Have you ever been put off an author by their online interactions?

[Jo Zebedee]

I don't mean the big things that might make us think twice about an author -- like Orson Scott Card's statements on homosexuality (though I still read him ) -- but the smaller things.

I follow quite a few authors on Twitter. I even tweet the (very) odd one, because I'm sure they get inundated. Most I find pretty entertaining, and I pick up things about the industry from them. But some make me feel like there's a clique others aren't entirely welcome in.

It sort of makes me not want to buy their books. Like, if I'm at a party and don't entirely get on with someone, and decide I can take or leave what they say? Is this just me? Am I a grumpy so and so who should ignore all this? I have to say, as well, there are some authors who I've picked up purely because I like their online personality (Joe Abercrombie was one, Chuck Wendig another).

How important is public demeanour as a factor for influencing sales?

 

[Mouse]

Ha! Yes. You know who.

Sorry, but I won't buy a book by someone I think is a scumbag.

 

[Kissmequick]

Doesn't really bother me -- unless, like you say, it's the big things. Little things? Nah. I'm more worried about what's actually in the book. Plenty of great authors have been, shall we say, regrettably less than great in their personal lives? Liars, cheaters, adulterers, bigots. I don't see how it alters the book in any way, unless their views are so pervasive it leaks into the work. Besides, I don't know anyone who's perfect, so if I dumped authors because of one ill considered comment or whatever, I'd have no books left to read!

ETA: The only thing that might change that is is they were a douche to me, personally.

And conversely, just because someone is a nice person doesn't mean I like their books. I might *want* to, but it doesn't always follow that I do.

 

[HareBrain]

Ha! Yes. You know who.

Sorry, but I won't buy a book by someone I think is a scumbag.

Ditto to all of this.

I've also been put off by one fairly well-known author who posted comments on negative reviews he got on Amazon, in a completely inept, name-calling manner that made me think it might be his first attempt at human interaction.

 

[Brian G Turner]

But some make me feel like there's a clique others aren't entirely welcome in.

I've only Tweeted a couple of authors a few times, and none ever replied to the Tweets.

I presume it's because they only encourage responses from people they know personally, and/or feel socially awkward online/all the time.

Everyone gets to choose who they interact with online, so I figure if they don't want to with me, so be it - I won't take it personally. It's too easy to read too much into online posting.

 

[Mouse]

And conversely, just because someone is a nice person doesn't mean I like their books. I might *want* to, but it doesn't always follow that I do.

But, if you like someone you're more inclined to buy their books in the first place, right? Whether you like the book or not after you've bought it kinda doesn't matter, I guess, though we all want to like books written by people we like.

I know I've bought books by people who've posted on this site, just because I like the way they come across.

 

[AnyaKimlin]

There has been one nasty piece of work I've been put off. However I discovered I'd read one of his books previously and hated it without knowing he was an obnoxious twerp.

I did take great satisfaction when I saw a pristine edition of one of his works in the library sale and nobody was even looking at it. (Is that really petty of me? Probably lol)

 

[nightdreamer]

There has been only one case ... of an author on Twitter who has done absolutely nothing but promote his book over and over and over and over. That's not interaction; that's being pushy. Makes me much less likely to want to read him.

 

[Kissmequick]

I've only Tweeted a couple of authors a few times, and none ever replied to the Tweets.

Oh, I have too replied to you!

But, if you like someone you're more inclined to buy their books in the first place, right? Whether you like the book or not after you've bought it kinda doesn't matter, I guess, though we all want to like books written by people we like.

For me, whether I like the book matters as much as I like the author, probably more. Because I'm buying the book to read it and hopefully enjoy it, not to make friends or anything. Yes, perhaps more likely to support an author I like, but just buying the book isn't really what it's about. (For me). If I like a book, it doesn't amtetr much to me if they're a raving loony -- though I do draw the line at say OSC, because he actively promoted/donates to causes I find abhorrent. That's different from someone being a bit of a twerp on twitter.

I know I've bought books by people who've posted on this site, just because I like the way they come across.

I've bought books on that basis yes. But if a book appealed, and/or I'd previously read and enjoyed books by an author who's being a bit of a douche, I don't suddenly decide not to read any more. That would be cutting of my nose to spite my face. There's a line, yes, but I draw mine quite broadly. Let's face it, 20 years ago, we'd never have known whether the guy was a douche. It didn't/doesn't affect my enjoyment of the book, which is all I really care about. The author being nice is a bonus. Though to be fair, all the authors I've met have been unfailingly lovely. Social media can be rather unforgiving to normal people I find.

There has been only one case ... of an author on Twitter who has done absolutely nothing but promote his book over and over and over and over. That's not interaction; that's being pushy. Makes me much less likely to want to read him.

That might put me off. If they are that desperate....but it's the desperation rather than the actual behaviour, if that makes sense?

ETA: I quite understand it might put people off, but being the occasional (or not so occasional! lol) idiot myself, I'm prepared to forgive others for bouts of idiocy

 

[HareBrain]

But, if you like someone you're more inclined to buy their books in the first place, right?

And you tend to like people when you share their sense of humour or like the way they put things, which bodes well for how much you'll enjoy their writing.

I've read some online interaction from authors who've put me off not because of anything offensive, but because their "voice" has sounded humourless** or has grated with me. It might be unfair to expect authors to wheel out their most sparkling prose for every tweet -- like the comedian who's asked for a joke every time he goes to the corner shop -- but if people are going to have an online persona, I guess that's the risk they have to take. I don't tend to seek out authors' web pages or twitter feeds, though. I prefer an air of unsullied mystery.

** or the reverse, too full of that chummy, ubiquitous internet-style humour that sounds exactly the same from everyone who uses it.

 

[Mouse]

And you tend to like people when you share their sense of humour or like the way they put things, which bodes well for how much you'll enjoy their writing.

I've read some online interaction from authors who've put me off not because of anything offensive, but because their "voice" has sounded humourless** or has grated with me. It might be unfair to expect authors to wheel out their most sparkling prose for every tweet -- like the comedian who's asked for a joke every time he goes to the corner shop -- but if people are going to have an online persona, I guess that's the risk they have to take. I don't tend to seek out authors' web pages or twitter feeds, though. I prefer an air of unsullied mystery.

** or the reverse, too full of that chummy, ubiquitous internet-style humour that sounds exactly the same from everyone who uses it.

Yes, exactly this. HB's put it better than myself.

In case I sound like I'm being unfair, the person I called a scumbag and who I won't read (and wouldn't read even if I didn't think they were an arse, to be honest, they don't write my kinda thing) has been horribly rude to people I consider my friends. And I don't like that.

 

[Kissmequick]

In case I sound like I'm being unfair, the person I called a scumbag and who I won't read (and wouldn't read even if I didn't think they were an arse, to be honest, they don't write my kinda thing) has been horribly rude to people I consider my friends. And I don't like that.

Yeah that'd probably stop me in my tracks too.

 

[ratsy]

I don't ever learn things about authors, actors or musicians/bands that I like. I really like John Mayer's music but he is a tool ( I only know because he has been in the headlines for stupid things he has done )

It might have something to do with the fact I don't use Twitter, Facebook or any other form of social media...

 

[biodroid]

I emailed Simon Scarrow to tell his publisher to release one of his book on kindle international and he replied which was cool.

 

[Bick]

Ha! Yes. You know who.

Sorry, but I won't buy a book by someone I think is a scumbag.

Yes, ditto here too. The author shall remain anonymous (prob not same one).
On the positive front, I wrote a quick online note to Ed Lerner a while back and he wrote back a very nice response. I'm now much more likely to read more from him.

 

[thaddeus6th]

No, but I haven't come across an author being a total arse. If I did, it would put me off. I've got limited time and money, and I'd rather not spend either on someone who's a turniphead.

 

[Coragem]

Some authors have a wonderful online personality – most notably Anne Lyle, and that's just the truth.

Other top notch characters include Alastair Reynolds and Richard Morgan. I've emailed both in the past and received very (very) nice letters back.

Funny how the books I make a connection with always finish up being by great people.

The worst I've had personally is feeling a bit teed off by an author who's ignored my comments on their site and/or my questions on reddit.

Coragem.

 

[JoanDrake]

No. I even read and like Card, only it's his concepts and worlds that attract me, his people are generally too smug, (though I really found Patience in Wyrms to be one of my favorite characters, both likeable and very sexy.)

It's really unusual for a writer to cultivate any kind of nonwriterly persona. There are dangers. I saw the webmaster of one board ban a particularly well known guy for racism one time and it was obvious from the author's writings he was not and from the exchange that caused it, that he was being baited (and by that same webmaster, no less), yet I'm sure this could hurt his sales, and may have, as it was a big board.

It's bad apples like the guy that ran that board (The only one I've yet formally resigned from, with a long letter I'm sure will never see any light) who cut us off from nice people who can give us valuable advice

It should be remembered that the main reason they don't have conventions for "Mainstream" novels is that they couldn't be afforded. MS novelists charge for public appearances, it's a good part of their income. (I found that out here, but forget where) George Martin is worth 30 million dollars and I'm sure that makes his time worth several thousands an hour, yet I once talked to him for 5 whole minutes, and he didn't charge me, nor others who I saw talking to him even more, one red cent.

 

[Moggle]

I will never read or not read a book based on an author's personality. There are some god awful books out there by some great guys. Who cares!

 

[BenSt]

Fascinating to read other comments.

I did find myself in this situation with Anne Rice when I was less mature and didn't see it for what it was. I loved the Vampire Chronicles and around the time I was reading them my house got the Internet. So i am a 15 year old nerd kid in the middle of the countryside, and I decide to change my religion to Wicca. I become a born-again Goddess worshiper and quite immaturily think anything Christian is worthless (I'm glad to say I have grown up considerably since then) Anyways, it was around this time I believe that Anne Rice was starting to pen Jesus Christ the Lord, which is a fabulous book, but it also meant that she entered her Catholic phase. A lot of her writing reflected this important life decision for her But, her website was completly changed and she became very-to me anyways- over the top. So I kind of went off Anne Rice for a while because quite frankly I was uncomfortable with my own situation.

Apart from that I have actually found that online correspondance or activity has reaffirmed what I think of writers. I started reading Wil Wheaton's (who played Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: TNG) blog a few years ago, not having realized he had become a professional writer. I found copies of his autobiographies and some essays he had written and I absolutely loved them, but then he puts a lot of himself into his writing.