Ann’s Comments (group member since Jan 10, 2015)

Ann’s comments from the Support for Indie Authors group.

This folder contains helpful topics on the subject of marketing tactics and strategies. What’s okay to post: Your creative methods on getting your book out there, using social media, etc. What’s NOT OKAY to post: Links to anything - including paid services.

This folder contains helpful topics on the subject of individual writing processes, as well as helpful programs that are available to authors. We’d love to hear your thoughts and methods for writing, but keep in mind that what works for you may not work for someone else. Kind suggestions are welcome when asked for, but never speak negatively of someone else’s process. We are all unique individuals and our writing process reflects that.

This folder contains helpful topics on the subject of preparing and published paperback and/or hardback copies of your book. You’re welcome to post your thoughts, experiences, and questions, just remember to be courteous to those around you. We’re here to learn from one another - not tell others that our way is the best and/or only way. Kind suggestions only.

This folder contains helpful topics on the subject of publishing your ebook on Amazon, Smashwords, etc. You’re welcome to post your thoughts, experiences, and questions, just remember to be courteous to those around you. We’re here to learn from one another - not tell others that our way is the best and/or only way. Kind suggestions only.

This folder is for SIA Moderators to post only. Any member-initiated topics will be deleted. This folder includes our full list and explanation of rules. Please read them carefully. It also includes an SIA FAQ, so before you reach out to a Mod, please check this folder to make sure we haven’t already answered your question. You can also check here for important announcements.

This folder contains information regarding the Support Indie Authors website, newsletter, and social media accounts. You can subscribe, follow us, and submit your new release and/or upcoming promotion for our newsletter. You can also use these links to find information about advertising within our newsletter and website.

Thank you so much! :)

We do have a no links allowed rule - just because dangerous links were being posted. If you could revise your post to simply list the title of the series and the author, our members can search for it themselves if interested. Thank you!

Omg...that frog...lmao!!!

Support for Indie Authors Code of Conduct

Please note that failure to comply with the following rules and guidelines can result in your post(s) being deleted or your removal from the group without warning. It is up to you to read the rules before posting. Claimed ignorance of the rules is not an excuse.

Our rules are not meant to limit you or frustrate you. They are here to maintain a safe and happy environment for all members.

It should be pointed out that you are expected to follow the guidelines of Goodreads, along with the rules of this group. That said, Support for Indie Authors is a user-made group. We are not Goodreads. If you have specific issues with Goodreads, these need to be addressed directly to Goodreads’ customer service. We do not have the power to change Goodreads’ policies.

#1 - Remain Positive. No hate speech.

No negativity. This is our number one rule and we do enforce it. This includes, but is not limited to, bashing of authors, books, and movies of any kind. If an author is looking for advice on a cover, a blurb, on why their book is not selling, it is appropriate to offer constructive criticism. (“The color of your background makes it difficult to read your title.”) It is never appropriate to be insulting. (“Your cover is the worst ever. It sucks.”)

We do not allow hate speech, slurs, or divisive discussions. We are a community of many colors, nationalities, religions, political beliefs, etc. and no one is to be shamed. Obviously, this is not the place to trash Indie publishing, but it is also not the place to trash traditional publishing.

#2 - No author, reader, or reviewer shaming.

We are a public group. This means that ANYONE can search for your author name, book name, etc and stumble across this forum and all your comments. We’ve seen it happen multiple times. This can lead to personal attacks on you, the author, or your work. Remember that once you publish, you are a public personality. We can’t afford official public relations personnel, so we have to do it ourselves. Behave yourselves online or else it might come back to haunt you.

In addition, shaming is just mean. And we’re support group. Refer to Rule #1.

#3 - No self promotion of any kind.

Bookwhacking is a term coined by our own V.M. Sawh and refers to the art of attempting to push your book into conversations. This can include, but is not limited to:

- showing your cover(s) where inappropriate
- sharing your blurbs or samples of writing where inappropriate
- any link to your book
- listing your book as part of your signature

It is acceptable to show your blurbs and covers in the workshop, but only if you are truly seeking opinions on them.

Links to personal websites, blogs, signatures listing your books or services, social media, emails, other Goodreads groups, or anything else that could be considered self-promotion is forbidden.

If you are interested in telling others about your work and sharing links, please do so in the Showcase forum.

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

Read the Pinned Posting Guideline Topic at the top of each category prior to posting. What is allowed in one folder may not be allowed in all folders.

No advertising for paid services. Please contact a moderator about advertising opportunities.

#4 - Stay on topic. No thread hijacking.

If someone starts a thread, don’t use it to start your own conversation. Please find a thread with a similar topic or start a new one of your own. This is like walking up to a stranger in the store, interrupting their conversation with their friend, and taking over said conversation. It’s not polite.

#5 - Reviews happen. We aren't here to discuss them or swap them.

No review swapping. This is not only against our group rules, but it is against the Terms of Service of Amazon and Goodreads, not to mention FTC regulations. Above all, it’s just a bad idea. Don’t do it.

Do not offer to buy, read, review, or critique a member’s book. If you have a book you would like to offer, do so in the Showcase in the appropriate threads (see Showcase rules). If you want to discuss a book written by an author in this group, please do so through private message, email or any other means besides posting here.

Discussions about drive-by ratings and negative reviews are discouraged. Do not discuss what you feel are your reader’s “responsibilities” to you. We understand that negative reviews can be hurtful and upsetting, but this is not the place to vent about them.

#6 - No Religious or Political Discussions.

This is self explanatory. We are an indie author community and we’re here to talk about books, publishing books, etc. We’re not here to discuss politics and religion, even in the form of satire.

#7 - No links. To books. To blogs. No links.

We used to limit posting links, but due to the increasing number of harmful links being shared, we now ask that you DO NOT POST ANY LINKS.

#8 - No, they don't NEED to hire an editor.

This is an indie author group - specifically for authors who prefer to or are currently self-publishing their work. No one HAS to hire an editor. No one HAS to hire a book cover designer. Typos aren't the end of the world. So keep these opinions to yourself.

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For repeated rule violations, we reserve the right to remove any member from the forum. This is done in order to preserve the safety of the SIA sanctuary for all authors.

In addition, if we believe you to be a spambot, you will be removed from the group.

I'm going to go ahead and lock this thread since it's regarding a traditionally published author. Feel free to start a new thread if you've got an indie author you'd like to talk about, Eric. Thank you! :)

That's awful Riley! I'm so sorry!!

It damn well better not snow today! We took our 4 lb preemie son home in snow and ice back in 2013. Today we're taking home our 5 lb preemie daughter and it's supposed to be 60!!!! If it snows, I will lose it!

I sent you a message Julian.

Hi Julian. Please feel free to message me privately regarding this. I'd be happy to discuss with you. I am currently in the hospital with my baby girl who was born prematurely, but I will keep an eye on my messages.

Thank you,
Ann

Hi Wolf! That question would fit better within the Author Help folder. If you could move it over there, that would be great. Thank you!

You can still order the t-shirts in message #127 - however several will need to be pre-ordered before teespring will print them. I hope to relaunch t-shirt campaigns and get them all listed on the website in the next week or two.

Thanks!

I thought we were supposed to use our social security numbers?

It is difficult to gauge intent over a public forum. Sometimes we get it right and sometimes we don't. But we always aim to be cautious as we've seen some incredibly creative spamming techniques on our board :)

Thank you for your understanding Bill. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me personally if you would like to discuss further in private. We do our best to keep this board a safe environment for all (spammers excluded) and sometimes that means a spur of the moment judgment call.

You can always reach out to me with questions and concerns.

Thank you again.

Reposting the rules for this thread:

Due to our previous introductions thread being over 60 pages long and beginning to resemble the wild west of the internet, we have decided to lock it and start a new, fresh and clean introductions thread.

We’re going to make this simple and straightforward. In your introductory post, please include:

1. Your Name (Pseudonym or Real Name or Both)
2. Your Preferred Writing and Reading Genre
3. Your Most Recently Released Book (with Goodreads link if you like) if you have one
4. One Interesting Fact About You

Anything OTHER than this will result in your post being deleted. This is not a thread for broad and general discussions. We have plenty of other threads for that. This is simply to introduce yourself to the group. :)