Pic Message Board

Tom Piccirilli · **Posted:** Thu Jan 14, 2010 1:44 pm

Looks like we're going to close down the Horror World message board for me, at least for a while. Just not enough action on it, and you cats know you'll see me all the time here in the Cellar. Going to focus on my board over on Brian Keene's site, which gets a little more activity. You can always get in touch with me over there, or here, or on my blog, or my website, or Twitter, or Facebook...Jesus, I never realized how smeared across the web I was.

ttzuma · **Joined:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:15 pm **Posts:** 13517

Excuse me Tom, but I'm not understanding something here. You are going to close the board down because there is not enough action on it? Your board has been very popular. And yes, I will admit to being someone who posts to your board often, but I'm not the only one who's making all those hits on it to see what you've written, or to read comments on whats been written about you.

All of your threads combined average 536 hits. If you discount the last couple of months, going back to November, they've averaged 604 hits. Some go as high as 1200 hits. That a lot of hits from fans that care about your work and want to read more about you.

For some reason you've limited your posting on the board for the last couple of months. You are, and have been, one of the most popular authors in Horrorworld. Even if people don't post or reply, they read the posts. If your name was listed as the last poster, they would make it a point to read the thread.

An author board could be a tremendous tool for an author, if they only put the time into posting once in a while. Even if its just to say thanks to a fan for taking the time to comment on their work. Fans of yours come to these boards and read your comments.

Your board here in Horrorworld is loaded with great discussions about your work, and comments from you, fans of yours continue to read them long after they've been posted. You want to remove those threads? And yes, many of them are mine, but many are not, but never the less, people are still reading them and learning about your work. And you want to remove those! I think thats a shame.

Horrorworld has a good base of fans, many of them yours, you should see the Tasmaniac site and the wonderful things people say about your work. Why wouldn't you want to market to these fans also? Do you think there is not enough of us to make a difference? The majority of Horrorworld log ins do not go to The Cellar, they go to the author and small press boards looking for new info on books and new news from authors.

I really don't understand this decision. Why would an author want to consolidate their web presence? Isn't that why you and others joined facebook, Brians board, and my space? To get more exposure? Why wouldn't you leave what you already have here up? I just don't get it. You may get angry with me, but I really feel this is disservice to Nanci, and to fans here who care about your work.

I've also noticed that other authors such as Gord Rollo have taken their boards off of Horrorworld. Gord, is also well loved by Horrorworld members and I didn't understand why he did that. I thought there might have been a problem with Gord and Horrorworld so I didn't ask. He and others didn't think they had to explain to their fans why they left, at least you care enough to do that. I am really puzzled by what's happening here. Have any of these authors quit facebook, Brians board, or myspace because they were too spread out over the web? They couldn't take 10 minutes a week to just update their boards and say hello to a group of fans here?

As a member of what I believe is the best author board on the web, I feel insulted by all of this. Horroworld is my home for horror, and I have made many friends here (and through the old Leisure board), so if I am coming across as selfish or childish, please forgive me.

Why are author's leaving Horrorworld's boards? This just doesn't make sense from any kind of a marketing or a fan perspective. I really believe the extra 10 minutes a week it would take to simply post something on a board would be worth the time. And to erase all the work that has already been done, makes even less sense.

You may be angry at me Tom for this post, but it will not effect my love for your work, and it will not stop me from praising your work here until my voice is raw and my fingers are worn out. I'm just very dissapointed by this.

Tony

Tom Piccirilli · **Posted:** Thu Jan 14, 2010 3:43 pm

Tony! How could I ever be angry or upset with you? You're the man!

The reason for consolidating is simply because I don't have all the time in the world to check on the various boards and forums, and I do like to keep a hand in and manage them as I can. I prefer to focus my efforts and time in the places where it does me the best good.

Yes, there may have been a number of hits here and there. But look at the Shadow Season topic, which has been up for over three months, and has only 160 hits. Several of those check-ins are mine and yours. You're one of the very few people who ever starts a new topic on there (which I've always appreciated).

I'm not blaming anybody, I just think that since this is a horror forum and I'm not writing horror much anymore, folks have focused on other writers and books. You guys are primarily the Leisure crowd, and I'm no longer a Leisure author. My message board is fairly fifth wheelish since either my small press publishers have their own boards here or I drop a line in the Cellar where just about anybody who gives a damn will see it.

The idea is to draw readers to the more prominent web presences--not to go chasing after potential readers one by one. If they Google my name I want them to be taken to the most active site possible, not split the difference and get some folks going one place and some going another. If readers pop in over here and don't see a lot of posts or activity from fans, they might actually think nobody really gives a damn and decide I'm not worth the effort. But if they go looking and find a more active board, with more interaction and more lively discussions, they might stick around and actually buy something.

This is no reflection on Nanci or Horror World or anybody who hangs here. And as I said, this is just a trial. Nanci has mentioned that the door is always open for me to come back, and perhaps I will. I've been around here since this place was Masters of Terror, or whatever the fuck it was called back in the Andy Fairclough days 10+ years ago.

In any case, I'm not sure why you'd feel insulted. You know you can always find me and you know I'll always be around.

ttzuma · **Joined:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:15 pm **Posts:** 13517

Thank you for the kind words, but if any body's the man, you are!

I don't want to get into a rebuttal discussion here, I am grateful for your response, but there are obviously portions of it I just don't agree with. There appears to be little I can say or do to change your mind about taking down the board.

I'm insulted because I'm taking it personally, both as a fan, as a contributor to your threads, and because, like most of the regulars here in The Cellar, I feel some ownership of the board. Not in a monetary way of course, but in it's content and camaraderie. I loved posting my thoughts on your books and your work, I loved reading others comments, and most of all, I loved reading your responses. Those will all disappear because you believe readers will think that "no one gives a damn" if they see a few response posts. Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see the name Tom Piccirilli as the author of and Shadow Season threads. Maybe, a lot more people might have viewed that thread if there was one. Once again, I really believe if an author communicated with his fans on these boards, people will read them. I look at Gerard's thread and see ton's of hits on his board after he posts. It may take some time, but visitor's eventually look.

Once again forgive me if I am coming across as being ungrateful or selfish. I still think you are the best author in the world, and I will continue to shout that out from the highest perch.

Tt

Nanci · **Joined:** Sun Oct 31, 2004 11:48 am **Posts:** 4992

I've left Tom's board up as a "discussion board" so that any previous posts won't be lost. I've also noted to readers that Tom's official board is over at Brian Keene's website.

HugeHorrorFan · **Posted:** Thu Jan 14, 2010 5:14 pm

Hey Tom,

Like Tony, man, I support your decision and I will always be buying the next Pic book. I admit I might have second thoughts if you decide to write romance novels (hehehe), but even then, I might even try a few.

All I want to say is that I am one of the people that Tony referenced in his post. I tend to visit your site here a lot and read all your announcements and posts. I don’t think that I ever posted under you name on here though, but I sure checked there often.

You recently accepted my friend invitation on facebook, plus I go to Keene’s website enough, that I will still pick up the latest news from you. I am safe that way, but we are sure still going to miss you around here. Especially, if you don’t at least visit us at THE CELLAR regularly like you have been.

Cheers.

TMLCrow · **Posted:** Thu Jan 14, 2010 5:19 pm

Calm down there, big dog.

I see where Tom is coming from. I usually stay within the Cellar, for the most part. Anything Tom's put in his author board I can find here, too. And, in all honesty, I prefer seeing the authors here in The Cellar. It makes them feel more like one of us to me.

But I can also see where you're coming from, Tt. I guess my thing is I don't always have time to post here, though I do check the board a couple of times a day. My main argument is I don't know if I want to join another board. I'd like to join the boards at Brian's site, but do I have enough time in the day to look at both sites? I don't know. When I find a place I like, I tend to stay there and be loyal to the end.

Pic will still be around here. Even if I have to remind him from time to time on Facebook to drop by.

Tom Piccirilli · **Posted:** Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:32 pm

Still here.

But yeah, feel free to join up over on Brian's site, if you like. Or friend me on Facebook, since most people are there anyway.

horrordude · **Posted:** Thu Jan 14, 2010 8:34 pm

Mels · **Joined:** Wed May 07, 2008 12:52 pm **Posts:** 111

I don't post much. Today was the first time I posted in a long time and it just happened to be on Tom's board. I've just started to read his work and ttzuma gave some good recommendations. As long as he still posts in the Cellar it would be good. I won't go to Brian Keene's board because you have to register just to see anything and I like to lurk.

Tom Piccirilli · **Posted:** Thu Jan 14, 2010 11:17 pm

And I appreciate the interest, Mels, thanks greatly!

Nanci · **Joined:** Sun Oct 31, 2004 11:48 am **Posts:** 4992

I appreciate everyone's support of the forums, however it is Tom's decision to close his board here and he does visit the Cellar which I appreciate.

A writer only has a finite amount of time to devote to promotion across a broad range of venues. Like Tom said, he has a Facebook Page, Twitter account, MySpace and they all take time to visit and interact. If he needs to drop one of the venues (like his board here) in favor of one that has a larger audience (his board at Keene's) then that is what he has to do. I'm happy that he does take the time to visit here and let us know what's going on.

ttzuma · **Joined:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:15 pm **Posts:** 13517

In my opinion, Tom's involvement with our group was much more than anyone could expect from an author. He has been great to us here in Horrorworld, and the old board. I have nothing but respect for Tom. He has always been honest with us and informative, not to mention a lot of fun.

I feel grateful that he and Nanci have come up with a great compromise in keeping the history of his board alive, and allowing us to continue to discuss his work in a forum here in Horrorworld. Tom's a class act.

Tt

gord rollo · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 2:37 am

Hi folks,

Just wanted to chime in with my two cents worth.

First off, I've been buried neck deep in writing my new novel that I haven't been around as much as I'd like, so sorry about that. I think that is the problem though. As a writer (and I'm not half as good as someone like Tom, nor half as busy I'd imagine) our time is stretched pretty thin. I basically NEVER have a free moment. There is always something I SHOULD be doing. With no such thing as free time, you have to pick where you are going to spend the available hours. There's always the book you're working on, the next one you're putting notes together on, the one after that which keeps popping into your head as you work, driving you nuts, etc. Besides the books, you have short story or novella committments, magazine and internet interview requests, friend and fellow author requests to read/blurb books, publisher requests for rewrites and edits, etc, etc, etc.

I'm not bitching about any of it. I love it, as I'm sure Tom does too, but hopefully you can see how hard it is to add all the promotional things we need to do on that list above. The very best part of being a writer is interacting with friends and fans on a great site like this but it can honestly be hard to fit everything in. I was so worn thin last fall, I had to shut down my facebook account and ignore my myspace page for months. All that promo and interacting stuff is super and also extremely important but it was burying me and taking all my writing time. For every great fan or friend sending me things to respond to I'd get twenty 'see which movie star is most like you' polls, and for every legitimate friend request I'd get 30 that were only there to spam me. Then there was the lovely people who would like to write to explain how my soul is surely lost and tainted beyond repair and how the devil has a special place in hell reserved for me. Those are always appreciated. It was driving me stir crazy.

On top of all that, I still have to try work for a living. Luckily I only work part time (real estate if anyone is looking for a house - lol!) but it's still another drain on my time that I want to be (and need to be) writing. That's why I personally had to shut my board down here on horrorworld. It had zero to do with you cool cats, Nanci (who is a doll and one of the hardest working gals in this crazy biz) or anything else other than time constraints. I love it here. It's one of the few places I try to visit daily along with Keene's board and the horror mall. It's just hard to fit everything sometimes, you know?

Oh, I forgot to add I have a wife and 3 kids who sometimes like to see me for a few minutes as well:)

Cheers,

Gord

HugeHorrorFan · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 2:43 am

gord rollo · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 2:54 am

Ha! Yeah, every now and they you get sent a few beauties. Not that they are big deals. You just ignore them but still, it's a few minutes out of your life you didn't need to waste, you know:)

The solution to all this is for them to pay writers more. I'm joking around but I'm also quite serious. Then we wouldn't have to scratch and claw to get that extra short story or whatever done because you know the kid's birthday is coming and you're broke. We'd have more of this phantom 'free time' stuff I keep hearing about - lol!

It's 1:52 in the morning. Gotta go. To bed you ask? Nope. I've got to polish the ending of my Valley Of The Scarecrow book. Hoping to finish it by the end of this weekend. I'll sleep next week...maybe.

Cheers,

Gord

gord rollo · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 7:02 am

Just as a little example for you...

I'm back again and it is now 5:55 in the morning. I've spent the last 4 hours between these two posts working on my manuscript and answering emails. I'm exhausted now. I'd love to go crash in bed for 8 hours but my kids will be awake (the youngest ones anyway - 8 year old twins) in less than an hour though. Hopefully my wife takes care of them and I can at least get a few hours, but she wasn't feeling well last night so maybe not. Again, no pity party wanted, I just wanted to give you a tiny glimpse into the fabulous life of a midlist (or is it bottom of the list?) writer. Chaos rules supreme, but hey, I wouldn't want it any other way:)

Cheers,

Gord

Jazminsdaddy · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 11:37 am

I think a lot of people believe that once you are published all your problems are over and the money will start rolling in. But the reality is far from the perception for the vast majority of writers.

The one thing I will add is that I have purchased your books Gord, as well as Tom Picirrilli and Rob Dunbar and others mainly because you guys post and interact with the fans here. I always try to support writers who take the time to talk to their fans as well as Canadian writers, etc. And since I liked your books I will continue to support you guys. So, at least some of your sales (small as it may be) can be attributed to you guys being on Horror World and other forums.

horrordude · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 7:57 pm

Craig Cook · **Joined:** Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:25 pm **Posts:** 5637

Plus authors like Gord have to worry about crazy people taking photos like these.

gord rollo · **Posted:** Sun Jan 17, 2010 11:24 pm

Ha!!!!!!!

That's one of those head in a hole pictures. It was done by my wife's cousin, Tracey. I only WISH i could look that good in that get-up:)

Buy a copy of my Valley of the Scarecrow novel in September and you can see how I got her back for doing this. Hell hath no fury like a writer scourned...

Gord

gord rollo · **Posted:** Sun Jan 17, 2010 11:29 pm

Craig Cook · **Joined:** Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:25 pm **Posts:** 5637

gord rollo · **Posted:** Sun Jan 17, 2010 11:35 pm

I appreciate that, Craig. Hope it doesn't let you down, but to be honest I don't think it will. I simply love it. I'm not going to hype it too much, but I for one think it's a goodie:)

I have to go finish polishing it. Still playing with the ending.

Gord

horrordude · **Posted:** Mon Jan 18, 2010 1:53 am

Is that Gord up there in the tight pants?

What kind of a message board is this!

gord rollo · **Posted:** Mon Jan 18, 2010 10:16 am

I wonder if anyone really used to dress like that? Or god forbit it's a recent picture of some dude. Those are some nasty ass pants

Nice and shiny though...

Gord

horrordude · **Posted:** Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:58 pm

jesus was a robot · **Joined:** Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:12 pm **Posts:** 114

Tom,

I've got to be honest in saying I never check your thread here. I follow you on Twitter and check your thread on The Keenedom. No particular reason other than I like the format better over there for whatever reason (please don't take offense to that anyone as I'm not meaning it to be offensive). So whatever you decided to do is cool with me. I think it's a privilege to be able to communicate with authors outside of conventions. Plus it's no big deal for me to just pop your name into google and find whatever is going on.

Thanks!

Adam

Tom Piccirilli · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 4:49 pm

Thanks, Adam! I appreciate anybody who bothers to check out my updates wherever they may show up!

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