A top agent speaks

Mrs Bear

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27343135
Jonny Geller, Joint CEO of Curtis Brown, talks about his job, about what he wants from an author - and also suggests that social media doesn't work for writers. The idea that you should get out there and publicise like billy-oh on FB and wherever isn't as great as it was first thought - an idea echoed in the article by Margaret James in May's WM.

Liz

I don't think Facebook works, actually, unless at a personal level, getting to know other writers, which has proved useful to me.

I think writers need to speak through their words and also at events. But no-one pays much for you to go to an event...

Baggy Books

That's interesting - but for a self-funding author, you have to take advantage of some things - including social media. Well-placed promotion is worth the effort.

I'm frustrated that the author of my current book has virtually no presence.

But I can appreciate what JG means - "I think there is a mystery behind certain writers that social media destroys and actually what they're doing is giving material away for free!" - but he is dealing with big names.

Carol

Yes, it is different for big names, they start at an advanced position on the snakes and ladders board of publishing, and social media seems to play a different role than for the unknown writer.