Sunday Special: The Magic of the Internet and Why It's Nice to Have Friends in SF Circles

Every so often, I Google myself.

When I started writing my first SF novel two years ago, I would have never imagined that today I'd be getting such a vast amount of publicity from guest blogging. I'd wanted that novel to be in print by now, but, such is life, the darn thing is still under revision, and currently shelved in favor of more productive projects. Just need a break, that's all. Not giving up on it. Honest.

Back in December 2009, I had my first-ever guest post on a blog, Pimp My Novel. The post itself received many positive comments, and a few weeks after we went "live", I searched the intrawebs and blogs and was ASTOUNDED by how many people had linked me up... and they were praising me.

And not only that, but the article was linked into lists with people that I honestly don't feel worthy of being listed with. For example, SF Signal (which has over 7500 subscribed readers) listed me in a post along with Neil Gaiman, James Cameron, Rachelle Gardner, Janice Hardy, and an article from Asimov's.

No, really. I wouldn't lie to you.

And that wasn't even the half of it. The internet/blog response to that article was staggering. Humbled does not even begin to describe what I felt.

And I've been humbled again. I recently Googled myself (I try not to do it too often but sometimes I just can't fight the urge) and found that my recent guest post on Janice Hardy's blog has been linked up just as much, if not more than, my PMN post.

What?!

You all are too kind. And again, I'm finding most of the praise is in writerly circles and well-established SF websites, like SF Signal. I'm also getting tweeted left and right, which amazes me, because I'm not a twitter. Tweeter. Twit? I'll never figure that one out.

And this is where I take an aside to personally thank Christina Katz for tweeting my Prosperous Writer posts every week. You're the best. :)

For my article on Janice's blog, I, again, ended up in a lot of link lists with literary professionals, such as Nathan Bransford, Mike Resnick, Alan Rinzler, Juliette Wade, and in company with updates on publishers like Penguin and Tor.

I'm being completely honest when I say this: I do not feel worthy of that. Maybe I never will, no matter where this writing career of mine takes me. In my mind, I'm still this shy little Midwestern girl who finds joy in sharing the stories in her head, but doesn't believe anyone will listen or care. And I don't blog or write guest posts for the publicity alone, because I never imagined-- or expected-- the amount of attention my stuff has received, especially in the SF circles.

In addition to that, I'm still receiving spotlighted praise in book reviews for the Shadows & Light anthology, which also amazes me, because the short story in that anthology was one of the first I'd ever written for publication, and I didn't think it was all that great in comparison to some of my later works. Just being honest. But, obviously, it is not my opinion that counts. Haha.

My guest post on Christi Corbett's blog was also well-received, and I really can't wait to see what happens when my first article for Writer Unboxed is unveiled on June 30.

All of this, and I don't even have an agent yet, let alone, a published novel. Don't believe anyone who says that the blogosphere can't work for you. I'm living proof that it can. Just saying.

Thank you to everyone who has linked my articles! Seriously. YOU GUYS ROCK. I feel very privileged to be an author right now. At a time when word of mouth through the internet can make or break you, I am eternally indebted to all of you. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!

~Lydia