Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Wait, Wait, Wait...

Independent author Rob Guthrie touched off a huge heated debate a little while ago on his blog, suggesting that Amazon charge a fee for publishing online, then fired the passions of primarily Indie authors again with two subsequent posts, Does Everyone Have a Novel in Them? and Does Talent Exist?

I’ve been reading his posts and those of others, either in agreement or with opposing viewpoints. There were many good points in both Rob's original posts and the comments and fallout. I’m sincere in my desire to be respectful of everyone’s thoughts on the subject of whether or not untalented (or perhaps unskilled at present) writers should be allowed to publish their books, and charge the public money to read them, because I know they are heartfelt.

However, in all the hashing and rehashing of the subject, one very simple fact seems to have been lost. There have always been crappy books published, way before online publishing was even a germinating thought, and lots of money made on them. I can go to a used book sale and pull them off the shelves by the hundreds. Yet, someone originally bought the wretched things and they appear to have been read.

The same is true of movies (case in point John Carter), paintings, plays, and then lots of everyday products we all consume regularly. For instance, nearly all the fast food factories (restaurants, technically) we are surrounded by offer less than acceptable fare to a gourmand. Still, even the regulatory agencies, like the FDA, are only charged with making sure what we consume won’t harm us, not that it’s good for us.

I'm not a free market freak but this country generally speaking supports it and why should that not extend to online books? If someone wants to buy a book that others consider poorly written, who are we to impede their desire? We don’t try to put a stop to erotica, or porn, and those areas are certainly "quality writing" challenged.

Simply put, I don’t think there should be either a judging system put in place nor a tariff (publishing fee) imposed to stop the “bad writing” from hitting the marketplace, because it would be, in effect, censorship.

One more quick thought; I believe the reason this has been such an ardently followed subject is that it hits a little too close to home. Most of us, Indie authors, have struggled for years to get published, and in that cause have had to believe in ourselves against all odds. Now, to be told we may not be good enough again, well…


(Published on In The Writing Groove as well)

14 comments:

  1. Kathy, your post is well written and passionate. This is the first time I have heard of this issue and I think that the blog author is entitled to his opinion but that is all it is, his opinion. It doesn't make him right. I certainly hope his ideas do not come into fruition because right now I think that the indie publishing industry is doing well and like the fact that Amazon allows epublishing free to the authors.

    Thank you for this post.

    Ardee-ann

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    1. There has been a lot of opinions, some agree and some don't. Rob is a very intelligent guy, so I read him carefully. I just don't agree on this issue. I think you're right that the indie publishing industry is doing fine and it will all sort itself out organically.

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  2. I am amazed that there is a question about whether there are such thing as "indie" authors. I'm terrible with spatting out names and book titles, but just this week I saw an indie author book praised on the bookshelves of Barnes and Noble. I can't recall her name but she is one of the more successful indie authors out there. Not to mention the more famous book "Get the F*** to Sleep" that started out as an "indie book."

    Maybe these were writers that would have gotten published the "traditional" way had they kept at finding a traditional publisher. But maybe had they done that their book wouldn't have gotten the large amount of publicity and praise that it got by getting known THEIR way.

    Indie authors have their place in the publishing world and just like you said...there are crap products, books and movies that have been done the traditional way. Crap singers that should never have gotten famous *cough* Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber *cough* *cough*. So who is to say the public can't make the right call in who is famous?

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    1. That note about the Indie author praised on Barnes & Noble - how fantastic is that?!? I love your coughs, by the way!

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  3. You're right, Kathy. It is an area for controversy and I agree with much of what you've said. But I do understand where Rob is coming from , as well.

    It would be nice if there were some sort of judging system for publishing-- just to confirm editing and formatting-- but I guess that's what the readers do.

    You are also correct that trash has been published for-- as long as there have been printers.

    All we writers can really hope for it that the cream will continue to rise and from what readers say-- not amazing marketing skills.

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    1. Through good marketing I've seen some authors I would consider tenuous appear to make a good go of it and other authors I consider spectacular flounder, even with decent marketing. But I do think that good writers will eventually find an audience, it just takes more than the 5 months we hopefuls read into what John Locke had to say. And I truly believe there is a community of writers who will help each other get there. Thanks, Dannie!

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  4. Hey Kathy,

    Yeah I guess RS Guthrie did bite off more than he could chew . . . after looking through both posts I have to say that maybe he was being a bit off the cuff. Today I'm feeling woe for you know, being an Indie in a sea of Indie authors and not really getting anywhere. It's been driving me up the proverbial wall, but I shall prevail as I hope the ones I really like will as well.

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    1. Rhiannon - Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I really didn't mean to point a finger at Rob, because I know he's a great guy and was just expressing his opinion. He just seems to be the one who the debate is centered around.

      As for feeling lost in the sea - I get it! Really I do. Everyday, I get up and work the marketing and then try to write and blog. It's tough. I think it's really a matter of hanging in there, getting better all the time and continuing to produce product.

      Best to you!

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  5. Let me make myself really clear on one point, I didn't mean the ending comment towards Rob at all, because he's a big supporter of others. I simply meant that to have found a home (and I'm sure there are others who feel Amazon is a publishing home of sorts) and then have to face possible judgement AGAIN. That's what I was talking about. I hope that's clear to everyone.

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  6. I came very close to deleting this post on both my blogs. Very close. I tend to write passionately, but it isn't my intent to offend people personally, ever. I've explained above and hope that readers will understand my position.

    However, I stand by my opinion on the issue and therefore, am choosing to let the post stand.

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  7. I think that charging a fee for publishing a book might raise indie publishing's name a bit (after all, making an independent film or album still requires a certain amount of capital, which is a big part of why they're respected art forms: you got people to invest in your baby, you must have some talent or skill somewhere), but it wouldn't guarantee good writing. In fact, it would almost actively work against it. A good writer without a dime to their name is still a good writer. A bad writer with a couple grand in the bank is still a bad writer. Charging in order to weed out the less determined is...counterproductive to the egalitarian spirit that a lot of (most?) indie writers seem to imbibe.

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  8. Love this - "A bad writer with a couple grand in the bank is still a bad writer."

    I think readers (as opposed to Indie authors)really couldn't care less about this issue. Those that stand away from Indie books because they've had a bad experience aren't going to be swayed by fee to publish - even if it did produce better books or at least it would take years to make a dent in their decisions. They've made their choice already.

    Perhaps the best thing about the heated discussion around all of this is that, out of embarrassment or a new awareness, writers will be more careful, will engage proofreaders and editors and overall try harder.

    Thanks Mari!

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  9. This is old news now, I know, but I was reading back through the blog after discovering it via HOW TO MAKE A SPLASH ONLINE.

    Anyone who has had a book published these days, whether independently or with a publisher, knows that the work doesn't end with publication. We blog, twitter (still trying to get up to 1000 followers folks so drop on by to @alisonebruce) post on Facebook, and sell sell sell while trying to seem like we really aren't.

    That's how we put our money where our mouth is.

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  10. To say something is 'bad writing' sounds like snobbery to me. Like you said, even if some consider book x to be poorly written doesn't mean a prospective buyer doesn't want to read it. Then again, "practice practice practice". I'm embarrassed of my early work; I don't want it to see the light of day.

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