You guys know that I've always spoken very highly of the Indie author community.
There is a FB group where a couple of it's members decided to throw Amanda Hocking under the bus and negatively criticize her writing.
I can't believe that an Indie author would publicly single out and negatively criticize another Indie author or even their writing. My advice, don't do it.
I'm not talking about a review of a specific book. If you are a book reviewer and you feel compelled to include certain "constructive criticism" in your review then do what you gotta do.
In my opinion, if I have constructive criticism for any author, I message them privately. I don't think it should ever be done in a public forum especially when they are not present to defend themselves.
Even if that person is named Amanda Hocking doesn't give you the right to use her name and throw her under the bus just to prove some kind of point.
After reading their nasty (and I say nasty because I was called a moron by a commenter, lol.) follow-up blog, they still think that I disagree with their point! Their point is very simple: If you're providing a product to a customer you cannot provide them with a sub-par product.
DUH! I've never disagreed with that because it is a GIVEN to anyone with common sense! Obviously, if someone is buying your product it is your duty to make it as close to perfection as possible.
Here is what the blogger wrote:
"I actually had someone tell me yesterday that it’s okay to have poor editing in a book that someone only paid $0.99 or $1.99 or $2.99 for! This is incredibly unprofessional and incredibly disrespectful to the reader (you know, the person who’s actually buying your books) and a serious disservice to yourself and your fellow indie authors."
This is exactly what I wrote, you be the judge:
"I can see that it is very important to you that a book is of very high literary quality both in grammar and linguistics. I on the other hand do not hold the same standards when I spend $0.99, 2.99, or even 20 bucks. It's no sweat off my back for an entertaining book or movie. I particularly enjoy a lot of 2-3 star movies much more than some of the so called "Oscar Winners." So as a happy reader and viewer of lower quality "stuff" I don't feel disrespected. I forgive missing words and typos if the story kicks ass!"
I was talking about spending $5.99 for a burger and fries and not receiving the same fresh lettuce as the one in the commercial. I was talking about paying $20 bucks for my dry cleaning and having to go over some of the kinks from the imperfect ironing. NOTHING IS PERFECT. And I was simply saying that I am more forgiving than apparently she is when it comes to receiving imperfect products.
But MY whole point of all of this is WHY, WHY, WHY bring Amanda Hocking (or any author by name) into this??? Why throw her under the bus?
Here's what she said:
"All I can say to that is if Amanda Hocking (and authors in general) can't take criticism, then she's in the wrong business. As it is, considering Hocking passes herself off as a professional, I'm appalled at the unprofessional lack of quality editing in her books, including to the point of missing entire words. It shows carelessness and, imo, a complete lack of respect for her readers and the money they pay for her books to not give them the absolute best. If she has that much trouble with the writing basics, perhaps she should invest some of those hundreds of thousands of dollars she's made into some grammar and linguistics books, or maybe even taking a class on audit at a local college. There's no excuse for her unprofessional presentation of her work."
and she goes on...
"...as I've said, a total lack of respect for her fans. It's like she's got the attitude of, "I'm self-published, so I don't REALLY need a good editor." I make an effort to make sure my work is as close to high quality as a book you'd find on the shelf at B&N. And when someone as high-profile as Hocking seemingly couldn't give two craps about the quality and appearance of her work, it really makes the entirety of self-publishing look less than it's worth."
She wrote in the follow-up blog:
"Self-publishing a successful book, even a moderately successful one, requires a combination of creative skills and technical skills....You have to have both, and if you call yourself a professional indie author, then this is non-negotiable." Is she saying that Amanda Hocking hasn't been successful?
And here's one that I just had to respond to:
"I think Ben was right when he said it was a matter of her [Amanda Hocking] being in the right place at the right time more than any skill with words."
So I responded:
"There were plenty of Indie authors in the same place and at that same time as Amanda Hocking. To say that she was in the right place at the right time completely discounts any effort on her part. I've never read any of her books but from the reactions that I have seen from some of her readers, I give her credit for knowing how to tell a story that connected with them. THAT takes a certain type of skill. It's not all grammar. The numbers speak for themselves and those numbers speak louder than the stones you guys are throwing."
You be the judge. Here's the FB thread. Here is their follow up blog.
I call Shenanigans!
There's a green eyed monster under their mask!
And here's to them on behalf of myself, Amanda Hocking and her fans:
Thank you so much for supporting SAND!
