Question about posting things (mostly aimed towards the mods)
 

(I posted this earlier in the Creative Corner stupidly forgetting it should go here. Sorry for the doublepost) I posed this question to two mods but I have yet to receive a reply and I'm a bit impatient.

I know that most members are banned from posting things like ads, spam, etc. as they clog up the website. However, I was wondering if I would be permitted to do something. Years ago I wrote a novel about self-harm, abuse, mental health issues and other things related to RYL. After spending those years being rejected by agents and publishers, mainly because they don't understand the issues, I'm going to try and self-publish an e-book. This process will most definitely take a while, but I was hoping that upon completion I could offer a link to my book download or an amazon listing in the Creative Corner. I know this might go under that "no ads" rule, but considering it is completely relevant to the members, and they are always looking for more books involving SH, ED and MH issues, would you allow it? And if anything, I would definitely have a link to RYL on any personal blog or site I used to promote my book to spread SH awareness. I did ask Harley years ago if I could do this, foolishly thinking I'd get published quickly, but I'm sure he's forgotten. I'd appreciate any feedback on this issue. Thank you. -Tracie

Im not a mod but Id allow it :)
hehe

I'm not sure but if you want a quicker reply, you can always PM the mods at moderators@recoveryourlife.com

not completely ignoring you Tracie, we are chatting about it and ting.


x

Thanks. I didn't think you were ignoring me, I just tend to get antsy when I'm waiting for something like this. Let me know when you decide something. I really hope you let me, I definitely would help spread awareness and only have 1-2 posts in the Creative Corner and not send out 6 posts a week to every board.

I presume you'd be making money out of it? Just my opinion, but that doesn't sit right with me.

^ that, if it was free then why not but if your charging people then its really just self-promotion for you to earn money and its not right. Also I'm sure you didn't get rejected because publishers "did not understand the issues", there are plenty of books published with these kind of issues.

Actually many agents have told me they liked the book but the subject "wasn't right for them". I wouldn't say that if it wasn't true. Just because there are books published on the issue doesn't mean it's easy to break out into writing with a controversial book topic.

Saying it wasn't right for them is not the same as saying "they do not understand the issues", its more being that they do not publish these kind of books.

Anyway as said before it wouldn't be right or fair for you to post a link to gain money from sales, after all we cant post ebay links or anything like that to self promote when we sell something regardless if it is a book or a top someone may not like. At the end of the day its still self promotion and you would be getting money from it, and if this was allowed then any tom dick and harry would be on here promoting things.

Personally, I don't reallly see the difference between you posting a link to your book, and people posting links to books they've read by lesser known authors that they're currently reading?

Lets say I bought her book, decided I really liked it and posted about it in R&R. Would that be a problem too?

Not having a go or anything, just seems a bit.. contradictory?

The difference comes from the self-promotion. There is a difference between reader reviews and simple advertisement.

I'm sure I've seen people link other things they have made and consequently sell on here, jewellery comes to mind.

George used to have a link to her jewellery in her sig but she was asked to remove it.x

General consensus from the mods is this:

If it is a free download, its absolutely fine, as its akin to sharing a story on the forum or linking to a blog. (infact, if you look you will see that there is a thread in the CC at the minute where a member has a free download of his writing.)

However, Should you be asking for money for people to download the book, we will not allow it on the forums. We have in the past kept quite a tight reign over stuff like this, including peoples personal shops (sorry George) and ebay listings etc.

It is felt that people posting for monetary gain completely detracts from the point of the site, and besides, if it were ok for people to post advertising stuff theyre selling, we would have to allow the DISCOUNT UGGS threads, and various other advertising spams.

In short, we are a self harm forum, not an advertising platform or source of topping up someones earnings.

But what if another member reviews it?

then sobeit. (is that one word or three)? in that case i guess its just like the 'what have you bought recently' thread etc where people say 'i bought this book from amazon'

Theres a difference between people saying theyve enjoyed something that theyve bought and members actively using RYL to make some money.


I hope this makes sense.

Ah thanks Liv my mistake I thought Harley had allowed George's jewelry, cheers for clearing that up x

3 i think.

Thank you for your response. And yes, it is three words.

I would be interested to know what publishers you have tried.

If your work is of a good standard then I may be able to give you a lead on a publisher, please feel free to drop me a PM to discuss