Flying Bluesky: a High Roundtable -- Reb MacRath
Why have Stephen King, his son Joe Hill, and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez joined the ranks of those who've bounced from Twitter to the new platform Bluesky? In June 2023 users numbered 180K. As of September the number had risen to 1 million. Here, four Bluebies (Bluesky newbies) tell of their learning to fly the Blue sky.
The four roundtable knights are:
Debbie Bennett
Wendy H Jones
Reb MacRath
Z: a legendary author sworn to secrecy.
Bios and links below.
Were you an active member of The Other Place? What led you to move on?
DB: Yes, I was a Twitterer. Or is it Tweep? Not that I've ever used it much. Back in the days when posts were limited to about five words (I'm joking--it was a few more than that), I could never quite see the point. Far from being a lesson in brevity, it just seemed to stifle any creativity for me. But I've never tried to 'create' on these platforms--simply to observe, watch and listen. I did follow the occasional Pitchfest and the thingies that agents used to do, but I could never remember when and where and what time zone.
WHJ: With many social media sites in disarray, I knew it was time to diversify and seek new opportunities. Also, readers like different platforms so it not only expands your ability to network with other writers but to reach new readers. I also love social media, so it was a no brainer for me.
RM: TOP had changed since my early days, when I had a strong circle of allies and friends. Over time, almost all moved on and I noticed that next to no one responded to my Tweets except to hustle their own wares. Worse, the atmosphere seemed to grow more and more toxic. Almost anything one said could start off a firefight. Finally, the graphic porn in my daily feed wasn't something I wanted to see.
Z: Honestly, I couldn't stand getting more romantic messages from twisted teens posing as nubile third-world princesses who needed help to feed their cows...or aspiring authors who wanted me to read their work though they thought I wrote Rosemary's Baby. Enough!
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Did you receive an invitation or get on the waiting list?
DB: One of the people I follow(ed) on Twitter was journalist/author Mark Chadbourn. I've known Mark for many years on the fantasy convention circuit and his incisive observations and discussions on world events usually make more sense than online news sites. He's usually my go-to person for sensible interpretation of news and as such regularly pops up in my social media algorhythms. Anyway, Mark had spare codes for this new site, for which he was one of the first hundred or so. I was lucky enough to see his post quickly and so got n early invitation. and I'll follow Mark, because I trust his judgment.
WHJ: I received an invite from Debbie Bennett, a friend and fellow author in Authors Electric. I was interested to see what Bluesky was about, so I accepted and have been impressed with what I have seen so far. I am slowly building up my presence there.
RM: I too received an invitation from Debbie Bennett. I'd come to feel at TOP that I was sending bottled messages into the void. I felt leery at first by the visual similarities between Bluesky and TOP. But after learning that the two had begun as allies, then parted amicably in 1991.
At first, I felt startled by the need for an invite code or a long spell on the waiting list. But a little research led me to understand Bluesky's commitment to monitoring 'invitation trees', on the watch for crap shenanigans.
Z: Tell the truth and blame the devil, right? I know X, who knows Y, who happens to know Z. In exchange for autographed copies of my six bestsellers, and tickets for two to a Magic Mike show, I was rushed an invitation code. Let's all be thankful that I didn't need to perform on stage.
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Did the invitation code requirement turn you on or put you off?
DB: Neither. It's just a way in. Most things send you codes these days. It is what it is. So I do what I must, authenticating who I am to the world!
WHJ: It made me more determined to get in as I like the feel of belonging to something and helping to share it.
RM: The more I thought about it, the more I admired Bluesky's commitment to controlling site shenanigans and reviewing 'invitation trees'. Invitation codes are sure to be forged or sold. And the fight must be ongoing. But Bluesky is trying hard.
Z: No disrespect to hustlers who play the game by numbers. If they build a massive base of followers and a small percentage result in regular sales, they can smile if not laugh on the way to the bank. Claude Bouchard on Twitter/X is renowned for having amassed half a million followers. On the other hand, 50-100 devoted allies and friends made on Bluesky, can pay off in richer ways.
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Since joining, how have you gone about building your base of followers?
DB: Oh, I had all these huge ideas about being 'in' at the start, impressing everyone with my sparkling wit and increasing my reach--and book sales--exponentially. Of course I did. In reality, I bumble along reading stuff and occasionally being brave enough to comment or post something myself.
WHJ: I'm slowly beginning to build followers but interaction is another thing. People seem to be focusing on building an audience at the moment rather than interacting with others. I am commenting and reposting others in the hope they will start to notice me.
RM: Each morning, I check out the Home page and seek out 'skeets' (the portmanteau word combining sky and tweets) that call out to me. For those that do, I always either post a heart-shaped Like or comment. These Bluebies will then appear on my Skyline and I then access their followers, looking for more connections. Finally, I repost anything that I relate to.
Z: Getting back to the math. Those who post all day long, a half-dozen times an hour, and follow everyone in sight don't seem to have thought things through. What return is there on their investment of time? How often are they knocking the ball of wit or wisdom out of the park? Are they attracting more yawns than howls of delight? As for me, I seek out those who take me by surprise. And if they've chosen their followers carefully, you can bet I'll keep coming back to them for more and reposting.
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What things can Bluesky do to help you you connect with other kindred souls? At present, Mystery and Crime seem almost lost in the shadows of Sci-Fi and Horror. Can anything other than hashtags help Newbie Bluebies achieve visibility?
DB: I have no idea. When you find out, please tell me! Yet again I am whispering into the void and wondering why nobody can hear me. Maybe it's time to be brave!
WHJ: It seems to be quite tricky at the moment. It would seem that although hashtags are used these are not currently active. I am sure they will switch the ability on at some point. I would say consistency is key and just showing up regularly.
RM: The hashtag function must become a top priority. Without that, we're left to scouring the feed and our skylines, reposting, and searching regularly and relentlessly...and the magic word, Engaging.
Z: Just as important as hashtags, Newbie Bluebies need to pay far more attention to their profile pictures and self-copy. The what? The two to three simple lines that do more than tell us who they are--but tell us we're losing if we don't check them out. What's outstanding about us? What separates us and our Skeets from the herd? Make those profiles cry out, Party time!
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Debbie Bennett: I tell lies and make things up. Sometimes people pay me for it. I mostly write dark – very dark – gritty crime thrillers loosely inspired by things I’ve come across in over 40 years of working in law enforcement. I could tell you more, but then I’d have to kill you …
Wendy H Jones is the award-winning Scottish author of crime thrillers, cozy mysteries, children's picture books and non-fiction books for authors. She is the past president of the Scottish Association of writers, a highly sought-after international public speaker and writing tutor who also runs writing retreats. Visit her website at:
Reb MacRath is the Stoker Award-winning author of The Suiting (written as Kelley Wilde). After three more successful horror novels, he moved on to Mystery/Suspense as the indie author of a dozen novels. Under the name D. F. Cotter, he has written two small volumes offering 'jukebox celebrations' of two ancient Roman poets, Propertius and Martial. Visit his Amazon author page:
Z: Though bigger than Stephen King and James Patterson combined, Z's fears of reprisal and cancellation mandate total secrecy. But he wishes the best to all Bluebies.
Comments
Here's a thought -- you lot build a following on Bluesky and post AE there, as well as your own stuff. I'll join Mastadon and post us there -- along with any other tooters among us?
Thanks for joining in.
PS> Question for Z: do you wear a black suit???