This blog has been around
for nearly seven years. That’s over 1900 blog posts and counting, many of them from guest
authors who have stopped by to tell our readers about their lives and their
books. Many of you have discovered new authors from reading these guest posts,
and we know our guest authors greatly appreciate your support.
Which is why we’re mystified
when a guest fails to show up. Luckily this has happened very infrequently over
the life of the blog, but when it does, we scramble to fill the slot. Sometimes we have enough time to do so; other times we don't. You, our
loyal blog readers, have come to expect a new post each weekday, and we don’t
like to disappoint you.
Authors who request a guest
slot at Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers are asked to send their post at
least a week in advance. Two weeks prior to their scheduled date they receive a
reminder. Another reminder goes out a week later if we haven’t heard from them.
Such was the case with
today’s scheduled guest. What happened to her? Was she taken
ill? Was she involved in an accident? Did she, heaven forbid, die suddenly? Or perhaps she lives in an area of the country that's been devastated by storms and floods over the last few weeks. She may be without power or have computer problems. Did she lose her home? Was she evacuated due to a pending flood or landslide? We have no idea since our emails have gone
unanswered.
In today’s publishing
climate where authors receive so little support from their publishers, our
guest authors love the free publicity Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers offers
them. So we can only assume the worst about today’s AWOL guest and wish her the
best, no matter the circumstances. Hopefully, she'll get in touch with us when she can, and we'll reschedule her guest post.
OMG! I've had this happen so many times, I've lost count. It's frustrating and odd. Wonder if we could get a super sleuth on the case. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is something I've had to face occasionally on my blog at www.judypenzsheluk.com. It really bothers me, especially for my New Release Mondays, because I only accept one new release per Monday, and so I do have to turn down authors on occasion. I also ask that the posts are sent a couple of weeks in advance, so I can schedule when I get a few minutes. Offering guest blogs is one way to help other authors, while providing our readers with different perspectives. It's upsetting when the guest doesn't show or sends their post with a few hours to spare. Hopefully Audrey Author is fine, and just forgetful!
ReplyDeleteN.N., Great idea! I'm putting both Anastasia and Gracie on the case.
ReplyDeleteJudy, I know that sometimes things happen in our lives that will prevent us from following through on commitments. Most of the time when this happens to me with guest bloggers, they're courteous enough to let me know ahead of time. This blogger didn't even respond to emails I sent her. Although I hate to think something awful happened to her, I do hope it's not just because she blew me off and didn't have the common courtesy to let me know she couldn't send the post for whatever reason.
When I read your title I immediately gulped and thought, "Is that me?" I know it isn't but I can tell you that I think lots of us occasionally wonder if our brains have slipped a gear and we've missed something important. The reminder emails usually solve that.
ReplyDeleteThis is an awkward problem to have, Lois. I admire those who share their blogs and seem to know how to put it all together for readers. I'm surprised when I hear someone just walked away, so though I hope there was no tragedy, I hope there's a reasonable explanation. I did like the way you raised and discussed the issue also.
Thanks, Susan. Yes, we all have the occasional brain fart, myself included, and that's why I send out reminders. I felt it was an issue I wanted to discuss but with the need to be diplomatic and understanding. I never want this blog to become a platform for controversy and/or negativity. I want it to be fun, informative, and act as a platform to support fellow authors.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, Lois -- and love being your guest! Blogging as a guest is a privilege that shouldn't be abused. Bottom line: I hope your missing author has a darn good reason for being AWOL.
ReplyDeleteYour post was a great fill-in. I too hope it it isn't some tragic incident that kept her from contacting you - you can't help but think the worst...
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post! I see that happen a lot at RB4U. It does make me wonder! You'll have to update us when/if you find out.
ReplyDeleteYes, Melissa, if I ever find out what happened, I'll let everyone know.
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the reasons I send out my request a month in advance so that if an author doesn't send in their blog, I can move a post around.
ReplyDeleteHope you hear from your missing author soon.
Dru, most of my guest authors book at least a month in advance, often several months in advance, because they want to reserve a specific date, which makes it all the more puzzling when one of them disappears.
ReplyDeleteThis is the very reason I stopped hosting other authors; I had too many that never responded to the reminders I sent out two weeks or even a week in advance. Yes, I've had the occasional brain fart (case in point, last year, but the blog host never sent me a gentle reminder that my post was due a week before I sent it!), but usually if I've scheduled a blog tour, I put it on my calendar!
ReplyDeleteMolly, I guess I'm lucky that it's only happened a few times during the life of my blog.
ReplyDeleteDon't underestimate the spam filter. I almost missed teaching an online class because I had my author e-mail forwarding to my main e-mail, but I didn't realize it wasn't forwarding the spam.
ReplyDeleteI haven't, Kris. I check my spam daily before deleting it.
ReplyDeleteHow about no-show guest bloggers who fail to show up at the blog on the day their post airs? They don't answer comments or tweet or post about the blog. Nothing. I've had this happen, and it's annoying. I very rarely host guests now and usually only authors that I know personally.
ReplyDeleteYes, Nancy, I've had that happen as well. Interestingly enough, it's usually male authors who don't respond to comments posted to their guest blog.
ReplyDelete