Behind the scenes at YA Highway (the garage? The auto body shop?) we discuss many important things, including Kate Hart's sparkly eye shadow and that time in 7th grade meangirls chased me and romancing sweet Transylvanians, be they of the Veronica Roth or Rocky Horror variety.
Recently, we've talked quite a bit about when authors disappear – as in, they stop participating in writer's forums, neglect their blogs, tweet less, so on and so forth. Obviously, this isn't universal. A number of authors even increase internet face time upon publication; with flourishing blogs and must-read twitter feeds. But the Case of the Vanishing Author is common enough that I think it's worth discussing (in a much longer blog post than I intended, apparently).
First, because I'm kinda one of them. Second, and foremost, because I've seen some misunderstandings when it comes to why. Warning: can o' worms. Ready your fishhooks.
For me, at least – it is NOT (not not) because I think I am somehow superior, now that I'm published.
OMG no.
I can't swear there aren't diva authors out there, though I'm wracking my brain trying to think of any. But for every author I've spoken to about this topic, a sense of Now I'm published! superiority (ew gross) has absolutely nothing to do with their hiatus from the internet. To be honest, the majority of one- or two-books-in authors are still wide-eyed and blinking, wondering, how did I get here? What is that beautiful house? Where does that highway lead to? (Sorry.)
Busyness is another common explanation, and a valid one. Published authors aren't necessarily busier than aspiring authors, though. Some are tremendously busy, certainly, especially those with multi-book deals, who travel a ton and keep day jobs and rear children besides. But most authors, I think, are just super-busy in spurts. There's someone on the other end waiting for those revisions, so no lollygagging allowed. That accounts for sporadic disappearance, oftentimes.
Yet another valid reason is the classified nature of publishing. You can't discuss submissions to publishers, advance figures, contract negotiations, sales information, and that sort of thing in public. Or rather, you can, but you really shouldn't. For face-saving reasons, sure, but mainly because it's not the best idea to anger your publisher (or agent!).
But there are many other reasons authors taper off. Reasons that are a lot harder to explain, because they touch upon personal things like Stress and Anxiety, and a whole host of controversial topics.
Once you've landed an agent, sold a book, and particularly after you're published, suddenly there's this whole new set of rules in regards to internet interaction (in the YA echo chamber specifically) – rules that are hazy and changeable, depending on whom you're talking to. Even the boldest, most self-confident author has to worry about saying the right thing, and the wrong thing, and too much of a good thing, and offending reviewers, aspiring writers, other authors, other publishers, and on and on and on. It's an ongoing angst, and it pops up in myriad little ways, almost every time you engage in the online community.
SUCH AS
Thanking book bloggers for Waiting on Wednesday posts. Is that sucking up?
Clicking "like" on Goodreads reviews that resonate. Am I leaving people out?
Commenting on reviews of my books. Obviously a no-no if it's a negative review – but what about positive reviews? I mostly stick to reviews tweeted to me, but even then. What if people think I'm obsessing? Stalking myself? Help!
My blog. Am I talking too much about my books? About myself? Have I been published long enough to make my advice worth anything? Am I just shouting into the wind?
All of a sudden, writing forums seem scarily public. It's challenging to discuss books critically online, because almost every time, we're friends with the author, have met the author, or likely will some day. We're thrilled but also daunted by our blog and Twitter followers, our Facebook and Goodreads friends.
Don't get me wrong – in so many ways, this is all fantastic. I know it makes me choose my words more wisely, even when composing a tweet. (
then again…) If something is important to me, I have more reach. But I'm ultra-aware how even minor slip-ups can spread. Moderate slip-ups can become memes. And the internet has a looong memory.
What's more, there seems to be a consensus that authors shouldn't complain publicly – that they should take hard knocks like professionals; suck it up and move on. I'm
partially on board. Critical reviews are part of the process. (And super important to the community – hell, I read them first, even for books I adore.) And just because an author's microphone is louder doesn't mean they should sob into it, because it's depressing and also pretty boring, frankly.
However, I think it's disingenuous to suggest hurt feelings are for amateurs – that publication comes with instant impermeable armor. I'm no wimp (well, except when it comes to heights or carpentry) (or wormy things) (oh god, parasites), but I still hurt and grieve and angst. All authors do, I'm pretty sure. (If you don't, please share your armor vendor, kthnx).
But for all the reasons above, we keep it private. We share with family, friends, our patient and blessed critique partners. We retreat into private forums and email threads. That's good – you don't want to see my angst face, it's not particularly becoming. But it also means there has to be less participation in public venues, like Absolute Write, the Blueboards, Twitter, Facebook, our blogs. Especially in the beginning, when we're still learning to manage this crazy wild scary wonderful author career thing.
So when an author tapers off, fades away, vanishes, whatever you want to call it, it's important to know that it's not personal. Or rather, it
is personal, but only on the author's side; and we --
I!-- hope it's only temporary. At least, until I figure out how to put on this clunky newfangled armor correctly, because I'm pretty sure my underwear is showing.
What do you think about disappearing authors? Do you wish authors were more vocal about stuff like this? Less vocal? (Fill in your own discussion question here ____.) I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Why Authors Disappear
