My Pet Peeve

I have one huge pet peeve.  “Pet peeve” is my Father’s language and the older I get the more often I hear my Dad’s words escape my mouth.  A peeve is a particular grievance and mine is people who don’t respond to a specific request.  For example, if I write a friend an e-mail asking if they would be available for coffee on a specific day and time, I EXPECT an answer.  If that friend doesn’t answer – that peeves me.

In my journey to market MURPHY’S TROUBLES I make my initial contact through e-mail.  I was asked for a blog interview, completed it and was told it would be posted in a week; that was on December 1st.  There was no post.  I waited until January 15th and sent a follow-up e-mail, no response to my follow-up. That peeves me.

On November 29th I sent our book group leader a copy of my book and asked if it could be included in the group’s fall 2014 session.  No response.  Why?  Don’t I deserve a response?  Even if the response is – NO – NO WAY – it would be an answer.  Silence peeves me.

I placed on ad on Goodreads.  I spent good money on the ad.  In 10 days I had 3893 views of my ad.  Not ONE click to purchase my book.  Not ONE.  What are the odds that not one in nearly 4000 people would click into my ad?  At least I have the opportunity to change the ad to try to fix it.  

I’ve also sent e-mails to several bookstores asking how to schedule an author reading/signing and offering my book for sale on consignment.  Guess what?  No response?  I have been under the impression that business courtesy was to respond within at least a week.  I haven’t had any responses.  I suppose I’m old fashioned in expecting a business response to a business request, it’s easier just to ignore me.  I’m not giving up.  This week I’ll follow-up with a phone call.  With my luck, I’ll talk to a voice mail.

 So, if I ever contact you with whatever media (e-mail; phone-call, text) please have the courtesy to respond.  I always respond to requests, even if I say – no thank you.