A new graphic is storming its way across the internet today with authors praising it and urging their readers/supporters to take note. At the time of writing it had close to 700 shares. And yes their supporters have noticed and it has upset some of them a great deal. Not necessarily the call for reviews or likes – those are important and they matter a lot to authors. We get that. That’s why – despite some comments that a review takes ‘no time’ we put a great deal of time into our reviews. Many people do.
Source: Facebook
But there’s one particular line that grabs you…
“Please give something back”
As a blogger who put over 20 hours into this particular site this week and one who also runs another blog on the side, that kind of statement makes me seethe. Frankly, I wasn’t alone. Here’s are two great responses to the graphic. The first comes from Amanda Chambers who also runs two blogs: Living, Learning, and Loving Life and My Other Book Blog. She devotes a remarkable 30-40 hours – often more – to this. The second comes from Coral Russell, who is the co-owner of The Indie Exchange, as well as running Alchemy of Scrawl. Additionally, Coral is an author who has offered her books for free several times and doesn’t feel it is ‘something for nothing’. Instead, she values the time every reader gives her when they choose to download and read her book.
How To Help Your Favorite Blogger
Amanda Chambers
Thanks Amanda!
How Not To Coddle An Author
Coral Russell
Thanks Coral!
So, before you share that graphic:
“Please give something back”
and whatever you do
“Make it HONEST”
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Yes! on the modified graphic. WTF is wrong with these people? Has writing become some charity where people flog books like beggars selling matchbooks on the street corner. And people wonder why there are so many people who are opposed to self-publishers and what they're making this profession into just for the sake of making a few bucks.
One writer was so offended at a honesty from another post, claiming that she was disabled and needed the money from selling books and she seemed to think this was a valid reason for inflicting crap on the buying public.
It makes me sick.
Here her Elizabeth, Donna and Amanda! It makes me want to stop being GREEN (what I call being Indie) … UGH just makes me MAD!
I really don't see anything here worth seething over. Actually, I kind of do feel like I flog my books on the corner like the little match girl. I wrote a blog post "The Blog Whore" how every time my numbers go down, I do something to bring them back up. Now I am learning how to do that with my books. What are my options? One of my books on Apple shows "49 ratings" but doesn't show what they are. I'm glad 49 people commented because that means there are that many more that didn't comment. but it would be nice to get a pulse reading every now and then. I have no idea why I can sell twelve books in one day and four books in a whole month, but if I find out the reason I am going to work it.
I never think of it in terms of the money it does or doesn't bring in. For me, it is more about the recognition.The money is nice, though.
This bugs the shit out of me because it COULD have been a GREAT resource for readers if an adult had written it. This is a new thing where a consumer’s voice matters. I can’t tell you how much money reviews have saved me from wasting hard earned cash on a product.
The sad fact is you may never know. You may never figure it out. Go write another great story. Traditional publishing DOESN’T KNOW EITHER! They spend ungodly amounts on a ton of books hoping that ONE will be a big hit.
I have no idea why one of mine sells consistent great guns every single month and another doesn’t. But you know what? I don’t care!
I have another story to tell and if someone reads it and likes it, then I’ve done what I wanted to do.
What’s even more exciting to me is finding another Indie author that’s written a book I like and sharing it with other readers. I’m still learning how to do that since for most of my life, I didn’t realize my voice/opinion mattered.
“Traditional publishing DOESN’T KNOW EITHER! They spend ungodly amounts on a ton of books hoping that ONE will be a big hit.”
Is this opinion or fact? They don’t spend ungodly amounts on tons of books. They don’t even have ‘tons’ of money, just a limited budget on a small group of books.
And it isn’t actually true that they don’t know either. Let’s qualify that a bit with a dose of reality, shall we? While there is always an element of luck in the success of any book and no one knows when a book will become a break out hit, there are things that you do, which self-publishers either are only just discovering or wish they could afford, which make a book at least a moderate success. We know this because these companies make their money from books and have so for far longer than this wave of self-publishing has been around. You can’t survive if you don’t know what you’re doing and you have to spend tons of money on just a few success stories.
The FACT is that there are far more writers with publishers who make a living out of writing and not just pocket change. And the things self-publishers are only discovering the last few years about sales and marketing, guess what? Traditional publishers have been doing these things long before you have. So, do they know? You bet and that is fact, not opinion.
P.S. What I do hate is when someone says, "I followed you. Please return the favor."
Great Post. I wish I was home today when this was first found out. I am like Amanda, I spend as much time working and networking my blogs as I do working. As always Donna, you have wrote a great post with the help of Amanda and Coral.
I hereby swear that I will never plead with anyone to buy or review my books, or like or follow me. I write because I have stories to tell, and people can read them or not. An authors income is not the readers concern.
Yeah, honestly all of this stuff is starting to depress me a little…between this and that article in the NYTs about professional book reviewers. I'm beginning to wonder if this will end up like a lot of industries where the most obnoxious and unethical people are the ones who end up selling a lot of books…but I'm not quite that cynical yet, I hope. I have no idea when or why so many writers developed such a sense of entitlement. It feels very spoiled brattish to me, but maybe I'm missing something. There's no other job where people are expected to hand out charity for inferior products…none that I can think of, anyway, other than actual charities.
I love to write. I hate marketing and promoting – and it doesn't really work without a 'hype' machine. If my books give pleasure and people review, then I'm grateful, thank you. Apart from freebies and new releases, I'm not going to mention my books, only hope that the circles of readers will widen one day.
Although I do support other authors by reading /reviewing as much as I can because I know all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.
Great article as usual – food for thought, as they say.
Your book is like any other small business or product. A chunk of the authors that I see have a "write it and they will come mentatlity" and don't take the time to look into the business side of their book. Marketing really isn't difficult with planning and research, but it needs to be done smartly. Trad. publishers know that Indie/SP authors aren't knowledgeable in this arena so it continues to be a bonus for the trad. published authors. Until Indie/SP authors take the business side as serious as the writing side, traditional publishers will continue to have this advantage.
I was sent this article last night and it took me some time to process it. The original post just really reeked of an inexperienced author or an author who hasn't done their homework on the business side of publishing their book, and, in my humble opinion came off as really PROFESSIONALLY immature/entitled and inexperienced.
What I said to the person who sent me the link is that I think that there is some confusion on the author of the original post (and a second follow up author) in regards to what is expected from a reader who downloads a Kindle free book. In my opinion,when one asks a blogger to review a book, they have gone into a psuedo contract that in exchange for a copy of the book, the author will recieve AN HONEST review of his/her works. When I accept a book from an author, I make sure the author is aware that I don't guarantee a sunshine review. Being bitten in the past, if I think that there will be even a hint of a problem, I don't accept the book. The Amazon Free downloaders have not entered into the same type of contract and they may not feel comfortable, know or have any desire to write a review. Amazon Free, in my opinion, is simply used as an introduction of the authors works, not in place of seeking out and doing the work of research of bloggers/reviewers who have committed to reviewing books. Please don't even get me started on "liking the book" just for author profit!
My problem with this is that the Indie authors who "bust a hump" to do things right continue to be effected by the "stigma" of Indie publishing being "lesser than" as a result of those who have chosen not to do their research and find this action acceptable.
Asking politely for a review is one thing. That graphic is just whiny and she is trying to shame readers into writing a review. "Don't write a review because you want to tell others about the book. Do it because you owe me something."
My post can be read in two ways:
1) As a snark on the original graphic. Reading the same sentiments from a different POV can point out the flaws in the orginal argument.
2) As as reminder that authors aren't the only ones who bust their butts for little-to-no recognition.
I don't either but yet they still get downloaded and hopefully read. Just keep writing! :-)
You're not allowed because I like your stories! o.~
The world just doesn't have enough adults in it I'm afraid. hehe
Aww, thanks, Coral! And haha, yeah, sadly, you're probably stuck with me as a writer. I'm one of those writers in the category "will go insane if gaps in writing time extend past xx time," so I'll probably be writing until I die, whether I make any money at it or not.
And yeah, I agree completely about the adult thing, sadly!! :)
My hubby is a successful salesman. Don't look at it that way. Look at it as having a conversation with readers. In normal conversation do you say 'buy my book' of course not. You talk about everything but your book and the circle will widen. Rome wasn't built in a day. This is a marathon. :-)
Exactly…I work in healthcare business development, incl. sales, I think your husband would tell you…although he competes with people..he networks with them just the same. You never know where that next sale is coming from or who someone is making contact with that maybe your product is a better fit for them. I have seen so many situations where SOME authors are out there bashing one another, etc.
I watch and am addicted to a show called BAR RESCUE on Spike TV. Jon Taffer made a comment to a bar owner who fought with his competition and such. Taffer gave him such AWESOME information that a) I immediately thought how much it applied to indie/sp authors and b) it was tweeted by me by the next morning…
So, here was his comment verbatum. I actually went back to make sure I got it right!
“It is about cross marketing & being part of the community! There is enough to go around!”@Jontaffer~Bar Rescue. (Good advice for authors too! this was my addition) I don’t know how many times I see successful Indie/SP authors supporting one another, doing joint events, etc and truly supporting one another…I wish some of the newbies or less experienced authors could watch and learn!
I sometimes think that people just shoot themselves in the feet because they are so unaware of processes or think that is how business is done. I wish they would put as much research into the business planning of their books as they do their storylines. It would save them alot of headache, heartache and a lot of hard feelings by those who are here to willingly help them!
Yes! That is so irritating and self-serving.
I’m a little confused? If the problem with the original graphic was the “Please give something back” part, why does the blogger graphic (the first response pictured in the post) that was made in response to it retain that line? If you are expressing the same sentiment, just from the other side of the coin, then how was the sentiment ever the problem in the first place? And that is not the only example where the response seemed to have the same attitude as the original. I’m not trying to make waves, or insult either side, just genuinely confused.
I think maybe the intended point was supposed to be “Let’s be mutually grateful for the roles played by the other side,” but instead comes off as “You need to appreciate me!” followed by ” No, YOU need to appreciate ME!”
Personally? I think both sides should appreciate one another.
As for the second response graphic, it seems to assume more than I saw expressed in the original. I agree that reviewers should leave honest reviews, as encouraged by the 2nd graphic. But where does the original graphic suggest otherwise? “Gaming the system is wrong and pathetic,” where was there a suggestion to game the system on the original graphic? “But ADULTS can take it and move on.” Wow, harsh. I guess that we forgot that adults are people too. Seriously, if a friend told you they had experienced something “intense, soul searing, hard, tearful…” etc, would you honestly tell them too bad, you are an adult, so suck it up?
But here’s the thing that is at the root of the problem… as far as I can tell this was never directed AT bloggers? If anything, it seems unlikely that they were even a consideration seeing that it starts with instructions on writing reviews. So why are bloggers acting like they have been insulted somehow? Have you considered that maybe this is something that needed to be said? I would venture that it has never crossed the minds of the vast majority of readers that their consumer review would do anything to help their fave authors. They just don’t know. And if something isn’t known, wouldn’t it be a good idea to MAKE it known? The average reader probably doesn’t even think of writing as a job. I’ve seen countless incidents on the internet where people think that things that are a “labor of love” should be unpaid. And I think that’s a painfully sad sign of our times.
Well, I know both Amanda and Coral can speak for themselves about the graphics – although the graphic that Amanda did is very much a play on the original, pointing out that yes, as bloggers we could rant and rave too. Mostly, we don’t – but how many of the hundreds of people who reposted had ‘given back’ to someone who had supported them?
Perhaps it isn’t aimed at bloggers but bloggers are readers too, avid readers and often avid book buyers. I post up to four times a day to expose as many people’s works as I can. I’m co-owner of The Indie Exchange with Coral and I also run another blog. I spend as much time on the two as I do on paid work, though I could easily drop either, take extra hours and spend that money promoting my husband’s book. He’s an indie author. Instead of asking people to give back, he’s giving back himself by helping me fund The Indie Exchange. I’ve read 85 books so far this year, many of which I bought. As a reader, I don’t need to be told to give back. Even if I wasn’t a blogger, why should I give back as a reader? A book is a product. Once you’ve bought the product, your side of the transaction is over. Anything else is a bonus. There is no ‘giving back’ required.
It’s a plain truth that being an author or an artist or a musician doesn’t make you a charity. Perhaps if you are good you will make a living from it – perhaps. But asking people to ‘give something back’ because you’ve put time and effort into something you have chosen to do, seems a bit like me standing on a corner asking people to ‘give something back’ and blog about me because I’ve taken in 6 rescue cats. My choice, my effort, my expense. No giving back required.
My reply (the blogger one) was pretty much all snark, a parody of the original. How stupid and immature does it sound coming from someone else?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking readers to review a book. The problem I had with it was that the author was telling the people who had already taken the time to buy and/or read her book, that because she had taken the time to write the book, they owed her a review. It was all the whining and “poor me” that I had a problem with. As if she were trying to shame readers into leaving a review. I was also a little confused. If it’s a labor of love, why does she feel as if she is owed a pat on the back? She (and every author I know) would continue writing whether another person ever read another word – or left a review.
This same author had another graphic posted on her page. It just said, “Read books. Leave Reviews. Tell Your Friends.” Or something like that. I have absolutely no problem with that one.
Sandy,
I guess my confusion lies in the area that you state that the readers/bloggers need the authors. I am going to play devil’s advocate, because that is what I do in business and that is what these authors are in. Why do readers/bloggers need authors? They don’t…there is always another author to take the place of an author. I have to tell you that I have multiple options that come into me for reviewing purposes. Can authors say the same thing about readers and reviewers? If an author chooses to act “unprofessionally”, there are a huge line of authors waiting to take their place with consumers and reviewers.
My issue with the post was the fact that it was an author, as I expressed in my post, that the author was “complaining” about giving away “freebies” and not getting anything back. It came off just really bad, unprofessional and, I will say, manipulation by guilt. Never a good thing to do. Also, it was evident that the author had misconceptions about what kindle free is for.
Second, you make a comment re: telling a friend to “suck it up”. You gave an example of a personal example…THIS IS A PROFESSIONAL discussion. It is comparing apples to oranges. When a person asks a person to “like” a book on Amazon that maybe they didn’t read or like, it is gaming the system. Not only is this unprofessional, it is unethical.
Furthermore, you made a statement re: some thinking writing is a labor of love should be unpaid and it being a sad commentary of our time. But, I will say because someone chooses to go the Indie route, should we lessen the level of professionalism seen by our indie authors. In my humble opinion, no way, if anything, we bump it up. If we do lessen it, we have given in to those who are critical of the indie movement in that we have just proven their criticisms in that Indie authors can’t get off the porch and compete with the big dogs. When behaviors, including complaining that those who download her books for free don’t review them we have just fed into those readers and industry people critical of the indie movement.
Finally, the readers, again, technically don’t owe the authors anything. I don’t see St. Martin Press, Penguin, Random House, etc. complaining about readers not providing reviews. Are you saying that we should expect less professional behavior from Indies? If that is the case is it part of the problem or part of the solution?
As for me a writer never writes to get good reviews. Yes, getting acknowledged is always good, but you can't push it on your readers to write a review. I read so many books, but I don't remember writing a single review. A writer is a writer because he/she loves doing that. He doesn't have to plead for reviews.
When we invest our time in writing we should consider doing the task for the love of it as well. It is never a good idea to make it seem mandatory for your readers to a write a review, this is bound to happen if your book warrants attention and accolades. Thanks!
The title of the post is quite engaging. By reading the comments mentioned here, I can make out that a debate has started over here. I certainly don't consider that giving something back to the writer is an essential task. People should place a comment to appreciate the writing sensibilities of the writer, but you cannot force them to do so. It's their personal desire. Thanks for taking up a good issue. A nice share.
@Naomi
“I guess my confusion lies in the area that you state that the readers/bloggers need the authors.”
I don’t recall stating that, and a quick scan of my previous post doesn’t reveal that either, unless I am missing it somehow? Unless you are referring to my statement about being mutually appreciateive. If so, you misinterpreted that statement. Could you please quote the part that you are referring to?
However, even though I don’t believe what you started your response with, I think this related remark deserves a response:
“Why do readers/bloggers need authors? They don’t…there is always another author to take the place of an author.”
There is a difference between not needing authors (as in your statement) and not needing a particular author. Without the former, you can’t be a book reviewing blogger. Without the latter, you could. So yeah, book bloggers absultely need authors, they just don’t need every single one.
“My issue with the post was the fact that it was an author, as I expressed in my post, that the author was “complaining” about giving away “freebies” and not getting anything back.”
If that’s the case, it is somewhere other than the graphic picture above, because that graphic doesn’t say *anything* about giving away freebies. If the graphic complained about not profiting from freebies, I would agree with you. But it doesn’t. If you are commenting on some extra, external, info not included in the graphic that we are discussing, it would be helpful to have that as well so that everyone can be informed.
“Second, you make a comment re: telling a friend to “suck it up”. You gave an example of a personal example…THIS IS A PROFESSIONAL discussion.”
Although I certainly support the need for professionalism, I don’t think that someone doing something for profit removes their human being status. Therefore, I still wouldn’t be telling them to suck it up, out of respect for their human feelings.
“When a person asks a person to “like” a book on Amazon that maybe they didn’t read or like, it is gaming the system. Not only is this unprofessional, it is unethical.”
And again, if that is what the graphic said I would agree with you. But it doesn’t. I don’t see anything on it that says to like a book you don’t like, or to like a book that you haven’t read.
“Furthermore, you made a statement re: some thinking writing is a labor of love should be unpaid and it being a sad commentary of our time. But, I will say because someone chooses to go the Indie route, should we lessen the level of professionalism seen by our indie authors.”
My statement in no way implies that the standards should be lessened for indie authors, and I really can’t fathom how you drew that conclusion from what I said? I commented that it is sad that some people think that things considered a labor of love (not just writing) means that the person should do whatever that is for free. Most priests get paid right? Well a lot of people think that is wrong. They should do it simply for the glory of God. Well, God is letting us buy our daily bread with money, and that priest and his family would like to eat. Is there some reason his “labor of love” should be unpaid while someone working at a thankless job should be paid? If you do something out of the goodness of your heart, or something you love, or both, why does that mean you should be expected to starve? That’s a ridiculous standpoint. Hence my comment on it.
“Are you saying that we should expect less professional behavior from Indies?”
No, I said nothing of the sort. In fact, I didn’t say 75% of what you assumed I did. And I have to say, I find that concerning in and of itself.
As a reviewer yourself, I hope you are dedicated to accuracy. After seeing how you so completely misunderstood my own post, I implore you to look at the original graphic through fresh eyes. I think far more was read into it than is actually there.
Naomi I bow before your brilliance! You ALWAYS have great, spot on information for authors. Would love to have you on the BTR show sometime!
I hear you're starting your own but would love to help spread the good word. :-)
Traditional publishing is a multi-billion dollar industry. They have plenty of money.
Agreed! Really great comment, Naomi! I totally agree about the professionally immature part. I even react a bit to the whole "labor of love" thing, honestly. I mean, a lot of people go into architecture because they love it. I used to work in healthcare and many physicians and nurses described their work as a calling. Yet no one would ever dispute that these are trades and CAREERS and should be treated as such…i.e., you are not entitled to handouts for bad work, and you also expected to work for your clients and/or customers (or patients) and not expect to be given handouts because of your "higher calling." It's absurd, and frankly cheapens the profession more than elevates it, in my view.
You know how to get ahold of me, Coral…I would love to!
BTW..thank you..I was blushing as I was typing! :)
I absolutely hate the way this was worded. It could have been a GREAT resource to inform readers but instead came across like emo teenager angst.
And again you miss the point of being an adult – If you get a bad review (which was what I am referring to) instead of feeling that your wittle, artistic world has just fallen apart… suck it up and move on. It's the same with the praise. You can't let either one go to your head.
In fact, that's a totally idiotic way to lead your life. Artistic or not.
Informing readers about how to leave an honest review is needed and we're going to put up videos to do just that on The Indie Exchange soon. Again more time I'm spending to educate rather than placate.
Amen, Naomi. Very well said. That is exactly why many people are against self-publishers, because it is people like this, and those who don't seem to get this issue, who taint the reputation for the rest and if self-publishing is to free itself of the image of these vanity publishers, because that is what they are, and those who are truly professional and have the best interests of this industry at heart, and not their own self-serving interests, need to make a break with these ones.