| Are they really free? Are they actually helpful? | | | | interesting articles and/or links. But convenience is the |
| | | | main issue for me to be kept in touch. I think it is an |
| Why do writers subscribe to these lists? | | | | efficient way of being informed of a variety of thing |
| | | | that would take days of scanning newspapers, |
| Why do people start lists for writers? | | | | magazines and the fabulous opportunity of getting |
| | | | another take from likeminded people around the world." |
| While there's no definite answers to any of those | | | | |
| questions, I can share some opinions of other writers, | | | | "I'm a debut historical romance author, or at least I was |
| who have participated in discussion lists, and links to | | | | when I joined the Tobeez email loop," says |
| websites with more information so you can make your | | | | Cheré Coen, Online features editor for The |
| own decision! | | | | Advocate Online. "Tobeez stands for To Be Published. |
| | | | The group began when a few newly published |
| First let's start with the basics. An email discussion list is | | | | romance authors began chatting online and realized |
| not the same as an ezine, an email newsletter or an | | | | there were many things new authors needed to know |
| announcement list. | | | | and that other new authors could benefit from such a |
| | | | network. This list has been my saving grace. I have |
| A discussion list is different because it allows you as a | | | | learned so many things that only come from going to |
| subscriber to post your own messages, as well as | | | | conferences, chapter meetings of the Romance |
| read and reply to messages from other subscribers. | | | | Writers of America (which I'm a member) and from |
| The ability to interact with other people is the defining | | | | doing a lot of reading in industry magazines, none of |
| feature of email discussion lists. | | | | which I have much time or money for. We exchange |
| | | | information about promotions, booksignings, contract |
| Many such lists exist - some with as few as 5 | | | | negotiations, agents, editors, press kits, personal fears |
| subscribers and others with more than 500 | | | | and good reviews, among much more. The list |
| subscribers. The number of posts each day varies just | | | | contains members from Australia, New Zealand, |
| as much depending upon the list. | | | | Canada and most of the United States, and because |
| | | | of this we are also able to share information on |
| For example, Childrens-Writers List which is dedicated | | | | research for upcoming novels." |
| to the discussion of writing (and illustrating) for children, | | | | |
| including such topics as creativity, work styles and | | | | "I'm subscribed to a half dozen lists related to books, |
| techniques, marketing and promotion, dealing with | | | | writing, and publishing,'' says Peggy Tibbetts, Author of |
| rejection, etc. - has more than 500 members and had | | | | Carly's Ghost and Rumors of War. "Booklocker's online |
| more than 1,200 postings last month. | | | | promotion kit and "Secrets of Our Success" both |
| | | | recommend discussion lists as a good way to |
| While the Romance Writers Support Group, which | | | | promote online to a broad audience. What I've found to |
| was created to discuss romance writing and offer | | | | be rather curious in reality is that there is a surprisng |
| encouragement and advice to romance writers, had | | | | number of list subscribers who deeply resent |
| less than 100 messages posted between its 34 | | | | promotional posts by other subscribers, some to the |
| members in the year 2000. | | | | point of calling them spam. As a result lots of posts |
| | | | are generated arguing and complaining about the |
| This is one of the reasons that most email discussion | | | | propriety of promotional posts. In the end, what's more |
| list hosts offer subscribers the option to receive | | | | aggravating, deleting one promo post that doesn't |
| individual emails or a daily digest of all messages. | | | | interest you or eight to ten posts bickering over it? |
| Some hosts also allow subscribers to read the list only | | | | Seems like a no brainer to me. I don't understand why |
| on the web (by logging into the list archives at the host | | | | someone would subscribe to a list and then complain |
| site, subscribers can choose how often they read the | | | | about promo content related to the subject matter. In |
| postings). | | | | my mind, part of the purpose of subscribing is to learn |
| | | | what's new and what others are doing online--a |
| You never know what you may learn from others, | | | | means of sharing. If that involves promo posts, then so |
| who share your interests and goals. By communicating | | | | be it. Perhaps it's incumbent on the list moderators to |
| with other writers via discussion lists, you can | | | | clarify for their subscribers whether promo posts are |
| potentially find support, advice, ideas and new | | | | acceptable. Obviously everyone agrees that a promo |
| resources. | | | | post about a new weight loss program on a publish list |
| | | | is inappropriate. But as for promo posts related to the |
| Just as list size and posting frequency varies, the | | | | list topic, there's currently a good deal of ambiguity, |
| content and quality of messages are equally diverse | | | | even controversy." |
| depending upon the other participants and list owners. | | | | |
| But the only way you'll find out if discussion lists can be | | | | "I began an "Intranet" site rather than a listserv, as I felt |
| beneficial to you, is by giving them a shot! You have | | | | that this would enable people to chime in on their own |
| nothing to lose - most are free! And you're usually not | | | | accord, rather than filling an inbox ..." says Julie Selman, |
| required to post messages or respond to others' | | | | Seattle Writergrrl, Webgrrl, Techwr-L'er, Woman of the |
| messages, if you choose not to. | | | | Woods... "My husband is an active member of a |
| | | | listserv that has been a real community for him for |
| You can just sign up, read postings at your leisure and | | | | years. These people share the same passion, and |
| then decide whether you want to contribute or cancel | | | | they are very, very involved. They will be meeting in |
| your subscription! | | | | the spring for the first time at a conference that they |
| | | | are setting up. I know that he and I will be looking |
| Selecting a discussion list that will deliver what you | | | | forward to it. Drawbacks that we have both seen is |
| want is obviously a subjective process. However, you | | | | that we feel guilty if we have not read all of the |
| may want to read some opinions of other writers, who | | | | listserv -- and we both subscribe to listservs in digest |
| have participated in various lists. | | | | form. Cross postings do happen, especially if you |
| | | | belong to several listservs for the same community. |
| So why do writers subscribe to discussion lists? | | | | Managing them is more time than either of us usually |
| | | | have. People on some of the lists are not aware of |
| "Subscribing to a writers list is the same as shopping | | | | the "etiquette" of cut and paste -- or don't know how |
| for new shoes,'' says "Shydove." "It takes trial and | | | | to sign up or get off, or how the communication works |
| error, but then you find the right group, the 'write' | | | | -- or about propriety ... some things you just don't post |
| answers of which you can pick and choose at will." | | | | to an entire list! Lurkers are an issue -- how do you |
| | | | know what you are posting won't get back at you in |
| "I chose a diverse group of writers in A Writing Parent | | | | some way? Who is listening, anyway? On the more |
| as I am a stay at home grandmother.'' Shydove added. | | | | positive side, it is a constant source for information and |
| "New to online writing, and still seeking my muse and | | | | contacts in areas that interest us. They can be |
| genre, there are varied questions I ask that someone is | | | | deleted, and often the archives can be visited on some |
| ready to answer. They have been more than willing to | | | | associated web site. Like the early days of bulletin |
| share their experience with me.'' | | | | boards, I would imagine that these lists will evolve, and |
| | | | some of the issues will "fall away."© Danielle |
| "I generally subscribe because I want to be kept in | | | | Hollister (2004) is the Publisher of the Free Ezine for |
| touch but will not remember to visit as a favourite as | | | | Writers featuring news, reviews, and continuously |
| mine are so many,'' says Jennifer Francis, who is | | | | updated links to the best resources for writers online |
| currently subscribed to a few lists. "I am a member of | | | | like - freelancing & jobs, markets & publishers, literary |
| two or three good ones covering public relations, | | | | agents, classes & contests, and more... |
| sponsorship and sometimes the others present | | | | |