When you looked at the subject of this post you probably already formed an opinion regarding the matter. And yes, it is a very hot topic in the publishing market. I am aware of this, and yet, I feel the desire to express something about this topic anyway.
So here goes:
A couple of weeks ago I read an article about how Indie authors are not real authors, or are bad writers, or something to that affect. All I really remember is that the guy went on and on and on tearing down Indie authors. However, there was one spot in the middle where he actually took time to praise those who had written a great book, had it professionally edited, and then decided to Indie publish instead of going traditional.
Now, let me take a moment to inform you of my standing on this subject before you read further with a bias opinion and prepared to hate or love what I say.
I think that every person who has made an effort to write a book, and write it well, should be applauded, no matter how that book was published. I do agree that there are books out there that are not written well and that need desperate editing and help, but I have seen that in both Indie and Traditional published books. So to those people I say, well done for writing a book. Now, take that book and clean it, edit it, and polish it, and then publish it. I think that a well written book deserves to be praise, while I kindly ask those who are throwing their books out there without polishing them to please take the time to make it shine. I don't care how it's published, just make it nice and clean.
Now, back to what I was saying about the article this man posted:
Although I do not agree with most of what this man said, I was amazed to find that I did agree with some points. Underneath all his condescending words was an underlying message that if you publish a badly written book it tarnishes the Indie publishing as a whole. And I agree that it does affect both Indie and Traditional Authors when badly written books are published.
However, what amazed me the most were the comments underneath his posted, focusing entirely on how awful and offensive and rude this man was. How he didn't know what he was talking about and how he was stupid for thinking the way he did.
Well, I'm sorry to say this folks, but being offended is a choice you make.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but it is up to you as to how that opinion effects you.
I heard a quote once (and I apologize that I don't have any idea where it came from, but if you know then I'll love to know the source) but the quote said, "What others think about you is none of your business"
Maybe that's why many authors don't bother to read their reviews .... ?
I feel as though many authors (both Traditional and Indie) have chips on their shoulders - as though they have something to prove. But as authors, if we are not open to hearing the good and bad about things, we are not open to learning and growing and making ourselves and our writing better. But you also have to remember to learn from the bad and then let it roll off your shoulders rather than sit and let it fester.
You know how you write, you know if your writing is good or bad. And you really need to not let those comments get to you, because there will always be negative opinions about what you choose to do, what you write, or how you publish. Don't worry about it! Just do your best and polish your book till it shines!
A while back I wrote a post about not wanting to contribute to someone who asked me to donate so he could self publish his book. At the time I received some good comments about how I did the right thing, and some bad comments about how I was putting down India authors by not supporting him. I was told I was putting a line there and doing an "us vs. them" thing. I was amazed that these people were so opinionated because of what I had done without knowing any details.
Just for the record, I have and do support many authors who have self published many well written books. But the reason I did not contribute to this fund was not because of his choice to Indie Published, but because of the book itself. I did not want to support that specific book.
So authors (Indie or Traditionally published) get the chip off your shoulder, write your best, polish your work, and don't listen to the people out there who are always going to be ripping down your work. If you are honest with yourself and feel that you have put forth your best work and made the effort to get it professionally edited, critiqued, and polished, then who cares what others say about how you publish?
Let it go! It doesn't matter!
*steps off soap box*
Thank you! :)
