What would you do if an Author gave you negative advice?

Mrsshelor · Post by **Mrsshelor** » 19 Feb 2015, 12:40

I think I would have to ignore her - and quite probably not purchase any more of her books! What a negative attitude! I feel like books are so influential, and by extension, then, their authors are, too. That's a great responsibility to wield and, even if that's how she felt, she should never say it. What a way to crush someone's dreams!

Instead, I say go for what you want. Maybe self-publishing is the way to get your name out there so that someone else will want to publish you.

NellySites · Post by **NellySites** » 19 Feb 2015, 15:44

With so many self published authors out there now, getting a publishing house to stand behind you would really get your book pushed to the forefront of your genre. I have read many hellacious self published books and after reading them promptly returned them. You are a professional, you should hope to be treated like one. Perhaps, with the right amount of dedication and a significant amount of peer editors, you could turn your revenue around for the positive. However, a book with enough substance like that would have a good chance of getting picked up by a publisher anyway. If your problem with publishers is that you are afraid that you wont be treated fairly as the small fish, then sadly you are probably right. THEY are the professionals, and at that stage you are the low man on the totem pole. They did not get to where they are by allowing new authors to wander down a path of no return. Maybe they choose to tweak some of your sentences, maybe even some book structure, but it is still your story and it is still your name on the cover. Once your name is out there, then you can start dictating every piece of the way your book is created. Was the way the author shot you down ethical or acceptable? No, but it was true. They way she handled you lost her a fan, or more depending on who heard. Is it possible to be a popular self published author? Probably, with a lot of work and even more money. Good Luck in your future endeavors and I hope you reach your goals.

billorton · Post by **billorton** » 19 Feb 2015, 21:17

Chew on it. Think about it. But if it doesn't fit, only you know that.

A very good friend of mine who is also an author blasted my second and third books, saying that I "underwrite" my stories. I am not Jack London, in other words, as I build my writing on the assumption that readers will fill in details with their imagination. The criticsm was correct, but my friend presumed that his desire for highly-detailed content was the correct mark to measure me against. The ruler didn't work, but my friend is not wrong.

So I chewed on it, and spit it out.

The challenge was how to not take it personally.

tburhart2 · Post by **tburhart2** » 23 Feb 2015, 13:26

I would disagree with her advice. She made a great assumption by saying you're no good if you can't get a traditional publisher to represent you. Look at E.L. James. A piece of fan fiction turned into a very successful series that now has its first movie playing in theaters! Although there's a lot of debate over how good the series is, it is undeniable that is a success. However, cases like this are few and far between.
Although this author treated you poorly, she was being honest and has an excellent point: It's very difficult to become a successful writer. To answer your question, I believe you should value every piece of advice you get. Not all of it will be what you want to hear, but it's important to consider what others have to say. By no means should you let the advice of others dictate what you do. Good luck

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 23 Feb 2015, 15:17

To me, the bottom line here doesn't involve whether or not to self-publish, or whatever. Rather, in this particular instance, the author's shouting "Give it up!" and then, "Next!" is not only rude, but hostile and aggressive. I'd say, sure, debate the merits of her advice if she'd either given it assertively or given it in a "trying to help" manner, or both, but she did neither. She probably made the initial poster feel awful, not just because she was crushing his dreams, but because he was excited to meet an author he admired and she turned out to be an awful person (unless horrible-day issues apply, which we'll never know). That kind of disillusionment can be crushing. (Been there.) Not only that, her treatment of him was embarrassing and dismissive and contemptuous. When I find myself in this situation, I talk it over with my dad, and then I just quit liking the person (or author) in question.

On the other hand, maybe the author does regret her actions, and perhaps she was massively overwhelmed by the book signing and couldn't keep it together. (Been there too. I mean, I haven't been at a book signing. I've just lost my ability to keep it together. who hasn't?) But now, there's no way that said author can apologize because she has no idea who it was that she yelled at. Bad situation.

There I go giving people the benefit of the doubt again. If I had to guess, I'd lean on the side of this author being a bad person and meaning what she yelled. It's just conjecture. But if I'm right, I'd say, forget about her. The only people you should take advice from are people who have your best interests at heart, and this particular author was too self-focused to provide that. (It makes me mad, too. She had an opportunity to share her wisdom, but she threw it away.)

littleorange · Post by **littleorange** » 24 Feb 2015, 06:42

I would ignore that negative advice and follow my heart. Only you know what you are capable of, what you might want to do, right? Don't allow a bad apple or two to upset your apple cart; keep on the path that you know is within your heart and you will accomplish some amazing things.

amandanicole books · Post by **amandanicole books** » 24 Feb 2015, 21:31

Authors are regular people like everyone else. Human beings are not perfect nor meant to be and with that said you will come across all kinds of human beings and those who are not pleasant are best ignored. Do not waste your creativity on someone who is negative.

Snickerdoodle9 · Post by **Snickerdoodle9** » 27 Feb 2015, 18:18

I think I would try as hard as I could to forget it, and not pay attention. I think if it was someone who I didn't read as much or know as well, it would be ok. However, if it was someone I read a lot of and who was one of my favorites, such as R.K Rowling or Wendy Mass, that I would have more trouble. I think if it was someone I admired, then the advice would shake me up. Sorry you had that experience!!

Jesska6029 · Post by **Jesska6029** » 28 Feb 2015, 09:53

It is not a secret that getting published by a traditional publisher boarders on the impossible. There are a lot of talented writers in the world, and there are not enough open-minded traditional publishers out there for all authors to have their books published. I think the self-publishing route is a good one to take. It allows everyone the chance to publish their pieces of writing.

Perhaps the author in question was just having a bad day? You should not give up writing if it is what you love. There will always critics in and about the writing profession. Continue trying to put your stuff out there if you truly believe it should be published!

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 28 Feb 2015, 14:42

I'm one of those who insists on getting published professionally. If all I wanted to do is to have people read what I've written, hey, I could just post the PDF of my novels and short stories on my website or email them around to folks.

Getting traditionally published is not easy, but it's a raised bar that can be crossed if the writing is of sufficient quality. I had both my previous novels purchased and published and I'm no Steven King.

There's a thread of incorrect perception running in this forum, where fledgling writers automatically assume that they cannot be published and that only established, rich and famous writers get printed. This is NOT true.

Self publishing? Well, as I said, I could just email my novel in PDF to pals.

But all that pales to insignificance if you go into a bookstore and see your book on the shelf. Nothing feels better to a writer.

Did I make a lot of money on my book sales? No. Sales were modest to say the least, and the publisher, being a shoestring operation, did not promote the book. But I did get paid.

My principal point: Look at the direction the money is flowing. If it's out of your wallet, that's the wrong direction. If people wish to boost their vanity by self publishing, fine with me. But I'm not content to pay someone to print my books or pay to have them placed online. The money flow needs to be into my wallet, not out, regardless of whether the flow is small or large.