I read this article on Huffpost today titled: “Readers Don't Owe Authors Shit” (link at the bottom of this post). It made me very sad. So much anger and spite from a reader towards indie authors who ask for reviews from readers and indie booksellers asking for readers to come buy books from them, to help keep them from going out of business.
Here is my comment that I posted:
“So sad. Every man for himself! Just give me what I want and screw you! I don't owe you shit!
How about this: It's not about owing people anything. It's about finding good reads and wanting to encourage an author to write more of them by telling people about the books. And how about this, too: You can increase the overall level of reading material out there by talking about the good stuff with other like-minded people.
If you won't do it, who will? “Some other guy.” Yeah. That's always a great attitude to have. Let someone else handle making our community a better place to be.
Reading and reviewing is not just about being -part- of a community, but being a -contributing member- of a community. Without reviewing, you're a bystander … someone decrying pollution and then walking past an empty beer can on the sidewalk, expecting someone else to dump it in the recycle bin right next to you.
Why all the anger? Is it really necessary? Just leave a review for books you love, already. Will it hurt you? No, of course not. You can write a one-sentence review in less than a minute. Will it help the author write more good books? Yes, absolutely. Good reviews sell books. Sold books = income. Income = more writing. More writing = more good books. Why does this have to be so difficult? Can't we all just get along?
I have a dream…”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brenna-clarke-gray/readers-dont-owe-authors-_b_3062474.html
The traditional printing companies placed a stranglehold on writers and hence readers where only able to read materials the printing companies “approved”. With the advent of Kindle and other readers it opened up the world to Indie writers and greatly expanded our choices. I’ve seen some Indie writers get picked up by traditional printing companies and they have lost their fan base because of it. On the other hand I know of a few writers who turned down the same offers and have moved on to even greater sales and fans. Sure the reader has to put up with some bad editing jobs but even those are becoming few and far between.
I would never chose to read anything on HUFFPO, all I see is hate there unless you agree with their ideals.
I actually read the post on PassiveVoice, but it was originally published on Huffpo. I read PassiveVoice almost every day. 🙂
I find it hard to understand how someone can read a book, enjoy it and not want to tell others about a good read. In my family, I’m the only one who’s really addicted to books – it’s wonderful to find a whole on-line community with the same mindset. I appreciate the opportunity to point other readers in the direction of a favourite book or author.
Julia x
Thanks for the comment. I have a few family members who are book nuts and I love sharing book recommendations with them. I’m with you on that! 🙂