Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Never Pee in the Water, Agents Might be Surfing

All of us, bloggers, tweeters, facebook frienders, goodreads reviewers, linkedin connectors, tend to think we’re talking only to a small group of friends or interested bypassers. We forget that our tweets and comments are out there for the world to see and read, forever, even if you delete your website or blog. That can be a bad thing.

It can also be a good thing. GalleyCat recently reported on a good example.
In two weeks and 314 tweets, the Fake AP Stylebook Twitter feed has earned more than 43,000 followers. Now, the creators have signed with an unnamed agent.
The website pays homage, in a funny way, to “The AP Stylebook.” The two founders, Mark Hale and Ken Lowery queried a book proposal to three agents and ended up choosing Kate McKean of the Howard Morhaim Literary Agency. McKean is no stranger to the Internet.
McKean is the agent for several bloggers with print aspirations, including the authors of TheLongThread.com, UnecessaryQuotes.com, and the I Can Has Cheezburger crew.
So remember this little tale and Never Pee in the Water, Agents Might be Surfing.
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Posted by Helen Ginger at 4:26 AM
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39 comments:

  1. You know I was laughing when I read your title! Too funny!

    A good reminder that our words live in cyberspace practically forever.

    Elizabeth
    Mystery Writing is Murder

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  2. LOL your title! Good advise! I'll remember to use the bathroom before swimming :)

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  3. That's a very good point, Helen. I've had some wonderful writing news this week that I'm longing to share but I know that the interested parties read my blog so I can't say too much until it's official. On the plus side my blog, apparently, was something that counted in my favour so the message is that you never know who is reading your posts!

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  4. I like how you cloaked such an important reminder in humor. I bet I’ll be smiling all day now.

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  5. Being polite and respectful is key. Have to balance being true to yourself and mindful of your audience/market.

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  6. Chris, that's just cruel, leaving a teaser like that. Tell!

    We all, even I, need a reminder occasionally that our posts and comments are read by others.

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  7. Agents and publishers DO watch what goes on throughout the web!

    And I am a BIG I Can Has Cheeseburger fan. But, you probably knew that...

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  8. Very true!

    One never knows who is out there...watching...waiting...

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  9. Almost creepy, isn't it Ann?

    Diane - I Can Has Cheeseburger fans unite!

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  10. Courtesy, manners, respect really can never steer us wrong. I've sometimes happened upon blogs of aspiring writers that veer into unprofessional territory, and I just don't get it. That web presence is all important, definitely.

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  11. Brilliant title for a perfect reminder.

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  12. That could be a GREAT title for a book! LOL, and sound advice, my friend.

    Marvin D Wilson

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  13. I, too, will be smiling each time I remember this title, Helen. It's a wonderful reminder that in each and every moment, in every interaction, we need to behave in ways that make us feel good about who we are.
    Karen

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  14. Funny AND true. Its amazing how many people actually read your Tweets or pull you or your blog up while doing a Google search. You never know who is looking at you.

    Stephen Tremp

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  15. Funny AND true. Its amazing how many people actually read your Tweets or pull you or your blog up while doing a Google search. You never know who is looking at you.

    Stephen Tremp

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  16. Love the title! And the post. It's an excellent reminder.

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  17. I'm still laughing over that title :) This is too true. I try to be careful of what I write but sometimes I may let a little irk leak out here and there. I call it being human ;) But I certainly don't want to ever dissuade an agent from checking out my blog! It's good advice to mind your words, whether spoken or written.

    Jen

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  18. Wonderful title and wonderful advice! I think it's far too easy to forget how many people can read what we put on the net, whether it be on blogs or Facebook or Twitter.

    Elspeth

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  19. Loved your title, and advice.

    I was just talking to someone about this recently, that is, your comments/tweets/blog out there for EVERYONE to see.

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  20. I do occassionally self censor for fear of who is reading. We do have to be a bit careful. Good advice.

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  21. There's nothing more frightening than being at a social event and having a stranger come up to you and say, "I googled you last night. Some very interesting things showed up," and then walk away.
    SCARY

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  22. Too true...Too funny...I feel so badly for them!

    Thanks for the much-needed laugh.

    Michele
    SouthernCityMysteries

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  23. Thanks, Helen. This made me smile.

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  24. Well said. Two very well-known agents spoke at a conference recently and they said they surf blogs every single day. I have one of those stat counters and have detected several agents visiting my blog. I try to be well behaved at all times. ;-]

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  25. A reminder that there is ALWAYS someone watching our behavior...whether on the internet or at the grocery store. Good manners are good manners. As I taught my son when he asked--"I treat others with respect and dignity not because of who they are, but of who I am, a person who treats others with respect and dignity."

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  26. I also self-censor on occasion. 'Course I do that in my life, as well. I'm a very good driver and never gesture at anyone or cut them off, etc., mostly because I'm afraid someone, that one person in a million, would recognize me.

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  27. My dad reads my blog. He doesn't comment or not on the blog itself but he reads it. This seems good to me and keeps me from being too whatever it is one shouldn't be too of. he certainly doesnt' quite get the language of blogs so when I wasn't so careful he would write me - all worried and concerned. Now, I save him the pain...

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  28. The truth is out there! Smashing title and a slightly spooky post!

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  29. Jan, having my dad read my blog would certainly change my thinking. Not a lot since I feel I do a pretty good job of watching myself, but he would always be in the back of my mind.

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  30. Another reason it's important to know your audience!

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  31. Nice advice. And Mom might be planning on a shower.

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  32. LOVE the title of the post :)

    Good advice as always!

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  33. This post is so timely. I just visited tweeter and saw a post and thought 'why would anyone let that thought outside their head to live forever in the universe?'
    And as a pool owner, I believe it is always rude to pee in the water.

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  34. Even when you know your audience, you can't be sure who's watching from behind the curtain.

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