Editorial - The "social" side of Facebook when it comes to following authors

I normally don't blather on about random topics on here, but I wanted to make some observations about Facebook.  Yes, I am on Facebook, but I'm a virtual hermit on it, only poking my head out occasionally to "thumbs up" a post or picture by a family member.

I like to follow authors and find out when they are coming out with something new.  There are a couple that I follow on Facebook.  The problem I have is when they come out with a giveaway or special offer that you can only get through Facebook.  The link to your sign-up/bonus material is not available until you post something about it on Facebook. Honestly, I really have no desire to post on Facebook at all, so this usually causes me to just stop the process.  I understand that they want to spread the word, but when you are using my wall, give me the option to do it when/if I desire.

A few days ago, I had the opportunity to sign up for a giveaway for an ARC (advanced reading copy) of a book coming out this fall.  It was in an email and when I clicked the link, it took me to the dreaded Facebook page where I had to "Like" the person to enter the sweepstakes.  Then, I had to post on my wall.  Here's where I got clever.  When posting, I hit the little cog wheel in the corner and made it a custom post.  Then I just made sure that my husband was the only one to see it.  Ta-da!  Now I'm not irritating my friends, relatives and 'people I never talked to in high school' with it!  So next time I see one of those giveaways on Facebook that requires me to "share" with others, I can keep my privacy!

Also, Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee are doing the Book of Mortals series giveaway again.  I posted about it last week, so you can read about it HERE.  I entered last time, but I don't feel like playing the "Like" game on Facebook this week, so I'm out this time.  If you do enter, make sure you do it on both Ted Dekker AND Tosca Lee's pages.  Good Luck!