- Note to an Anti-SP author

I was reading a blog the other day and I got very angry at it (despite it being 2 years old). I know I shouldn't have been as angry as I got because I'm a firm believer that everyone has the right to express their opinion. Sometimes it's questionable how that opinion is expressed and you can't help but get angry at it, especially when it's personal.

I had to take a few days to calm down before I expressed my opinion on this matter. I had to take the time to remember that there is always two sides to everything. Most of the time, those two sides don't include the truth. The blog in question isn't about truth, despite what that certain someone said, it's about opinion. I respect certain aspects of that opinion, but my response to that opinion is and, appropriately so, What the F?

For those that don't know, I am a self-published author of two thriller novels (one released, one due in Dec.) As a self-published author, it took a little while for me to get over the fact that a lot of readers out there won't give SP writers like me the time of day. I finally understand that. It sucks, but I get it. HOWEVER, when a commercially published author says, and I quote, "Sure, they can MAKE a book. They can typeset it and print it and put a nice cover on it and it will LOOK like a book. It will smell like a book, it will weigh like a book. But it is NOT a book." HAHAHAHAHAHA! You crossed a line in my opinion. Who the F do you think you are?!

Before I go into a much needed rant, I want to say that I've received some criticism in the past about my writing. Most of the time, it was done in a respectful way that enabled me to go back and correct the mistakes I made. I used the criticism to make myself a better writer. It was a great learning experience and I continue to learn all the time. I listen to the advice given by SP writers who have a lot more experience than I do. I have even accepted those very few people that basically told me that I have no talent and I basically suck. It's all good. It sucks you feel that way, but like I said in the first paragraph, you're entitled to your opinion. I'm just psyched that you gave me a chance. As a writer, you have to learn to accept that you can't please everyone. I 100% accept that. It wouldn't make any sense otherwise.

When someone writes in a blog that self-published books are NOT real books, that crosses a line. Tell me my book sucks and you wish you didn't read it. Do NOT tell me that I didn't write a real book! Let me ask that person something, what makes us different? What makes you more of a writer than I am? What makes your book better than mine, or any other SP book for that matter? Is it because you had 20 people read your book and told you it was good? Here's a news flash for you ... so did I ... so didn't countless others. The only difference is that those 20 people that read your book are a part of a special corporation that have the ability to market your book. Is that good? Of course it is. Does that make your book better than a book that isn't chosen to be marketed by a corporation? Absolutely not! Interesting thing I want to add. I took it upon myself to do a little research. When it comes to reader reviews, (based strictly on percentage) my book has a 9% negative review rating, yours has a 40% negative rating. Is your book really better than mine to those that matter, the readers? More specifically, the readers that cared enough to take time out of their busy lives to write a review? But wait, it doesn't matter because my book isn't a real book.

You also go on to say, regarding SP houses, "Those are called VANITY presses. A vanity press is exactly that--a company that TAKES your money and makes your book to assuage your vanity as a writer. Because ANYONE can have their work made into a book. As long as you pay the fee." Sure, in some cases, some SP writers choose to pay a fee to get their book printed - aka, published. Do you really think that you don't pay a much greater fee to be published commercially? Sure, you get some money, but more times than not, you pay with your book. You are giving up the rights to your book. Sure, you wrote it, but it becomes the property of whichever corporation you decide to contract with. But you're right about one thing ... anyone can have their writing made into a book. You just must have forgotten how difficult it is to write a 400 page book that people are willing to read. You're a writer! If I have to remind you how difficult it is to write a book, you're a moron! I have nothing but the utmost respect for people who write books. I KNOW how hard it is, and they deserve to have their books read by anyone who chooses to read it. Writing books probably comes easy for you, and that's great, but have a little respect for people who struggle with it. I do ... I'm one of them.

I can't speak for everyone, but I can safely say that the majority of self-published authors do it by choice, not because their book isn't good enough. It's important to us that we retain the rights to our books, keep 100% creative control, and basically, make all the rules. I can throw in an attack and say that you don't have the confidence in your book that we do in ours. The fact that you are willing to sell out your book for a quick buck makes you a coward ...The fact that you are giving permission to a group of money hungry people to reconstruct your creativity as THEY see fit, means that you are NOT confident in what you created ... Am I going to say that? No. Why? Because I know it isn't true. We're all equal. Writers are writers, period. Books are books, period. Opinions of the stories don't change the facts. We put as much effort into making that story come to life as you did. It doesn't matter if your books are commercialized. Books are going be great, or they're going to suck, despite how you publish. The only difference between us is that you do it for money, which is fine. We do it for the satisfaction that we are providing an entertaining story to whomever wants it. We're not going to let someone dictate whether or not our stories can do that. We're not going to give that power to someone after the sleepless nights, countless hours, and infinite hard work we put into our books. We don't do this for the money, we do it for the readers.

There are many reasons why I didn't seek out commercial publication. Here is a brief list for those that wonder why: No particular order.

1) Decline rate is sky high.

2) Even if accepted, the waiting period is extensive.

3) Loss of creative control.

4) Loss of rights.

5) The Corporation. Why should I let a few people decide whether or not my book is good enough? I KNOW my book is good enough.

6) People like the commercially published writer in question.


Here are the reasons why I self-published:

1) I have 100% creative control.

2) I retain all rights.

3) I decide my timeline.

4) The satisfaction that I did it myself.

5) Whether people like it or not, self-publishing is on the rise.

6) I set the book prices.

7) It's fun!

8) No greed

9) No dictatorship



I think I made my point.



I don't want anybody to think that I have anything against commercial publication. It is a completely respectable business and it has given readers some fantastic books and writers. I don't have anything negative to say about that world, I just choose not to do it. My negativity is directed to the people who believe that self-published authors aren't good enough to be published the old-fashioned way. It's a bunch of crap. I spent hundred of hours away from my family and friends to provide a fun and entertaining book for those that choose to read it. Don't you f-ing tell me that my book is not a book!



Random thoughts:



1) Jon and Kate plus 8 - Now, Kate plus 8 ... LOL! Who gives a crap?

2) Chuck Liddell is totally going to win DWTS!

3) Four gang members caught on tape killing an innocent kid. OK, let's give them a fair trial because they deserve to prove their innocence. You gotta love the judicial system.

4) Do you really need to make a deal on Shark Tank to make your product a success? Isn't just being there good enough?



till next time
The Visionchild
www.dansvisionproductions.com