So, I’ve written this blog post most likely two-dozen times
in the last month or so and each time I find myself lamenting over whether it’s
too harsh or the total opposite—too nice.
So I have decided to just post it in its latest revision and if it hurts
feelings or pisses people off, so be it. All of you should know me well enough
by now to know I don’t pull punches but always do try to throw them with some
level of respect and honor. But they are punches nonetheless.
The past few months we have been in some sort of weird war
in the literary world. A once (in my mind anyway) giving, caring and supportive
indie world has become just the opposite. I have sat by and watched in dismay
and disgust as more and more talented authors, no matter the level or
reputation, rip each other apart. Who is one author over another to put down,
malign or judge another author? It’s sickening to see some do negative, harmful
and shattering reviews in order to taint the readership of another author. Are
we, as a community, honestly fighting over a $.99 - $9.99 sale? Are we really
scared that a reader may buy this book over that book because we, under a guise
of reader or a profile created just to harm, posted negativity about a work or
an author?
Hate to tell you this kiddies, but readers are starting to put little to no
value in reviews. And that is truly the sad part in all this. The ones who are
the true victims in this “hostile” environment are the readers. And even more disheartening?
Our books.
ASSHOLE DISCLAIMER
HERE: I don’t care if you write a novella, a short, an erotica or a
heartfelt tell-all. I could give one breath of air if you wrote smut, or humor,
paranormal or sci-fi. The only thing I have EVER stated (and I dare anyone to
present evidence to the contrary) is that WHATEVER it is—make sure it’s
well-written (edited and done the best it can be). Don’t toss anything out
there that isn’t worthy of a reader to buy or spend the time reading. Be it for
free or a million dollars. The READERS and our BOOKS deserve the best we have
to offer. There—let’s stop with the mentality of I am against indies. I’m not.
Never have been.
I’m just against someone not doing their best. AND NO ONE can judge someone’s
best effort other than the person who has attempted it or a reader (guess what?
I’m a reader too—SURPRISE!!). I
personally foresee in the very near future Amazon and Goodreads as well as
other review text-field retailers changing their system to a STAR system only—Amazon
is already heading that way with removing gift-card exchange reviews and
non-verified purchase reviews being discussed.
As for those who wish to use the venue in a mean, spiteful manner until
it all changes….
Shut up. Seriously. Talking trash makes you the same (sorry,
my southern came out—tucks it away).
I am SO tired of seeing good people reduce themselves to
being venomous and low. I am also sick of getting told about Authors who scream
for attention by saying they were threatened, by crying wolf of viciousness and
sobbing when someone was mean to them. Trust me, there’s enough meanness in
life without creating it for attention. I am also just as weary of those that
pimp out their books so desperately as if they are begging.
Don’t beg. Boast. Crow. Sing and cheer about your book. But
fellow authors—do so in a proud way. I know it’s called pimping—but even
hookers have pride on which corner they stand. I admire them for that (they
will CUT YOU J).
But just like we become jaded to those we see on the street where we don’t even
see them, readers become jaded to your pimping when it become spam.
And gratitude and thanks to all the good, honorable and gracious
authors out there. You can stop reading here, but hey, why not read all the way?…Totally
up to you. Just keep doing what you’re doing. I got your back. See you at the cookies (Trust me, their
coming).
But back to the current state of affairs (what can I say—I tripped
over a soap box on the way back to the topic. Those pesky things are sneaky)-
I really wish the mission of the indie world would go back
to being a helpful, encouraging, pure one. I do my best to be respectful and honorable. I
purposely, albeit with remorse, avoid my newsfeed. Which means I also miss the
good news—new book releases, a new contract, someone getting a fabulous review.
It’s a shame, but I see more negative than good and my personal world is just
hard enough to deal with in reality than to allow all that negativity in.
I have SO much respect for the authors out there. The ones
that are brave enough to present the reading world with something they have created.
If you have never published a book or story—indie or traditional—it is the
HARDEST thing for a creative person to do. It involves fear, excitement, stress
and jubilation. Even if just one person read your work—it’s validation that
someone read…
YOUR WORDS. YOUR
WORLD. YOUR CHARACTERS. YOUR INNER VOICES.
YOU DID IT!
And that? Is so worth it. It really is. And if more than one
read it? And liked it? 100x fold in joy. It’s a endorphin, adrenalin fueled
thrill like none other.
SIMPLE FACT: A
reader is a reader. Say it with me people-
A READER IS A READER
And with that being the basic fact of it, there is more than
enough room for them to read all of our works. They may only put it in the ever
growing TBR pile (thanks e-readers for making that the norm….insert some sideways
sarcasm here) but regardless—something about your book intrigued them. The
blurb, the cover, the character. SOMETHING…
So since readers are just that…readers, don’t we all think
it’s time to STOP trying to make them read one title over someone else’s
through malicious ways? To put a halt in
trying to harm another author via social media and reviews so we can somehow
restore some pride and respect in the indie world? So that readers can get some
much deserved relief from the petty war that has blown out of proportion by
bitterness, jealously and greed? Trust me—they are just as tired, if not more, than
we are. They just want to read. Let them decide what. It’s up to us to just
offer for them to choose. Simple…
If you are REALLY that desperate to prevent another author
from making their sale, no matter what YOU might think of the work, we’ll just
start a “Desperate I’ve Lost My Self-Respect Author” fund and dish out some
money so that everyone reaps the reward. The sale is made and you have an extra
$.99 in your “learn to be nice to others” fund. We’ll use Google forms for sign
ups (I just love those things...don’t you?).
SOME WISDOM: Look—I’ve
been in the writing world for YEARS…longer than some of you have been alive
(shut up, I am not that old) and I can tell you it has always been a tough
world. One full of negative reviews.
Some people just don’t
drink THAT cup of tea AT ALL and others just can’t be made happy. It’s why some
have cats. Cat’s don’t care, dogs do (Dog person myself…shrugs). Little to no
sales beyond grandmom and family as well as just not understanding why your
book is not on the very top of the New York Times or USA Today or the Wall
Street Journal best sellers list (I’m sorry,
but I find that last one rather amusing…). All of those things are just
the nature of the business.
But once again—back to the topic at hand.
Social media has given so many weapons to those who never
went through safety with sharp, pointy things class or even watched a cheesy video on
how not to do harm. It’s dissipated moral and ethic filters that once used to
be hard-wired into our social consciousness. Funny how it took social media to
destroy that. And quite tragic.
I have been most fortunate thus far. I have the greatest
fan-base, the most supportive family and friends as well as support at DBP and
its contractors that I’ve never been a focus of these attacks (now, now, that IS
NOT an invite…read back up if you thought it was. There might be a pop-quiz
later).
But in all honesty? I’ve tried my best to be helpful to all.
Every day I get a dozen inboxes or more from fellow writers, students and other
asking for advice. Do I know why? Not a single damn clue. Have I ignored a
single one of them? Nope.
Maybe it’s because they see I try and don’t rant, vent or
spew. I don’t try to get pity nor do I try to beg for someone to please read my
book. (It’s like the best ever!! I promise….pppfpppt) Or maybe it’s because I
try to give them whatever advice I can. None of it is life-changing, but every
bit of it is sincere and honest. I also
usually don’t review. Very rarely do I (face it; I write big, meaty books… I
just don’t have the time) but if I do get asked to do a review or get sent a
sneak, I am honest with what they took the time out to send me. If it’s bad? I’m
honest—but do I toss it out there to try to harm that writer? No. I do so
privately and even offer advice. And always, always, always—respect.
THE POINT: Perhaps
that is what’s missing. Too many have forgotten what respect is. It is not
gained in the sales you have. It’s not merited in the way you walk the walk or
talk the talk. It’s not measured in how important you or even others think you are.
It’s in how you TREAT others. It’s earned by making a
positive and productive example for others to see. It’s how when you go to bed at night or in the
early glimmers of dawn after writing or (that evil word) editing—you lay your
head down and know you did something good and right today. You made it through
a whole day without ripping into someone—whether you thought they deserved it
or not. That you made a positive difference in those last span of hours of life
you were blessed to have—to yourself or to someone else.
When you think about it? Respect is the key to pretty much
any social issue—if bullies respected more they would bully less. If haters
respected love—they would hate less. If authors respected other authors—
This blog post wouldn’t even be needed.
Just more cats and tea. And cookies. We could all share them
because we can all be friends. I like chocolate-chip myself.
Take care of yourself and others.
-J
