Readers Are Smart. We Can Look Out For Ourselves, Thanks.

Rachel Thompson

Author • Poet • Advocate

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Readers Are Smart. We Can Look Out For Ourselves, Thanks.

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I dream my painting and I paint my dream.

~ Vincent Van Gogh 

Vincent van Gogh: Kirschbaum. Frühjahr 1888, Ö...

 

I just don’t have it in me this week.

To do…what exactly?

I’m just so tired of this argument: traditional is better than indie, indie is better than traditional blah blah blah. Last week was exhausting, what with all the back and forth with He Who Shall Not Be Named publication and frankly, I don’t want to give any more press to their assertions that ALL indie books are crap and that ALL indie authors purchase reviews. And it continues on this week on other sites, for and against.

Don’t get me started. Not because I want to rant. I don’t. I’m tired. And rants have gotten old.

But because readers are smart.

In addition to being a bestselling and award-winning indie author, I’m also an avid reader and I have been since I was a tiny little thing.

I will say this: trying to convince someone to change their position on this subject is like a conservative Republican suddenly becoming…communist. Not likely.

My guy always says that whenever you have two people in a room, you have the potential for politics of some sort. In a virtual room, clearly there will be more than two people on a public forum which leads to disagreement, sometimes on a massive scale. Is that a bad thing? Nope. I’m all for polite disagreement.

It’s when it degenerates to name calling, assumptions, and libel that I can’t help but think: people are arguing over art. Over literature. About artists creating art.

Now maybe you have strong thoughts one way or the other and I’m happy for you — I really am. It’s important to take a stance as both a reader and as a writer. We don’t have to agree, and we don’t even have to agree to disagree. In fact, given people’s strong feelings about the subject, I can say with confidence that sometimes being nice doesn’t fit with being passionate.

And god knows, I’m allergic to the word nice.

I can think this argument (echoed across various more traditional sites as well as on social media) is stupid. That the people making these arguments are idiots. But I don’t. I could, easily, given some of the awful, uninformed, ignorant things a few have said about me personally and other writers I truly admire. But I don’t think that because these folks have some kind of conviction, a passion to get people to think how they think. Because they are not indifferent about art, about culture. And that’s kinda cool, even if I vehemently disagree with their position.

It’s a waste of time to get one party to believe in another’s beliefs so I do think a little more respect is in order all the way around. Make your arguments, provide your talking points. Fine! Just don’t expect me to start believing in something because you tell me so. 

Last I checked, readers were smart. While we appreciate all this ‘looking out’ for us, I’m pretty sure we can decide for ourselves if a book sucks. Any indie author worth their talent works just as hard in the creation as a traditional author. It’s going those extra steps: hiring professionals to edit, proof, design, send to betareaders and paying attention to their feedback — that separates the good from the great.

And as far as I can tell, the money Amazon deposits into my checking account isn’t Monopoly money.

 

 

What do you think?

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Comments

  1. Well said!
    I decide what books I read or what films I watch by reading the author’s or director’s synopsis. i have an intense dislike when told that some esteemed critic or so-and-so liked it and I should too. In fact, if I had considered it a ‘meh’ then it becomes a ‘not interested.’ I know some readers like to be told what to read but there are plenty others that I observe know what they want to read.

    Reply

    • I’m with you, Suzette. If it looks intriguing based on the sample, I’ll continue with a purchase. There’s only one book I read recently (on a recommendation) that was so riddled with errors I returned it — something up to that point I had never done. It’s worth noting that the book was released by a small publisher and was not self-pub’d.

      And maybe that’s what is missing from the whole conversation — free samples. Use them, abuse them, make them work for you! Maybe more people will make less assumptions if they read some of the amazing stuff that’s out there via the free samples. I don’t know.

      I appreciate your comments.

      Reply

  2. I read that little “publication” and loved your responses to it. You have a new follower. 🙂

    Readers are smart, and since most writers are also readers, there must be a cross-section of smart writers. Some of these smart writers probably self-publish because for them it’s, well, smart. That passion you spoke of can turn to bitterness when the seasons change. There are so many people invested in traditional publishing, it doesn’t surprise me at all some would have trouble facing this new wave of doing business.

    “Fight the fights that are worth fighting.”–Thank you, Martin Sheen. Good work.

    Reply

    • Awesome, thank you Rachel! 🙂

      I love that people want to continue to be gatekeepers so they ‘approve’ what we are reading, even though it’s laughable and ludicrous in this age of digital publishing. We look to music and movies and somehow people still have great music to listen to and great movies to watch without our heads exploding.

      Sure, there are some really horrible books out there and many are indie. And you know what? People are leaving them scathing reviews. Some people shouldn’t publish but guess what? Oh well. It’s now in the hands of the common ‘man.’

      That, more than anything, makes it scary to the traditional gatekeepers.

      Thanks so much for connecting!

      Reply

  4. On the whole I agree, Sweetcakes, that ‘readers are smart’ but not always. On the question of ‘Indie is (sic) crap’ Is it just that publishing houses and those with an interest are losing so much revenue from a more discerning and liberated reader turning to the Indie author, that there constant barrage of bad mouthing of them is there ill thought out way to try to stuff the genie back in the bottle? And we all know that that is an impossibility until he/she has granted the three wishes………..

    ‘readers are smart’ It also puts me in mind of the Lee Child/ Jack Reacher /Mr Cruise controversy and when Alexandra Sokolof did a post on it and the amount of vitriol that flew her and way as well as Child and Cruise, was quite barbaric. Some readers who had read all of the Reacher books up to that point were declaring both the author and the character dead to them from that moment on, so maybe sometimes, some of them aren’t that smart I did a couple of posts on it at the time over on http://tomstronach.blogspot.co.uk/p/book-and-film-reviews-and-comment.html they are near the bottom of the list

    Reply

    • Thanks, Tom. I think you’re right in that some readers go with the flow and base their decisions on popular opinion. The 80/20 rule always applies, right?

      No difference here. Some readers are smart, some not. But there’s no question that we’re a vocal bunch — if a book is horrible, the author will hear about it!

      Thanks for reading, commenting and sharing. Only you can get away with calling me Sweetcakes! xx

      Reply

  7. There’s no point in arguing. The cream will rise to the top. If the writing is good enough, regardless of cost or indie or traditional pub, it will be found by it’s audience. Also what drives me crazy is that it’s not an us vs. them battle. Everyone can succeed and profit, although traditional publishers will have to revamp their business model to remain competitive as the indies continue to improve in quality across the board.

    Reply

    • Agreed, Phil. The argument is tired and you’re also right on target that it shouldn’t be us vs them. It reminds me of a tug of war :).

      Thanks for the read and share!

      Reply

  8. Whew. Thanks for the breath of fresh air. When I needed to change agents I had to sort of sit out writing for a time and I drifted away from all things bookish but reading and was surprised to discover how very little most people care about all the stuff publishers and authors of all stripes think are life and death to the literary world. People like what they like. A book works for them or it doesn’t.
    Am currently reading a bestseller that has gotten lots of mega good reviews from the industry and came with a mega advance, I’m sure and it’s a mess on so many levels. Great subject matter but it doesn’t speak well for the idea that traditional publishing is a promise of quality.

    Reply

    • Thank you, Helen!

      The last two $12.99 traditional eBooks I purchased bored me to tears. I gave up on ‘Gone, Girl’ which people LOVE LOVE LOVE. I just didn’t care who did it, why they did it, or to waste any more time on it. That said, I like Flynn’s previous works and think she oozes talent. This one just didn’t do it for ME. Does that mean I hate all traditional books? No way. I think they’re great. I’d never have discovered Neil Gaiman, or John Irving, or David Sedaris, or Lorrie Moore or…well, you get the picture.

      Some of the most amazing books I’ve read this year have been by indie authors: Eden Baylee, Justin Bog, Christine Nolfi, Frederick Lee Brooke, and wow, so many more. I just finished ‘Relativity’ by Matthew DiConti and LOVED IT! I don’t care what kind of contract someone has — I just want a good story.

      Reply

  9. Well, I seem to have missed all of this controversy. I must be lucky and not read blogs, websites and posts that get cantankerous about this matter. There are many indie books I have read and loved. There are some that need more than a little help but then the same goes for traditionally published books. I saw one book last week that I looked at and blatantly asked my partner how the heck the writer got a contract. It was THAT bad. I am not a book snob. I just like to read. I don’t care who the author is known or unknown. I don’t care how the book is published. I was reading “indie” books more than 30 years ago. I still have some of them and enjoy them very much.

    I don’t know why there has to be so much acrimony. There are enough readers to go around for everyone. If the big publishing houses are losing money then maybe they need to look at what they are publishing as well as their business practices. I remember when the big houses were freaking when the small presses started making serious inroads some 40 years ago. They adjusted and life went on. It is time for them to adjust again.

    If people don’t like reading indie books then they don’t need to buy and read them. It is that simple. Times are changing we can all change and adapt or we can wither on the vine. I am celebrating change because it is bringing some awesome authors to the forefront.

    Cheers,

    Ardee-ann

    Reply

    • I’m glad you missed it all sweetie because honestly, it was ridiculous and got ugly fast.

      It seems like people are arguing about something they don’t need to be: do the work, do great work, and the public will respond. Don’t do the work, and the public will still respond, just not how you’re hoping. 🙂

      I adore you and love everything you said here. big hugs!

      Reply

  10. Well said! I believe there is a saying somewhere that tells to “agree to disagree”. We should all be respectful of one another’s opinions. I definitely believe in having an opinion, and I like people who are passionate about their opinions and who won’t go with whatever the crowd deems worthy, but being nasty to people for thinking differently is uncalled for.

    On this subject, it’s hard. I can see where both sides come from, and I’m sort of in the middle somewhere. The world of literature and art is changing, and it’s a bit disconcerting because the change is so fast and so unstable. I hope that we can all get to a point where everyone can work together on this.

    Assumptions are terrible, and you’re right, readers are smart. 🙂

    Best,

    Alexandra-

    Reply

    • Thanks for commenting, Alexandra. I agree with you — assumptions are never a good idea.

      Bottom line: as authors and as readers, books need to be amazing. How they get to be amazing should have nothing to do with it. It does, but it’s a silly, old argument.

      Reply

  11. I have been meaning to write about this…because it frustrates me so much. I hate when people complain about either method of publishing because NEITHER WAY IS WRONG. Both sides have pros, both sides have cons, and what really matters is the authors picks what works for them AND what works for the book. And that is just the bottom line.

    -Kate Tilton

    Reply

    • Me, too, Kate. It’s annoying — readers want great work. As an avid reader myself, I’m no different.

      It’s easy for people to criticize what they don’t know or understand. To the people who want to call self-publishing easy, it’s not a big guess they haven’t done the work themselves.

      And that’s okay. Readers are finding great books by all kinds of authors. That’s what counts.

      Reply

  12. What do I think? I agree with you. Wish it was true that the good will always rise to the top, but alas it is not. I totally get fatigue about the debates of this type, though; it’s like the one about whether or not people ought to post bad reviews. It’s kinda all been said, hasn’t it??!

    Reply

    • Thanks for the comment, Terry! We both know not all books are great and that’s what we as readers have to deal with. But it’s not that they’re not great because of the means — it all starts with the writing. I encourage all authors to work with an editor, formatter, etc. There’s no reason a book should be bad at this point.

      xx

      Reply

  13. I have to agree with you on this. I’ve missed all the controversy, but there never seems to be a shortage. If I’m concerned about a specific aspect of a book, I’ll research book reviews and read a variety of feedback on that novel. 99% of the time, I determine whether or not a book or movie interest me all on my lonesome. Believe it or not, I’ve survived just fine for quite a few years now. I was even capable of selecting books before the internet and review sites became all the rage! *gasp* I swear, ’tis true!

    I’ll remove my tongue from my cheek now, as it’s hard to speak with it there. 😉 The thing is, I could care less if a book if published independently or by St. Martin’s Press. I don’t even look, unless the book is obviously unedited and has painful formatting issues. Then curiosity forces the issue. All the debate over which is better is so obviously personal preference it’s mere static in the background. My sole contribution to any such discussion would be to encourage any author-to-be to do their own research and carefully, consciously determine which avenue works best for their personal goals.

    Reply

    • Thanks Angel. I love your response!

      As authors, any issues with formatting or grammar we must take responsibility for. It’s on US to create a spectacular product, no matter if that’s via traditional OR indie. But it all starts with the writing and that’s the most important thing. It must be great.

      xx

      Reply

    • Ha, thanks Laura. It happens. I normally don’t bother to enter the fray, but this was so ridiculous I couldn’t help myself. And that’s okay — I connected with some amazing folks because of it actually. A positive silver lining to idiocy — who knew!

      I’ll happily be your coach — I didn’t know I was but I’m thrilled to help in any way. xx

      Reply

  15. I will confess that before I started looking into the world of writing, I thought that those who self-published were only those who couldn’t get published the traditional route. I now know that isn’t the case. I think that when more and more quality indie books are out there, readers will take notice and realize that the publishing world is changing.

    Reply

    • I too was confused by indie pub — it seemed so techie and confusing. It’s really not, but to an outsider, it seems that way for sure.

      Quality always wins out — no question.

      Reply

  16. That those who are hurling the excrement around, continue to do so from underneath a veil renders them impotent at best and cowards at worst.

    I am my own critic and I’ll base my purchasing decisions on that fact alone.

    Once I’ve found a piece of literature – and loved it – then discovered the talent behind it, I’m in their corner for keeps.

    Reply

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