tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4460209779821780899.post7813009508010295699..comments2024-02-08T06:46:00.071-06:00Comments on The Scribblerati: On Diversicon and the Success of Amanda HockingShawn Enderlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114716025423874806noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4460209779821780899.post-7105501470669997132011-09-07T00:42:50.215-05:002011-09-07T00:42:50.215-05:00You spelled my name wrong.You spelled my name wrong.Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09581880415411016683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4460209779821780899.post-47018289450718032392011-09-06T19:55:44.933-05:002011-09-06T19:55:44.933-05:00John,
Ae you finished ranting about self publishe...John,<br /><br />Ae you finished ranting about self published books yet? Wow, what an awul, boring rant you put out there, though I'm sure you thought it was good and worth reading. Why not put it in ebook format and put it on kindle and see if anyone is interested enough to buy it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4460209779821780899.post-66958241732774609252011-08-14T18:32:03.351-05:002011-08-14T18:32:03.351-05:00UPDATE COMMENT!!!
"I think it's one thin...UPDATE COMMENT!!!<br /><br />"I think it's one thing to self-pub a novel with a few grammatical errors, or one that may not be as polished as it could be, but it's another thing entirely to self-pub something that's just awful."<br /><br />See, I think that's the rub, Shawn. This is what I’ve found to be the inherent problem with the majority of the people self-publishing: They just aren't honest/talented/smart enough to be able to identify these problems beforehand. They're too busy blaming “the evil gatekeepers who don't understand their remarkable vision and amazing talent.” There's no choke built into the self-publishing process and it desperately needs one, desperately, especially since the e-book wave has wiped out the need to produce any physical stock.<br /><br />Admittedly, I haven't read tons and tons of self-published books, (at this point though, it’s mostly because I’ve learned my lesson) but I've sampled... oh, like a dozen plus or so and I can honestly say that not a single one was well done, grammar being just the tip of the iceberg. Several of them I couldn't even finish. Just bad, bad, bad. First draft bad, forget "no editor", they didn't even have a non-spouse/parent read the god damn thing before hitting “post”.<br /><br />I think you are right to be worried about the perception of self-publishing. We all should be, it's a very possible future (as you well know) for all of us, and the majority of these people are quite simply terrible. Terrible. Like “waiting for Guffman” in real life terrible. Some of them might make some money, but I have yet to find one that is putting out anything of quality. <br /><br />Why aren’t they concerned about their spelling? Why? Why is it that bad reviews are the things that inform EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM that this is an important thing? Seriously, it’s like it’s mandatory for them all to post at some point: “I know some of the grammar isn’t the best, so I will be putting out a new volume after hiring a professional editor, doop-a-doop-do nerp.” What the hell?<br /><br />And the worst part? If any of us ever self-publish and things stay as they are, we’ll all be forced to stand there in a big crowd with these people, which means every consumer who comes along will automatically assume we’re all the same. <br /><br />The barbarians are in the city, my friend, and they are burying everything good under their massive pile of crap. <br /><br />And that sucks.Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09581880415411016683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4460209779821780899.post-36997502265973565682011-08-04T23:04:19.079-05:002011-08-04T23:04:19.079-05:00Agreed. Self publishing will only be a good oppor...Agreed. Self publishing will only be a good opportunity for as long as there is enough "good enough" stuff out there. If not, nobody will be willing to take a chance on it. And then I'll be screwed!Shawn Enderlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11114716025423874806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4460209779821780899.post-10293999694323526052011-08-03T18:24:40.580-05:002011-08-03T18:24:40.580-05:00Diversicon was a lot of fun.
Good blog. I think i...Diversicon was a lot of fun.<br /><br />Good blog. I think it's also about satisfying yourself and allowing yourself to be satisfied. <br /><br />Honesty helps too. I think some people confuse "difficult changes/doing the work" with "good enough" and maybe that's where some of self publsihing gets its rep. Hopefully that will change in the future.Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09581880415411016683noreply@blogger.com