Not too long ago I shared about the Us vs. Them mentality in publishing, something I have seen all too often. This is something that grieves me every time I see it. I am a strong supporter of getting books to readers and I believe there are many legitimate ways to do this. Yet often I hear someone saying things like “traditional publishing is dying” or “self-publishing has destroyed the quality of books”. I have found that these statements are not true, yet I still hear it often.
But publishing methods are not the only place in publishing where the Us vs. Them mentality rears its ugly head. It can also come with authors vs. readers (namely those who review books). And to me these two being at odds is most devastating. Authors need readers and readers need authors.
When I first decided I might want to start a blog, I was working with my first author and just about to enter into college. At that time I didn’t know a blog could benefit what would become my business, or any of the other benefits of blogging. I only knew that there were lots of readers I had met who were sharing their thoughts on books and connecting with authors and other readers. I wanted in. But then I ran across something terrible that shook me. An author had posted a list of “bad bloggers” stating these people had snubbed the author and that authors should avoid those listed. This caused many bloggers outrage, many retaliating and closing off to review requests. It was very disturbing. And it almost kept me away from blogging just as I was starting out.
Now we seem to be facing this again. Another scandal has caused authors to rebuke readers and readers to reject authors. And it is just as sad as the first time I witnessed it.
The bottom line is this: we readers need authors to create stories for us. So we need to respect authors, and if we choose to leave our thoughts, we should do so with respect to the creator. Does this mean we shouldn’t be allowed to write “bad reviews”? No. But this does mean that we shouldn’t be trying to destroy an author’s career over a book we didn’t like, and that we shouldn’t be personal to the author him/herself. Reviews are our way of sharing what we thought of THE BOOK with other readers, not a way to get back at an author who may have wronged us.
And authors need their readers. They should respect their readers and fellow authors, including respecting the right of a reader to not like their book. (If they can’t do this then maybe they shouldn’t be publishing.) Does this mean an author can’t be hurt by a review? No. But it does mean the author shouldn’t take it personally and spread it publicly. Learn from the reviews which are instructive, and let the other ones pass. This is part of publishing anything online (including posts just like this one). Don’t try to get back at reviewers; it will frustrate you and them, and more importantly get in the way of your goal to succeed.
With all this going on, I still believe in the publishing world. I believe that we can all join together, traditional author, publisher, reader, blogger, indie author, reviewer, publishing professional, etc. Together we are stronger. Together we are better. Together we can share the love of reading. And isn’t that what it’s all about?
See more posts from this event:
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for reading Fida. What is your take on this us vs. them mentality?
And then we have the newly self-published authors who ask established authors for reviews, as editors in NY ask authors of similar books to write pre-publication blurbs for new authors.
In the past, I did write some pre-publications blurbs for new authors’ books. Some blurbs were used; some were not. If I didn’t have time, however, no editor, agent, or author ever took “revenge” by giving any of my books negative reviews.
With the advent of e-books, more self-published authors are asking established, traditionally published authors for reviews. I decline all requests simply because I do not have the time. Most new authors are respectful. A couple, however, have gone to my books’ pages on Amazon or Goodreads and left several negative reviews after I declined. All negative reviews were on the same date and said exactly the same thing.
Another traditionally published author told me he used to write reviews if he liked the books, until his own books got “submarine” reviews on the above-mentioned sites after he gave one author’s book 4 stars and not 5, despite the fact that he stated why he hadn’t given the book 5 stars.
It’s sad that some self-published authors try to blackmail other authors into writing reviews that are nothing but 5* and all praise. You can get cut to pieces if you do write a good-but-not-perfect review as well as if you decline writing any reviews for anyone. It’s a sad state of affairs, and I can only hope that the self-published authors who are giving other authors bad reviews will eventually learn that readers usually don’t trust books that get nothing but perfect reviews, and that, since their sales ranking on Amazon, at least, is very low, they’re not selling any books anyway and they’ll stop trying to be authors.
Of course, my real wish is for them to learn to be professionals, but that may not be what they’re interested in.
Yes, unfortunately this happens with authors of all publishing paths. In the Hale case she had a traditional deal, in the other instance I mentioned the author was self=published. Sadly this is part of the publishing world, there are bad eggs who ruin lots of things for other authors and for readers (just as some readers do the same). All we can do it try to inform those who are unaware and not let these instances stop us from participating in the community and sharing the love of reading with others.
Unfortunately, traditionally published authors are not saints, no matter how famous, celebrated, or rich they are.
I followed one at a “Living Authors Seminar” at a private college once (one author a week), and before the class, where all students had to 1) read the author’s book, 2) do research on the author as well as on the book, 3) write at least 5 questions about the book or writing it for the author, and 4) write a paper on some aspect of the book, the professor begged me not to do what the author had done the previous week.
Apparently the first student question had been, “Which of your characters [in the book assigned for the class] do you like most?” I think that’s a very legitimate question. The author had apparently disdainfully replied, “That’s the stupidest question I’ve ever heard. I’m a professional. I create characters. I don’t LIKE them.”
The professor said the best-selling author’s attitude so humiliated the first student that no one asked any other questions for the remaining 2 hours, so the author just “lectured” them. I began my session by saying, “By the way, I like all my characters, though I may respect some of them more than others, and though I may not morally approve of everything that each character does.” The smiles on the students’ faces showed their relief, and we had a wonderful time together.
In all areas, traditional, Indie, and self, authors can be obnoxious, at times, and forget that, without readers (whether they are reviewers or not), authors simply do not exist. So sad. There is no US without THEM, and vice versa.
Yes, sadly no matter how one publishes there are those who do things like this. Luckily the majority of this community is wonderful, loving, and giving. We all need each other and I believe most of us know that, but it’s good to talk about it at times like this.
The sad truth is anyone can voice an opinion these days on the Internet, though some people don’t possess the professional acumen or emotional maturity to conduct themselves appropriately on either side of the table. Hollywood figured this out a long time ago, and it’s why publicists front for talent in that industry. Authors who conduct themselves poorly are shooting themselves in the foot.
Yes, sadly there are people on both sides without professionalism. It’s really sad to see but I hope there are more of us who understand the importance of being professional and focus on sharing the love of reading rather than focusing on those who don’t.
I review books on my blogs, but I hate giving bad reviews — especially when the other reviews I’ve read on a book are good ones and I had a strong negative reaction to the book. I’ve still posted a couple of negative reviews because it was that or skip reviewing the book completely. I try to make my criticism constructive so the author will know why I didn’t like the book or parts of the book. But I know I probably hurt some feelings, and I hate doing that.
Yeah, it is a fine line between explaining why the book wasn’t for you and ripping the book (and/or author) apart. Often if I’m not a fan of a book I’d rather skip writing about it, but sometimes I think it is important to share that too. What might not have worked for me might be perfect for another reader.
I wholeheartedly agree with everything you say. Publishing is changing at the speed of lightning, we should just accept that. There are may ways to publish now, and all of them are good, depending on the person.
I’ve been into blogging for not two years and luckily I’ve never experienced what you’re describing. I actually found the blogosphere quite friendly. But I know those things can happen and I think it’s really sad.
I agree we all have the right not to like a book and say so, but I also think we should do so remembering there’s a person like us behind that book. We should always respect that person… even if we don’t like their work.
Thank you, Jazz. I agree! Publishing is changing and it means so many more options for authors and for readers and it is so exciting! It is something I think we should be celebrating instead of fighting about.
I’m so glad you have not experienced any negative things in the blogosphere. I’ve made an effort to keep away from that kind of drama, but I’ve seen it happen and it certainly isn’t cool.
And I agree! Sharing why you aren’t a fan of a book versus attacking an author are two very different things. We can share our dislikes with respect, and hopefully, more of us do than don’t!