While perusing my news reader, I ran across a post concerning authors, agents, editors and/or publishers asking for bloggers’ assistance in publicizing an author’s work. The post mentioned a letter sent from a publishing company offering to send a review copy with the hopes a review would be written. This was viewed as pandering in hopes of spreading the word on a book that should not even be considered a book Pretty harsh if you ask me. I personally enjoy having the opportunity to read either a work by a first-time author or a new book by someone who has been in the scene. When I am approached by author/agent/etc, I do not feel pandered to. If a story line or genre does not sound like my cup o’ Java Monster (mocha), then I have every right to politely not accept the offer. This does not make an author’s words “not a book”. I find it a little disheartening that such an assumption could be made by reading an excerpt or summary.
Let me tell you, if I could get the nerve and energy and gumption to actually sit down and write the story I have always dreamed of, I would stand on rooftops proudly shouting to the world. Would everyone like it? Would everyone read it? I would hope so but would not expect it. I was a little perturbed after reading this but to each his/her own. With an attitude like tha, one may find themselves missing out on the first book of the next Hemingway or King or Austen and that would be a shame!
I completely agree. Spreading the word is not pandering –it is naive to expect instant success, especially a first time authour.
I was heartened by your comment, Christine, as I dive into the crazy world of the emerging author. Before I signed with my publisher, I attended a few writers conferences and events, and I remember several seminars where authors and publishers explained the tremendous amount of promotion new authors are expected to do for themselves. Marketing is often intimidating to people like me, who’d rather let their creations speak for themselves. But experts warned that if we did that, our creations might never find an audience.
I talked to one writer who was depressed that she had yet to find a publisher, yet she said she “refused” to self-promote. Sadly, many publishers make it clear that they won’t touch writers who refuse to put themselves out there. To me, a book has not fulfilled its purpose until it finds a reader. So, it seemed, I would have to dig into promoting my work, although it painfully cut into my time to write. My editor loved reading my book, but said my promotional plan helped him decide to risk publishing it. I’d still rather write than sell, but I hope because I’m willing to sell, maybe someone will discover what I write.
I was given the opportunity to read a book of Japanese poetry by a mostly unknown author through Library Thing. I thought it would be a great chance to read something different and expand my horizons. You never know if they could actually be the next great thing (at least for me). What happened was I did not like the poetry style and I did not like the author’s explainable of the poems or the poetry style and I did not finish the book. I put this in my review. What happened next was the author came to my blog and left a basically nasty comment about how I was ‘illiterate’ and all kinds of things because his ego was hurt. He apparently had never run across someone who just did not like his book. So my advice is if you don’t like the book, be careful about reviewing it if it is an author who is not well known. They may not be able to take criticism. Everybody should have the opportunity to write the work of their dreams, but I would also say that every story does not need to be read by every person. Authors and PR should take care to understand that bloggers are readers. We don’t get paid to review. If authors want their book reviewed, they should be able to take the good and the bad. If they want to solicit fine but they need to understand just what they are asking for- a critique.
I also would find self promoting a very difficult task.
I completely agree that not every book is for everyone. I would hope that an author would understand this. A negative review is just that particular person’s opinion, it does not negate the work the author put into the story. I sometimes flip through channels and come across Home Shopping Network and the ugliest (in my opinion) trinket will be showing and the counter that shows how many are being sold will be ticking along. To each his own.