You've guessed correctly. I have a full blown rant in me, and it demands its way out. So, fasten your seat belt and hold on to your wig, it'll get rough.As a self-published author I'm frequenting fora on a regular basis. Often just to chat, more often though, to discuss. It can get heated, which is fine by me, as long as it stays factual. I will also hit people verbally over the head every now and again. Trust me, they deserve it. And it happened a lot more often lately as some people are seriously not one, but a few sandwiches short of a picnic.
I have lost count on how many new authors popped on one of my threads where we discuss self-published books, announcing they've just published their first book, and asking either me or all participants to take a look at it, then feed back to them. My favourite: Any constructive review would be great.
Excuse me? Are you telling me that you have not had anyone look at your book before publishing? Are you serious? I mean, really? Are you serious?
That explains a lot. Asking for feedback when the book is already published is so clever, even I'm impressed. Not! I wonder why people ask others to look at their offerings and tell them what they think. Is it really important to them? To be honest, I don't care at all. Go look at my book and tell me you think it's shite. Fine, if it makes you feel better. Of course a review is important, mainly for the potential buyer, but that's a different matter. Asking people for feedback after a glance at the 'look inside' feature is baffling to say the least. What do they need feedback for? Either the book is edited and polished or it's not. If it's not, then go and fix it. Before publishing! It worries me that amateurs, who can't even be bothered to use Google to find writers' sites and learn the craft before they even think of publishing, seem to take it as a given that readers are their guinea pigs. When have readers become beta readers by default?
I really don't need to take a look when it's a first time author, 99% of the cases are in dire need of an edit.
And it's a brave move to ask me, the one who initially started that thread stating that I'm not impressed with self-published books in general, what I think of their novel, because the answer will most possibly hurt. I don't have respect for people who don't work hard and gain skills before publishing. I'm very sorry if that sounds arrogant, but even the most talented person needs some practice. And after my deleting marathon, I'm not really keen on reading more dross. Thank you very much. Plus, I certainly don't have the time to read opening after opening, telling those hopeful souls the bad news. Most of them won't even go and hire an editor, so it's lost energy, or my sanity. Maybe even both in the worst case scenario.
Amen to this, Stella. I'm running out of steam for reviewing. I tried having a private word with the author, including analyzing some passages, giving solid editing advice ... then nothing, not even a 'thank you'.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this.
Sad. I've been luckier. There were a few on the thread I helped off-line, and one has completely rewritten her novel after I've been through chapter one and the synopsis. She appreciated what I said and took it on board. She's not there yet, and needs more work, but I think the book is still in ms form, so that's okay.
DeleteI'm not reviewing, never really did, and I'm not contacting anyone, unless I know the author and know they can take it. It can take me up to two hours to go through five pages and it's my time I'm wasting. Nope, thanks.
I have the sense that there may evolve two groups of indie authors: 1) a professional group, who may or may not have also published traditionally but know the craft well enough to know how long it takes for a book to be ready 2) those who use it (reader reviews, etc.) as their apprenticeship, much in the way the rejections I got from agents taught me how to write.
ReplyDeleteHowever experienced we are as writers, a book can almost always use more editing, another draft, etc. My debut, which is to come out in January, will be in its 22nd draft. Hopefully we don't always need quite that much reworking, but as you say--the temptation to hurry things, which works on the indie time frame, but not on the traditional, will be avoided by any but novice writers.
I think we're already there. I mean we all make mistakes. Hell, I've not been able to release one book without errors. But that's not the point, I know that my stories are tight, and the writing is up to scratch. May not be Pulitzer Prize material, but I know the story works, I have beta readers who would've told me otherwise. I don't agree on 'it can always use more editing', I know what you mean, but want to dissolve it for new writers. You have to stop at one point, as you could over-edit and that's dangerous. But in general, I agree. And by that I mean looking out for errors. It's hard, though, I have a great eye for detail when it comes to that, but I failed my own mss. I gave it my best, but I start to lose focus and overlook things.
DeleteThe main issue is that people go and ask for constructive reviews after publishing. Reviews are not for the author, if they still need constructive feedback, they shouldn't hit the publish button. From what I've experienced, many just want their story to be praised. When their told that their writing sucks, they're hurt, and get back that their grandma and all friends loved it.
I wish I could share my Twitter DM feed with you Stella. It would make you vomit!! I delete hundreds of these types of messages per week. Unfortunately the world is now full of 'would be' authors who want everybody else to do the hard work for them. I use the delete button a lot! :)
ReplyDeleteHot button, eh? :-)
DeleteNobody does that to me on Twitter; guess they're all scared now.
But they do it on the forum.
Wow! Good thing you let it out Stella. Such a breath of fresh air, eh? I have to agree with you with one of your replies that most of them just wanted to be praised. I think it is innate already for us human to want more praise and recognition for things that we have accomplished. But that should not be the case when it comes to publishing a book. You see, you are also right when you said that people should not publish their book if they still want constructive criticisms and feedback for it. Once a decision is made to publish a book, then it should follow that the author is already satisfied with the outcome of the book after numerous editing and proofreading and should be ready to whatever comments readers may have, be it negative or positive.
ReplyDelete