This Observations post is about Twitter, Romance Novels, and Authors…I know I’ve talked about two of these topics before, but I assure you that this post is all new…

Twitter- I must confess that if I’m not careful I’m a total twitteraholic. Yup, I could easily spend all day looking at what tweeps in my TL are saying or doing, and have done just that at times.  There are always countless links I could click on, and convos I could involve myself in, so I try to limit myself. First off, with very rare exception I don’t tweet while I’m at work, unless I’m on break or at lunch. Secondly, unless I’m off from work the next day I don’t normally tweet after 9 p.m. Third, I used to have quite a few twitter phone alerts going on. During the last month I’ve removed all but my personal acct. @’s, DM’s, and those from the Bookish acct. BTW…I check the Bookish twitter several times a day, but other than tweeting about posts, doing RT’s, and recommendations I don’t tweet from it a lot unless someone @’s us.

I’ve had my personal twitter acct. since April 17th, 2009…WoW! That’s a long time now that I think of it. Occasionally, I take complete twitter breaks from my personal acct. Usually it’s just for a day or two, but twice I’ve taken longer…once I even managed to stay away for almost three months. I’ll bet that’s hard for some of you to even consider…it can be done tho

Here’s some things I love about twitter from a personal standpoint: I’ve met and become friends with SO many different peeps from all over the world. Some because of Rob or Twilight, some because of a shared love of books in general or specifically, and others for various reasons. I have traveled out-of-state and out of the country to meet some of those amazing people, and I’ll do it again as often as I’m able to.

I’ve read fabulous books because of recs I’ve been given directly, or by seeing others tweet about them. Some of those have even become personal favorites…right up there in my top ten of all time favorites. I also enjoy a steady stream of Rob, and David Gandy pictures from the peeps I hang out with on twitter. Those links they provide are irresistable…I do an awful lot of …right click…saving, and I appreciate all those who feed my RP and DG addictions

I’ve learned things from twitter, or more accurately things that have been tweeted about.

This book blog wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for twitter because that’s where it all started.

From a bloggers perspective: When Bookish first started out most of our traffic came from twitter. That isn’t the case anymore, but I’m forever grateful for those who do visit via twitter, and for all the RT’s. It’s amazing to watch sometimes. It starts with 1 or 2 RT’s and then it just builds from there. I’ve also had the opportunity to meet many authors…most virtually but a few in person as well.

Twitter isn’t all sweetness and light however, there’s a flip side too. There are things that make me cringe, things that make me turn away, or turn off, things that have hurt my feelings… When people go off on tangents or rants that last several long tweets whether it’s directed to someone or not. I have at times gotten off twitter when that happens. Sometimes I really want to say…email or DM’s people…that’s what it’s there for, but that’s not my style, nor is it my place to do that.

TMI- I really don’t want or need to know some of the things that peeps put out there… O’O

DM’s- Sometimes I wonder if peeps know what the purpose of a DM is. Well just in case…it’s for private conversations. Things that don’t really belong in the public timeline. More peeps should use them…srsly!

Bashing and hating…I don’t think that really needs any further explanation.

Romance novels: Recently, I had some conversations with various people regarding  the romance genre. I was shocked…I mean shocked to learn that there is a large segment of people who look down on this particular genre. C’mon people…romance has been around as long as we have. It’s in what we define as Classic literature, art, music, poetry, philosophy…Since when did it become cool to say “Romance novels? O…I don’t read those”, or to be embarrassed to admit that you did?!? Here’s a link to an article I found interesting on this topic.

And while I’m on a roll (O crap, I’m being ranty now aren’t I? O well ) If I hear one more person say that erotica is a new genre…I may be physically ill. It’s not new…it’s been around a lot longer than I have, and I’m old as dirt for heaven’s sake. Don’t say it’s just gotten popular either…it’s just not true. It may be enjoying an upswing or seeing growth in popularity, but I assure you that it’s been available and popular in the mainstream long before now. It makes a good media story to write or talk about, but don’t be fooled.

Maybe it’s the definition that people are having a hard time with so here’s just one of many…”explicitly sexual literature or art”…the problem I have with that is this…you could take ten different people and get ten different answers on what each of them considers explicit. It’s all a matter of personal taste peeps. If you think it’s immoral, or disgusting, or you’re embarrassed to admit that you read it, let alone like it…then just don’t.

So in conclusion to this rant of mine, I want to say this to those who perceive themselves as more cultured, or intelligent, or better than… simply because they disdain and choose not to read romance or erotica novels…DOOD! You are missing out on some fabulous reading experiences. I extend my sympathies for all the brilliant writing you won’t ever get to enjoy! Me?!? I love ‘em both…loud and proud!

Authors- Recently a fellow book blogger did a nice post on the correlation between an indie authors success and book blogs. I’m really sorry that I can’t find the link to it now that I’m finally writing about it. I have a few thoughts of my own on the subject. I can say without prejudice or conceit that Bookish has, and continues to have an impact in getting the word out on indie authors and books we love. Wonder how I can make such a bold statement?

Many times someone has a left a comment here or on Twitter stating that they’ve put a book on their TBR list or have actually bought a book based on one of our posts, or recommendations.  I even get DM’s from the shy ones who want to share that information. I think that there are a lot of authors who have  realized  the role we can play, and are smart enough to take advantage of  that. There are many more however that haven’t. Why not? I’m not really sure to be honest.

What could be better than a free promotional tool offered by a site that is devoted to promoting the authors product? And by free I’m talking about book blogs like this one that do more than reviews. Some of those types of things we’ve done here include: My Book Boyfriend posts, interviews, author guest posts,  Sexy Sentence Saturday, the Valentines letters, Pictorial posts, etc., and as far as reviews go? Even an e-book sent to us is cost efficient when you consider the book sales it can generate. So…if there are any authors out there reading this that haven’t yet begun using book blogs in your marketing repertoire , or aren’t using them to their up most potential I encourage you to give it a go. Most book blogs are thrilled to have you contact them and offer an interview, guest post, etc. Even if they don’t review your book they might be open to those other options. The worst that can happen is you get turned down right? Nothing ventured…nothing gained.

Author, Shelly Crane, wrote a nice piece on book bloggers that made me smile.

Readers you can have an impact on this as well. If you buy or even borrow a book based on a post that you read here or elsewhere…let the author know about it. Most of them don’t bite, and are happy to have the information. A lot of your favorite authors have twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, or other social media accounts. Many of them are really good at connecting with their readers…not all, but enough of them do to make it worth your while to check into it. Most authors also have a web site. Some keep them updated regularily, so it’s good to either subscribe to, or visit them often to check it out.

In my Book Blogger Confessions post last week I talked about my opinion of what book bloggers owe to publishers/publicists/authors. So what about the reversal of that question? Do they in turn owe us anything? You might be surprised to learn that my answer to that question is this…not much. I think they owe us the professional courtesy to respond to emails in a timely manner. If they agree to an interview, a guest post, or anything else then they should always follow through, or let the blogger know if they are delayed in delivering, or have changed their mind for whatever reason. They don’t us owe us anything else as far as I’m concerned…but…it’s nice when they  take the extra steps…when they acknowledge us and/or link to us or a specific post that relates to them or their book(s) on their web sites, or on the various social medias. And I don’t know a single blogger that isn’t thrilled when an author stops by the blog itself and leaves a comment after a review, or other post that’s directed at them or their book(s). We’re human too after all

Well, those are my most recent Observations… I leave you today with this quotation that my friend Neda posted on Facebook a few days ago…

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” Lao Tzu

Tamie Xo