The Etiquette of Shameless Self-Promotion

Let's say a literary journal in which your work will soon appear offers to send a personalized letter, announcing the publication of your story, to specific agents or editors of your choosing. Do you take them up on it or not so much?

A few individuals came immediately to mind: agents and editors who have at various times graciously offered either to help make some introductions or to see my book as soon as it's done--I swear it will be by this summer--and I'm wondering what etiquette is here. Would a personalized announcement letter from a lit mag to an agent be considered a courtesy, or an intrusion. Because you know me (and even if you don't)--I'm the last person who wants to intrude. But courteous self-promotion, that's a whole 'nother story.

What's a fellow to do?

Comments

[karen n. johnson]

I think it would a good idea to let people you know in a wider collection of people you know that you've published a work.

I would suspect close family and friends would automatically know by virtue of spending time with you. They would have heard you mention it; they would know how you've been spending your time, etc.

It's the next circle of people of people you know but are less close to and beyond that circle who might not know you published something if you don't tell them. Also the more specialized the publication is, the less likely people will find out about your material if you don't highlight your news.

I think a factual email announcement without plugging is the way to go. In the same broadcast email, you could let people know how to get their hands on a publication that might not be found at your average newsstand.

I have a long-time jazz musician friend of mine who sends broadcast emails out to a large group of people announcing his CD when a new one gets released. I find his emails newsy. And when I'm very busy I may not read all the details of his newsletter-like emails but at least I had a chance to find out about it.

People may be more interested than you think.

[Seth Fleisher]

Thanks, Karen :)