I'm paraphrasing here, but the gist of it was that prospective employers sometimes check your social media posts before hiring you. If there is profanity or anything that might be unprofessional, they will sometimes pass on you and hire someone else.
What? Did I hear that right? Does that mean if I post a cartoon with an off-color remark or say something about my personal life that they don't like, they can not hire me because of it?
Not only can they not hire me, according to the piece on TV this morning, they won't hire me. That's kinda scary. I, for one, treat everyone like a friend on FaceBook and sometimes talk about personal stuff. Am I hurting my chances of catching a publisher's eye? Let's face it. Since we are all doing our own marketing, a publisher doesn't want someone who turns off readers with their views.
With that in mind, I took a long hard look at my contract with Berkley. Here's what it says:
The author agrees that during the term of this Agreement he will not, without the written permission of the Publisher, publish or authorize any work substantially similar to the Work or which is reasonably likely to injure its sale or the merchandising of the other rights granted herein.
Translated loosely, a controversial post that might turn off potential readers could fit into that category. I also looked at some of my posts on FB, and I've come up with this deduction. Yes, I do post personal stuff, but I don't think there is anything that a publisher might take offense with or that might harm my sales, and if there is, then I probably don't want to write for that publisher anyway.
I am honest and don't take myself too seriously, even on my author pages. I am who I am. But I can guarantee, NEVER will you see any posts on my wall or any comments on somebody elses' that are the least bit political or having to do with religion. I consider both of those areas off limits and have no desire to discuss your take on them either. In the past week, I have un-friended several people who think the world needs to know who they're voting for and why.
People, I don't care. I respect your right to choose, but that doesn't mean I want to hear about your choices. That goes for religion, too. I'm a Christian. End of story. I have no desire to discuss my beliefs with you or to listen to yours. These are sacred to me.
Now, I'm worrying that this post might be too opinionated!! Oh well.
I'll leave you with a funny Maxine cartoon about politics. But before I do, I want to get you psyched up for next Monday when I will be having a double launch party for BEEF STOLEN-OFF which will release next Tuesday. I will be holding court at this blog as well as my other group blog, The Plotting Princesses. There will be a giveaway every hour, alternating between the two blogs. You won't want to miss it. And here's the cartoon. To steal a line from Larry, the Cable Guy--I don't care who you are, that's funny right there!
6 comments:
I've been thinking about social media and how it's dangerous to my career because it steals writing time. This is another way it could have a negative effect. We do have to be careful. With social medial, we're all in the public eye. Congrats on the upcoming release!
I just love Maxine. She's a hoot.
I agree that social media takes time away from writing. I always try to be careful what I saw and post on places like FB.
Liz: I think you've raised a very important point. I wrote on social media recently as well on this blog, but your comments are much more critical than mine were. I think there are two things happening- both not great. First, many people sit at their desks and forget that they are "talking" to a huge number of people. Folks who aren't sending non-verbal responses or even reacting in a manner that can be included in a response. it's as if many have assumed they can spew whatever they want and think they have power or no need to apologize.
Second, we've moved to an era in which we are being judged by how many contacts we have, how many "likes", how many "friends" as if that measure our marketing reach. That attitude has become almost viral.
I don't doubt the importance of the connections. What I doubt is the way in which many are using it as a substitute for good writing, interesting discussion and a method for connecting in a positive fashion.
Anita, we really do have to be careful. I was so shocked to hear that actually verbalized on the news.
And I love Maxine, too.
Lindsay, I think that's a great way to look at it. There are a lot of readers out there. I've already admitted dropping some friends because of their posts. On the other hand, I don't think an author should use the media solely for marketing. I like to see personal stuff once in a while--just not religious or political leanings.
Well put, Cassy. It is so easy to get sucked into FB and Twitter and forget about just BICHOK.
I've ha to limit my time there, as I could play all day. I love interacting with people, especially authors and readers. But there is a fine line.
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