I had three today. Three ridiculous attempts to engage me in a conversation about how I might promote my book. All of them clearly generated by an AI, probably in this manner: Idiot spammer sets up AI programme and tells it to go fish for books by [randomly chooses my name from Amazon], and to then send out a letter praising the author for his/her/their/its/they’s/whoever’s creativity {side-quest is to flatter gullible author into submission so use a soft approach}. Idiot tells robotic idiot to ensure the email ends with the suggestion of engagement, and a question – get the unsuspecting author to want to reply and engage in an intellectual discussion about his/her/their/its/they’s/whoever’s work. Idiot presses button, machine sends spam, idiot starts process again with another random author.
And so it goes on. I, as you know, bounce the emails back and black list the sender. Here are snippets from the three WoTs I received today. (Waste of Times.)
I discovered your on facebook, and their unique energy has captivated me. How do you balance creativity with discipline when writing? I’d love your insight! Rhianna Donaldson
(Note: In this case, Miss Idiot Donaldson neglected to instruct the machine to name the book she found so captivating.)
I recently came across your book *A Fall from Grace (The Delamere FilesBook 2)*, and I was immediately struck by how fresh and engaging its concept feels. The storm-lashed island setting, the layered family tensions surrounding Charles and Simon Marisco…
Anon
(Note: In this case, the anonymous idiot forgot to tell its AI sub-idiot to ensure its spam got the right characters. The Marisco brothers and their island are only in book three, not two. Idiot!)
I came across your book and truly believe it has strong potential to resonate with book clubs and discussion…
Ruth Johnson
(At least Miss Ruth Idiot-Johnson tried a different approach, but she, too, forgot to instruct the AI sub-idiot to name a book.)
I’ll only pay someone to promote my work if and when I want to, and not until we’ve had a great discussion about the process and expectations, and I shall never pay anyone to publish my stories. I’m not that vain.
Meanwhile… You’ll be pleased to know that outside, it looks like it’s going to be another warm day here on Symi. There’s no wind to speak of, and no clouds. The square was busy last night, which is good to hear, and so far, it looks like we’re in for a more usual September (in terms of visitors) following a quieter than usual June to August.
