I'm at the end of my tether and I also realize this post might piss some people off but I've got to say it before my head explodes.I'M NOT VOTING FOR ANYONE! FOR ANYTHING. EVER.
Please don't ask because I'm not changing my mind. For over a month now, every loop imaginable is running some kind of contest to honor authors, and it never fails...every group is inundated with a gazillion begging, pleading emails saying...woohoo, I'm happy dancing, squeeeee. Vote for me because I've just been nominated for the best head-banging sex scene or I've been nominated for having the best hung hero. OH. PLEASE. SPARE ME.
This has gotten so ridiculous that I've set almost every single loop to digest and I automatically delete these posts. It has become glaringly clear not only to me but many other authors that these contests are designed to generate membership. You have to join the group in order to vote for this author whose book you didn't read. Nope. I belong to enough groups already, thank you very much.
I'm not saying there aren't legitimate contests going on. Midnight Seductions had a really cool and legitimate contest with judges and entries that were anonymous. There's nothing wrong with that. Others are perfectly legit, too. I'm speaking of the contests where it's well known that authors get their friends to nominate them and then rig the voting. OR...the author really has balls and nominates herself. When I first started out in this writing biz, I thought from the way everyone was carrying on, these contests were important. They AREN'T. The begging for votes has gotten out of hand to the point it simply makes the beggar look desperate. Who wants to look desperate? Nope. Not me.
Don't we write our stories for READERS? For romance lovers? When did what we do become some kind of pseudo beauty contest amongst ourselves? In the beginning of my career, I'd vote in these things but I'll admit I was conflicted. Not only would I have a number of friends up for the same award but lots of times, I hadn't read the books involved. How could I honestly cast a vote under these circumstances? Yeah, I've been nominated some too but to me it's not a big deal. I'm human and therefore flattered, but you won't catch me asking for votes. I don't want a vote in a popularity contest and that's what these little loop contests are...popularity contests.
So please don't squee at me or ask for my vote. You can happy dance, tap dance or dance on your head. Unless I've read your book and think it worthy, I won't be voting.
8 comments:
I can see your point. I've really only been blogging and looping for about a month so I guess I don't know any other way!
I think any contest is full of pitfalls. Look at the big movie awards. Lately I'm more likely to Avoid the winners because it's such a political game. This actors involved in good works so how about if all the other actors vote for him/her. This actors suffered a hardship so let that movie win. The only movie award I pay attention to is The People's Choice.
So how do you get that for ebooks? Movies I talk about at work, family and friends. For Ebooks my circle is much smaller and mainly online. Most of my online friends I've never physically spoken with.
I do feel the same way as you. I won't vote unless I've read the book. Since I'm only now returning to ebooks I didn't vote. I have voted at RBL Romantica's board before for it's annual Hughies Awards. The results are always great book!
I agree. Once something becomes political/beauty contest-ish it loses it's authenticity. In the end, they are meaningless because I don't think most readers give a hot damn whether or not an author has won an award. It's all about the writing.
Well, I guess I'll join your bandwagon. The whole thing is getting a little old, I'll agree. I do enjoy legitimate contests though.
I have voted for some friends this time around, but I think I've voted my last time.It was truly horrible when I had two or three friends requesting my vote at the same time.
I honestly don't mind it in some ways because it is promotion. Promotion I understand. The author and the group get their name out there and as a promo queen, I'm all for it.
However, I'm really turned off by the tone of some of these posts. I'm also bothered by the way some of these polls are not monitored for "dirty voting" too.
Maybe we can get together next year and have several groups offer a contest like one of these for authors that is run a bit more effectively. I don't know what the answer is, truly.
You know I totally agree with you on this. We have exchanged emails on the subject.
If I read "Squee!" one more time I will scream. As for people who relentlessly use their blogs to do nothing more than post lengthy excerpts with squees and fake award noms...please...we're not dumb!
Look, I have been nominated for some of these awards and won a few...and yeah it's nice, but come on, some are so easily rigged that it's embarrassing. I am an Eppie finalist this year and I am thrilled. It is the most legitimate thing I find myself nominated for...I take nothing away from any hard working author but geez, let's put a cap on the 10,000 "awards."
I will take an email written from a genuine reader over a fake "award" any day of the week.
Oh yeah, AJ, me too. Give me one lone reader who I might have touched in some way and that's better than any award. Most of these are so damn rigged and, well, just dumb. Now the EPPIE is on a whole other level. This is a genuine accomplishment and knowing YOU, you won't be SQUEEING. Oh lordy...doesn't that take you back to middle school???
If I ever come off as desperate for votes or so self-absorbed that it's all about me, I'd rather hang it all up right now. I understand that promo is important but that's why we chat on loops and write blogs. The contest stuff is just over the top.
I absolutely agree with you here. I remember taking part only in one contest and that's because some stranger nominated me. I appreciated that, of course, but I realized by the time it was all over that whoever wins is that person with the most cunning - or persistent - rigging strategy. I would imagine it is utterly exhausting for such people. And what's worse, it takes time away from the important thing - writing!
This promotion thing is a tricky subject - and contests fall in that category. This stuff takes time to get people involved in. And speaking of time, these kinds of contests you discuss are certainly a waste of precious time and I can't afford to run around begging people for votes. I'm sorry - I can't see myself doing that a second time. What a joke! Does it make one a better writer? No. Does it make people buy your books? Certainly not!
And related to this, I say, you know what? I'm not the type of person to post my book excerpts because I have no time to say anything better - on any blog. That's just me. If I'm going to blog, I'm going to blog - because as you say, it's not about the beauty contest. It's about...do you have something to say that can touch someone, somewhere?
So Regina - wonderful post!
oh and when I spoke about excerpts I didn't mean that I don't do that SOMETIMES. But there are some who do that EXCLUSIVELY, and you never really get to know the author. I think it is important to promote but first of all, it is vital to make a connection with readers.
Just wanted to clarify that - I don't want anyone hunting me down because of a misunderstanding LOL
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