The Social Media Experiment of Christopher Beyers

I like that title. It has kind of a “The World According to Garp” feel. (And no, Google or whoever you are. I do not mean Gary.)

While there have been many social media experiments, 🔬, this is the only one that has been conducted by a Christopher Beyers, just like while there are many worlds, there has been only one accorded to by a Garp.

Wait. That’s not right.

Anyway, I recently branched out into Threads trying to sell books. And I’ve very quickly discovered the intense backlash to generative AI on Threads by my fellow author/poet/artists.

Which is great. I share that vibe.

Except apparently the em dash—which I’m using right now, to illustrate a point—is a “tell” that you are an entrepreneur and/or disgusting cheat, depending on which side of the AI debate you’re on (the human side, or the side of the stupid, dirty, content-stealing robots). That’s discouraging. I knew if I looked hard enough I could find some em dashes in The Second Coming of Christina. As in, in the first draft, written in 2013 in this three-ring spiral-bound notebook (shown in the picture below). I didn't have to look hard. Found one on page 4 (!!)*. And the thing is, I didn’t realize three-ring spiral-bound notebooks came with generative AI functionality.

Oh well. I guess if I’m ever accused of being a robot I’ll have to assess the age of the person making the accusation and the inflection of their voice. Then I can decide whether I should be flattered or if that was just the worst slur imaginable.

Also shown in the pictures below are all of my Threads ghost-posts I've thrown into the void over the past 24 hours for self-promotion. (Ghost posts are like regular posts, except they go even deeper into the void after 24 hours. From there they can only be retrieved by, I don't know, the CEO and the FBI?**) I’ve really enjoyed ghost-posting, I have to admit. And the void has been kind to me! After two months on social media I’ve sold … one additional books. I meant book. 📚 

Hmm. Maybe being a ghost isn’t the most profitable form of existence.

*You might have to squint. Text reads, "...-not since Jake left-..."

**And, yes: I am now preserving these impermanent posts that are actively scheduled for expiration. And, yes: I had to screen-shot them from my phone and e-mail them to myself to access them through my computer to do it. And, yes: that is a lot of effort to save something from deletion that I (still) fully intend to delete. And, yes: that's sort of ironic.

I guess you want a link?

Of course you do. You look like someone who wants a link!

Here is a link! The link links you to the Amazon page for SHORT and SWEET and INCOMPLETE: This Walking Memeplex, my new (/old) non-fiction creative writing "memoir adjacent" project. (The link will also give you a more thorough description of the project. Huzzah!)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G5L9VZG4?ref_=ast_author_dp&th=1&psc=1 

There has got to be a better way to do this. Where's my IT guy? Oh right. Indie author. Well, you'll just have to trust me. Check the link against where your computer wants to send you - that's always good practice. Or just go to Amazon. "Short and Sweet and Incomplete Beyers" should do it.

SHORT and SWEET and INCOMPLETE: This Walking Memeplex is LIVE

 

Hey there readers! My many, many readers! (Heh.) Here is the moment SHORT and SWEET and INCOMPLETE: This Walking Memeplex went LIVE on Kindle, as captured on my iPhone camera via a computer screen that isn't this one. (Heh.) Less than a day later, it is also available in paperback. Once again, technology: cool when it works.

I told you I was in-ordering my ducks, and I have not told a lie! (Sweet!)

I just got an e-mail about a free conversion to audiobook opportunity from Draft2Digital (not for this book ^^ which is only available though Amazon, but for The Visibility Trick and Sticks in the Snow). Might involve AI, and I don't love that. So, this might be a non-update that I don't explore. I guess we'll see!

(Even with the non-updates, this blog is like my BlueSky account but only the pertinent bits and none of the noise. You're in the right place, is what I believe that I am saying.)

Cheers, and keep on reading,

...And listening?

Chris

Titles in the Links Below

Hey there guys. Guess how silly I am?

Don't answer that.

Re: the UBLs I was so proud of, it is an absolutely trivial thing to customize one's link on Draft2Digital. It just took me forever, a day, and the skeptical post of another BlueSky user to realize it. Anyway... done that now, and the links are so much simpler to remember. Thanks internet author brethren! You're welcome, reader! Here you go:

http://www.books2read.com/thevisibilitytrick

http://www.books2read.com/sticksinthesnow

Listen: I'm learning Internet as a second language, OK?

The best place to get your grubby little hands on The Visibility Trick to support me, the author, is still here, and the best place to get Sticks in the Snow is still ... also here.

November Update?

This morning I had to slow down for exactly two pedestrians and neither of them came within six inches of my bumper. I was beeped at not at all, and the streets went TWO WAYS.

Good Lord I hate cities!

Anyway...

This November's bit of rambling is more of a non-update, fulfilling a recent commitment I made, here, to post more often than once every dozen years.

Let's see...

• I am on BlueSky now, a social media site not unlike the platform formally known as Twitter, but with a less obnoxious CEO. Maybe you found this blog because you're following me? (Doubtful. I have 4 followers. More likely you're just really good at finding things.) The BlueSky account is supposed to be for promoting my writing projects. Yeah. So, um. "Supposed" is a word.
• I post on BlueSky just often enough not to be obnoxious. Which is to say, far too often. I won't bother telling you my handle if you've already found my blog. But post it in the comments and I'll ... I don't know. Compliment you on your amazing sleuthing skills!
• The books I have in print are still in print, and Amazon is still the best place to buy them (for me, because I get higher royalties... and for you, because they're cheaper). It is slightly easier to edit i.e. my book metadata on Amazon as well, which is a mouthful which means you get slightly more fancy dance caveats if you buy from Amazon plus a cover (and cover content) that I marginally prefer.
• If you've read my books and you like them, please please please WRITE A REVIEW. (I appreciate you in advance.) YOU CAN EVEN REVIEW ME IN ALL CAPS ON TRUTH SOCIAL. Although I wouldn't advise it. You might get confused with ... someone else. (Normal speak on Amazon would be lovely.)
• If you're an author-type and you have a Page, or a Blog, or a Website, throw me a comment. I'd probably be thrilled to swap samples/informal reviews/hyperlinks/virtual high-fives and words of moral supportation with you. (Let's support each other! With [supportation]!)

UBLs, Baby!

Okay, I realize the percentage of the population who knows what a UBL is might be ... somewhat minute. The U stands for Universal. The B stands for Book. And the L stands for Link. (Slightly higher now?)

As of today, two of the books from that list I blogged at you previously have gone live, and they are available in all the forms (ebook, paperback, hardcover). Well, except for audiobook. (I think I'd have to generate some real, vested interest before I embark on something as daunting as an audiobook. But, have you Heard Michael Sera Read a Story (down below)? It could be doable. So go ahead ... goad me.)

If ebooks are not your thing, and you want to spring for a print version of one of my books, a request. Consider buying it from Amazon? Don't ask me why, but Amazon gives me about 700% royalties compared to all other distributors. Oh, and the books are slightly cheaper there.

If you want an ebook, it doesn't matter one whit to me who you buy it through. You might not wish to choose Amazon, because the ebook is slightly more expensive there. No biggie! The print versions do have certain bells and whistles that you won't get from an ebook. They don't save trees, however.

Without further adieu, here are the UBLs:

https://books2read.com/b/b5nX6R

(The Visibility Trick)

https://books2read.com/b/bWJQL7

(Sticks in the Snow)

72 Hours (fingers crossed)...