Let me set a scene. Sunday morning. My ‘day off’. My daughter running around like a monkey…stoked because I promised her I wouldn’t work. I got up, drank some kefir, checked my facebook…the usual. There was a message from a British man who read my first novel, ‘Joe Café’. He had some questions about the book. He had a valid argument. I spent about 15 minutes and 500 words explaining my feelings on character and what I was trying to accomplish. It was all very civil. He was happy. My daughter wanted to play, but I thought that it was important to take a few minutes and respond to someone who took the time to read my novel. I still feel this way.
Next, I checked my email and was greeted by a link to a blog about readers’ feelings regarding writers…specifically Indie Writers. It was a good read. I learned a few things. I also got a little bit pissed off because I keep hearing the same things from readers. ‘I’m tired of writers pushing their books on me all the time.’ ‘I’m tired of writers trying to sell books on facebook instead of getting to know me as a person.’ ‘I wrote an email to the author of a book I read and he/she didn’t even email me back.’ ‘I am tired of buying novels that are poorly edited.’
I feel your pain, readers. Now let me drop some writer’s beefs on you. You can’t have your cake and eat it, too. My first novel took about eight months to write. Add another couple months for revision. Add some money in for design help. Professional editing? That’s gonna cost ya half a grand or so. But time, Jesus does it take a lot of time. The cost there is incalculable. I pretty much hate facebook, and the only reason I spend hours a day on there is because that’s the only way I can get my work out there – it’s part of my job. I’m not selling my novels for .99 cents. You have to be out of your minds. $3.99 is absurdly low, but I can live with it. I accept that writing fiction will ALWAYS cost me.
Indie writers use social networking to sell their work. I agree, it is annoying when all a writer does is push their novel. I try not to do that. I spend a lot of time interacting with people…recommending books that don’t net me a dime…giving advice on everything from how to write to how to interact with your kids. (A lot of folks know I used to be a teacher and that I worked with special needs kids. I give a LOT of free advice.) That’s cool with me.
My first novel has a dozen or so minor typos, but it is by no means unreadable…most of the people who have read ‘Joe Café’ never noticed them. My second novel, ‘The Biker’…well, I ponied up the money to have it edited. It’s a lot cleaner. But it wasn’t free. Every novel has typos, Indie or not.
I want to tread real carefully here, because I think this is important, and I think it is imperative that you hear what I am saying – without getting defensive. When you buy a novel, you don’t buy a friend or a therapist. When you spend .99 cents on a novel, you shouldn’t be surprised if it is as bad as the convenience store coffee that costs the same. Indie writers aren’t getting rich. When I take 15 minutes to write you a personal message, that is 15 minutes I’m not writing, playing with my daughter, helping my wife…living my life.
I don’t mean to sound bitter here, but c’mon folks. I have sold a good number of novels and, financially, it is still a losing enterprise. You watch TV. There are commercials. Do you call Toyota and expect them to help explain how your kid’s Central Auditory Processing Disorder makes class tough for him? Do you get pissed at the commercials for ‘getting in your face’? Hell, don’t you deserve to be entertained for free? Of course you don’t. Entertainment costs money. Even from us lowly, non-incorporated, Indie writers.
I’m not bitter, I swear. I like writing, but we all need to wake the hell up. Writers shouldn’t hawk their books like used car salesmen. I try not to. But I do need to try and sell the damn things. Writers should appreciate their fans. I do. Many of us do. Part of the reason I do two posts a week on here (for free) is because I appreciate Indie writers AND Indie fans. On my blog, www.jdmader.com, there are FIFTY free short stories and tons of essays, humorous pieces, interviews, reviews…ten years worth of work. All available for free. No advertising. No nothing. My gift to you. That’s like half a dozen books. And some of those stories have been published. Some have won prizes. A few were complimented by The New Yorker, for God’s sake.
I’m tired of writers bitching about how they aren’t selling books when they come into every interaction with a hard sell…to the point that it makes me uncomfortable. I’m tired of writers who can’t take a few minutes to thank their fans and be decent people and recognize that without readers, the books are pretty useless. I’m tired of writers who don’t pay an editor or spend hours and hours…weeks editing themselves.
I’m equally tired of readers who complain about writers putting up their good reviews as advertisement for their work. I’m tired of readers who think paying more than .99 cents for an e-book is ridiculous. I’m tired of readers who can’t see the wonderful forest for a handful of typos. I’m tired of readers who don’t understand that, thanks to the internet, you can read some of the best writers in the world…for free or a nominal cost…without even putting on pants.
We pay so much to be entertained. A two hour movie costs ten bucks. You have advertisements shoved down your throat before (and DURING) the movie. You don’t get to talk to the actors, writers, or producers. There are mistakes…we’re all human. But you don’t complain online and make it personal. Why do you get to complain about books? Why do you get to insult writers?
I love that people want to read my books. Our books. I am more than happy to go the extra mile and get to know you. Answer your questions. Help you out if I can. If you really can’t afford the four bucks to buy the book, but you want to read it, I’ll give you a copy. But you, dear reader, need to understand that it takes me around a year to produce a novel. So, if you think $3.99 is too much to pay for the novel, access to the writer, and continued enjoyment of the product…well, go watch TV. Seriously. I’m trying to be cool here. Why don’t you meet me halfway?
I have not personally felt this backlash. Partly, because I do go above and beyond to get people reading. Reading anything. Not just my books. But I hear the complaints. I read about the ‘reader’s perspective’. So, turnabout’s fair play. Put yourself in our shoes. I work 12 hours a day. And when I’m done, I write an email to someone I’ve never met because they want a “personal connection”. They didn’t pay for it, but cool, money isn’t everything. But that means I get to promote my novel and not be chastised for it. I will do it as tactfully as possible. You get what you pay for. The way e-books are right now, you can get a whole hell of a lot more than what you pay for. I’m grateful that things are the way they are. But it bothers me a little bit when I hear complaints from readers who fill their Kindles for less than it costs to fill their gas tanks and then complain about it. We should all be grateful. And you should stop bitching. Unless you want US to start bitching. And, trust me, you don’t want that.
I realize that the annoying writers are the exception, not the rule. And I realize that annoying readers are the exception, not the rule. A lot of people who have read my work help me to promote it. That is awesome. And generous. Unfortunately, those who bitch the loudest, get the grease. And there are some greasy bastards out there. Writers work very hard for little money. Readers, when you buy a book, you take a chance. You may love it or hate it. It may be well written. It may not. We can’t choose our readers. You can choose the writers you read. Try reading some writers who care about the reader/writer relationship – writers that put tons of effort into their work. But sorry, you may have to pay more than .99 cents. And sometimes you’ll get burned. Just like at the movie theater. And sometimes you won’t. I know a lot of really, really good writers who can’t afford to go to the movies themselves. Ruminate on that for a minute before you lump us all together and get all entitled. (Bad writing pun, that’s gotta be worth a quarter right there).
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JD Mader is a Contributing Author for Indies Unlimited and author of the novels JOE CAFÉ and THE BIKER. For more information, please see the IU Bio page and his blog:www.jdmader.com.
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You have a point, JD, but I consider you lucky to have enough of an audience that you hear bitching from readers … all I hear is crickets.
I consider myself lucky, too, but there was a lot of hard work involved.
Do you take your own advice when your alter ego is the reader and not the author, :p
Yup. Back when I had time to read.
Readers do expect a heck of a lot for their $.99. I made a promise to the readers of my series that they would never pay more than $.99 for the e-versions and I'm doing my best to keep that promise. The are short (100-130 pages) mysteries with very little fluff (I do have family matters that bring some tears, some laughs interspersed with the mystery)…someone gets killed, the skilled detective and his team figure it out and BAM the killer is caught. Hello, goodbye, the end. My readers love it! Those that don't move on and that's OK. I've finally accepted that I cannot please everyone. I do my best to catch everything I humanly can. I edit and edit and edit–my editors edited when I had them. I delight in turning out the best product I can, but I am a human being and I'm going to make mistakes. Those that accept that continue to read…those that don't are welcome to move on if it bothers them too much to stick with me. I love my readers, but I won't be a doormat for a typo.
I won't be a doormat for a typo. You gotta write a country song. 🙂
Linda- I fully agree with you! I pour heart and soul into every work I put out. No, not all are professionally edited, but I spend months getting a book ready to go; and when it launches, I can only cross my fingers and hope they like it. If not, back to the drawing board. And as much as I try to make sure the books are typo-free, it still happens. And then there are those who grumble that I didn't go deep enough into a character's feelings- sorry, the book is only 44K words, and it was more of a "get to know the main character" book, for there is more to come–not to mention a FREE book. No, I guess we can't please them all, and I know we all strive to do our best. Sometimes reviews sting, and it's hard not to question our place in the writing world then. But we have to carry on–especially if it's a passion. I write because I have to, just that simple.
Dan, I think you spoke for many of us today. And so eloquently. When we get discouraged there is usually good reason for it. But we keep on writing, don't we? Good thing we have each other.
Good thing, indeed Yvonne! Thanks!
Excellent JD! I wish some readers would just stop their bitching…I've been reading ONLY Indie writers for close to a year now and it's the best decision I've made. I have discovered REALLY good ones like you, Stephen Hise, Susan Wells Bennett, S. L. Pierce, and Lexus Luke, just to name a few. I have run into one or two pretty horrible books but that won't stop me from my continued support.
When I encounter a typo I mark it on the kindle and write a short email with my findings to the author, really simple and I feel like I'm helping out (what authors do with the info is up to them). I also beta read for a couple of Indies…for free. I'm not an editor nor am I great with grammar and such but I'm pretty good with timelines and catching typos.
As you know (you're listed) I run the BJLibrary, which is also a free service I provide Indie authors, all because I think most of you guys are a diamond in the rough.
BTW I have also caught typos in the Harry Potter books, so even "professionals" that can afford editors have TYPOS.
Again, JD excellent article.
Thanks Grace, and THANKS for all you do for the community! You deserve some kind of trophy. We can't afford to get you one, but we would if we could. 😉
*Goes all quiet and serious*
Dan, dude, this is another slam dunk. I feel it. I mean *feel* it. It's visceral, gut-level, and to be honest, it's incredibly hurtful when I see readers turn on writers (or vice versa, for that matter, but I haven't witnessed the sheer *meanness* I've seen the former way around). Like you, I haven't experienced it personally. Yet.
We are all readers, too, and I simply can't fathom the apparent loathing some readers have for writers. I've always *liked* writers, for pity's sake, even the crazy SOBs like Hunter S or Burroughs, and long before I had the hubris to out myself as one. Now, the key there, of course, is that word "some", but if you find yourself lost in certain scary Amazon neighborhoods, or even Goodreads, there are gangs waiting in the shadows for you and clicking Coke bottles together while taunting "writers… come out and pla-a-ay."
I don't get it. But I do have an instinct that we need to avoid caricaturing and stereotyping. Other than that, I have to say something no writer should have to resort to: there are no words! It's a freaking mystery.
Well said, D. I agree, I worshipped writers. I still do. Being a writer is the best thing you can be (in my book). I think we have gotten vicious in many arenas. How many people were gnashing their teeth waiting for Amy Winehouse to die…looking at pictures of her all fucked up. Sad, that people can take glee in anyone dying. But yeah, writers…musicians…the world has changed for all of us. The benefit of the doubt is GONE. Now you prove yourself or get buried. Elvis died and the world mourned. Today he would be mocked on youtube.
Yeah, I was saying something similar about politics on my FB page earlier. I genuinely don't get the rancour. Or even that I spell rancour that way. Certainly the "if you're not with me, you're against me" mentality has taken a front seat lately. Here's my version: "if you're not with me, you have my undying respect as a discerning and perceptive observer of humanity… but you'll miss out on a lot of beer, wine, stupidity and bathroom humour." Okay, that needs work. But hey.
And now I just got sad all over again for Amy Winehouse. Thanks, bro.
Agree with all that, except finding a cup of coffee for 99 cents anymore. It's like two bucks at the closest gas station. 😉
Thanks McNally. You're not drinking the gas are you? Drink the coffee, huff the gas. I swear, we can't keep having this conversation… 🙂
Ha! JD…no trophy needed or wanted. Just keep writing.
You can count on it. 😉
Bravo! J. D. You have put it very clearly. I wonder how many of those readers have ever tried to make personal contact with a famous writer. I'll bet they wouldn't complain about not getting a response because they wouldn't expect it. But it seems they think Indie writers are should be different, more available. As if they don't have a life to live.
Maybe those readers should learn to be a little more selective about their choices in books.
I wonder if the less people pay for something the less they value it and therefore find more fault with it. I guess as long as we have to deal with human beings we will run across this sort of thing. Most people would rather look for the negatives than the positives in life. A lot of people thrive on grumbling. I personally believe that there is a lot more to the positive side of life than the negative, but the negative is usually much more visible and that is what people tend to jump on.
I agree about the $.99 coffee, too. Most people will pay twice that several times a day for good coffee. How much is that for one week, one month? So why the unwillingness to pay a few dollars for a good book? The coffee is gone in a few minutes. You keep the book for a lifetime. It is a mystery.
I don't get it. You're right about the grumbling, too. Maybe I'm getting old, but it sure seems like people grumble a lot more than they used to…..
Thanks for the thoughtful comment!
I've known people who I'm sure would not be happy if they couldn't find something to grumble about. It's non-stop. They don't know any other way to live. Sad.
I agree. Complaining is the new black.
Trying to read over all the comments, but all I heard was "Elvis is dead."
Now I've forgotten what the post was about. Crap! Next time you should lead out with news like that.
Okay, something about buying a .99c book and blaming the author for typos. Sheesh, I knew exactly what I wanted to say too. Frak! (SciFi reference for Stephen)
Well, I think my reply had something to do with telling you what a great post it was, but damn if I can remember it now. Elvis. Frak!
LOL. Thanks RUSH!!!!!
Finally! I was playing to crickets for a minute there. 😉
Excellent post sir, as always.
Great article! And much to be said about whiny readers. I took the advice of a successful Indie author (who got to quit his day job) and published a FREE ebook. With a little free tactical marketing, the book has had over 3,000 downloads between Amazon and Smashwords. Not bad, considering the rest of my books all totaled had maybe 400. But even though it's free, I've had my share of ungrateful readers. Geez, it's FREE- don't grumble! If you catch a typo, please tell me, but don't slam me for giving you something for free.
So, this little free experiment has helped, because, even though the book was not professionally edited (I wish!), it did get my name out there for folks to see and get a taste of my style. The good thing: I've seen an increase in sales of my shorts and my massive military thriller series. So sometimes a freebie is a good thing. I don't drink coffee, but paying $3.50 for a SMALL hot chocolate at Starbucks- you gotta be kidding me!
I've read some really good Indie authors, and all I can say is most of us are works in progress. Looking back on what I wrote a year ago, I see I've grown in my writing; we all do- and hopefully to a positive.
Keep up the good work, Indies, we'll show 'em!
Well said. Writing is one of the few things you get better at as you age.
JD awesome post.
It is true that a few, the vocal minority, make the most waves. On the other side of the coin, when a complete stranger leaves a kickass review, the feeling is more than any $2.10 could ever pay me.
Keep up the great work JD, I love your message.
This is worth repeating: that unexpected review that makes you float on air for a day or two is priceless, yes.
Thanks Jim! Much obliged. And yeah, that random review is sweet. 😉