(no subject)
JFC... I just got a (and I quote exactly), "Hey, I don't like this post. Please remove it." message on my FB Fans of Author...page.
What I posted (and they copy'n'pasted the whole thing to the rest of their request) is nothing more and nothing less than my WorldCon appearances for panels, kaffeeklatsch, autographing, and reading sessions.
It's a private message session, and I won't reveal who it is...but this is my response to said request:
"Why do you not like it?
I have given it some careful thought, and I can find nothing offensive in this post.
Even the panel titled "Writing Erotica" does not contain any descriptions of anything of an offensive nature; it has only the day and time listed, but no actual room where it can be found. Such information will only be made available in the actual convention programming book. Even the word “Erotica” is not an illegal thing to write and post on Facebook. It is simply a word defining a subject & genre. Those who do not wish to attend that panel need not attend. Indeed, one could argue that I have saved them the time of looking for me during that hour, should they be offended.
Nor is there any revelation of personal, private information in regards to the others named in this list; all participants involved in these sessions have already agreed to have their names posted in conjunction with WorldCon 71 / LoneStarCon 3 activities. No email addresses have been posted, no phone numbers, and no other means of contacting these people, other than those things which they have already agreed to, namely appearing at and participating in WorldCon 71.
Additionally, posting this information is part and parcel of my work as an author. It allows me to make sure my readers know where they can find and chat with me at this particular convention. Many people pay hundreds of dollars to attend, if not more, in the hopes of meeting up with their favorite authors, and even those who are only mildly curious may want to know where to find a particular person.. The only conceivable reason why I should not post this information for those who are attending to know is if my life were in danger. Do you know of anyone who has threatened me? I do not, so if you do, please tell me and I will arrange things so that I will not be harmed.
So...why do you dislike this post? Why should I remove it? If you have any beyond the ones I have listed, I am willing to listen to your reasons."
~~~
...I think I wrote out a fairly good response to the person's query...but jeezus fucking cryst, where does this person get the idea they can tell ME to remove something that is posted on MY author's FB page, that does NOT offend anyone in any way (unless they're so fucking stick-up-their-shithole about the word "Erotica" that they have an aneurysm every fucking time they see it, in which case I hope one of those aneurysms helps them Get Over It, It's Just A Genre / Subject Label) and is very, very, very much a part of my JOB as an author, to make myself available to readers so that they can find me to give comments or complaints, to ask questions, to let me know how my writing is doing and how it may have impacted their lives. In other words, to make goddamn public appearances.
That REQUIRES telling people when and where they can find me at conventions!
J.F.C.
Seriously, people...
~Lotm