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S. I. N.
Yes, another TLA (Three-Letter-Acronym)! It stands for: Self-promotion Is Necessary.
Stumbling through another Google, I found a bio for a writer. I'm not sure why I looked, since it had nothing to do with my research. What I found interesting was the use of words.
This writer stated he/she had been invited to submit to an anthology. It was one of the features in the bio. Now, it does not matter whether the writer was in the anthology or not, just that he/she had been INVITED TO SUBMIT.
Think about it: what's YOUR reaction to the words?
To me, it felt like this writer had had a personal invitation from the compilers, almost a guarantee that whatever was submitted would be accepted, virtually a commission.
A bit more research, and it became clear that the invitation was open, not personal, an open invitation issued to hundreds or thousands of other writers. In other words, open competition for a space in the anthology.
Hell, I'm not saying the writer was misinforming anyone who read the bio. I'm admiring him/her for doing something I had not thought of! It's S.I.N. in action!
We all know that there are places that are effectively vanity presses, where you submit a poem or a book, and you are essentially guaranteed to be published. I won't mention them by name – if you are interested, go to Editors and Preditors to find such places. You can always be sure of publication that way.
This same writer has had a book published that way, (note: not POD (print on demand), although POD can be used like a vanity press). He/she even had a statement of copies sold from the publisher – it looked impressive, until I realised that this was the number of copies sold to the writer. Again – admiration from me: S.I.N. in action!
I don't know how much the writer has gained from these items in his/her bio, but, at a casual glance, the bio makes the person seem like a successful writer. He/she knows how to make S.I.N work!
Is there justification for such misleading language? I believe there is.
Real writers believe that they are the greatest writers of all time, at least within their particular niche. Drop the false modesty – YOU believe it! If you didn't, why would you bother to write?
We don't write because we are neurotic, psychotic, paranoid, schizophrenic, and the rest of those descriptions. We write despite those foibles/illnesses/whatever. We write because we have something to say, even if it is for an audience of one. But then maybe the niche in which we are the greatest is for ourselves.
We write because we want to be #1 in the reader's mind in that market.
How do we become #1 in our market? S.I.N. is the only answer.
We need to tell (and show) others how good we are. We use all the "tricks" we can. We promote every opportunity to achieve the maximum effect. We don't lie – everything we write about ourselves is true.
Of course, we feel uncomfortable when we stretch the truth. I'm sure the writer who generated this train of thought did not feel he/she was untruthful making the invitation to submit something personal. I'm sure he/she is promoting the book, and selling it reasonably well.
And it's not just writers that do it. One publishing house claims to offer the highest royalties – they really do, but the writers don’t make more money. (Think of it: 20% of NET sale price sounds better than 10% of RETAIL sale price, But NET sale price is usually 40% of RETAIL sale price. So, if a book has a retail price of $10, 10% is $1; but net price is $4, and 20% is $0.80. Equivalence is 25% of net sale price.)
So, next time you are asked for a bio, look for what will raise YOU to #1 in the market. What can YOU promote about your past to make people feel YOU are the best available?
It's all about S.I.N.
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Comment by: troyarn - 2008-07-04 02:55
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Excellent work Peter. I truly enjoyed this and left your article learning quite a bit more about the selling part of things.
While others may scoff at the idea of misleading self-promotion and think that beefing up ones resume would be a bad thing, I will go to Arley´s words about the Beatles.
From what I read, Brian Epstein (their manager at the time) actually PAID teenagers to stand around and cheer when the Beatles landed in America for that famous Ed Sullivan show bit.
If the Beatles can do it, why not the lowly writer trying to make his way to fame?
But, as Arley also pointed out, all the hype in the world cannot sell a bad product. Very true statement and point well taken.
Still, as Arley also said, self-promotion is the key. All that hype will get the product noticed and at least looked at. From there it is up to the buyer to decide if he or she wishes to buy.
Another thing Arley said...it is true that outright lying will always bite you in the ass eventually. Karma can be a cruel mistress if you treat her wrong.
Regardless, I truly enjoyed your article and am happy you took the time to dive into this and let us all know about a part of promotion many of us do not think of.
I have no intention to lie about my works, but adding a glossy coating to the product never hurt.
Thanks for the write and know that I came away knowing much more about all this than before.
Have a great weekend.
Troy |
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I wouldn't S.I.N. but not specifically because it was a sort of falsehood, but because only true accomplishments really count and i want to be known for the real things i have been proud of.
But...if an author wanted to do that, all the more power to them. hey, I'd be more likely to read their stuff. The bare truth is that we've probably read tons of authors who've S.I.N. ed us or who have S.I.N. ed in the past. |
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Comment by: WLC Online- 2008-06-27 15:34
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I was invited to submit to an ezine on editred. But I didn't start crowing until a story was accepted. Seems more than a little desperate for attention to include being "invited" on a bio.
But I also know a writer who has listed her age as 27 on her Myspace to further her porn book sales. I know for fact she is AT LEAST twice that age. I assume the lie is to "up" her sales, in much the same way the hot chicks on the jacket covers do.
But a lie is a lie in my book. And including an "invite" is kind of pathetic. List the "for real" publishing credits. Anything short of the truth is over-inflated ego. |
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Wow. Well, my reaction to those words are that the author is obviously BS'ing me. Primarily because the proper terminology used by editors is "solicited".
I can see where this might fly in the POD world, and perhaps this advice is directed toward that venue, but it won't fly on the traditional publishing track. Literary editors are scary savvy, clever and, yes, a bit snobby. Personally, I don't ever want my bio to elicit smirks and snickers from editors--but I'm self-conscious that way.
I agree self-promotion is a good thing. But what is really lovely is when your work and and a few choice pub credits speak for themselves. Then, all you have to do it point to them and let everyone else talk them up.
I guess I've just had better luck following the established rules. I've had 10 literary pub credits in the past six months of subbing not counting my 17 solicited pieces. Also, I, personally, would have a hard time padding like this from an ethical standpoint. With my luck, it would eventually bite me in the butt--and as I mentioned, I hate looking foolish(though it happens with alarming frequency). But if this is working for someone and they have no moral problem doing it--then by all means--continue. |
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Comment by: Arley Online- 2008-06-25 05:54
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| Thanks for writing this, Down Under, and here's my two cents worth (remember reading it in the book ‘The Beatles' by Hunter Davies) one of their press guys said, "There was a lot of hype, but all the hype in the world can't sell a bad product.") I think this is the hardest part about not only writing but music as well — YOU HAVE TO BE SELF PROMOTING if you don't have someone doing it for you. You don't have to be dishonest, and shouldn't as it will ALWAYS come back and bite you in the butt eventually. |
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