Geese, Eyesore
Yesterday I went into the city to meet Paul Hochman, the Director of Social Media at St. Martin’s Press. My editor, Brenda Copeland, wanted Paul and I to discuss ways to use social media to market my new book.
I would just like to pause here and gush a little about the people at St. Martin’s. I have had two books with two other publishers and while they were great in their own ways, St. Martin’s is AMAZING. I have met many people who work there, from assistants to the editor-in-chief and the publisher and they all appear to have read my book. If you are an author, you will know how unusual this is. People who work in publishing have so many books to read that they often don’t find the time to read books that they are not editing themselves. So imagine my surprise, yesterday, when I sat down with Mr. Hochman and he started quoting lines from my book. “Wait, you… you…read my book?” I kept asking him, wiping away tears of astonished joy.
Not only had he read my book, but he had read my blog, visited my Facebook and Twitter accounts and then he had written up a little report.
I have kept this blog going for several years and I also spend a lot of time on Twitter and Facebook, so I expected Paul to be very impressed by my web presence, as they say in the SM world. It turns out,I have a lot of work to do.
I have more than twice as many Twitter followers as Facebook “likes” on my author page. ”I’m really more of a Twitter person,” I explained. I’ve just always loved Twitter more. “Try to start using Facebook more, it sells more books,’ Paul told me.
“Well, I think people may read my Facebook page, but perhaps they don’t “like” it,” I offered. ”Maybe they just don’t hit the “like” button.”
“Yes, well, let’s try to make people start liking you,” he replied. I considered explaining that I have spent a lifetime devoted to that very goal, but decided, instead, to just listen.
Paul told me that he saw that I had just joined Pinterest. Yes, I told him, I had joined, but didn’t really see why I would post pictures there, when I can just post them on my blog. That’s when he gave me one of his many BRILLIANT IDEAS.
My new book, The Good House, is set in the fictional town of Wendover, Massachusetts. Paul said that he loved the way it felt like a real town, with different areas, a coastline, and interesting New England architecture. I told him that although the town was set on Boston’s North Shore, near Marblehead, Essex and Ipswich, I actually drew upon the topography and some of the architecture and street names of the part of Connecticut where I live now. Paul said that I should set up Pinterest boards for The Good House and post photos of places that I used as inspiration for the book. This really excited me as there are real churches, houses, coves and beaches that I used for the book and I have photos of them already!
So last night I started what will be a series of Pinterest boards devoted to The Good House. It’s the “Locations” board, you can see it here. I will also have boards devoted to the various themes in the books such as witchcraft, small-town life, drinking, etc. And there are animals in the book, of course. So, I’m very excited to start pinning.
My blog’s content is okay, according to Paul, but I need to update its appearance. The way it looks now is very 2011. So it looks like I’ll be updating the blog again. We need it to look like more of an author site and when the book becomes available for pre-sale, I will post the cover on my main page.
I think what we’re going to do is keep this blog page as it is but make it less busy. Paul hates tag clouds and would like me to get rid of mine. Do you all think this page is too cluttered? What else would you like to see gone?
Funny, I actually use your tag list a lot. I have to start out by saying I am not a crazy stalker (yes–I know, that’s exactly what a crazy stalker would say). My job is very needy and most days I have absolutely no idea what’s going to happen. I love my job but sometimes I need a quick break so I have a few go-to blogs that I know will not only distract me but engage my brain. If the blogger hasn’t posted that day, I will either randomly pick an archive month or, particularly in the case of this blog, pick a topic via the tags. Just my two cents. Now, I will go follow you on Pinterest in a very non-stalkery way. Thanks for your blog and I am looking forward to the book.
Thanks Karen, that’s good to know. I actually like the tag cloud myself, but haven’t updated it recently. Hmmm. Maybe I can get rid of the long list of months on the right. And, please don’t apologize, stalk away!
Well since you asked…if it were up to me, you could lose the recent posts list and the recent comments list. Those are really easy to get too without needing links. And by the way, it is no fun to stalk someone when you have their permission! Now I’m going to have to find a new person to stalk. I’m thinking maybe the other girl who was in “Square Pegs” with Sarah Jessica Parker. It’ll make her feel famous again.
Oh and by the way, I just realized that my advice may have seemed very heavy handed. It’s that kind of day today. It was in no way meant to suggest that Paul had given you bad advice on that. So far, your blog is the only one that I’ve ever seen that really effectively uses tags. They’re often abused.
OK–I’ll stop now.
I agree, I could live without the recent posts. But sometimes I see that people have commented on old posts in the recent comments section so I like that.
Karen, your comment about stalking “the other girl who was in ‘Square Pegs’ is hilarious! Love it.
I’m a sucker for simple websites. I’ve set up a million personal blogs over the years and the first thing I do when designing them is take away all of the clutter, set the column to one or two, and make the archives a drop down menu. The new Blogger makes customizing your template reeeeeally easy. My advice would be to find a better way for those distracting photo/video/bio buttons on the top right–maybe use pages instead–and skimp down to a 2 column. I’ve been really slacking on my websites lately, but you can see what I’ve settled for on my photo page http://www.laurenmalonephotography.com or my bloggy blog (linked above). And if you need any help with html coding etc, just holler and I’ll be happy to help if I can.
Hi Lauren, your blog is lovely and I just tried to comment on it, but was told that my url could not be verified. I used http://www.annleary.com
Ah, my apologies. Maybe that’s why I never get comments. Should be fixed now. I keep blogs for personal reference for myself, mainly, which gets me to write and photograph. Having people read them now and then is an added bonus.
I found your blog from reading your books. I enjoy taking a break from work now and then and read your blog. I also listen to the podcasts of Hash hags and the beautiful photography and poetry.
Cant wait for your new book to be released. Please make sure there is a NOOK version! It goes everywhere with me.
PS. I think Holly and Dennis look alike! lol
HAHAHA. He thinks Holly and I look alike. She’s my “familiar.” In the photo on the top of this page, we are making the same smirky face
Actually, I have always liked everything front and center as you already have it. If you want to look at a specific month – it’s right there! I really dislike having to constantly click and click again to get to certain articles and then click again to get to yet……. another page. All of these clicks invariably come with commercials that we are forced to stomach and then I throw in the towel. I suppose you could clean up the sides a bit, but I have always found your blog visually appealing and the photographs lovely. I know Mr. Hochman is a professional and does this kind of thing for a living, but I think simplicity has something to it……. as they say….. Less is more.
Thanks D
I think it looks fine. I have talked with you on Twitter many times. I am a Twitter fan over Facebook as it is more interactive.
I can not wait to read your next book! You are a great writer!
…This was so interesting b/c my 17 year old landed a literary agent BECAUSE of her social media presence (38,000+ followers). She has met with IP managers and SM experts as well in terms of building her platform in other virtual spaces and places.
(I hate tag references, too. What’s the point, I always think.)
You can check out my Pinterest boards if you want – Kimberly Tyson. I just checked out yours – that’s an interesting way to use Pinterest.
Wow, how did your daughter get so many followers? So cool for a 17 year old.
Well, I’m an old fogie at 44, but I love your blog as is. Then again, although I hate change, you have to do what you have to do. I’ll adapt, while griping under my breath for awhile.
Thanks Catherine!
Wow, I find it both refreshing and reassuring that you have such an amazing, devoted and involved team of people helping to bring your book into the world. I hear so many stories from author and poet friends these days that run quite the contrary. Hold on to that wise & dedicated group of folks; that kind of time & energy, creative thought & action put toward one title in the year’s catalogue is beyond-rare in this new age of publishing!
I’m getting so excited to read the new book, Ann. On one hand I want you to Stop Teasing Me, and on the other hand I adore the feeling of that build-up of sweet anticipation for something that will no doubt be worth the wait :0)
Have a fabulous weekend, everybody,
Denise
Thanks Denise!
Ann, I love the Blog as it is,, it’s easy for me to figure out. Maybe you can add a “love” button instead of like. I am not into twitter at all and don’t have internet on my cell phone. So I check your blog and fb page. I love both of them. Can’t wait for the book!
Love!
Very nice pictures on your pinterest page, beautiful really. I can only comment about LinkedIn, which I love and use on a regular basis. I do think the blog page is rather busy with all the tag clouds.
I like the blog the way it is. It’s easy to get around. I don’t facebook or twitter.
I just got suckered into Pinterest by our one and only Cat…I have no idea what I’m doing. I can only think I’ll use it for recipes or things to keep me sane whilst taking care of a newborn. So I’m sorry if you see me pin some ridiculous things!
The end. About that, anyway.
I love your blog layout, I don’t think it’s cluttered, but I get it about the tag clouds. I don’t use it, so perhaps maybe that’s why I find it superfluous?
How fabulous that so many people are so invested and behind your book already…and the rest of us have to wait until next year! *wah*
Perhaps coincidentally, there was a report on tonight’s NBC Nightly News about the meteoric rise of Pinterest. Such mainstream media attention is of course a sure sign that Pinterest will soon become the object of scorn, derision, and ridicule, even as it becomes wildly successful and popular, and gives rise to a slew of less elegant copycat websites. (Can you say “Groupon?”)
Anyway, Ann, I agree with KC’s (and others’) observations about the generally uncluttered look of this blog layout. The tags and the categories can probably be removed without much push-back from your readers, but the remaining items should definitely stay.
My two pennies….
Don’t change a hair for me.
Not if you care for me.
Stay funny Valentine. Stay.
Actually, I’m sure you’ll do all the right things for your blog. I am just grateful you do such a nice job of updating it with your charmingly funny stories. I don’t get to stop by as often as I’d like, but I always find something new to make me chuckle if not think. Brava!
And you have such a devoted fan base here. A family really. They are so supportive of you and each other. I hope that never changes. Keep it up, girlfriend! You can tweet and pin and facebook all you want, and I’ll be looking forward to all your posts right here. xo
One of my favorite songs!
Ann, yours is one of only three blogs I read regularly and I’ve never really paid attention to all the extras along the side. I read it because I love your ‘voice’, it’s genuine and witty, and every now and then you surprise me by admitting to the same insecurities that so many of us have. But now, looking at the extras, I would echo those who said that maybe the archives could be a drop down menu, and either get rid of the Tags or Categories options. They seem to be somewhat redundant.
Paul sounds like an amazing SM expert. I love his Pinterest idea and look forward to checking yours out. My daughter is an assistant publicist at a publishing house, I just might share his idea with her!
Okay so now I am nervous things will be removed from this blog site. Please keep the ‘archives’ section up!!! Please keep the ‘categories’ up too! I do go back from time to time to look up something you have posted (like the eyesore meeting) that absolutely cracks me up! I know, I know, I am being totally selfish. But you do make it easy for readers to read older posts. Besides, don’t you want ‘new people’ finding your blog to be able to read up on everything Leary?
I like the blog just the way it is, but I am sure if you tidy it up a bit I will still love it. Drop downs are a good idea. I found it a few years ago after I read one of your books. I often look up author’s websites, but most don’t have an ongoing blog like this (at least the ones that I’ve seen). I have since followed it because I love reading your observations, you make me laugh. I also follow you on facebook when I see your posts. I hardly ever follow twitter, though I did join years ago. For books I also enjoy the goodreads website.
I had never heard of pinterest until you mentioned it. I looked at it quickly, it looks very interesting, I will have to check it out further. I love the photos you put up. Over the Easter weekend we went to see my son in Boston, and instead of just driving right home we decided to drive the Mass coast from the point most north to Boston to see what it looked like. We just drove through all those places that you mentioned, so I really can’t wait to read your book! One of the things that I found really interesting was in one town (maybe Marblehead?) most of the houses had the date they were built on them. To think of some of them being 200 years old, give or take several years, is amazing! It was a very enjoyable drive.
I love your blog and your twitter I like and follow both. I have always thought I was so up on technology and media and blah but I honestly dont get pin interest…I know lots of people like it but I just dont get why oh well
Oh brother, am I behind the times. When I saw the title of this blog entry I thought it was about an ENTIRELY different topic.
So I’m on Pinterest and Twitter but I really don’t understand either of them. Today someone mentioned me (tagged me?) in a spam pin about weight loss. Twitter is the same, I get spammed. Is it just me?
Ann, I think your blog is great as it is. The only thing I wouldn’t miss are Recent Comments and Recent Posts. I love being able to go back and read some of my favorites on the Archives list and Categories.
I do miss hearing about your horses and dogs. Your blogs were always so delightful and left me with a smile. All your blogs are great but those are my favorites.
I like the tag cloud too — I would miss it. Hmmm … I do think a little decluttering of the right side of the page wouldn’t hurt, though. Maybe “Archives,” “Categories,” “Recent Comments,” and “Recent Posts” could all be converted to unobtrusive drop-downs?
I personally like seeing the Twitter updates — sometimes one will draw me over there, and I get sucked in — and I like seeing who’s recently commented.
I love the banner photo at top, please don’t lose that. The four square buttons at top right could be more minimal, perhaps?