But maybe I should be more picky. Because when I get a blanket message that went to every single person in someone's "friends" list, it does not really seem like a friendship. It seems like what it is, an effort to turn me into a sale.
The message was something like this:
"Hi Friends,
The softcover version of my book TITLE REDACTED is still on sale this week through Publish America's online store. The cost is $6.99, a big savings from MSRP $16.95. My book is also available in hardcover for $21.95. [Yeah, most books cost $21.95 for an early reader hardcover. And PublishAmerica is a vanity publisher. They will publish anything an author is willing to pay for.]
Here is a synopsis of my humorous early chapter book targeted to children ages 5-8:
[What follows is a tale that involves a naughty 5 year old, the accidental (and presumably humorous) killing of a pet, a visit to Santa, and barfing.]
Please don't try this at home. I don't mind a sales pitch, but it's got to be more subtle. And for something I would actually want to buy.