The Horrors of Immature Indie Authors

I really haven't been doing this indie author thing all that long. Yes, I had a stint with a gang and we put out three really good anthologies under the ID Press banner between 2016-2020, but I've only been doing this stuff on my own since late 2022.

Still, in that time, I've met some of the most wonderful people...and some of the most deplorable. No, I'm not going to name the deplorable names, so if that's what you're looking for? Look elsewhere.

Let me tell you a couple of stories...

I met one person who, at the time we'd met, had a single indie publication to their name. Interested, I ordered it up and read it. It wasn't bad, but there was a specific theme they'd been trying to push through the narrative and it was failing spectacularly (they understood this, it wasn't me telling them), however, they were unaware at the abysmal level of editing. The publication was literally rife with spelling errors, grammatical errors, half-sentences...it was a mess. They asked for a list and, on my own time, I pointed out every one I caught...and believe me, there were many (like, several per page). They were a little crushed, because apparently they'd paid a substantial amount of money to an editor to clean it up. I think the editor took the money and did nothing.

Anyway, we became friendly, and had a few conversations. Then they asked if I would read their newest novel that they hoped to sell. I read it and offered lots of advice on ways to streamline and improve the story, boost up the characters, and fix the pacing. All my opinion, of course, but they asked. And, I did all this for free, thinking they'd likely do the same for me when I had something ready. I sent back all the suggestions and then...crickets.

Now, I know some authors take criticism better than others, which is why I always pre-warn that I will be honest, but I'll always provide reasoning for my suggestions, and this author accepted that. Still, I was concerned that I might have stepped on their toes (god knows, it's happened before, and it'll happen again). So, I followed up, checking to see. No response.

I followed up one last time. No response. I've never heard from that author since.

The kicker? Flash forward a year or two and what do I find? That book, now published, on the bookshelf in the store where I worked. And I will say, I recognized some of the changes. There was a big "thank you" list...I was not mentioned (and I truly didn't expect to be).

My point is, there's times where feedback may be painful to receive, and it may be valid, it may not, that's for the author to decide. However, as I tell my kids quite often, "if you don't want the answer, don't ask the question."

But, if you take the advice, acknowledge the source.

One more short one.

There was another author...also a publisher (yes, they're both) and they had a book that they'd written that sounded really interesting. I picked it up and...I didn't like it much. Hey, it happens to every one of us. No author in the history of fiction has ever written a novel that was universally adored. Not one. Not even Harper Lee with TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (though that one? Yeah, it should be universally adored).

Anyway, I wrote a review (as I do for every book I read) and I pointed out the aspects I wasn't crazy about, but also pointed out that, if you liked the style of one very popular author, you'd very likely love this book. I was critical, but I don't think I was mean...but hey, maybe I'm wrong.

Within 24 hours of that review, that author/publisher blocked me on every single social media platform.

Once again, I can maybe...MAYBE...see that from an author. But you're a publisher, too. You PUBLISH books. So you KNOW that some books are loved and hated at the same time. Hell, everyone loves DA VINCI CODE. I despise that book. So many people love AMERICAN PSYCHO, where I just wanted my time back because I felt it had been completely wasted. It happens.

So, for a PUBLISHER to block someone for a critical review?

Yeah, you have some maturing to do.

So, here's my thing. If you ever help me with anything to do with my writing? I'm going to thank you. Publicly (unless you prefer I don't).

And, if you ever read my stuff, dislike it, and give me a nasty review?

I'll thank you.

Because you bought the book, or at least took the time to read it. And that gives you every single right to speak your truth about your experience with my writing. Love it? Great! Hate it? Also great! If you care enough to take time out of your life to leave a review, no matter if it's praising or critical, I'll be eternally grateful.

Thanks for reading.