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Aug
31 2011 | ||
Please welcome the incomparable Carly Phillips to the blog. I adore her no lie! She’s just fabulously wonderful and I’m so glad I know her. Oh and I also love her books to death. So say hello and give her a warm welcome 🙂
I’m so excited to be here today. I know Lauren says she’s a fan girl of mine – but the thing is the feeling is mutual. We met on Twitter and hung out at RWA National and I’m really just happy to know her! I’m doing a huge blog tour and I could talk all about SERENDIPITY – it’s in stores 9/6 – and I hope you’ll check it out – but I’d rather talk about something different. Social Networking.
What is social networking? Here’s one definition I found at dictionary.reference.com – an online community of people with a common interest who use a Web site or other technologies to communicate with each other and share information.
OK that’s very bland. Blah. Boring. But the thing is, social networking is anything BUT those things.
Let’s start with Twitter. Thanks to Twitter, I have met authors who I really like, whose books I love, and who I can help get the word about about their stories. Twitter isn’t for everyone. Talking in 140 characters can be challenging … but I find I thrive on it. It’s enabled me to meet readers, bloggers, reviewers, authors, other people who love soap operas just like me. You can find me at www.twitter.com/carlyphillips
There’s Facebook – and of course I have a Facebook Fan page – www.facebook.com/carlyphillipsfanpage and I keep it updated and I answer everything someone posts – but I find the immediacy of Twitter much more rewarding. Some may procrastinate on social media, but I discovered a way to make it work for me – I find other writers who want to do “writing sprints” – which has been great for my productivity.
I know Lauren is a big Tumblr user – personally I haven’t gotten past figuring out the basic backgrounds and templates, so maybe that one’s not for me.
I’ve put up my older book videos on my Carly Phillips page on YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/carlyphillips1 along with dog/puppy videos because I’m kind of an annoying dog person too.
As a writer and a reader, GoodReads is a fun place – but I have some trouble keeping up. I’m such a fast reader, I forget to input what I’m reading or I finish too fast. But as a writer, it’s a good place for me to let people who love to read know what is going on with my books. http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10000.Carly_Phillips And as a reader, what better place to find books or authors?
LinkedIn is more of a work/professional site but again, since there’s a profile page, I link to my blogs and Twitter and voila! People can see what’s going on with me there too! http://www.linkedin.com/pub/carly-phillips/23/342/b1a
And last but not least is Google+ the newest social media hangout. Now I’ll be honest – I signed up – but with everything I do, all my bookcovers and photos already on Facebook, I can’t possibly be posting there too. It’s just too much. But here I am: http://gplus.to/carlyphillipsauthor
I bet you think it takes a lot of work to keep up with these sites? Well to be honest, the only two I’m consistently posting on are Facebook and Twitter and I make it a point to post new and different content on each, so readers don’t feel like I’m just lazily giving them the same post via a computer generated auto-post. I figure it’s the least I can do for people who so generously buy my books and take the time to follow/like/post to me!
But social media presence is key to authors these days. There are so many different places, it’s not possible to be active everywhere, but the places you are active, I think you owe your best efforts. Readers friends on all sites will know if you’re just “performing”. And I don’t recommend that at all.
No matter what you are in life – a writer, a reader, or just someone who wants to hang out online, my biggest recommendation is to be yourself!
So what social networking sites are you and and what value have you found?
My newest release that I’ll be mentioning around the Internet is SERENDIPITY out 9/6 – and which you can win a copy of today! Anyone who chats with me is eligible to win! (ed: in other words comments to this post)
Serendipity is the name of both the series for Berkley and the first book set in a fictional small town in upstate New York. At the center of the town is the landmark Harrington Mansion, the epitome of wealth and privilege. The series opens with SERENDIPITY, which introduces readers to the estranged Barron brothers, brought together by a teenage sister they didn’t know they had and family drama they haven’t yet put to rest. These books tap deeper into emotions than my more recent books while keeping the trademark sensuality and light moments my readers expect. Book one, Serendipity 9/11 is the story of Ethan Barron, the “bad boy” oldest brother. Ethan returns home after ten years and finds himself tempted by the girl who was too good for him in high school, but now their social status are reversed, as he now owns the Harrington mansion – in which she grew up. At heart, Serendipity is the story of a man who is looking for redemption and a woman in search of a place to belong.
August 31st, 2011 at 4:46 am · Link
Upstate NY – nice – several hours from me.
Book sounds wonderful, Carly. Nice to see you here. I love the “book” community social networking. Not a twitterer and rarely go on fb. Love hearing about authors, books, contests and all going on in the book world.
Good luck with Serendipity. Looking forward to that CONTEMP series! Love my contemps!!!!
August 31st, 2011 at 6:12 am · Link
Thanks, Pat. So how do you hear about your authors’ releases if not FB or Twitter? 🙂 I know it’s not for everyone!
August 31st, 2011 at 6:19 am · Link
Hi Carly…
Serendipity sounds great!!! I love stories about redemption and am very curious as to how their relationship will evolve in Serendipity…can’t wait till this comes out in September.
As far as social networking…I am on Facebook and follow numerous authors, I don’t Twitter much although I do have an account. Usually, I read blogs for most of my information gathering and communicating. I think blogs give you so much more freedom to write than the quick posts on Facebook and the 140 charaters on Twitter. I hope blogs aren’t starting to fade away…I enjoy them too much.
August 31st, 2011 at 6:19 am · Link
When you say up state where is it really? I’m from Youngstown NY which is north of Niagara Falls and growing up I learned that people from the city called everything north of them up state :).
I love Twitter and FB for info on book releases. The only other way I learn is via newsletters.
Thank you.
August 31st, 2011 at 6:26 am · Link
Hi Carly, Love seeing you on Twitter, isn’t it addicting though? I can’t wait for your new book, Serendipity. Using a Kindle, I find I go through books so much faster and am ready for a new one! I love the fact that you are so open with and available to your readers.
August 31st, 2011 at 6:27 am · Link
Hi Carly!! I’ve read several of your books, and I think you’re awesome!! When I started reading all of the time it was your Hot Zone Series, and I loved it.
The new book sounds great!
As for social networking, I’m on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads, but I’m not on them a whole lot. But I’ve subscribed to several of my faves newsletters so I enjoy seeing updates on those. 😀
August 31st, 2011 at 6:27 am · Link
Hi Carly,
I’ve had your books recommended to me several times by good friends. I think I am going to start with Serendipity. Looking forward to its release! I don’t use FB either. I use blogs, GoodReads, and author websites to find out about books and authors. I’ve met some of the nicest people using these sources.
August 31st, 2011 at 6:33 am · Link
Cant wait to read the new book! sounds great!
I love fb and twitter, and spend way too much time reading book related blogs… love goodreads and library thing and net galley… like I said too much time wasting! lol 😎
August 31st, 2011 at 7:01 am · Link
Cant wait for the new book to come out.
I follow you on Facebook. Not much of a twitter fan 🙂
August 31st, 2011 at 7:20 am · Link
Hi Carly. Serendipity sounds great. I follow you on facebook.
August 31st, 2011 at 7:40 am · Link
Love the name of the “town”. I do the romance blog community and FB. Sometimes I find myself just glued to these social medias…LOL. It’s like they hold me captive or something.
Good luck Carly with your new book.
August 31st, 2011 at 7:45 am · Link
I’m not much of a techie so FB is my only other means of keeping in touch. I can’t wrap my head around all the other venues of communication. Congratulations on your new release.
August 31st, 2011 at 7:51 am · Link
Your new book sounds great!! Can’t wait to read it. I am on Facebook and follow all my favorite authors. I also use goodread.
Good luck with your new book!
August 31st, 2011 at 7:53 am · Link
Carly, I look forward to SERENDIPITY. Your books are always so enjoyable and you have a knack for making me laugh. 😆 Love FB and use it daily to keep up with friends, family and authors. Not a Twitter fan, don’t have time for all of that.
August 31st, 2011 at 8:08 am · Link
I can’t wait to read your new book. I have a Facebook account and a Twitter account. My Facebook I follow authors and keep up with family that lives in another state. I only have a Twitter account because I like doing contest.
August 31st, 2011 at 8:09 am · Link
Congrats on the upcoming release of Serendipity!
I find there are so many networking sites out there for all sorts of communication that it’s getting hard to keep. Recently, I’ve committed myself to only a site or two. I don’t want to lose touch with the outside world 😉 Mainly, I’m a Goodreads user.
August 31st, 2011 at 8:37 am · Link
HI Carly,
I’m looking forward to Serendipity! As for social media, I’m on facebook, but I don’t really post on there that often. I use it more to message some friends and to keep up with the happenings of other friends, who are much more into FB, then me.
August 31st, 2011 at 8:53 am · Link
WOW, I am looking forward to Serendipity. I love your website, and I think I will be doing some shopping today at amazon for some for your books. I love that author’s recommend other author’s that they enjoy reading to their readers. I am of course a FB user and follow several author’s. I like the fact that they communicate with thier fans personally. I also enjoy Goodreads.
August 31st, 2011 at 9:12 am · Link
I browse websites/blogs frequently and I follow authors/pub/bloggers/editors on twitter and like fb pages. I like that some authors make a lot of effort to communicate with their readers without constantly selling something. They like hearing that we love their books and we really like telling them!
August 31st, 2011 at 9:52 am · Link
First let me say I’ve read several of your books and have yet to come across one I didn’t absolutely love.
Now… Social media…. wow! I must admit that I love FB. I’m on it every day. I follow some of my favorite authors on there. But after seeing all the different social networking options authors such as yourself and Lauren are a part of, I wonder how you have time to keep up with all of them and keeping your readers up to date on information, events, etc and still manage to write well thought out books.
August 31st, 2011 at 9:59 am · Link
cant wait to read
August 31st, 2011 at 10:40 am · Link
Kinda slow on the techie stuff, have friends with hundreds of friends, mostly college kids I know. I don’t Twitter, but do read the ones posted to blogs.. To keep up with all this, some people must never get away from a computer.. No wonder I see everyone looking at cell phones!! I can’t wait for your new books! I’ve liked everything I’ve read of yours in the past!
August 31st, 2011 at 10:50 am · Link
Hi! Thank you all 🙂 So much fun being here. Sorry I’ve been MIA it was a long carpool day! I live in Westchester County, NY not as upstate as some!
I don’t think blogs are going anywhere! I just think there are other alternatives. Which brings me to the next point – I can’t speak for others but as for me and most writers I know, our books and our writing quality comes first! The rest? It’s icing if we have time. It’s fun when we can. It’s a way of reaching out to people and meeting them in return. But it’s no substitute for a good book!
I have a joint blog I forgot to mention – Plotmonkeys – http://www.plotmonkeys.com with 3 other authors, and my blogging day is Thursday (Lauren will be there tomorrow w/a giveaway!) and we do contests on Friday, what are you reading days on Saturday … hope you’ll all stop by there too!
I’ll keep an eye out and be back!
August 31st, 2011 at 10:59 am · Link
Happy almost new release date Carly!! I have enjoyed many of your books in the past…the latest being your story “Compassion Can’t Wait” in More Than Words Volume 7. It was my fav of the book!! LOVE Facebook..but also follow my fav writers via their blogs/websites & book websites. 🙂
August 31st, 2011 at 11:01 am · Link
Hi Carly,
Serendipity sounds great. I love your books and am, in fact, just about to start reading Sealed With a Kiss.
As for social networking, I’m on Facebook and as soon as I finish this comment I’m going to go like your fan page.
August 31st, 2011 at 11:05 am · Link
Congrats on the new release. Im looking forward to picking it up.
August 31st, 2011 at 11:17 am · Link
Serendipity sounds great!
I found some old friends on Facebook.
August 31st, 2011 at 11:17 am · Link
Carly, love your books, so can’t wait for this new series. As a midwestern girl, I’ve never been to upstate New York. Will be fun to get a feel of that part of the country through the series. Best of luck with it. And thanks for all the time you devote to giving us all a piece of yourself.
August 31st, 2011 at 11:35 am · Link
oh carley im already familar with your work and just love your stories really looking forward to your new series! 😉
August 31st, 2011 at 11:54 am · Link
Definitely agree that it’s impossible to be consistently up to date on every social network, which is why I only stick to Facebook and blogging but even then there are times that I barely post anything at all.
August 31st, 2011 at 11:57 am · Link
Cant wait for the new book to come out. 😆
I follow you on Facebook.
August 31st, 2011 at 12:00 pm · Link
Congrats on the new release!! I use Facebook for stay in touch with friends and family. I’m on goodreads as well but like you I read very fast and don’t keep up with it but I enjoy the review and different groups available.
August 31st, 2011 at 12:06 pm · Link
Hi Carly,
Book looks fascinating. Love books set in small towns and getting to know the family and friends. I see you’re from Westchester County! I grew up in Mt. Vernon living in Virginia now.
I don’t twitter… but I do use Facebook. I love keep in touch with all my family friends who are spread out all over the globe. And also seeing what’s going on in the author community… always can catch up with my favorite authors. Love reading blogs as well.
August 31st, 2011 at 1:16 pm · Link
I am the oddball– I am not on any social networking site
I can’t wait to read SERENDIPITY!!
August 31st, 2011 at 1:22 pm · Link
I’m not on Facebook or Twitter, so I get most of the info on books and authors through the author’s newsletter or the various review blogs.
August 31st, 2011 at 1:25 pm · Link
Hi Carly! I can’t wait to read Serendipity. I was actually browsing Amazon today and added several of your books to my Kindle “wish list” for my monthly Kindle budget. :o) I love using Facebook for social media – I have a Twitter account, but just haven’t taken the time to really figure it out yet.
August 31st, 2011 at 2:04 pm · Link
Well I have recently started an twitter and a blog site. But I won’t lie that was mainly because of a contest I wanted to enter. I am still working on how to use them. 🙂 But facebook I just can’t see putting my whole life on display like some people do. But that’s me. 😆 But I have seen your comments on my twitter account, you are one of many I follow. And I have noticed you do love to comment on your soaps. I believe OLTL is one you mention quit often. I use to watch them myself, but over the last ten years with work I only get caught up once in a while. 😥 Thanks for the contest!!
August 31st, 2011 at 3:59 pm · Link
I love that authors are on Twitter and Facebook, etc. because I get to know them as people and I think that adds to the fun of reading their books. I am primarily on those two sites, but I also enjoy Goodreads.
I’m looking forward to reading Serendipity, it sounds like a fantastic story.
August 31st, 2011 at 5:32 pm · Link
Hi Carly
I love Facebook – so easy to talk to book clubs friends from everywhere. Must be hard for a writer to get work done but have a presence on the web. I do think it helps though. I’ve found many new authors this way. See you at Plotmonkeys.
August 31st, 2011 at 5:45 pm · Link
Enjoyed reading your blog. I follow alot of authors though newsletters, face book, as well as their website. Not a huge twitter fan. New series sounds great can’t wait to check it out
August 31st, 2011 at 5:50 pm · Link
Please don’t enter me in the contest. I won an ARC on Goodreads.
I loved this story. I can hardly wait to see what you do with the other brothers. I recommend this book to any romance lover!
August 31st, 2011 at 6:00 pm · Link
Your town of Serendipity sounds wonderful! I am looking forward to your new book. Thanks for the chance to win.
August 31st, 2011 at 7:29 pm · Link
I love a series and like to start at the beginning. Small town settings are fun (I live in a small town). Often there are fun supporting characters. I’ve gotten more into facebook recently to follow some of my favorite authors. Just dabble in Twitter. Have to work on my LinkedIn profile when I start my job search soon.
Is it Serendipity that my birthday is Sept 6 – the release day?
Must be meant to read this book! 😆
September 1st, 2011 at 7:52 am · Link
Hi Carly. This sounds really good and I love books that place in small towns and then have connected characters. I am looking forward to reading this.
September 1st, 2011 at 3:45 pm · Link
Hi, Carly! I’m waffling about Google+. Apparently bad things will happen to other Google services if you try to leave Google+. That’s a bit much for me.