SFWA Is Gossiping About Me

Or maybe they're not. You see, I'm not a member so I'm not really sure what's going on.

Wednesday evening, I checked my Blogger stats. One of the things it displays is other web pages that have linked to my blog. Usually, it's my main author website or some dumbass porn purveyor hoping I'll click on their link so they can infect my computer.

But Wednesday evening, this was on the Traffic Sources page under Referring URLs:

http://www.sfwa.org/forum/index.php?/topic/7907-is-amazon-your-friend/

Now, I'm not a member of SFWA. Why would a link to Wild, Wicked & Wacky be on an SFWA forum? When I clicked on the link, I got this:

HTTP 404 Not Found

So was it someone bitching about girl cooties in their fantasy? Because let's face it, I do put romance and sex in my stories.

Was the link referring to the rise of indie publishing? Because, yes, I do promote indies.

Did someone who was an SFWA member talk about the review I gave their book? Maybe. Were they pissed I hadn't put the review on Amazon? That doesn't make sense because I may not have bought the book from Amazon.

Given the very tired meme the link mentions about Amazon and cuddling, did they link to one of my many gripes about Seattle's finest? Because, I'll be the first to admit Amazon is not my friend. It's a book retailer for my publishing company. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Frankly, Amazon is not even one of the better retailers for my products. I sell more through Barnes & Noble and Apple.

So anyone out there who's an SFWA member want to give me a hint why a link to my blog appeared on an SFWA forum?

Business Tip No. 2 - The Dangers of Gossip

Currently reading - Born of Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Friends and acquaintances here in Houston are packing up (some are even on planes already) to head for the Romance Writers of America National Conference in Orlando, Florida this week. Whether you're a newbie or a pubbed, one very important thing to remember while you're at the conference--WATCH WHAT YOU SAY.

I'm not saying be less than honest, but don't have a case of diarrhea of the mouth. And whatever you do, don't say anything negative about a person. If you're having a difficulty with, say an agent or an editor, there are appropriate ways to handle any differences with that person. Loudly proclaiming that person an asshole in the middle of the hotel bar after a few too many wine spritzers is not it. And trust me, Murphy's Law dictates that the person you're dissing to your best bud while you're in the restroom WILL BE in the stall next to you.

Unfortunately, this stuff happens in every industry. Last night, I had the joy of watching the new girl at the day job make enemies and generally look like a total bitch by not handling a relatively minor matter with some discretion.

So keep that in mind when you head to any conference. And if your best bud tells you to cool it while you're out in public, please listen to him/her. The career you save may be your own.