More Author Insight: Social Media

Social media can be a distraction for writers, but what's its biggest benefit?

"I'm so the wrong guy to ask this. I'm pretty bad at social media and I know I don't use it to its fullest potential. I'm sorry to say that I don't really think of it in terms of benefit -- it's a nice way to keep in touch with people I know and to hear on occasion from people who've liked my work, and I just enjoy it on those terms." - Barry Lyga, author of I Hunt Killers. 

"I had no idea about social media when I started writing. Now, yes, I have to put myself on a social media diet daily. Biggest benefit: meeting people across the globe. That astonishes me constantly." - Huntley Fitzpatrick, author of My Life Next Door. 

"Community! I love meeting other readers, writers, and people who nerd out over the same things I do!" - C.J. Redwine, author of Defiance.

"'There’s nothing better than being up at 1 am and getting a tweet from a reader in Germany or Spain or Korea writing to tell me they loved Starters. Or a 12-year-old who says it’s her best book ever." - Lissa Price, author of Starters. 

"Social media has lots of benefits. It can alert people when you have signings or new books out, it can give people a taste of your writing, and it can be a great research tool. True story: I’m working on a scene where my heroine is at a White House function where she meets the president. I wanted to talk to someone who had actually been to one of these events. I asked my facebook friends if any of them had ever been to a White House party where they met the president. I got back three leads. How awesome is that?" - Janette Rallison (AKA C.J. Hill), author of Erasing Time. 

"Getting to talk to your readers! And making new friends! I met my best friends online—thanks to twitter and blogging—and though social media can be a bit of a time suck, I’ll be forever grateful that it brought those friends into my life, and that it provides me with a way to chat with my amazing fans." - Sarah Maas, author of Throne of Glass. 

"There is tremendous support among bloggers, authors, and fans. When someone decides to champion your book, it can mean a great deal, especially to an unknown author like me." - Leigh Bardugo, author of Shadow and Bone. 

"I think it’s biggest benefit is that it helps you know what the people you follow/admire are doing and buzzing about. Also, what your community in general is excited about. And of course it’s great for promotion and getting your own message out about what you’re doing."  - Kevin Emerson, author of The Lost Code. 

"For me the biggest benefit is being able to talk to so many amazing people--readers, writers, librarians--it's like everyone I love and have things in common with all in one place!" - Jessi Kirby, author of In Honor. 

"The sense of community, of mutual support. I will say, however, that almost every author appearance I’ve done, and a couple of my publications, sprang in some way from my social-media connections. I even found my first agent via his blog. And although I didn’t rely only on the blog when deciding to query him, that was how he first came to my attention. It’s now much easier to research agents, editors, publishers, manuscript preparation—every aspect of writing and publishing, really—because of online communities." - Jennifer Hubbard, author of Try Not to Breathe.

"I love being able to connect with readers as well as other authors. It allows you to have a sense of community while you’re stuck at a desk writing for days on end. I do have to sometimes put myself on 'lockdown' when I’m on deadline, which means no internet. But I do like to go on Twitter and Facebook a few times a day to see what everybody’s up to. I’m jealous that I didn’t have this access to authors as a teen." - Elizabeth Eulberg, author of Take a Bow.

"I think social media is a great way to interact with your readers and really develop your personality and brand as an author. Also, I'm a huge social media junkie. I love Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr.... when there's a new site, I join it. I especially love Twitter. There's a challenge in being funny and getting your point across in 140 characters. And I honestly do love and appreciate hearing from readers. I write back to everyone that I can. It means the world that someone enjoyed my book enough to take the time to reach out to me." - Cara Lynn Shultz, author of Spellcaster. 

Find out Tuesday what the authors' policies are on reading and responding to negative reviews.

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