critique group deserves one but none of them blog anymore :(

1) Meg Cabot (not that she will even know right?) But I love her books, especially Princess Diaries. Her writing is similar in style to mine and she gave me inspiration to write (not personally, just her books. Though that would be really cool huh!)

2) Katie Andersen (Plot This) who spends hours brainstorming ideas for me. I just gave their blog an award but I could not do this award without mentioning Katie. It would not be right :)

3) Lindsey Leavitt - she is the one who got me back into blogging and on my path to getting an agent. Without her, (and she may not even know this. I don't know if I told her) I would not have gotten this far. Not only is she a fab person and good friend, but she rocks as a writer.

4) Suzanne Young - (She knows why!) Basically, she gave me a HUGE break that got me to where I am today (with an agent). With that said, Suzanne didn't even know me! She just reached out to me on Facebook because she read my blog. So thoughtful. (That's all I will say!)

5) Teen Fiction Cafe - Because it is run by a bunch of great writers all at different stages in their careers.

Rules: Link to back to the awarder, list 5 people who have inspired you in your writing, and then just let them know about their award ;)

Here are my marketing favs for the week:

1) An interview with publicist Suzanne Pfefferle of Pelican Publishing Company. With the ever changing market, it is nice to hear from the brain of the house publicist.
Check it out!

2) Came across twitip.com - the site focuses on providing great tips on how to best use twitter. This article is on how to be follow-worthy!

3) 2009 pulse of social media industry. About this time last year, a survey was done with bloggers/content providers, brand and agency marketers for their insights about one aspect of social media .. Blogger Relations. As is typical in our industry people generously offered their insights and we learned together how to create win-win-win strategies. 2008 Pulse of the Industry Blogger Relations . There is a survey for 2009 if you want to take it.

4) Of course my friends (Robin and Mary) over at Shrinking Promotions ran an article on tweeting this week. Tweeting for introverts that is. :) Just as I am starting to tweet more on marketing/branding tips, they are dedicated to tweeting on "daily tips, reminders, affirmations, and suggestions for caring for your introverted self." I will be doing a guest post for them in October! yay!

5) If you missed my interview with Molly O'Neil, check it out! (oh goodness, that was a shameless plug!) It was a HUGE success. I think about 1500 people came to my blog that day alone. And all for Molly's fabulous advice.

6) Writers Digest lists out the best tweets of the week - some great marketing, blogging, etc nuggets in here.

ON a side note, Cynthea Liu (Writing for Teens) is starting a series of interviews on "Authors on the verge". Today's is Kate Messner. They cover rejections, agent process and publication journey. :)

Have a great weekend!!!!

26 comments:

Suzanne Young said...

Thank you for mentioning me. And I promise you, your writing completely spoke for itself-you talented thing, you.

And dang, sorry about the facebook stuff. I haven't been publically harassed since high school, so I would totally fall apart in this situation. Sounds like you handled it right.

Imagine if in regualar life there was a button that just let you defriend people? haha. Hm....

Roni Loren said...

Good luck on your edits. I hope you can get to the submission stage soon. :)

Warren Baldwin said...

A lot of good info, thanks! Haven't read the interview yet but I will make it a point to. Sorry about the FB stuff. wb

Tess said...

Seriously, your b-day is the 23? As in Sunday the 23 of Aug? ME TOO!!!! And, I'll proudly claim all of my 41 years (on Sunday, that is. Today I'll just stick w/ the lower number of 40). We earned those years!

And, sorry about the friend. that sucks rocks. I like Suzanne's button idea in her comment above :)

Mame said...

I love coming here and finding great new blogs to follow. And about that Facebook friend... that blows. It sounds ouch (and unfair, honestly).

Vicky Alvear Shecter said...

As always, so much good stuff in your posts. First of all, I remember those days with lil 'ones and praying I could control the younger one's naps. You are made of stronger stuff because I didn't even TRY to write during those years.

Also, you posts are always so full of good stuff. I'm definitely checking out the 'twittering for introverts' one. I swear, it's an issue.

And, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! It really is cool watching your journey!

Stephanie J. Blake said...

Defriending is tough...not only when there is a problem, but just to get a handle on the all the tweeting, etc. that tends to overshadow writing.

To that end...

FYI...my blog address is now http://www.stephaniejblake.blogspot.com/.

:) Stephanie

Katie Anderson said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! And thanks so much for the award!!! I give it right back! You have been just as supportive of me. * wipes tear...

You da Bomb, Shelli-girl!

I love ya!

Hardygirl said...

Happy Birthday! You look much younger than 25!

Sorry about that crazy schedule. I'm living in the bliss of having my children all go to school at the same time--for the first time ever!

Thanks for being such a great encourager!

sf

Stephanie Faris said...

I love Meg Cabot too! Her career amazes me and is what I aspire to. She's able to write in a variety of genres and still keep her audience. Definitely an inspiration.

Alyson Noel said...

Thanks so much for the Teen Fiction Cafe mention--and I'm really sorry to read about your "defriending" experience. I've had friends come and go through the years, but there's something about hitting "defriend" that makes it seem so permanent.

Hugs!

Alyson

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

suzanne & fiction groupie - thanks :)

warren - nice to see you.

tess - that is so cool - no wonder I like you - we are two peas in a virgo pod :)

vicki and aimee - thanks for bday wishes.

Katie and SF - thanks girlies cant wiat to see you in a few weeks.

STephanie - yeah right? she's awesome.

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

OMG!!!!!! - Alyson Noel just commented on MY blog??? What?? AND she gave me a HUG!!!!! My heart just skipped a beat. I just finished Evermore. Ah Im all giddy now! Thanks Alyson.(Im gooby I know.:)

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Happy Birthday, Shelli! And guess what? You got LOTS of friends.

lisa and laura said...

You are made of fabulous. Happy early birthday! XOXO

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday!

And Happy Defriending! Sounds like good riddance to me!

And Happy Alyson Noel Recognition and Hugs!

Heck, let's celebrate everything! :) The bar's open, right?

Sherrie Petersen said...

Bummer about your FB (not so much a) friend. Sometimes you just have to wonder if people have gone off the deep end, no?

And Happy Birthday! Have a great one!

Kimbra Kasch said...

First-HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Second-What a schedule...already back to school-whew! That summer went fast.

Third-so sorry about the defriend thing :(

Christina Farley said...

Happy Birthday! I love all the links you've set up. So helpful

jdsanc said...

Holy Crap! I'm rewriting my whole blog right this minute. And then I'm rewriting my schedule and my kids and then I'm going to check out my daughter's facebook because she's that cool and I'm not. And then I'm taking a nap.

THANKS for the inspiration.
Big Time!

Vivian Mahoney said...

Happy Birthday! May this be the year of wonderful celebrations! You're off to a great start--taking care of yourself and family, knowing who your friends are, recognition for your work, an agent and a great manuscript!

Hope your family treats you like a Queen for your birthday month!

storyqueen said...

Ack! The schedule....I'm dreading the new, school schedule as well. (But I'm a teacher so I'm not allowed to say that...)

Happy Birthday. Life it too short already to deal with people writing smack about you on your own stuff!!

Celebrate!

Shelley

Anna C. Morrison said...

Defriending is sooooo very sad...I had a long friendship break up recently and still I feel like I've been sucker punched when I think about it. I hope you are able to reconcile eventually, if that is right for you.

Mary said...

Happy birthday! :-)

I always enjoy your posts.
Sorry, about the facebook problem, what a friendship nightmare. :-(

Mary

Corey Schwartz said...

I'm exhausted just from reading #1!

Good luck with everything!

Kimberly Derting said...

So it finally came to "defriending", huh? Wow, rough!

And Happy belated Birthday...I was in the woods, eating s'mores for you :)