The Problem With epublishing

Four Corners Pandora's Children Book 2 previews av...

The Problem With epublishing

I don't want to seem negative, because e-publishing has its benefits. The internet has been a great outlet for those looking to be found. Artists, musicians, and filmmakers have been using it for years to get their products out there. To get exposure. And sometimes, a diamond in the rough is found. But that's part of the problem- there is too much out there, and most of it is crap. And if not crap, then not up to a professional level.

In the days when you needed print media, agents and publishers played an important role, weeding out the books that simply weren't good enough in the actual writing department. Of course there are always exceptions- talking to you, writer of the Twilight books, Stephanie something-or-other- but most of the time, as consumers, we were offered quality.

But now we are inundated. And all I have to say is, thank you for sample chambers. My Droid X has the Kindle app, and I will often go through the forums that I belong to and download samples of books that seem like they have promise. Then, when I am out to lunch or I am waiting in line at the market, I can read the samples. I'm always looking for new horror to read. I've read all that King and Koontz, Barker and Gaiman, Saul and Straub and Matheson have written. And I don;t like Vampire romances and I am absolutely tired of zombies and post-apocalyptic worlds. So I am always looking, hoping to find someone new to hook on to.

So many have potential. So many seem to have intriguing stories. The problem is, if the writing ability is not up to snuff, I can not go on. Because the actual writing is as important as the plot, if not more so in many cases. Now, not everyone can be a master. Most people will never have the raw writing talent of King or Gaiman or Barker, and that's fine. But you don't need to be a master to be an effective and competent story teller. And I don't think a lot of people have it though they want to.

But too much of what I have been reading is… well, imagine you're watching American Idol, and you see all of those pissed off and crying contestants who think they can sing but really can't, and it breaks them when someone impartial tells them they can't. A lot of what I am finding is that stuff.

I'm not saying that I am the best. I know I will never be one of the masters. But I like to think that my writing is more than competent, that my stories intriguing, and that I will get better as I go. But sometimes I worry that I won't be found because there is just so much out there to sift through.

I'd like to think I am one of those diamonds in the rough, but unfortunately, one has to big through a lot of crap before finally finding me.

But, at least e-book publishing has given me the opportunity, and for that, I am thankful.