Self-Imposed Guidelines for Reading Choices, Reviewing and Literary Website Participation
Self-imposed guidelines influence my reading choices, reviewing protocol and participation in literary website discussions. Some will agree with them, others will not. Different opinions and conflicting beliefs are what make life interesting and learning so compelling.
Reading Choices
Genre does not matter as much as the author's technical writing ability and narration skill. I will purchase a book or borrow one from the library, but choose not to read books by authors who routinely charge nothing for their work. Experience has taught me that, too often, they are poorly written and badly narrated, and therefore, worth exactly the price being charged for them.
Posting Reviews
I have posted 131 reviews to-date. However, I refuse to read, let alone review, a book by an author who solicits, purchases, swaps or offers free books in exchange for reviews. A Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulation requires that such reviews include a disclaimer stating so. Some, including myself, consider such reviews to be unreliable. Those novice writers who solicit and obsess over reviews often do so because they grossly over estimate their impact upon sales.
Participation in Literary Website Discussions
If I believe my personal opinion may be of value, I will join in a discussion. I enjoy an intelligent debate fueled by experience, logic and facts; however, I refuse to take part in a ridiculous argument fueled by egotism, emotion and falsehoods.
What, if any, guidelines do you choose to follow regarding these activities?
Reading Choices
Genre does not matter as much as the author's technical writing ability and narration skill. I will purchase a book or borrow one from the library, but choose not to read books by authors who routinely charge nothing for their work. Experience has taught me that, too often, they are poorly written and badly narrated, and therefore, worth exactly the price being charged for them.
Posting Reviews
I have posted 131 reviews to-date. However, I refuse to read, let alone review, a book by an author who solicits, purchases, swaps or offers free books in exchange for reviews. A Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulation requires that such reviews include a disclaimer stating so. Some, including myself, consider such reviews to be unreliable. Those novice writers who solicit and obsess over reviews often do so because they grossly over estimate their impact upon sales.
Participation in Literary Website Discussions
If I believe my personal opinion may be of value, I will join in a discussion. I enjoy an intelligent debate fueled by experience, logic and facts; however, I refuse to take part in a ridiculous argument fueled by egotism, emotion and falsehoods.
What, if any, guidelines do you choose to follow regarding these activities?
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Alicia wrote: "Some people can read just for the story (early Grisham, Dan Brown, 50 Shades, .. there are so many examples of supposedly compelling books which are badly or awkwardly (just as bad) written).I ca..."
Alicia,
I agree. For any book to be truly considered a "good book", it should be well written as well as interesting and entertaining.
Thank you for taking the time to express your views pertaining to the blog post's subject matter. I really appreciate the last sentence; I am truly flattered.
Jim Vuksic
You shouldn't be flattered - you write well.Discoverability is always the hard part.
As I said, I have this tendency to find new material and gobble. Sigh. Then it's all gone, and people don't write new interesting stuff nearly fast enough.
I try all kinds of new blogs - but most don't make the cut. I have a weird mind.
Hi Jim - Great post. I must admit I am a bit picky when it comes to genre. I like contemporary and literary fiction, psychological horror, mystery, thriller, and romance. I do not read sci-fi, dystopian or any other form of speculative fiction unless it comes very highly recommended.
Unfortunately my experience with indie writers established that 70% of what I tried to read was not readable, so I no longer read self-published books, unless they are recommended.
I read what I want to read, when I want to read it. I do not pay any attention to requests or even recs from authors I don't know. I review everything I read and rate and comment on a totally honest scale. I also include a disclosure in every review I do.
I discuss my opinion on the same basis as you.
I think we nailed it - honest, unbiased and reading only the best.
Christine wrote: "my experience with indie writers established that 70% of what I tried to read was not readable"I'm sorry that has been your experience; unhappily, I concur - there is a lot of unedited material. And material that no amount of editing will sweeten.
It makes it a lot harder for those of us with high standards to get attention.
I won't try to persuade you; I'm surprised your percentage was so low.
Fortunately, we all get to choose what to read, and, because there is indie, there are more choices. Big publishing has an annoying habit of canceling unfinished series, for example, because the author's sales were disappointing - leaving those who loved the series with an unfinished story.
I do recommend Jim's blog.
Alicia
ETA: Thank goodness for the Look Inside feature - I don't skip that step any more, no matter who recommends a book.
Christine,My personal experience with self-published books has been similar to yours. Unfortunately, no evaluation process exists within the self-publishing industry to reject badly written and poorly narrated submissions. It is a shame that many highly skilled and talented authors may be overlooked and ignored because they are lumped into the same category as those who either do not care enough or know enough to delay publishing until they have learned and mastered the basic rules of grammar, punctuation and syntax, and then have their work professionally edited.
Thank you for being such a loyal follower of the blog and once again sharing your opinion and personal philosophy regarding the post.
Jim Vuksic
The one part I will never understand, is why the few exceptional books I have found in the self-published category, have never been submitted to any agent or publisher. Had the author done the queries/submissions, I have no doubt they would have gotten a real contract with a real publisher and their book would have been polished into a very successful product. Given the poor reputation of self-published books, these authors sabotaged themselves by not exercising the patience and the diligence required to traditionally publish.
Christine wrote: "The one part I will never understand, is why the few exceptional books I have found in the self-published category, have never been submitted to any agent or publisher. Had the author done the quer..."Because, in my opinion, and that of many indies, the contracts and terms amount to penal servitude for life plus 70 years.
Few 'win' the publishing lottery; most writers must work a day job just to get by. Midlist royalties, which used to be in the 25K range, are down as low as 3-5K - IF you're lucky.
With successful self-publisher such as Hugh Howey (who writes exceedingly well) leading the way and setting an example, it is hard to contemplate starting the years-long process of getting rejected by enough agents to finally find one; then repeat the process for the agent finding you a publisher.
And most likely then spend six weeks spine-out on a bookstore shelf, after which the store gathers up the unsold books, returns them for credit to the publisher, and they are either sold at huge discounts or pulped.
The years can be better spent writing - and improving that writing - than waiting for the mailman.
You ARE aware, of course, that the publishers keep most of the money - and that one of those lucky strikes can keep a big publisher afloat for a year?
Even writers must eat, clothe the rugrats, pay the mortgage, and send the kids to college. And self-insure medically (unless they have a working spouse).
But the BIG one is the loss of control. Over your own book. How it is presented is everything. If you are extremely fortunate, you'll get one of the publisher's top spots - and the good cover, and maybe some promotion. The gatekeepers will decide if you are worthy.
I have spent FIFTEEN YEARS of my life getting Pride's Children right, and will spend at least four or five more getting Book 2 and Book 3 to the same standards. I get to decide when it's good enough. I am 66 years old, and have a PhD in Nuclear Engineering (maybe not a recommendation?). I have battled a chronic illness for 26 years. I'm a grownup.
And I love having that power (and the fear and angst that go with it).
They tell me Pride's Children is addictive.
If you're appalled by indie quality, just wait, and let the marketplace separate out the cream. And ALWAYS check the Look Inside feature. I can't tell you how many times that's saved me: it's not the money I pay for a bad book, it's the amount of my life that is spent reading it which I'll never get back.
Thanks for chatting back. Self-publishing has a huge potential. There will be winners. And readers will have FAR more choices - to find exactly what they like to read.
Alicia
Alicia - I stated that the EXCEPTIONAL self-published books I've read IMHO could have done much better with a traditional publisher.You've replied quite adamantly, but many of your statements reflected misinformation, often provided by those profiting from self-published authors.
"Because, in my opinion, and that of many indies, the contracts and terms amount to penal servitude for life plus 70 years." - Publisher contracts are legal and rarely exceed seven years and after that time the publishing rights revert to the author, unless the contract is renewed. I'm assuming the 70 years you are talking about refers to the copyright, but that is always held by the author, not the publisher.
"Few 'win' the publishing lottery; most writers must work a day job just to get by. Midlist royalties, which used to be in the 25K range, are down as low as 3-5K - IF you're lucky." - Most new authors today need to work a day job regardless of how they publish. Your info on royalties is incorrect - Royalty percentages paid by traditional publishers have not changed and are at the same levels they have been for decades. Because of the flooded market, stats show sales overall are lower (down 20-25%), but the royalty per book remains unchanged. I also retain the same amount of royalty per book, even if the price is reduced.
"...it is hard to contemplate starting the years-long process of getting rejected by enough agents to finally find one; then repeat the process for the agent finding you a publisher." - If the book is commercially viable (good story - well written), finding an agent/publisher is fairly simple and takes very little time. Many publishers do not require agents and accept submissions directly from the author. I submitted in September, was under contract by October, and the book was released the following May.
"And most likely then spend six weeks spine-out on a bookstore shelf, after which the store gathers up the unsold books, returns them for credit to the publisher, and they are either sold at huge discounts or pulped..." - I'm sure you are aware almost every book is now done in e-book format and sold on-line with a POD option (Print On Demand) for print orders. Book stores are under contract to carry minimal quantities and order (POD) as needed. There is no warehouse to return them to or facility to pulp them.
"But the BIG one is the loss of control. Over your own book. How it is presented is everything. If you are extremely fortunate, you'll get one of the publisher's top spots - and the good cover, and maybe some promotion." - You do NOT loose control of your work because you have a traditional publisher. The cover and the edits are all at your discretion. No one makes you do anything. The designers and editors only make suggestions. As for promotion, they access commercial reviews, and do extensive advertising and promotion. My book received over 40 unsolicited reviews within the first two months and was featured on numerous blogs. The only promotion I have to do is spend an hour a day on my Author Platform.
If its about the money - then yes you will make more per book selling it yourself, but the actual profit will be reduced by your expenses and the time required to promote the book. You also loose if you have to put the book on sale or give copies away for reviews, or as promotion. The number of books sold at a reasonable price will be the real factor in the total profit. My research showed TP books sell better and faster and at higher prices.
The kind of propaganda you state here, I've read many times and it's simply incorrect. If authors want all the control and think all the money is worth it then self-publish. They have every right. Why slam Traditional Publishing - it doesn't make them MORE right. It's simply their decision.
I decided when I started writing that I would not self-publish. I want to write, not promote. I don't need the stress and I'm very happy with the royalties and support I've received from my publisher. I would never slam self-publishing to justify my decision.
Christine wrote: "I'm very happy with the royalties and support I've received from my publisher."I'm delighted to hear it, and wish you the very best of continued success with your obviously carefully thought out choices.
We shall have to agree to disagree on whether this is propaganda - or the wave of the future, which is already here.
I have obviously been drinking at a different well.
But the original discussion was about why good writers on the indie side might not submit their work to traditional publishing, and instead decide to self-publish it.
I've been reading publishing blogs for over four years, as part of my education on the business side, and I find the arguments far more compelling on the self-publishing side.
The basic difference: self-publishing is a choice - and traditional publishing is not. Even good books may not find a publisher or take a long time to - that is also opportunity cost. I tried it last century with my first novel, and found the waiting for an envelope with another rejection saying they liked my writing - but not this book - completely stopped me from writing.
Learning about self-publishing as I wrote the novel I just published, and knowing that the novel WOULD be published, was crucial for the freedom to write, to experiment, to push myself.
And I think it resulted in a much better book. Which is the only thing that matters. The money is a bonus, as is the retention of rights, and all the other side benefits.
Alicia
The fact you are happy with your choice and that you made it a thoughtful and practical decision for you is all that matters.I am a retired accountant and business consultant and as such I'm fully aware of the business side of writing. I think it's wonderful when a writer is savvy enough to do her homework and make decisions based on facts and figures, rather than whims and bias.
My apologies if I sounded demeaning - that was not my intention. But painting all publishers with the same brush is simply not fair.
I've met too many SP authors who spend all there time promoting. I could never do that. I want to write, publish and enjoy the fact my book is being read and promoted, while I work on my next projects.
Good luck with your book - I hope you find much success with your writing.
Thank you - forgive any equivalent in my tone.I sometimes forget that the path to an indie choice is not obvious to an interlocutor.
As a business person, you are in a particularly good place to evaluate the business side of choices - and choose exactly what you want.
I just spent the morning MAKING MS Word (how, I'm not sure) let me use my font choices - the last step for paper. Finish the layout, send off the pdf files for cover and interior, and then put my head down and get back to the writing; I've launched enough pebbles into the pond that I can sit back and wait a while to see if any of the ripples lift the readers I need, the Influencers.
I want to write, publish, and enjoy, too, while I finish this project.
Best wishes to you - may the Muses be smiling.
If a story doesn't grab after 3-4 pages, then I give up. I have over 182 books on Kindle which will be there forever unless I delete them. I have a short attention span which means I'll read 3 stories at a time.
Michael wrote: "If a story doesn't grab after 3-4 pages, then I give up. I have over 182 books on Kindle which will be there forever unless I delete them. I have a short attention span which means I'll read 3 stor..."Michael,
I too am able to usually determine whether or not a book suits my taste after reading just a few pages. Good luck vetting those 182 books.
Thank you for remaining a loyal follower of the blog and once again taking the time to post a comment.
Jim Vuksic
Michael wrote: "If a story doesn't grab after 3-4 pages, then I give up."[ETA: DO NOT BUY - it was not an attempt to get you even think about buying.]
Hi. I just checked, and Amazon Australia doesn't seem to have a Look Inside feature for Pride's Children. Do you have access to the US Amazon website?
I'd dearly like your opinion on whether, after you get to the prologue/prothalamion page, 3 or 4 pages would be enough to get you interested, if you wouldn't mind taking a look for me. Farther is fine, too.
Hope this is okay under Goodreads terms - I'm new to that part. Many of the readers who made it through to the end (several are quoted in the book description) were men, and they are a big part of my target audience.
I understand if this isn't something you do - but you did express a strong opinion. And I don't drop backstory on readers - it bores me when I read that in other books.
Alicia
Yes, I usually start with the US version of Amazon. I will check out your Pride's children later today.
Michael wrote: "Yes, I usually start with the US version of Amazon. I will check out your Pride's children later today."Thank you! That is very kind.
Alicia
Alicia wrote: "I'd dearly like your opinion on whether, after you get to the prologue/prothalamion page, 3 or 4 pages would be enough to get you interested, ...Hope this is okay under Goodreads terms - I'm new to that part. ...I understand if this isn't something you do -..."Your request to Michael is considered SPAM and under the Goodreads TOS you cannot promote your book except in those threads designed for that purpose. This may seem like an informal discussion, but I'm afraid your request is unacceptable. I'm sure Michael will probably help you out anyway, but you should keep this in mind in the future - most members would not be as tolerant.
Ok. Even if I don't want him to buy it (which I don't)? Would that be better as a private message to someone after they've become a friend?It was a response to his stating he only needs a couple of pages to make up his mind.
I think it takes me less: I'm usually sure by the end of the first paragraph of the actual story, and prologues only get a few words.
Alicia wrote: "Ok. Even if I don't want him to buy it (which I don't)? Would that be better as a private message to someone after they've become a friend?..."A private message would be worse. You have to understand that the majority of members of Goodreads are READERS and will be quite unset when authors ask them to get involved in their books - whether its checking it, reading it, buying it. Its all considered SPAM.
The idea of Goodreads is to connect and converse with other readers. Join in the discussions and voice your opinions. Your friends may send recommendations for books they have enjoyed that they think you will like (NEVER send out recommendations for your own book). They need to get to know you and your taste in reading.
Keep in mind that anyone can check out you and your books at any point in time by clicking on your name. I've found some of the best books by checking author profiles of people I'm talking to in a discussion. I look at their books and the genre and decide if I want to read them. The author hasn't done or said anything about their books.
Nothing turns off readers faster than an author pushing their own book. Also if you are reported for SPAM often enough, you can loose your author privileges. Just connect with other readers and enjoy the discussions.
Discussing how you decide to read a book is one thing - asking someone to check out your book is SPAM.
No problem - appreciate you looking.Apologize for asking publicly - thanks for being a good sport.
I can't. The first time I see it's when the author means its or vice versa, the counter starts. When characters cast their eyes at someone, I hope the someone ducks. When the same word is used repeatedly (one of my own sins, which I root out with a vengeance unless we get so many synonyms it ends up a writing mess). When character names are Dickensian (he could get away with it; mainstream writers can't)...
The counter goes up too quickly, the book gets dropped. I guess I'm a snob, but I was brought up on the classics, and printer books with good editors and proper typesetters and proofreaders.
I live in fear someone will find a typo in the first three chapters of my debut novel. I cleaned up the rest over and over, and the last scenes - but I spent extra time on the beginning so the Look Inside sample would be clean.
Maybe that would be time better spent generating new work, but I just can't give the world another poorly-edited indie book.
Other authors have different opinions - they are welcome to them. There are enough readers out there for Dan Brown AND for me. Or so I hope.
I am SO looking forward to going through your blog posts! It's like finding a hidden trove of chocolate.