I know I should be coming back to you today with part 2 of my report on the Simon Van Booy and Kevin Barry event at the Edinburgh Book Festival – meeting with authors face-to-face – but I’ve decided I’m not going to say any more about it. I’m going to keep whatever happened after the main event to myself, through fear that people get the wrong idea. And that’s because I’ve gotten the distinct impression over the past couple of days (not from everyone. I’ve had some wonderful responses from those who I consider to be true friends), that I’ve been bragging and that I’m jumping on the chance for a bit of self promotion. This is a notion that has upset massively because I may a lot of things, but ‘bragger and self promoter’ isn’t one of them.
These last couple of days have been absolutely incredible for me, and my soul has been truly touched in many ways. I know I’ve been bouncing off the walls, but in the eyes of some people it seems that I’ve been wagging my tail too much. They’ve become suspicious. They’ve viewed me as nothing more than a ‘look at me I’m great’ kind of character; a self-promoting big mouth. Fact is they couldn’t be further from the truth, they really couldn’t!
I do admit that I essentially blog for self-promotion, but not in the way most people may think. And that’s because the only thing I want to promote about myself is my passion for books and for reading. I do so solely in the hope that spreading my passion will encourage others to take up books and read, and hopefully with the same level of enthusiasm that I do. The trouble is some people don’t believe this. They think that my intentions are anything but pure, and that I are merely post and promote my posts for personal benefit and gain. This is a view that’s really beginning to tear me apart.
To some extent I don’t blame some in the lit blogging world for being suspicious of those who show boundless enthusiasm and friendliness towards them. In my 2+ years of blogging it’s broken my heart many times to see so many obnoxious, self-serving glory-hunters who blog solely for personal gain; for minor fame and fortune. They employ the tools of enthusiasm and friendliness to get to where they want to get to, and in doing so they dupe people. The people being duped then, of course, become wary. So when someone comes along who is genuinely friendly and enthusiastic, they are instantly looked upon with suspicion. They’re ignored, cast by the wayside, fobbed off and treated as nothing important, and it’s becoming increasingly impossible to convince people you may be other than that.
And it’s this negativity against those who show genuine enthusiasm and friendliness that’s really starting to affect me. Like many bloggers I pour countless unpaid hours into what I do, and I don’t mind, I really don’t. I have no attraction towards making money. I care even less about fame. Yet I do care enormously about passing on my passion for reading, and about spreading the word about books and authors that I’m truly enthusiastic about. And when you’re doing that it’s nice to have people on your side. Often though, they’re not!
Take that Simon Van Booy/ Kevin Barry post I put up yesterday. All told that took me 9 hours to put together from start to finish. The time it took doesn’t matter because all I wanted to do was to give other people some impression of how incredible these writers are, and how wonderful the event was. I think I achieved that because those who read the post and took the time to respond showed their appreciation, and to those people I thank them a million times over.
I think however that I made the mistake of showing too much enthusiasm for this post by going on to Twitter and promoting it a couple of times. I even made a point of tagging @EdBookFest onto one of my tweets in the hope that they would interested in me having reported on the event so thoroughly, and that they would pass it on for others to see. They chose instead to ignore me. Why? Well they may have genuinely just missed the tweet of course, in which case I apologise. But on the hand they may have considered me too insignificant to be worthy of promotion (which is fair enough because I am merely a minnow). Most worryingly though, is that they ignored me simply because they thought I was trying to raise my own profile – my own sense of self-importance – and it is the thought of this being the reason that upsets me most.
EDIT: Time to eat lashings of humble pie because @EdBookFest DID RT my post (as did @BeautifulBooks). I swear to God that the RT doesn’t show up in my #replies section. It’s only when I go to their profile page that I see it. So if you’re reading this @EdBookFest my apologies for thinking that you didn’t care. Regardless, my angst in general remains. Read on..
Of course now it probably looks like my whole decision not to post a follow-up post on the Van Booy/Barry event is based on one passing incident. Well I can tell you in all honesty that it’s not. I’m really not that sensitive. Rather my decision not to post a follow up, is based on my fear of suspicion; that it may only look as though I’m putting up another ‘look at me I’m great’ post- another exercise in self promotion – instead of what it genuinely is i.e. me sharing a special moment in my life.
And that’s why I’m also now seriously rethinking my position as a lit blogger (despite the kind, kind things that people have said to me over the past few days). I don’t think I can spend many more countless hours toiling over something, that people consider to have been written for any other reason than to share a genuine passion. Maybe it’s time for me to take my reading back to the private and personal, and to leave it to others (the genuine ones) to continue spreading the love for books.
About Rob
I don’t know why, but the lit/book blogging community can get a bit competitive. Please don’t let it get you down! We’d be so much poorer without your rich and delightful presence.
says:
Thank you Amy! Thank you for taking the time to connect and pas on such kind words of support.
The competitiveness pains me so much Amy. It really does. Why do people always feel the need to propel themselves onwards and upwards, regardless of how they get there? If I do nothing else with this post than show how genuine I am, then I’ll be happy.
Warmest regards,
Rob
says:
I can understand where you’re coming from, Rob, as disappointed as I am to hear that you won’t be doing a follow up post.
Allow me to be among those (the many) to encourage you to PLEASE continue blogging. You’re one of the few lit bloggers who, like myself, loves the short story form and literature in general and spends the time to do comprehensive, reflective, and insightful analysis of such. That’s what I look for in a blog, and that’s why yours is one of my favorites (although I may not comment as much as I should.) Many of your recommendations and reviews are ones that I have starred as “books to read.”
There are, indeed, those who are in this unpaid venture of ours for the glory and the self-promotion. You are not one of them. Those who think otherwise have a misguided view of blogging and lit bloggers, and have probably not been reading your blog all that long.
There will always be those with suspicious minds and misunderstandings. I hope you reconsider as I for one will miss you if you leave.
says:
Melissa,
What can I say? I’m indebted to you for taking the time to pass on such warm and genuine words of support. Readers like you cancel out (almost) all of the bad that’s in the lit blogging world, and your comments mean more to me than you’ll ever know.
I’m very much the kind of person that speaks from my heart, all of the time. It hurts when my integrity is brought into question, because my passion and enthusiasm is genuine. I was beginning to doubt myself. I beginning to wonder if I was coming across like some kind of QVC host; one who really thinks that you should REALLY buy this revolutionary new jar opener
. Your comments have made me see things a bit differently. And I thank you for that, many times over.
Keep up the great work yourself
Warmest regards
Rob
Hi Rob,
Saw Stu’s tweet to you and thought I’d chime in. As someone who follows your blog and your twitter feed, I don’t think you over-promote or are self-serving. I think your enthusiasm is awesome and you know what? I specifically looked for the van Booy books when I was in the bookstore this week because of your post/tweets. Honestly, I would never have bothered without the recommendation! I do hope that you carry on, and with the same level of enthusiasm.
Gina
says:
Gina,
My heart is full of love and respect for you, for passing on such kind words. Thank you, so much!
Warmest regards
Rob
Hi Rob, I just wanted to say that your passion for books shines through in your blog, and others who share that passion will see it. Sometimes the litblogging world does seem competitive but in the end the majority of us do it because we love reading and books and want to share, right? As long as that’s there, then you’ll always have readers. I tend to be a lurker, but I’d be interested in reading the second part of your post:)
says:
Sakura,
Many, many thanks for your kind words. You have given me much reassurance that I don’t come across as anything but genuine.
You know I’m starting to hate how competitive the litblogging world is becoming – as though the promotion of what we read and enjoy is becoming secondary – but as long as the genuine ones keep an eye on the real target, Then I guess we can weather any storm. I certainly hope so.
Warmest regards and many thanks again for your kind words of support
Rob
says:
Please Rob. You don’t need to rethink anything. Please continue to do exactly what you’ve been doing all these years. Some of us (might I add that we are the ones who matter
) think that you are genuine and the real deal. Look at what you’ve built and the people you’ve touched and influenced. All due to your passion for reading. Keep it up, you’re doing good. And by all means, when you do meet writers whose works you love, you are allowed to gush, gush and spend nine hours writing one great post. Don’t let some bad bad apples drive you away. Please stick around.
says:
Kinna,
There are really no words strong enough to express how grateful I am to you for taking the time to pass on such kind and positive words of support.
I am of course sticking around, but I’ll just need to fit a little valve so that I can discreetly let out steam from time to time, in reaction to everything bad (thankfully not too much), in the lit blogging world.
Warmest regards
Rob
Rob must say a couple of things. Firstly, since getting to know you on here and through twitter the words glory hunter and show-off are never ones that could be associated with you. There are plenty I could think of but they include genuine, friendly, passionate and knowledgable.
Secondly, on the blogging front I know how you feel. For years no one seemed to notice what was happening but since Twitter and the greater interaction between bloggers and publishers it has all become much more competitive for some reason. I share your feelings and have been on the brink of calling it a day. Hope you don’t your blog is wonderful.
says:
Simon,
There’s a good reason why I’ll always consider you a good friend, and your comments illustrate that. Thank you for your kind words!
And you’re completely right, the competitiveness ‘meter’ has definitely ramped up, and that upsets me. What upsets me more though, is that you are sharing the same ‘packing it in’ thoughts as me. I sincerely hope you don’t.
Warmest regards and a hope that your stomach is getting better
Rob
says:
I hope you don’t go dear rob you inspired me to blog ,this is why I stay with translation books rather be myself ,blog for myself and have in past got caught up a bit it blogging competiveness don’t know why i only blog for love of books ,I say fuck the people that don’t get you fuck them rob ,so annoyed people have upset you and sorry not comment til now was at work til late ,you just give your heart and soul and pass on a heartfelt love of books I can’t believe people don’t see that you are a one off rob ,blog what you want ,all the best stu
says:
sorry about swearing
says:
Stu,
I think that’s the first time I’ve ever heard (seen) you swear, and it’s in honour of me? Thank you. I’m truly touched. And thank you for everything else you’ve said. It truly is a honour and a privilege to know someone who cares as much.
I know you’ve had a few problems yourself in the past, and I too am mad about that, but I guess it’s all about getting thicker-skinned and ignoring those who disbelieve. It’s difficult though when others think you may not genuine and/or have some ulterior motive.
.
Thank you again my dearest friend for your kind words, and for taking the time to deliver them, with passion
Warmest regards
Rob
The book blogging world would definitely be a poorer place if you left it. Your enthusiasm for books from the point you hear about them to when they arrive at your special postal box to your afterthoughts are all appreciated! And like others have said, there are definitely books I have read (like flash fiction) that I wouldn’t have even tried had it not been for you.
I definitely think there are two different communities in this faux world — one that values books and stories and the other that values getting attention and free products. I try to steer clear of the second side and therefore don’t have to worry about the motivations of the bloggers I interact with. I’m sorry you had a down day but I hope you get back up soon and keep doing what you do so well!
says:
Kristen,
Thank you for taking the time and effort to pass on your kind words of support. You know, the last thing I expected after a couple of incredibly inspiring and happy days, was to be brought back down to earth like this. Bit I have been, and it’s rocked me to the core. But then along comes someone like you with such kind and caring comments, and it improves the situation no end.
I totally agree with you about the two different communities that exist in the book blogging world, and I suppose, like you say, it’s best to just avoid that second group. It just hurts me so much though when someone tries to put me into that second group. What I’ve realised yesterday/today though – because of kind comments like yours – is that it is only an ill-informed minority that think I’m anything but the genuine article, and that makes me feel a 1000 times better.
So thank you again Kristen for your kind words, and thank you, well just for being there I guess. I consider you, as I do everyone who has responded, a true friend
Warmest
Rob
Rob, I’m a little shocked by the apparent response you received to your earlier post. I understand your position, but I was looking forward to the follow up. I’m an avid reader of your blog, and I’ve never felt that you’ve postured or otherwise made a nuisance of yourself. Just the opposite in fact – you truly love books and want to share them with people. I got that same tone from your Van Booy post. I really love your blog and hope that you decide to continue on. Just my two cents.
says:
Dear Jessica,
Your ‘two cents’ are more like a million dollars to me. You have reaffirmed to me that the majority of people – those that really matter – are well aware that I’m the genuine article. That means everything to me.
So I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your very kind words of support, Jessica. They mean more to me than you will ever know.
Warmest regards
Rob
I have no idea what’s been going on on Twitter. I use it only to tweet when something new goes on the blog.
It’s the law of averages with any endeavour, Rob. The most successful and well-known you are, the more likelihood someone is going to try to deflate you. Don’t let them – their attitude is their problem not yours.
Actually it would become my problem if you stop blogging. So, don’t even think about it!
And if your high got higher after the EBF event, I’m delighted for you (and would still love to hear about it).
says:
Lizzy,
. So consider me well and truly back on the blogging rails.
I can’t thank you enough for stopping by (again) and passing on your words of support. I know that everything you say is true and I know that I should never let the ‘disbelievers’ get to me. I also know that I’ll be in for one hell of a stern talking too from you if I do decide to close the doors on blogging
I thank you again for your warmth and support
With warmest regards
Rob
Rob,
I have some views on your situation, which I’d like to share with you:
I’ve only just discovered your website over the last few weeks and I’m delighted that I did. I remember thinking to myself at the time: “why aren’t there more sites like this out there?”
Your site provides a great service for literature lovers. You write honest and passionate reviews, and while you may not consider yourself “up there” in terms of the mystical reviewer’s ladder, anyone who reads as much as you do and is as informed and passionate as you clearly are, has every right to say they are as much an expert on the world of literature as anyone else. Remember, books are subjective both in how they are reviewed as much as how they are read (do two people see the same thing when they read the same book? Absolutely not.) So everyone’s opinion counts particularly those who actually read and promote reading.
What’s more, your site goes beyond the normal call of duty. Not only does it contain reviews but is a veritable treasure trove of thoughts, ideas, titbits, images and quirks, my personal favourite being the bookcase pictures. This is what sets your site apart and you should be bloody proud of it!
Those who have set you down this path of thinking should be utterly ashamed of themselves. Why were THEY not at the Barry/van Booy event? Who are THEY to criticise anyone for their passion? And how can they accuse you of self-promotion when you are sharing a passion that can only, and IS only, generating an interest in literature. What else are you selling?
Since I started reading your site I’ve earmarked several books and writers I want to check out. I’ll be buying their work (van Booy and Barry are but two). Therefore, your site has succeeded in one of its missions—you have promoted the work of other writers. That’s not to say I would only buy a book from an author you happen to like—that’s not how it works—but it’s still happened. I can’t wait for the day you decide to review one of mine, though I’ll probably be on the toilet for most of the day!
Never forget on a more cynical level, there are those out there on the Internet that get their kicks off this type of thing, either because they feel inferior, feel jealous or are just out to get cheap kicks. All of these reasons are because they have no lives of their own and this is about all they surmise to. Never pay any attention to these people, they will only chip away at your soul over time and are not worth the column widths.
When I read your review of van Booy and Barry it was enthralling. I knew on the day you were excited and it was great to see it come through in your writing. If some people think you only wrote that review on the misguided assumption so you could shout “look at me, I’m great” then they have got it all so very, very wrong.
So I say to those criticising you, tell them to f**k off and be done with them. Don’t answer their calls. It’s your love and your passion that makes the site so great so why not share it? Why not tell the world? You aren’t selling anything on your site, everything is impartial so to hell with them. If you ask me you are UNDER promoting!
Look at me – I retweet about my blog, my articles, my anything several times per day. Remember that AudioBoo interview I did with the Edinburgh International Book Festival? The biggest festival of literature in the world folks with over 750 authors appearing, that included 10 of the 13 longlisted authors for the Man Booker Prize from over 50 countries? Well, I was retweeting and promoting that one left right and centre – self-promotion it was of that I do not deny. Why? Because I want to sell my books! By the way, you can listen to that interview by clicking here: http://bit.ly/cQG077 everyone – not bad considering I had a hangover! See how I did that? ?
I’d better finish off now that I think I’ve said all I wanted to. In short and in summary, it would be a crime if we lost a site like yours for the reasons you’ve outlined. Don’t let these non-believers bring you down, dude, they aren’t worth it. The world will be a worse off place without http://www.RobAroundBooks.com.
All the best!
Colin Galbraith
says:
Colin,
I really don’t know what to say. The very fact that you’ve taken the time to write such a sprawling response to me, speaks volumes. I don’t know whether it’s your writer’s talent shining through but you’ve brought a genuine tear to my eye.
I know everything you say is true, and normally when the ‘disbelievers’ pass a negative comment it’s water off a duck’s back, but this time it just seemed to hit a nerve. My credibility was being into question – my intentions were being looked upon suspiciously – and I guess this upset me massively, and began to ask the question, “Well if they think that, does everybody?” Of course I know now – thanks to all of the wonderful words of support – that that’s not true and that people do trust me. They do consider my intentions to be pure, and they know what I do I do purely out of passion. It’s hugely relieving to know that. So thank you for playing a big part in that Colin!
And I just want to close off by passing a compliment back. Over the three week run of the Edinburgh Book Festival, I have been informed, entertained and thrilled by your almost daily reports from the Edinburgh Book Festival. Personal circumstances have meant I haven’t been able to attend as much of the Festival as I wanted to, but you and your Festival blogs have certainly made up for that somewhat. Who cares if a little bit of what you did was for self-promotion, Fact is, you deserved it.
So thank you Colin, on every level
With warmest regards
Rob
If I may digress for a moment, as a huge EBF fan, where can I find Colin’s daily reports?
says:
http://www.colingalbraith.co.uk/blog/
Enjoy, Lizzy
Hi Rob,
I am a bit of a lurker on your site and only comment now and again because your thoughts and reviews are so good I feel slightly inferior, there I have said it – ha!
I wanted to comment on this one though because I know exactly what you mean and was on the end of some question marks when I would put up latest books I had bought or been sent and people thought it was showing off. This was earlier this year and late 2009. People mistaked my enthusiasm for buying second hand delights and thanks and acknowledgements to publishers as posts of bragging.
I almost stopped doing it, and then I thought ‘sod that its my blog’. So I carried on because hopefully critics and competitive/negative people would either read other posts and see its genuine enthusiasm therefore either silently eating some humble pie or if they carried on not liking it not reading it and buggering off. Ha!
I dont even affiliate with amazon or anything because my blog is for me and lovely if people join in and discuss, if they have a good bitch – well more power to them. Some people might see this or apology posts as being a con but do you really want people that cynical following you?
At the end of the day I think genuine genuineness, shines through as it does on Rob Around Books and lots of other blogs I really like.
says:
Simon,
What can I say? You kind words are appreciated (although I don’t beleive your opening sentence for one minute).
I get you completely on your ‘look what I got’ posts. I have similar thoughts when I feature not yet published books as a ‘Daily’ Bookshot. Like you it’s just an outburst of passion rather than a gloat, and it’s shame that people can’t always see it that. I’m glad you decided to carry on doing them. I can tell that your heart is in the right place; no ulterior motive.
I get you with affiliate links too. I don’t have any of those either, or any advertising. I was told only on Monday evening, by a very important person in publishing, that I could make a very comfortable living out of affiliate links etc. And while I agreed with the person I also made my feelings very clear. I would never do anything like that ever, because the moment that I did that I would be changing my motive for book blogging. It mean more to me to demonstrate outwardly, that my intentions are always pure.
Anyway I’m rambling. I just want to thank you again for taking the time and effort to leave such warming words. It means the world to me.
With warmest regards
Rob
says:
Whaaat? That was my first thought when reading this post (which I meant to comment on yesterday but then had issues and forgot to come back. Silly me.). I can’t believe that anyone would say that about you. I think what you do is awesome, and keep it up – don’t change a thing. Also, I loved your post yesterday and it was really great hearing about the event. I have no idea how that could be called self-promotion as you weren’t even talking about yourself but rather about the event. People are crazy, ignore them
says:
Amy! Go away! You’re going to break RobAroundBooks again!
Only joking. It’s wonderful to hear from you, and to read such warming and kind words of support. I know I should keep strong, we all should, but sometimes someone comes along and they hit a nerve. So much so that you begin to doubt yourself. You start to think that everyone thinks you’re some kind of fraud. Of course I know now that that’s not true, and it kind, kind people like you who have helped me to realise that.
I thank you, a million times over
With warmest regards and affection
Rob
Rob, I’ve always been a huge fan of your blog. I’d taken a break from blogging and reading blogs for a while, and then to come back and see this post! I can’t believe people are giving you a hard time! So I have to add to your other fans and say: Don’t stop blogging! Anyone who reads your blog regularly would know that you are driven by your passion for books and reading and literature with no questionable ulterior motives. I just can’t even imagine what would make someone think that! Your posts are always so thoughtful and you certainly brought my attention to writers I would have never heard of otherwise. Plus, I love that you promote short stories so much. So few bloggers have a dedication to short stories, your blog is such an excellent resource for that.
You have a great thing going here, and I absolutely hate that you’d let these few naysayers get you down. Part of being a blogger is sharing your excitement with others. I’m truly sorry for these people that they see this as gloating or bragging, when it is so painfully obvious that you just want to share your passion with other.
So visualize me standing up for you (all 5 feet of me) putting my hand on my hip and giving those meanies the evil eye! We have your back! I say write that follow up post! Your true readers love your insight.
says:
Laza,
So wonderful to hear from you. Thank you so much for your kind and supportive words. You know, it’s clear to me now that I’ve taken the opinion of a few ‘nonbelievers’ and amplified it to such a magnitude that I’d begun to believe that everyone was of the same opinion. Of course with all of these kind comments and words of support I now know differently.
You’ve added to my reverse of personal feeling greatly Laza – especially when I visualise that terrifying ‘scene’ in front of me
– and so I thank you infinite times over for taking the time and effort to pass on your words of support.
I hope that your blogging break has done you the world of good and that you will soon be returning to fold once more. I, and the blogosphere in general, miss you massively
With warmest regards and affection
Rob
Rob, I was really disappointed to read this, and I’m not sure what I can say, other than (as I’ve said before) I think what you’re doing here is wonderful, and I have heaps and heaps of admiration (as a reader) and gratitude (as a writer) for you doing this.
Please don’t let the bastards grind you down. If they don’t like what you do (or feel threatened or worried that they’ll be found perhaps) then they don’t have to read this or follow you. This is YOUR blog and you’ve the right to say whatever you want on here and be as enthusiastic as you naturally are; that enthusiasm, by the way, I think is a very good thing.
Don’t stop doing what you do, please. And don’t be bullied into changing anything.
With enormous respect and appreciation
Nik
(Who probably doesn’t retweet as much as he should!)
says:
Nik,
As always you are one of the kindest, sincere and most supportive human beings I know. Even without writing your comment here I knew that you were one of the few (although it now it definitely appears to be one of the many) who knows what I’m really all about.
Thankfully, since I first wrote this post I’ve climbed back out of the pit of despair (how very dramatic
), so any notions I had of giving up are well and truly gone. I now see that most people have seen me for what I really am, and it fills my heart with hope and light (again full marks to me for poetic license 
). It gives me the kick and motivation I need to ‘keep on truckin’.
Thanks Nik. Thanks a million times.
Warmest
Rob
Rob, that’s very kind of you to say but I just (for better or for worse!) say what I think, honestly. Most importantly, as has been said here already many times, you’re doing something wonderful and helpful here, and that should be applauded and people should be grateful to you for doing it. As I said (somewhere) before, it’s people like you, doing things like this, that keeps literature eating, and that spreads the good word of good fiction.
I’m very happy you’re feeling better about it all. And, please, ignore the idiots who, really, should be doing THIS kind of thing rather than moaning about you doing this kind of thing. I’ve experienced it myself so I know how it feels (horrid and utterly frustrating), but I know that I’m doing what I do for the right reasons and that the critical people probably aren’t.
So, thus ends my two-penneth!
Nik
PS Keep up the utterly splendid work!