Okay I’m about be real honest, state how I feel about what I’ve just read, post this and that’s that. If I offend anyone too bad! I’m sticking up for what’s right and authors all around the world. I’m too old to be walking on egg shells and not speak on what I feel passionately about. On top of that, I’m being real here.
Seriously, I’m just sitting here minding my own business catching up on blogs and stuff, with a glass of wine. I just clicked onto a book reviewer’s site and read “I don’t review books from self-published authors…blah blah blah.” I’m what you’d call a hybrid author I guess, I’m both traditionally and self published. I was traditionally published before self published. And let me tell you as a traditionally published author, publishers can still f*ck up your s*it, and you can be left rather unhappy with it. Don’t think for a moment because an author is self published they are any less of a writer, author, creator and kick- ass person, who can keep up the stamina to write a good book. Around work, families, drama and all kinds of things. Self published authors are made of some strong stuff, they are determine, they are titian and the world is a better and more diverse place with them. I’ve met some great ones.
Yes honey, I did say that! People out there think that being traditionally published is some kind of “gold standard.” Get with it, and move forward. I am so glad I found out all the benefits of self-publishing good well written stories. Yes I would be traditionally published again, but not because it is the be all and end all. Or I need that seal of approval. It’s nice sign a contract of course … I’ve done it three times and loved it but it’s not what makes me “an author” or another writer “an author.” I’m so fed up with the stigma and stick that self- published authors get, for going their own way. Handling their own business and doing what they love. Self published authors have heart,have hustle and keep going!
Stop/Do not discriminate! And don’t hate!
Author, Kim Knight 
Kim, I very much appreciate where you’re coming from. I don’t make a blanket statement against indie authors because I have encountered some very good ones and frankly hope to continue to find them. And, some, like Laura Florand who was with a publisher has decided to go the self-publishing route to have more control over her work, which isn’t always mainstream, and get more of her earnings.
However, in the past week I have tried to read two books by indie writers that made me think that for the first one, he needed to write a few more novels (and maybe short stories and other fiction) and read a lot more novels in order to learn that it’s show don’t tell and that good intentions don’t make a novel. For the second one, she writes extremely simply and not very smartly yet is hugely popular (or so we hear as there’s some controversy over her buying lots of reviews and scoring buyers that way).
I’m afraid that for every good indie writer I read, there are at least 5 I’ve also read who thought: I can do that and put it out there. They have a good, intriguing idea (which is why I signed on to read it) but haven’t tried to learn to write or read enough to know how to plot or even listen to how people talk and how to transfer it eruditely to writing. These are the people who are giving indie writers a bad rep. Some of these people mass produce, so it becomes quantity over quality. There is an audience for these folks, but not the ones that a lot of writers would like to have. And, unless these same writers are actually learning along the way, they aren’t going to write better.
When I read as a reviewer, I am also reading as a writer because I am both a writer and a reader. I love books. I just want to read good ones and thoughtful ones and above all ones with a legitimate smart story.
Sorry for the overly long diatribe, but wanted you to understand that some book bloggers have read too much “carp” by people thinking it’s an easy way to make money and that they are legitimate writers because 70,000 words have been published under their name. I think they are definitely not you.
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Thanks for taking the time to write that. I read it all and understand it. I see 100 % where the author you mentioned who wants more creative control, is coming from. I must admit this for me is a main reason why I’ve fallen in love with self-publishing, now I have experienced both sides.
My main or rather my only issue with the blanket idea of disregarding self published/ indie authors as a book reviewer is: how do you know it’s “crap” unless you read work by them? To just disregard them in one sweep, for me is not acceptable or even understandable. How do you differentiate who is good and bad… by who published them? *rolls her eyes* . Is this not like saying, your degree is only good if it comes from a certain university? “You are only good enough because of this criteria” to me sounds like boarder line discrimination. And while book reviewers may read “bad books by indie authors” as you say, you can read bad books by traditionally published authors too. Just because an author is traditionally published does not make them on some kind of more trustworthy or better level than a self published author is where I’m coming from. This is my view. This is the mind frame I don’t agree with. It’s equal playing ground. Self published authors more than anyone need the support and help of reviewers, and marketers. If reviewers foster this culture looking down their noses, or go into reading self published author’s work with a preconception that it will be “crap” because the last ones they read are “crap ” will help no one, and it’s unfair.
Personally, maybe there needs to be a culture change. If a reviewer comes across a writer that needs a little more learning, help them. Give them the feedback in a nice way to help them improve. Don’t leave them bad reviews and try to belittle them or whatever. Because hey reviewers like you have said ” guess what it’s not easy to bleed and to knock out 70,000 words” you’re right … try 90,000! But they tried and you can’t knock a trier. Help then don’t look down at them. Or even worse refuse to read them.
I agree, anyone who wants to write needs to understand they must read. I ran a book club for almost five solid years, and read about two to three books a month during that time, before I even wrote “chapter one.” Or thought I should write, even though I’d loved writing from school days and knew “I could probably do that” I just never took it seriously.
All I’m saying is I think there needs to be some kind of culture change. If this is what reviewers actually feel, they need to do their part . Writers need to take responsibility for making sure it’s quality over quantity every time. Never compromise quality. If culture shifted maybe everyone would be happier!
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I appreciate what you’re saying and I probably can’t and shouldn’t speak for book bloggers as a whole because many of them deal with their choices and reviews in their own way.
For me there is a big difference between bad writing and a bad book and I don’t know if I made myself clear in my comment. It’s the bad writing that upsets me. Would we call an unintentionally fuzzy picture art? Or a portrait by an obviously unskilled artist art? While I don’t expect every book (or even most books) I read to be art, I do expect the author to be able to write well as well as entertain. And, this is my issue with self-publishing that I don’t find with mainstream publishing. Yes, I’ve read bad mainstream published books, but rarely have I read a poorly written one.
As for the duty of a reviewer, I’m not convinced that it’s my place to tell someone to practice their writing more before undertaking a novel. I will mention in what way a book did or didn’t work for me. Additionally, if a story worked for me, despite the writing, I will mention that the writing was simplistic or some such. Will a writer evaluate that or decide I’m nitpicky? I suspect the latter.
And, my attitude has taken on a reversal in the past year. Previously I never had DNFs. Now my time is short and if a book is sloppy, I’m not going to finish it. I am not going to offer a 3 star or below rating any longer. I will put that info on goodreads with or without a line saying why I didn’t finish it. My impression, rightly or wrongly, is that the same book I can’t finish might appeal to someone who doesn’t care about the writing, who doesn’t care that the writer is always telling us that someone “has a smile on their lips.”
With that said, I just want to reiterate that I don’t think people should disregard self-published books. Personally I am convinced it is a great way to go and will probably consider it myself. Likewise, I hope that people would read my book despite the fact that it was self-published although even here on wp amongst people who are *not* book bloggers I read a dislike of self-publishing by individuals who still consider it vanity publishing.
I have enjoyed this discussion with you. I am open to hearing if there is a way that I can help good indie writers because I would like to see unrecognized *good* writers succeed.
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Okay lots of info here. I’ll try to keep this snappy. By unskilled I’m reading between the lines here, you mean the writer’s style or even the editorial work done. This brings me back to my point about writers taking responsibility for the quality of their work. Even if you are traditionally published trust me quality can be an issue, Rarely, but it can happen if your publisher is some what not as on point as you the author. Or does not have an eye for detail that you have. To eliminate this it’s about responsibility more so as a self- published author. Remembering that it is a marathon not a sprint to get a well written book in the terms you describe it out there. What amazes me though, is why some self-published authors sometimes may not hold this as the most important thing. If in your experience it seems to not be the case.
I think I’ve been lucky,the self-published authors I have come across and work I have read so far seems to have been really good.
“Vanity publishing” LOL, Sascha is that what they call it? All I can say to that is “haters will always hate.” How can someone who has never even wrote a book dare to say it’s “vanity publishing.” Like you need that traditional published seal of approval. Sweetheart, don’t even get me started you won’t shout me up on this point.
With your point about what would help self-published authors, I wish I had the answer. So between us we’re going to find it. I’m going to put this out to the masses and see via a poll what self-published authors feel could be more helpful to help remove stigma, if of course all writers take responsibility for quality and do their best when writing.
Stay tuned and thanks for talking.
Kim
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Oh I forgot to say, just keep reading SP books and that’s a great starting point to help.
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All it takes is a little bit of homework on a reader’s part–check out the sample, past works, reviews (and not just on good reads) in order to find and not pass by excellent books just because they are self-pubbed. It’s foolish to make a blanket statement when trad publishers aren’t always as vigilant as they should be about editing, etc…however, it does open the way for writers rushing to publish before learning the craft, and I’ve mourned reading good stories gone bad. Self-publishing isn’t going away, and I agree that we need to help good self publishing writers succeed.
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Right. Great points and thanks for your input. Don’t sit there and think publishers are angels. But it is about finding the right home for your work when you work with them. So can grow with them. Please do keep supporting self published authors with reading them. I sit on both sides of the publishing route but feel passionately about this.
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Pingback: Self Published Authors Talk to Kim & Sascha Darlington: How To Work With Reviewers & Remove Stigma. #author #amwriting #writerslife | Kim Knight_ The Author
I agree….
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Great to hear from you George. Tell us a bit more about your thoughts…..
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well you broke it down. Just a thought do the self published authors make the same money if they go do everything themselves…
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Really depends George, I could never answer this. What you earn as a writer depends on so many things! But as a self published author you do get all the royalty payments per book sales, as opposed to a percentage as some is shared with the publisher.
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