Do authors cross the line when they recommend their own books?

[cromag]

If the author is up front and honest about his/her authorship, and isn't using "hard sell" tactics or "pushing" the work, I see no problem. I tend to be skeptical, but I have accepted an author's self-recommendation at least once in recent months and wasn't disappointed.

[caleb72]

I don't have an issue. In fact, the opposite is true for me.

The threads asking for recs on a particular theme will quite often be filled with bigger name authors which is perfectly fine, but if you like trying out self-pubbed authors (like I do), it's actually really helpful to read a relevant recommendation for a self-pubbed book - even if it comes from the author him/herself.

Regardless of any superlatives the author may use, I treat that recommendation as: "I wrote something along these lines - check it out!"

I don't like deception much though. I would hope there shouldn't be a need in our community.

[Yapyap]

Context matters, as has been said by others.

If it's an author suggesting a book they have written in a thread specifically asking for recommendations, and if the author makes it clear they're the author (not "a big fan of this brand new book that was just released"), and if the book fits the request, and if it's done in a venue where it's not prohibited, I think it's perfectly okay.

If the author pretends they're "just a reader", or pushes it aggressively, or does so in a place where self-promotion is not welcome or allowed, it's crossing that line for me and not okay. (For example on Amazon forums before Amazon really started to crack down on self-promo, it was often the case that I'd visit a genre forum and see a new post in 20-25 threads, sometimes across several forums, and they were all identical "buy my book!!" by one and the same author, regardless of whether the thread starter had asked for fluffy recs for 5-year-old girls or for gritty murder stories.)

Originally Posted by crich70

And if an author writes a book about writing it's almost certain that they will include clips from their own writing when showing a technique.

Thank-you for bringing something else to mind: recommendations within books. I've seen this happen in various technical books, and they virtually always refer to something by the same author or publisher. That gets annoying since it ends up feeling like I'm reading an advertisement rather than a book. I sometimes see the same happening in academic titles, but I suspect that has more to do with the limited number of authors and publishers within a particular field.

[Abtacha]

As long as they make it clear they're the author of the book and don't misrepresent the content or quality I'm fine with it.

In fact if I'd be asking for recommendation and an author happens to have written a book that fits perfectly I'd find it a shame if I wouldn't hear of it just because they don't want to promote their own book.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Abtacha

don't misrepresent the content or quality

Quality is rather subjective, don't you think? I'd figure most people think the stuff they publish is of quality, it doesn't mean everyone will agree. That's not misrepresentation, it's disagreement.

[rdfry]

As long as it isn't spammed everywhere it is fine.

[Teutonic0]

Coming from someone who really doesn't like self-promoting (job interviews are the worst), I think there's a difference between "recommending" & "hawking" your own work.

In some few cases selling might be appropriate, but I think humbly recommending is the better way to do it. Something along the lines of, "Hey, I wrote this book, check it out if the subject interests you," as opposed to guilting someone to read it because they know you (if they know you).

[exaltedwombat]

"I really need a good book about wombats!"
"Help! I'm an authority on wombats, and I've just written a book that looks like heading to be the standard textbook. But if I say so, Dr. Drib will diss me. What to do?"

If you don't believe in yourself, who will?

[HomeInMyShoes]

An author should write a good back cover description of the novel and let it stand on its own. Anyone creating another persona to illuminate the masses of their work is a scuz.

[DrNefario]

It's a difficult line to draw, and personally I'd rather err on the side of strict prohibition. Sure, I can ignore promotions, but why should I have to? Every feather goes onto the scales.

Maybe with a few additional rules:

DON'T
- Wake up an old thread to recommend your book
- Only post to recommend your book

DO
- Recommend other books along with your own

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by exaltedwombat

"I really need a good book about wombats!"
"Help! I'm an authority on wombats, and I've just written a book that looks like heading to be the standard textbook. But if I say so, Dr. Drib will diss me. What to do?"

If you don't believe in yourself, who will?

Only the wombat!




Don

[Abtacha]

Originally Posted by ApK

Quality is rather subjective, don't you think? I'd figure most people think the stuff they publish is of quality, it doesn't mean everyone will agree. That's not misrepresentation, it's disagreement.

That's a problem,yes
I was more thinking along the lines of trying to make your first self published novel that's filled with typos appear like it was professionally edited. Or using out of context quotes to make it seem better than it is.

[Kumabjorn]

Are we talking fiction or non-fiction? If it's the former I find it a bit in bad taste, but I might find it acceptable if it's on a specialized topic with a limited selection or the author is presenting new or unknown material.

[BadBilly]

As long as they're clear that they are recommending something that they have written, I would have no problem with that. I don't expect any false modesty. Don't be pushy, but, by all means, mention it if it is relevant.