Well, I've learned a lesson this week. When I spoke out against spam, I shouldn't have mentioned the name of the author associated with the newsletter that appeared in my inbox. I'm still reeling from the backlash of speaking out against a form of unsolicited email that, for me, is like someone entering my home without bothering to knock first. Apparently, someone used my email address to sign me up for a newsletter I didn't want, or I entered a contest I don't remember entering and part of the terms were that I agreed to get these newsletters. So that's my fault. Regarding the newsletter I received, I'd never heard of the author, it was a genre I don't read, so when the newsletter appeared in my inbox, I got extremely upset.
I guess spam is something we all have to live with, no matter where it comes from. I'm sincerely sorry that this author's feelings were hurt when I used her name. I shouldn't have, and I apologize. And I apologize to Writers Space for being upset with them for sending it to me. It wasn't their fault, either.
Who, me?
- Karen Duvall
- Bend, Oregon, United States
- My debut title with Harlequin Luna is KNIGHT'S CURSE, the first book in my new urban fantasy series. It was released August 23, 2011, and was Publisher's Weekly Top 10 Pick for Fall 2011. The follow up book, DARKEST KNIGHT, released in March 2012. I'm also a graphic designer and always looking for work. Have a book cover you need designed? Call me... Better yet, email me at jkduvall at bendbroadband dot com.
DEMON FARE
Read the first 7 chapters on Wattpad.
DESERT GUARDIAN
'TIL THE WORLD ENDS
Anthology includes my novella, SUN STORM
DARKEST KNIGHT
Click cover to read the first chapter
KNIGHT'S CURSE
Out Now
9 comments:
Your apology is heartfelt and humble, showing grace and thoughtfulness.
Yes, perhaps using her name was a poor choice.
However, regardless of the reason you ended up on this list, it's shady marketing. You have every right to be annoyed. It WAS spam, no matter how it may be sweetened.
Give yourself grace for being rightfully annoyed by spam. It's not the best way to sell a book, to be sure.
Actually, it's not the best way to sell anything.
Just make sure to keep your future rants anonymous, so that nobody's feelings are hurt. You'll get your message across with impunity.
And, too, the offender is more likely to learn from his mistakes.
Grace and tact. Always. :)
Thanks, Authoress. The unsolicited email thing is a hot button for me, but I need to learn to ignore my knee jerk reactions and just take deep breaths. The delete key is our friend. My apology really is heartfelt, that's for sure. I hope those whom I upset will forgive me the error of my ways! 8^) To err is human, after all.
I wanted to add my support. Although it doesn't seem like it now, this will all blow over.
Hey Karen,
Keep your chin up--this too shall pass. Can't wait to hear good news about Knight's Curse soon! And I really like your Mystic Taxi excerpts. See, lovely things to look forward to.
That was a classy apology and took strength. Nicely done.
Very nicely said, Karen.
Spam IS annoying, and it was an understandable reaction. Deep breaths. Today is a new day. :-)
You're all so lovely with your kind words and support. Thank you so much! I'm feeling really low today, mostly because some of the email sent to me was a warning that editors were talking about me, and what they were saying wasn't good. Why polish Mystic Taxi if it's just going to get dissed because I'm its author? Yeah, I'm feeling like crap. Like I've axed my own career because I made a mistake.
You don't seem to get it. You can't talk about another author like you did and not come to attention of many, many authors, agents and editors. This is a small world. I'm seeing your name pop up all over the place, and not in a good way. I heard about this from a very angry NYTimes Bestselling author. Even as you apologize here, you Twitter elsewhwere.
It was NOT spam and quit allowing those who respond to your apology to believe so. Do you have a clue what you've done to you career?
Anon, I admitted I was wrong. I'd love to go back in time and never have done it, but I can't. An apology is the best I can do. If you or others are unable to forgive me for my mistake, that's a sad thing. My twitter only acknowledged the sting of backlash for speaking out as I did. I should have just stayed quiet. I realize that. I've said that publicly. I admitted I was wrong. Now can you let it go?
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