Update
I haven’t updated my site for a while for several reasons. First, there’s the distinct possibility that no one actually looks at it, and so its unchanging status wouldn’t be remarked anyway. (Don’t picture me sobbing into my espresso here; I’m simply stating a fact. That, and I can’t stand espresso.)
Second, I’ve been thinking about this whole indie thing and wondering about the value of pursuing self-publication of my series. A while back, I offered an editing test on Goodreads in the hopes of finding good editors I could recommend. As I pointed out before, that venture ended in the failure of every applicant and a spiteful, abusive e-mail full of profanity from someone who took my test. (But I’m happy to say that one of the editors who failed was eager to learn from me and is a joy to work with; we’ve become friends, which made the whole endeavor worthwhile.) Then, about a month ago, I ran afoul of a very nasty person on a Goodreads thread just after I’d disentangled myself from a malicious, libelous author who took exception to my review of her book and whom I also encountered on Goodreads. As a result, I had to ask myself what in the world I’m doing this for. I stopped interacting on the site and only just recently started again. I used the hiatus to reevaluate my goals, my priorities, and my opinion of what I and other indies are trying to do.
The sad fact is that there’s a great deal of bitterness, disappointment, anger, and frustration among indies, and at times it comes out—at least on Goodreads—in the form of lashing out at others who comment on threads and write reviews. I believe these attitudes stem in part from unrealistic hopes and unfounded faith in writing ability.
Several recent threads have discussed related issues, including the problem of the indie image and why more people don’t read self-published authors.* The type of unbalanced, vicious reaction my review engendered is one explanation. Another is the tone of near hysteria and a completely self-centered “notice me” attitude among many authors that’s repellent and becomes obnoxious in their manner of marketing, which some have shrewdly labeled spamming. Yet another is that the majority of self-published books are indeed schlock and a waste of time and money for various reasons, such as lack of editing, hastily contrived covers and stories, unimaginative plots, and the main culprit, truly horrendous writing. If these same writers tried the traditional route of publication, their work would rightly be rejected out of hand by agents and publishing houses alike. With the exception of two self-published books I’ve read, were I an acquisitions editor encountering the indie publications that have crossed my literary sphere of influence, there’s not a single one that I’d consider or even read beyond the first page.
How do you thresh the chaff from the wheat in the indie world? Slog through books until you find a good one? That’s not realistic (and possibly not survivable!). There are probably thousands of lousy indie books for every decent one published, if not tens of thousands. Well, then, should you make sure it has some seal of approval such as an IPPY Award? Honors such as that one are just the result of an arbitrary panel’s opinion and an expression of their biases and preferences, not necessarily an indicator of a book’s quality.
The simple answer: don’t bother with indie books. And this is coming from an indie author.
But that’s just the simple answer. Should we all give up writing? Should we never read another indie book? Of course not. Even people bereft of stellar writing skills (Stephenie Meyer and Suzanne Collins, for example) can sell books. Part of it is luck: reaching the right audience or agent or publisher at the right time. Part of it is prevailing taste; my opinion of what’s excellent writing—not counting editorial deficiencies—is just that: my opinion. It has nothing to do with you and your predilections, which may include Mmes Meyer and Collins, come to think of it.
I know there are gems out there among the indies. It’s a matter of finding them, but I haven’t figured out how to go about doing that.
As for me, I’m going to continue writing because others are encouraging me to do so. My editor worked on a book whose author won a major award for it in Chile, and she has great faith in my writing. So I’ll listen to these people because they believe in me.
Odds are high that my books will never be well known, although they’ve sold in four countries. Not many copies, it’s true, but I’ve received wonderful comments from people who’ve met me only through entering the world I created. Knowing that someone loves my characters and world, that I’ve struck a chord with them, is my goal, my priority. I’m taking a leaf from the greatest book ever published and learning to be content in whatever my circumstances, including the realm of writing and publishing.
And it’s enough.
*See J.M. Gregoire’s excellent wake-up call to indie authors at http://jmgregoirebooks.com/2014/01/03.... Caveat: She doesn’t skimp on vulgarities, so if that offends you, you’re better off not reading it.
Second, I’ve been thinking about this whole indie thing and wondering about the value of pursuing self-publication of my series. A while back, I offered an editing test on Goodreads in the hopes of finding good editors I could recommend. As I pointed out before, that venture ended in the failure of every applicant and a spiteful, abusive e-mail full of profanity from someone who took my test. (But I’m happy to say that one of the editors who failed was eager to learn from me and is a joy to work with; we’ve become friends, which made the whole endeavor worthwhile.) Then, about a month ago, I ran afoul of a very nasty person on a Goodreads thread just after I’d disentangled myself from a malicious, libelous author who took exception to my review of her book and whom I also encountered on Goodreads. As a result, I had to ask myself what in the world I’m doing this for. I stopped interacting on the site and only just recently started again. I used the hiatus to reevaluate my goals, my priorities, and my opinion of what I and other indies are trying to do.
The sad fact is that there’s a great deal of bitterness, disappointment, anger, and frustration among indies, and at times it comes out—at least on Goodreads—in the form of lashing out at others who comment on threads and write reviews. I believe these attitudes stem in part from unrealistic hopes and unfounded faith in writing ability.
Several recent threads have discussed related issues, including the problem of the indie image and why more people don’t read self-published authors.* The type of unbalanced, vicious reaction my review engendered is one explanation. Another is the tone of near hysteria and a completely self-centered “notice me” attitude among many authors that’s repellent and becomes obnoxious in their manner of marketing, which some have shrewdly labeled spamming. Yet another is that the majority of self-published books are indeed schlock and a waste of time and money for various reasons, such as lack of editing, hastily contrived covers and stories, unimaginative plots, and the main culprit, truly horrendous writing. If these same writers tried the traditional route of publication, their work would rightly be rejected out of hand by agents and publishing houses alike. With the exception of two self-published books I’ve read, were I an acquisitions editor encountering the indie publications that have crossed my literary sphere of influence, there’s not a single one that I’d consider or even read beyond the first page.
How do you thresh the chaff from the wheat in the indie world? Slog through books until you find a good one? That’s not realistic (and possibly not survivable!). There are probably thousands of lousy indie books for every decent one published, if not tens of thousands. Well, then, should you make sure it has some seal of approval such as an IPPY Award? Honors such as that one are just the result of an arbitrary panel’s opinion and an expression of their biases and preferences, not necessarily an indicator of a book’s quality.
The simple answer: don’t bother with indie books. And this is coming from an indie author.
But that’s just the simple answer. Should we all give up writing? Should we never read another indie book? Of course not. Even people bereft of stellar writing skills (Stephenie Meyer and Suzanne Collins, for example) can sell books. Part of it is luck: reaching the right audience or agent or publisher at the right time. Part of it is prevailing taste; my opinion of what’s excellent writing—not counting editorial deficiencies—is just that: my opinion. It has nothing to do with you and your predilections, which may include Mmes Meyer and Collins, come to think of it.
I know there are gems out there among the indies. It’s a matter of finding them, but I haven’t figured out how to go about doing that.
As for me, I’m going to continue writing because others are encouraging me to do so. My editor worked on a book whose author won a major award for it in Chile, and she has great faith in my writing. So I’ll listen to these people because they believe in me.
Odds are high that my books will never be well known, although they’ve sold in four countries. Not many copies, it’s true, but I’ve received wonderful comments from people who’ve met me only through entering the world I created. Knowing that someone loves my characters and world, that I’ve struck a chord with them, is my goal, my priority. I’m taking a leaf from the greatest book ever published and learning to be content in whatever my circumstances, including the realm of writing and publishing.
And it’s enough.
*See J.M. Gregoire’s excellent wake-up call to indie authors at http://jmgregoirebooks.com/2014/01/03.... Caveat: She doesn’t skimp on vulgarities, so if that offends you, you’re better off not reading it.
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Aaw! Thanks, Gemma! :)