This great comment was posted by Steve Kayser, but I felt it was too good not to post as a stand-alone blog post too! Insightfulness abounds!
Kayser also recommends Carol Dweck’s book “Mindsets”. “She has an interesting take on this – attributes it to a Fixed vs Growth mindset. Fixed mindsets have a “no-go too much effort mindset.
And then Steve went on to detail brilliantly below the differences in Fixed vs. Growth. Kayser, “I know someone like that — and will use his responses an an example.”
1. Yes, I’m happy to send several review copies out and allocate money in my marketing/pr budget to do so.
FIXED: NO, sorry. Too much work. My work speaks for itself. If you can’t see that… then you’re dumb because, of course, I’m smarter than you.
2. Yes, I’m happy to learn more about the Internet and authentically converse with other book enthusiasts via web forums, listserves, blogging (your own or commenting on other blogs), and online book clubs.
FIXED: NO. I’m not happy. That requires too much effort. You want me to participate … as in be a real human and converse? HOW PEVERSE!
3. Yes, I understand there is a long road ahead once the book is published and great authors are committed to running a marathon with their book, not just a sprint.
FIXED: Uh … Long road? Obviously you don’t understand the gravity, nor have the gravitas of a discerning reader. (Besides, Marathons are really long and hard … I ran one once.)
4. Yes, I know that often it’s more valuable for me to reach out to people personally and let them know about the book instead of hiring a giant PR firm to fax blast or e-blast a ton of folks and hope something sticks.
FIXED: Uh… No. Again. I’d have to get down into tactics, hands-on stuff. I have more important things to do – like polish the Ivory in my tower.
5. Yes, I can talk my Mom into at least two copies and my company or board or golfing pals to buy 500 more books.
FIXED: Could you show her my book? Or could you show my Mom my book – so I don’t have to … it’s undignified.
6. Yes, I’m willing to do interviews at the time that works best for the journalist or reporter interested in my work (even if it’s not the most convenient time for me.)
FIXED: No. I’m too important for that. MY time is the RIGHT time. Any other time is an inconvenient time
7. #6 – Read it again.
FIXED: No thanks. Too hard.
8. Yes, I believe in my book and after many months of labor I commit to the care and long-term sustaining of this new addition to my life.
FIXED: Who said I was going to labor for months. I was thinking more like days
9. Yes, I will commit to getting folks on my enewsletter, relatives in Alabama or people I ride the train with to review my book on Amazon (and yes, I’ll remember when asking to still convey that I want real reviews, not inauthentic ones.)
FIXED: I’ll take the inauthentic ones as long as they’re good. I’ll delete the bad ones and then have bloggers surreptitiously and Strumpette-dly attack the reviewer. (MY FAVORITE OF COURSE)
10. Yes, I will be a published author, but I still will be kind, and recognize that my book does not mean I can be a pompous ass to others who have not published books.
FIXED: NO – be kind? Then someone would think I was a schlepp and the world doesn’t revolve around me … and they’d be wrong!
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