[SLGray]

http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2014/01/27/self-publishing-is-not-the-minor-leagues/

I've seen quite a few discussions about the quality of indie published books and how to assure the quality of indie published books and who should judge the quality...

So this seems pretty timely to me.

And, I'll say: Yeah. I agree with him. There's a lot of contradictory stuff floating around out here in indie land, but it's still a good place to be.

 

[SLGray]

Or maybe everyone is better served by leaving it up to the reader and getting on about their own business of doing their own work.

ETA: I happen to hate, I mean absolutely loathe, 50 Shades of Gray. I read most of the sample and was sickened by the poor quality and the cover sucked. Did I have the right to tell readers they couldn't buy it or EL James that she didn't have the right to publish it?

No.

It's not my business. My next novel is my business and that's all. The author of the blog piece needs to get over himself.

To quote the article:

Don't celebrate mediocrity. Don't encourage half-assing this thing for a couple of bucks. This is scrutiny time. This is time to not to say, "Here, you're doing this wrong," but "Here, let me help you do this better." This is time for conversation and constructive critique, not empty applause and pedestal-building.

There's nothing in there says we should be telling people they don't have the right to publish anything. I don't believe we should, either. I believe, though, that just praising people for having the courage to publish without offering constructive (operative word there being constructive) criticism is also the wrong thing to do.

So yes, obviously, concentrate on your own work and making it the best you feel it can be. But if I see someone who could be helped, I don't see the harm in helping, without [expletive] all over their work.

 

[SLGray]

N

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[SLGray]

There's already an air of critiquing, especially on this board. We often share book covers and blurbs, find beta readers, give advice on where we might be going wrong.

Which is why it seems a little weird to me that there'd be objection to a post that's suggesting we ... do exactly what's happening on these boards.

If people really didn't care about what other people were putting out, then no one would answer requests for feedback, would they? They'd just say, eh, it's your book, if you think it's good enough, then it is.

I understand not volunteering criticism if it isn't asked for or specifically not asked for. I get that. I don't get why suggesting that criticism is a good thing gets up people's noses though.

 

[SLGray]

No, the post suggests that we go out and force our opinion on other people whether they want it or not. That is quite a different thing.

I don't see that call to action in the post, but we all read things differently, so, fair enough.

 

[SLGray]

We don't need someone coming in and telling us to help each other out as though this is an idea that no one had ever thought of and considered. But if someone wants advice and help, they need to ask.

I am not going to force it on anyone and deny it all you like, that is what is being discussed. Hunting down 'inferior' authors who aren't being professional enough for me is not on my agenda for today, tomorrow or any time in the future.

1. Chuck didn't "come in here" and tell anyone anything. I posted the link to his blogpost because I thought it was interesting and I largely agreed with it. I haven't changed my mind about the agreeing, but about the posting of it? Yeah, little bit.

2. Therefore, he wasn't writing the post for members of KBoards, but for the people who regularly frequent his blog. There may be some overlap. There may not but it wasn't a proscriptive sermon for KBoarders. People who are here largely understand that they can ask for help and suggestions and do so. Not everyone who wants to publish their own writing is on KBoards, no matter whether we think they ought to be or not.

3. I really don't know where you get that Chuck or anyone is suggesting "hunting down" anyone. As I've stated, I understand reading things differently. I can even wrap my brain around people reading a call to offer unsolicited advice. But "hunting down inferior authors"? Um. Who called for that? Where?

 

[SLGray]

Hugh said:

Scaring people away from publishing their work (which I think is the likely result and possibly even the aim of Chuck's posts) is not without consequence.

Yep. Still not seeing where this point of view comes from. I really do wish someone had pointed at any post or comment that said people should be scared away or stopped from publishing anything. What was said is that people should not be seeing the fact there isn't anyone stopping them as a reason to publish less than polished work.

Here at KBoards, no one may have said directly that they're going to have readers pay to act as a critique group or beta readers for them. I have, however, seen conversations saying that members here don't feel it's a problem to constantly update their work and reupload it when they get commentary not just on typos (which I think should be fixed if there are enough for someone to comment on), but on content and plot. When they feel that they've reached a new level of competency, they're happy to pull the old file and reupload it with the new, improved version.

We all improve in our writing, or try to at any rate, don't we? I'm sure everyone can look back on an earlier work, published or not, and see where they could improve upon it. And if it's not out there in the world already, knock yourself out! Or even if it is, on your website, or posted somewhere for people to see but not pay for it. But if people are paying for it and you're trying to build a career on it, it's better to strive for the best and then move on to the next book rather than using feedback to revise things that are already being sold, right?

That ^^ in my opinion is problematic. And I have seen it here, as well as in other places.

Diana said:

...but he has only ever posted at KB in order to defend his blog posts. So his view of us is probably pretty skewed.

I just want to point out (and I'm sure you all realize this) that not posting does not mean that someone isn't reading or forming their own opinions about a community.

It's been an interesting debate. I'm still feeling sort of like I set Chuck up to get bashed. Wasn't my intent. Nor was it to offend anyone on Kboards for doing so.

 

[SLGray]

I still feel the need to apologize for posting the link.

It has certainly been eye-opening though. And my lesson, she is learned.

 

[SLGray]

Please tell me your sad story ...

Last comment from me:

Did Betsy not ask that we try to cut down on the mockery and snark?