And it has begun. As soon as a story I wrote about self-publishing appeared in the paper, so did the critics. Not about the book itself, but the nature of self-publishing. The story appeared on Quad-Cities Online where readers could comment about the story.
Immediately, I was told I wasn't a "real" writer. The terms "flash in the pan," "scam artist," "cheap" and "self-involved" came out in full force. My favorite critics were telling me (anonymously, mind you) that I somehow wouldn't be allowed into this seemingly illustrious writers clique.
Immediately, I think about a dark room in the back of an unknown writers' club where everyone smokes big cigars, drinks expensive Scotch and wine, talking in haughty English accents about prose, authors I've never heard of and the like. But, to be in the club, you have to pay your dues by getting published in literary journals. Basically, as I took one online comment, you have to write for writers.
Well, I say screw that. I can tell you many reasons why I write. The most basic one is that I love it. The second was that I had something to say. I wrote for my friends, a generation of people who don't keep bookshelves of leather bound books like Ron Burgundy.
As I like to put it, I write for people who don't read. My most influential author, Chuck Palahniuk, did that for me. The book Fight Club got me into reading. Now I can't stop.
But he didn't self-publish. I did. That's why I'm just some hack.
Online, I was defended by another anonymous person who said self-publishing was closest to the author's true voice. And then, my favorite ignoramus quote of all time: "An author this inexperienced doesn't need to have his 'true voice' heard."
In essence, if you're not a member of the club, shut up. Well, it's funny. I'm putting in my quote book to remind myself again why I write - to keep a voice out there.
But, I'm sure that's the least of the criticism to come my way. I'm not worried.
Just remember: The easiest way to avoid criticism is to not do anything. As soon as you do, people will attack you for any reason. I say bring it.
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8 comments:
I have no problem with self-publishing. And I understand that self-promotion must accompany such an effort.
But I am curious why you wouldn't at least attempt to get an agent and an editor and pitch the book to a publisher. It would have made it much more polilshed and reached a wider audience.
If you truly believe in your talents and your voice and that your message is worth hearing - why not try to make it as widely distributed as possible?
The whole thing started as kind of an ode to my friends and our college days. Then it actually turned into something, (at least I think so).
Then one day I just decided to do it myself (although without the help of Shawn and Matt I'd be nowhere). I wanted to see if I could do something I've never done before with no experience in the field.
As far as my talents -- I had no idea where they were. This was my first real piece of fiction. I just know what I liked and how I wanted it to sound.
I don't regret it for a second.
The next novel, maybe I'll try to sell it or maybe I won't. I'm only four chapters into it, so I don't know yet.
But, the whole self-publishing gig has turned into helping at least four other authors getting their projects off the ground. It's sort of assisted self-publishing, if that makes any sense.
I think one reason some may criticize that decision is due to the fact that most writers - especially those paid to write, like you are as a journalist - would not give up on the idea of selling their work until that decision was forced on them.
That is, I sense perhaps a bit of self-doubt (masked by your ambitious efforts at self-promotion) as a root cause of choosing NOT to pursue traditional publication.
In other words, it would appear to an outside observer that someone who is already getting paid to write would only choose to self-publish out of a fear of rejection.
Of course there's that fear of rejection, especially venturing into fiction where it's a tough market and I have no experience.
But, besides rejection, there's also a feeling of accomplishment. One of my best friends toasted the book as, "Here's to finally finishing something." He was right.
Self-publishing got it out there right away -- which is both good and bad (see earlier entry on typos). If not, I might have given up completely. I've done it before and I didn't want to do it again.
But, what's done is done and I'm not going to sit around and doubt my choices. My life isn't over. I wrote a book and had a lot of fun working on it with Shawn, Matt and anyone else who helped. It was a very personal process. I wouldn't have it any other way.
I think its great to self-publish and it wouldn't be such a large industry if people didn't do it for a large number of reasons. I'm sure self doubt plays in it to some extent. But what about those who don't want to put out just another commercialized piece of fluff? Self publishing gives the author full control and as an admitted control freak if I ever wrote a book I'd probably at least be tempted.
I just finished the book - I haven't finished a book that quickly since middle school. There's something really special about it. It was disturbing in its truthfulness, but yet it recognized the raw emotions, paranoia and selfishness we all feel, whether we admit it or not. It was difficult to read, yet I couldn't put it down.
The chapters on "how to do it" seemed unnecessary - I wasn't sure who was speaking, Ethan or Chris. It seemed like a "thoughts from the author" section. Maybe it was intentional. But, hey, I'm not missing the forest for the trees. I feel like a changed person, somehow, having read it. I guess, a little less naive. It makes me feel bad for the people who feel their life sucks so much they have to endure that kind of pain. I also didn't know killing oneself was so hard.
I keep wondering which character you are. Are you Chris, or are you Ethan? Or, are you both?
I just tore through the last half of the book. Kudos on a very very admirable first outing. You intertwined two very different narrative stances into one very emotional story. I found myself happy and excited and entertained during the good time college chapters and slightly disturbed and drained by the suicide probing. The ending almost brought a tear to my eye until Chris' realization about himself. At that I was just pissed. Again good job. Obviously I have some critism, but I'll leave that to your inquiries. Congratulations my friend. You did it.
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