Tayari's Blog: No One Mis-spells OPRAH

Posted by TayariJones on October 27, 2006 04:47 PM
Filed under The Writing Life

Lauren Cerand has written a great essay about the role of lit bloggers in literary publicity. Among of things, she talks about the way that publicists disrespect bloggers by sending them mass emails addressed to "Dear Blogger." The best line is "no one spells Oprah wrong." This, of course, means that if people think you're important, they get it right. If they don't think you're important, you can tell. And why on earth would a blogger help someone who treats her like a peon?

I have to say that I have had the same experience. I get all sorts of emails from people asking me for my help. The letters are often addressed to "Dear Established Writer..." Every now again the person will say, "I haven't read your work, but...". (I kind of interpret this as "I haven't supported you in any way, but will you please go out of your way to support me?) Someone was once tone-deaf enough to say, "I bought Leaving Atlanta three years ago. I haven't read it yet, but I am honored for it to be on my shelf...." What's up with people?

Lauren makes as excellent point. When you ask for help, show some respect. Sending a query the wrong way can actually hurt you. Before you sent the rude query, you were an unknown person, but now, you are someone on the Trifling List. And let me tell you, that's a hard roster to get off of.

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There are 2 comments on "No One Mis-spells OPRAH". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.

Comment #1, by Michael Fischer [TypeKey Profile Page]

Dear Established Author Jones,

I have not read any of your books; I'm sorta busy and reading bores me. Anyway, the reason I'm writing you is because I have a lot of great life experiences that you should use in your next book. If you're interested, please write back.

Thanks,

Joe Blow


October 27, 2006 07:33 PM

Comment #2, by Ladylee [TypeKey Profile Page]

ROTFLOL @ Michael aka "Joe Blow"!! That was funny.

"the Trifling List"... I gotta use that one, if you don't mind!

Honestly, I can't believe that people would send blind emails like that and expect some assistance. But I guess if you send out a couple hundred such emails, one person will take the bait, right? HA! Nothing like a wild shot in the dark! Desperation is a mutha!


October 30, 2006 09:13 AM

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