Jane Austen Wasn’t on Facebook

The Brontë sisters had each other, but did they ever chat with other authors about their writing journey with all its ups and downs, angst, and issues? Jane Austen wasn’t on Facebook. How did any of these writers get introductions to other authors, build a following of readers, or get slated for events, radio shows, or… OK, so they didn’t have radio back then, but you get the idea. I’ve always heard writing is a lonely endeavor. Perhaps Jane and Charlotte thought so. Thankfully, I haven’t found that to be true. And that’s all due to social media. 

I imagine your brows furrowing at that statement. Several years ago, I would also have questioned anyone extolling the virtues of Facebook, Instagram, or any of their siblings. Before my first book, The Disharmony of Silence, was published, I was barely on social media. I had a small presence on Facebook to find friends I’d lost touch with over the years. And I did. After fifty-plus years, I found a girlfriend I’d played dolls and hopscotch with throughout my childhood.

That was exciting, but I still wasn’t sure what all the hoopla was about and why people would “check-in” when they went to a restaurant or post photos of luscious cakes they’d baked or their dog playing Frisbee. Then, I signed a publishing contract and everything changed. It was that proverbial snowball effect: I saw an article in Writers Digest about Writer Unboxed and through that group I learned about and joined the Women Fiction Writers Association, and from that I joined a group called the 2020 Debuts.

We were all debut novelists releasing our first books in the year of the pandemic. Thank goodness we had social media. It brought us together and helped this group of unknown novelists find our readers. From that, I was invited to be a “tour guide” on the Facebook group, Bookish Road Trip, and from that… I could go on but let’s just say, my world blossomed.

It’s true, social media offers many benefits and good times. It helps authors sell books, gain followers, and reach readers but, more importantly, it builds community. Virginia Wolff urged women to have a room of their own and through that community I found mine. But, at the same time, social media has its dark side, as I know all too well. I’m going to touch on that later so sit back, keep reading. For now, let’s “talk” about the joys. For this article, I’m focusing on Facebook and Instagram because those are the two sites I use and find the most friendly and beneficial for my needs as an author of Women’s Historical Fiction/Book Club Fiction. 

When I started writing, I assumed my books would be on Amazon and bookstore shelves. That’s how readers would find me. How wrong I was! I didn’t realize how important Facebook and Instagram would be in marketing my books. In getting my name “out there.” Even better, social media brought me to my readers. We “chat” in the various Facebook Book Clubs, groups, and on my page. We’ve become virtual friends, and in some cases “in real life” friends. It feels like we’re having actual conversations when we “chat” in the comments on my posts. 

With three books out in the world, my dream of having someone curled up in a comfy chair reading a book penned by me has come true. So has my bigger wish – meeting those readers. Though I never dreamt, never imagined, my world expanding – that I’d become friends with so many other authors and have them cheering me on, celebrating with me, as well as lending an ear or hug when writing threw its curves.

If not for social media, I would not have this community. I would not have all these new, dear friends. I would not have met the radio and podcast hosts who’ve had me on their shows, or the book bloggers who’ve invited me to write for their sites, or the book reviewers and bookstagrammers who’ve reviewed my books. These connections, these friendships, bring me joy each day. They make all the solitary hours at my desk creating characters and marrying words more beautiful. When we get together, usually virtually, it feels like we’re sitting on a girlfriend’s front porch sharing a pot of tea or bottle of wine and chatting like old friends. 

With all the positives for a writer on social media, there is a dark side. We can laugh about the bots and all the bare-chested “doctors” who tell us we’re beautiful, that our posts touch their hearts, and they hope we’ll be their friends, but we have to be careful of their insidious ways and nefarious intentions. Plus, we have to constantly block them which takes up precious time.

Earlier this spring, I was a victim of one of those villainous acts and locked out of Facebook. It was wicked. There was nothing I could do. I lost my account and, with it, over one thousand FB friends. They were gone, completely. But like the cavalry riding in on white horses, my fellow writers, my community, came to help! I now have a new FB account, with a beautiful banner created by a dear friend I originally met through social media, and my FB friends list is growing again. As an author, it’s important to me to have a presence on social media. I love meeting readers and hanging out in my writing neighborhood. Maybe you’ll join me there.

—
Fitness Professional turned novelist, Linda Rosen’s books are set in the “not-too-distant past” and examine how women reinvent themselves despite obstacles thrown their way. A central theme is that blood is not all that makes a family– and they always feature a piece of jewelry! In addition to writing novels, Linda was a contributor to Women in the Literary Landscape: A WNBA Centennial Publication for the Women’s National Book Association and the craft book, Launch Pad The Countdown to Writing Your Book. She is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and co-founder of the South Florida chapter of the Women’s National Book Association. In addition, she is an administrator of the Facebook Group, Bookish Road Trip, and editor of their newsletter, Wanderlust. Linda lives with her husband in New Jersey, but when the leaves fall and she has to swap sandals for shoes and socks, they move to their home in Florida.

Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557914236133

THE EMERALD NECKLACE

“Engaging and mysterious, The Emerald Necklace sheds light on that inevitable time when lovers, family, friends and circumstances change and force you to reinvent yourself whether you want to or not.” –Rebecca Rosenberg, award-winning Champagne Widows series

Three months after her husband’s death in 1969, Rosalee Linoff is determined to jump back into life.

For her, that means returning to her art. She desperately wants to be accepted as a talented sculptor, but that requires she dig up the courage to submit her work again – and be judged. Her paralyzing insecurity mounts when she meets her new neighbor, best-selling author Fran Barish.

Fran has the recognition Rosalee craves. But Rosalee’s joy with her children, especially her granddaughter, Jill, eats at Fran, a constant reminder of her childlessness. A spiral of mutual envy ensues. It constantly bubbles below the surface of their friendship and is intensified by Fran’s long held secret – and her inexplicable fascination with Jill’s emerald necklace.

As Jill starts college, Rosalee worries about the choices her granddaughter might make. But Jill’s passion for women’s rights makes Grandma proud. Together with Rosalee’s friends, they travel to New York City for the Women’s Strike for Equality – which further escalates the tension between Rosalee and Fran.

When Jill’s convictions are tested, Rosalee faces a dilemma. Does she dare trust Fran to help? Will their mutual jealousy make that impossible? Or will the story behind Jill’s emerald bind them together?

BUY HERE

Tags: . women writers, featured

Category: On Writing