What Are Authors Willing To Do?

What are authors willing to do to succeed? Which ethical lines will they cross, rules will they violate, or laws will they break? To what means will they take in order to achieve their ends?

A good friend of mine, a baseball fan like me, recently had a discussion with me about steroids and professional athletes. He asked: “If you are a struggling ballplayer but can make tens of millions if you take steroids, why wouldn’t you?”

I told him my ethics wouldn’t permit me to do it. It is illegal and violates the rules and spirit of the game, an institution that I love and respect. But obviously some disagree and are willing to put their health on the line while they check their morals at the door. Their priorities are not mine.

The world is full of cheaters.

From inside traders on Wall Street to low-level employees who alter their timesheets, to those who enter the country illegally, fudge their taxes, ignore their wedding vows, or fake a covid test and vaccine status, people lie, cheat, steal, and resort to violence every day, whether to win a game, make money, or gain some type of advantage or reward.

Not all of these things are on the same spot of our ethical spectrum, nor are the potential risks and rewards. But the idea is the same: What are you willing to do to get what you want?

For authors, I pose this question only from the perspective of acting legally, but what are you willing to do to get what you want when regular channels, procedures, or systems get in the way of you breaking through?

Being polite, reserved, quiet, or conservative simply will not work in the highly competitive world of getting published, marketed, and sold. You need to cut lanes and jump fences. Color outside the lines. But how?

To answer the question, it begins with you deciding that you will commit to doing more than you have, to work harder, smarter, and more aggressively. You will need to be dedicated to experimenting, taking risks, and doing things that feel unfamiliar or
uncomfortable.

So, dear author, it is a matter of how and when, not what. Are you ready to embrace a new approach, to associate with new people, and to throw time and money at things that may open doors for you?

Throw away your limiting thoughts. They are not getting you where you need to go. There is no should or must about what you are to specifically do. But the only rule you need to honor is to be flexibly persistent. Keep at this, but switch up your approaches.

Don’t read this as a declaration to be a morally bankrupt piece of shit but don’t be turned off at the idea of crossing into uncharted waters. You can break through without being ethically broken.

 

“It is not enough to say we are busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?”
-Henry David Thoreau  

“The most important thing to do when you find yourself in a hole is to stop digging.”

-Warren Buffett  

“An optimist is a person who sees a green light everywhere, while the pessimist only sees the red stoplight. The truly wise person is colorblind.”

-Dr. Albert Schweitzer

  

Please Contact Me For Book PR Help

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres.

 

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About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on Twitter @theprexpert. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2022. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This blog, with over 4,000 posts over the past decade, was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Susan RoAne, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, IBPA, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum. 

 

 

Are There Limits To Free Speech?

 

Free speech in America is not fully what most of us think it is.  

In the United States one can’t simply say anything to anyone in any circumstance without expecting repercussions, retribution, and fallout. Yet, we all think it should be that way.  

Mouth off at the local punk? He may kick your ass. Talk back to a parent? You may get punished. Tell your boss to fuck off? You could get fired. Call for a violent revolt? You may get arrested.  

Free speech is our cherished right under the United States Constitution. The First Amendment. It allows you to say a lot of things without fear of being jailed by the government. Want to tell the US president to get lost or curse at a policeman? You have that luxury.   

“However,” notes Maclen Stanley, author of the Law Says What? Stuff You Didn’t Know About The Law (But Really Should!) :”the First Amendment doesn’t give you an unlimited right to say anything you want, whenever you want to say it. This is a common misconception, as the freedom of speech is not absolute.”  

Stanley goes onto to point out numerous categories of things Americans can get in trouble for saying, such as: 

 

1. False Statements

Libel (written defamation) and slander (spoken defamation) are no-nos. For example, you can’t publish a story about your friend’s girlfriend’s fake case of Monkey Pox. 

 

2.      True Threats

Real threats of physical violence are typically not protected. A threat of violence directed at a former or current US president can be a felony. 

 

3.      Fighting Words

Saying things that lead others to commit an act of violence is also a crime. 

 

4.      Incitement

Speech that is intended to provoke the imminent incitement of lawless action and be likely to actually provoke such an action could be a crime. 

 

5.      Speech Owned By Others

If you plagiarize or violate copyright laws or trademarked works, you are a criminal. 

 

6.      Lewd or Obscene Speech

Speech that is overly lewd or obscure is not protected. Such speech must be shameful or reflect a morbid interest in sex and lack any literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. 

Stanley notes: “Speech can be restricted if the government has a compelling interest in doing so.” He also points out: “Private individuals and private businesses can ban whatever type of speech they please.”

 

 

Please Contact Me For Book PR Help

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres.

 

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About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on Twitter @theprexpert. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2022. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This blog, with over 4,000 posts over the past decade, was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Susan RoAne, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, IBPA, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum. 

 

 

How Authors Can Get Their Way

 

People see and hear what they want to. You know this. I know this. But we get fooled, distracted, and sucked in even when we should know better.

We buy into people’s bullshit and drama.
We start focusing on unimportant things.
We get drawn in to things we don’t need.
We believe their lies.

Most people are selling us something. It does not have to be a product or service. It could be anyone with an agenda, from a politician seeking re-election to a mom hoping her kid do what she says.

Authors need to tap into this.

You need every edge you can find, including psychological advantages. That is not a license to lie, steal, or cheat — but you need to learn the art of illusion, distraction, and playing into people’s fears, desires, and needs.

Maybe you already do this and don’t realize it. Have you mastered the art of changing the subject when it suits you? Do you call upon the senses — using sounds, smells, looks, tastes, and touches — to get your way? Are you able to draw people in a crowd to you?

Anything can be your ammunition.

Many people rely on their manner of dress. Bright colors, intricate accessories, or clothes that highlight specific body parts work well. Others rely on the tone and loudness of their voice. Some are wordsmiths and weaponize language to fit their needs. Others lure you in with their level of knowledge. Some use their energy level to give off a vibe, while others use their eyes, hand gestures, and body language to persuade you.

We all play the game — and we all fall for it. I know that my weakness is to mistake a correlation between a woman’s hotness and the words that come out of her mouth, but somehow when a pretty woman says something it holds more weight than when someone else says it. It is as if her breasts or butt are talking directly to me. Don’t hate me for admitting this.

Authors, find what works for you. Develop your sense of showmanship and craft a persona that helps you sell yourself. Don’t let anyone else limit or define who you are or tell you how to market your brand. 

 

Please Contact Me For Book PR Help

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres.

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About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on Twitter @theprexpert. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2022. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This blog, with over 4,000 posts over the past decade, was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Susan RoAne, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, IBPA, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum. 

 

 

Will Authors Cross The Line?

  

Authors say their book deserves to be a success. They work hard and spend time and money to promote it. They need a breakthrough moment. Just what is an author willing to do to ensure their book is a hit?

Would you lie to promote your book?

Would you do something risky, even life-threatening, to market your book?

Would you take your kid’s college fund to invest in promoting your book?

Would you violate an oath or compromise your values in order for your book to be a success?

Are you willing to commit a crime to get your book some notoriety?

Would you sleep with someone to advance your book?

Most authors don’t ask themselves any of these questions. Such situations are simply not up for negotiation. But now I am asking you to think about it.

Look, life is not always fair. The good guy doesn’t always get the lady. Whistleblowers can get fired. The nicest people can lose everything to an accident, storm, or fire. The sweetest people can be brutalized by evildoers. So why should authors feel beholden to a standard of ethic that holds them back unfairly and unnecessarily?

Just playing the devil’s advocate here. Is it time you go rogue, think like a criminal, and start playing without rules and regulations that stand in your way of unbridled bliss?

Now, I know if you are decent person you will not give this a second thought. There is no way that you will do the criminal, unethical, or immoral thing just to advance your book. Nor should you. But what are you willing to do — that is legal and fair game — to advance your writing career?

Think big, aggressive, and creative. Take any idea and activity and supersize it. Take a risk. Do something beyond your comfort level. Try the thing you are not familiar with. Do something that runs counter to your knowledge and abilities. In short, go big or go home.

But retain your moral compass and sense of dignity. You can do a lot more than you have been doing for your book. You don’t have to kill someone to become a best-seller, but you will need to open your wallet, heart, brain, and soul to doing the things you so far have either resisted or didn’t know existed.

What do authors need to do more of?

* Spend more money — but wisely.
* Invest more time in promotions.
* Diversify and vary promotional activities.
* Ask others for more help and favors.
* Shamelessly promote.
* Act with a sense of urgency.
* Not accept defeat or rejection.
* Look to grow or improve their assets: website, press kit, business card, book trailer, social media, testimonials, and book reviews.

Stop making excuses, blaming others, or sounding powerless and defeated. Get out there and give it your all. Hustle, hope, and heart will drive you to go far.

You don’t have to sleep with or kill someone to get what you want. Nor do you have to lie or violate all that you believe in. You just need to think far bigger and more aggressively — and then tirelessly execute your plan.

So, what are you willing to do to promote your book?

 

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres.

 

Please Contact Me For Help

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https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/08/how-will-authors-sell-to-8-billion.html

 

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https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/07/do-literary-agents-authors-need-couples.html

 

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https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/05/why-bad-books-outsell-yours.html

 

The Truth That Authors Need To Hear

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-truth-that-authors-need-to-hear.html

 

About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on Twitter @theprexpert. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2022. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This blog, with over 4,000 posts over the past decade, was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Susan RoAne, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, IBPA, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.