A Reality Check for Self-Published Authors
Not very long ago, the title published author merited respect and admiration, since only an elite group of writers could legitimately lay claim to it.
Every year, thousands of writers would submit query letters to mainline publishers. A few would be elated to receive a request to submit their manuscript, only to have their hopes dashed a few weeks later, upon receipt of a polite rejection letter. Approximately three percent would be accepted; allowing those fortunate few, from that time on, to refer to themselves as a published author.
Today, the literary market is rife with books that have been independently or self-published. Anyone with access to a personal computer and the internet may now technically claim to be a published author.
Many independently and self-published books are as well-written and entertaining as those released by a mainline publisher. Unfortunately, far too many are not. In fact, some are so bad that they have led many readers to believe that any independently or self-published book is not worth buying.
Writers who lack the knowledge and/or discipline to expend the time and energy necessary to produce a manuscript that is technically well-written and skillfully narrated, or are just too lazy to do so, negatively impact the reputations of those conscientious writers who work hard to create a quality literary work.
Exaggerated or blatantly false 5-star ratings and raving reviews which some indies and self-pubs routinely award eachother's badly written books have resulted in most serious readers ignoring reviews completely, which is a disservice to legitimate, unbiased reviewers.
Anyone with access to the internet or a public library can find books, guidelines, and low-cost or free courses that focus specifically upon spelling, grammar, syntax, punctuation, and writing etiquette. A copy editor's job is to discover and correct the occasional error or type-o, not salvage a manuscript full of misspelled words, bad grammar, and improper syntax or punctuation.
It is time for a reality check. Expend the effort and energy to obtain the skills required to produce a literary work worth reading, as many of your peers already have, and soon the stigma attached to independent and self-publishing will disappear. If you don't, it won't.
Every year, thousands of writers would submit query letters to mainline publishers. A few would be elated to receive a request to submit their manuscript, only to have their hopes dashed a few weeks later, upon receipt of a polite rejection letter. Approximately three percent would be accepted; allowing those fortunate few, from that time on, to refer to themselves as a published author.
Today, the literary market is rife with books that have been independently or self-published. Anyone with access to a personal computer and the internet may now technically claim to be a published author.
Many independently and self-published books are as well-written and entertaining as those released by a mainline publisher. Unfortunately, far too many are not. In fact, some are so bad that they have led many readers to believe that any independently or self-published book is not worth buying.
Writers who lack the knowledge and/or discipline to expend the time and energy necessary to produce a manuscript that is technically well-written and skillfully narrated, or are just too lazy to do so, negatively impact the reputations of those conscientious writers who work hard to create a quality literary work.
Exaggerated or blatantly false 5-star ratings and raving reviews which some indies and self-pubs routinely award eachother's badly written books have resulted in most serious readers ignoring reviews completely, which is a disservice to legitimate, unbiased reviewers.
Anyone with access to the internet or a public library can find books, guidelines, and low-cost or free courses that focus specifically upon spelling, grammar, syntax, punctuation, and writing etiquette. A copy editor's job is to discover and correct the occasional error or type-o, not salvage a manuscript full of misspelled words, bad grammar, and improper syntax or punctuation.
It is time for a reality check. Expend the effort and energy to obtain the skills required to produce a literary work worth reading, as many of your peers already have, and soon the stigma attached to independent and self-publishing will disappear. If you don't, it won't.
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Alicia wrote: "It is hard, when friends and family want to give you a review, to tell them that knowing you and liking you biases them.Fortunately, Amazon lets them participate in the Customer discussion part, ..."
Alicia,
Your cautionary advice to family members and close friends regarding posting a review for your book is wise. It would be nearly impossible in most cases for them to remain unbiased.
Thank you for viewing the blog post and sharing your personal opinion.
Jim Vuksic
Fortunately, Amazon lets them participate in the Customer discussion part, and even start one, but I tell them to ask themselves if they would believe someone else's review if they found out accidentally the reviewer was the author's sister or close friend. It hadn't occurred to them.
Ethical lines are hard.
I forget where I read that the hard thing is always the right thing to do, but something on that order is true.
I tell myself that if I cut corners I'll regret it later, even if it doesn't catch up with me somehow - my conscience is a pretty tough one. Best not to tempt it.