Unsolicited Messages are NOT a Good Way to Sell Your Book

[pameladlloyd]

I joined Goodreads a few months back at the suggestion of one of my brothers. Since then, I've listed a couple dozen books and reviewed a mere handfull. Today, in my Goodreads Inbox, I found the following message from a total stranger, a writer whose message has left me feeling rather uncomfortable:

from: James Bailey
to: Pamela
subject: quirky book
message:
Hi Pam the reading lover, cute picture. I had severe OCD, anxiety attacks, and depression for over thirty years but finally had enough and overcame most of it. I wrote a quirky and humorous book called Man Interrupted detailing how I did it. I have Oscar winner Mel Brooks on the cover praising it.. Please check out Man Interrupted at www.amazon.com or pop into a Barnes and Noble.. Just ask for Man Interrupted by James Bailey. Let me know? Best James.

I find myself rather mystified. Did this guy self-publish? *checks Amazon* The publisher is listed as Mainstream Publishing. *googles* Which seems to be a Scottish division of Random House. Does this make sense, or is there another publishing firm using that name?

What made him choose me, given that almost everything on my reading list is science fiction or fantasy, or am I just one of a couple thousand people he's individually contacted? Hasn't this guy ever heard about targeted marketing? (Of course, at least he's targeting people who read, so maybe he has.)

Why do so many people think that it's okay to shorten my name? I go by Pamela. I sign my letters and emails Pamela. If, by any chance I choose to use a nickname, the name I use is not "Pam." I mean, I understand why family members who started calling me Pam before I could defend myself could be a bit confused (even though you'd think thirty years would be enough time to get used to it), but why do perfect strangers think they've got the right to not just call someone by their first name, but to use a diminutive they haven't earned?

Comments

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

That *is* strange, and I haven't a clue about how those things happen. I got something like that once from someone in Wales wanting me to help promote a music festival there. I checked it out, and it seemed legitimate, and it had interesting sounding music, so I obliged, but I couldn't help thinking that I probably wasn't the best person to target for their publicity....

And I'm with you 100% on nicknames. I only like my whole name. I feel sometimes as if that makes me a difficult person or something--but my whole name is *nice* sounding, whereas the nicknames aren't so... that's why I prefer the whole name!

[satimaflavell.livejournal.com]

I do a lot of reviewing and people often solicit my reviews. After reviewing a couple pf self published books I now turn those down out-of-hand because the standard, sadly, is generally so low as to be embarrassing, but if the book is from a legit hard copy publisher and if it's within my genre set, I'll take a look. If it's not I just tell the wrter so. And of course, I expect a free review copy!

If the guy is in Britain, Pema, he would, I'm afraid, automatically call you Pam. Most Aussies would, too. Many names are automatically shortened in English-speaking countries outside the USA and Pamela is definitely one of them. I don't think I've ever met a Pamela who was called by the full three syllables:-)It took me a while, when I lived in the States, to realise that local usage doesn't do this and I fear I offended or at least confused several people until I worked out that Elizabeth is not necessarily Liz and Christine is not necessarily Chris in the US!