tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post1755249760249866960..comments2023-11-06T13:07:23.645-05:00Comments on The Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment: The Sound of One Hand ClappingMatthew MacNishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-45578884044174278472011-04-05T22:26:49.715-04:002011-04-05T22:26:49.715-04:00This whole thing is fascinating to watch go down.
...This whole thing is fascinating to watch go down.<br /><br />That being said, I'd take this approach to it. Writers like the second one mentioned don't give self-publishers a bad name - we already have a bad name! Face it! And its not just those evil Big 6 reps or "snobby" reviewers. It's other WRITERS. I can't tell you how many times I've seen other writers cannibalize those who try to go it alone. We, too, are quick to dismiss the self-pubbed author. So if this authorial "united front" - this cohesive community we all want to believe is out there - can't get on the same page, how can we expect anyone else to take aspiring authors serious, no matter what publishing route we want to go?<br /><br />I argue that it isn't so much the authors guilty of the flame-outs that are to be blamed for bad press, its the responds of others towards these flame-outs.<br /><br />If a tree falls in the woods and no one's around to hear it, does it make a sound? If a writer leaves a short-sighted and idiotic comment on a relatively low-key review site and no one is there to comment on it, does it even matter? The writers or readers COMMENTING on these things seem more at fault to me. We're feeding the flames. And nothing about it is constructive. We are being unprofessional (the collective "we", not this post, Matt. Nothing you've said has been off-base by any means.) The one-star reviews from people who obviously have never reviewed anything on Amazon and probably didn't even read the book... that is far more unacceptable in my mind than an author's emotional defensive of their work. <br /><br />So what do we do when an author puts their foot so stunningly and completely in their mouth? Ignore it, maybe. Let them sink or swim on their own. If they haven't figured out how to conduct themselves in public, harsh comments and one-star reviews aren't going to shape them up. All that leads to is making us all look bad, not just as writers but as human beings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-10546140097427662662011-04-05T12:54:40.650-04:002011-04-05T12:54:40.650-04:00Hi Matthew - new follower here, came via Nathan Br...Hi Matthew - new follower here, came via Nathan Bransford, and liked what you had to say.<br /><br />I also blogged on this subejct http://writinginflow.blogspot.com/2011/04/going-postal-and-viral-what-not-to-do.html<br /><br />And am both feeling sorry for the author, and thinking it will teach, perhaps not her, but others some valuable lessons about the way the Internet works.<br /><br />Looking forward to reading more of your work.The Writing Goddesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14577032840574632179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-74358544074764657102011-04-01T00:39:25.311-04:002011-04-01T00:39:25.311-04:00So, it sounds like I picked the best possible mont...So, it sounds like I picked the best possible month to have stitches in my eye preclude me from reading blogs? Cause wow.<br /><br />You're right- the pros out there in the Indie field deserve so much better than to be lumped in with that kind of stuff. Not cool.<br /><br />~bruFebruary Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01078037856070486022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-48835490304868538412011-04-01T00:13:07.578-04:002011-04-01T00:13:07.578-04:00Somehow I made it all the way to A-Z challenge wit...Somehow I made it all the way to A-Z challenge without realizing any of this. I guess I've been too busy with other things. But you're right. This is no way to conduct ourselves, not just as writers but as people. I see too much drama at the day job. Hopefully I'll navigate past most of the drama in the writing world.Jeff Beeslerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17935580053176710609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-62343336152075295102011-03-31T16:52:19.246-04:002011-03-31T16:52:19.246-04:00Great point. It is so important for people to rem...Great point. It is so important for people to remember to act professionally and be positive especially when negative behavior can be tweeted and shared about so quickly.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18226974782422398270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-76295051325344241112011-03-31T07:57:51.665-04:002011-03-31T07:57:51.665-04:00Very well said, Matthew. Negative reviews suck the...Very well said, Matthew. Negative reviews suck the big one and they really hurt, but you should NEVER respond. Rant and rave in private.Talli Rolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04780882465745107715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-47574326165850637762011-03-31T06:49:57.902-04:002011-03-31T06:49:57.902-04:00I totally agree. I've heard about this but not...I totally agree. I've heard about this but not all the specifics.Natalie Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756087804171246660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-53890713630635498262011-03-31T02:44:45.584-04:002011-03-31T02:44:45.584-04:00Well said. There is nothing to be gained for yours...Well said. There is nothing to be gained for yourself or the community by being unprofessional. It also makes you look like a moron.Carriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03733651711754068802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-90081213573790428492011-03-31T01:35:33.158-04:002011-03-31T01:35:33.158-04:00I keep hearing about these incidents, but somehow ...I keep hearing about these incidents, but somehow I have managed to refrain from taking a look. I admit to being one who has had only bad experiences with the few self-published books I have seen, so I am now in the contradictory position of not wanting to give self-published books a chance until I can see a few done really well.Ted Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022309459554237650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-87979716944437596372011-03-30T22:50:20.906-04:002011-03-30T22:50:20.906-04:00I quite agree.I quite agree.Myrna Fosterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13534358757278599925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-72682111615545324172011-03-30T22:29:12.394-04:002011-03-30T22:29:12.394-04:00That second scenario went completely viral. I was...That second scenario went completely viral. I was appalled at the unprofessionalism. <br /><br />This is why, as a blogger, I've chosen to never leave a bad review. Not for flame wars, but because it's not necessary. If I don't like a book, it doesn't mean someone else won't. What if the book I rake over the coals would have been your favorite book in the entire world, but you choose not to read it b/c of me? That's not fair to you--OR the author who poured his/her blood and tears into the work. If I dislike a book, I keep that opinion to myself. I'll only ever review books I enjoy.Bonnie @ A Backwards Storyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02988547424004889874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-84476057563287915762011-03-30T21:58:08.519-04:002011-03-30T21:58:08.519-04:00I so rarely see the writing blogosphere descend in...I so rarely see the writing blogosphere descend into that kind of chaos. I also am not sure about the first incident. Not sure if I want to now!Lydia Kanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00484415427764822386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-2795128868727515932011-03-30T19:27:21.477-04:002011-03-30T19:27:21.477-04:00I totally agree. I don't know who the first pe...I totally agree. I don't know who the first person was but I'm aware of the second incident. In fact, the issue has hit the guardian.co.uk. <br /><br />I have never read Tolkien--don't hate me! However, I know people who bash Jane Austen on amazon. How sad is that!?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12160669603997465454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-40948368765607781802011-03-30T19:02:35.877-04:002011-03-30T19:02:35.877-04:00I heard about both of these, but stayed far away. ...I heard about both of these, but stayed far away. I agree with your points completely - be professional and courteous, in all of your posts/comments/etc. If common decency and maturity isn't a good enough reason, there's always the you never want to burn a bridge mode of thought.Sara B. Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14213313028658810705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-41767415848441277492011-03-30T18:14:08.980-04:002011-03-30T18:14:08.980-04:00I must say, this certainly has stirred up some con...I must say, this certainly has stirred up some controversy... and may be proof that not all attention, is good attention.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17713870959347500414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-57367902206160638482011-03-30T18:04:54.780-04:002011-03-30T18:04:54.780-04:00@Old Kitty - You're not bad. It's why we a...@Old Kitty - You're not bad. It's why we all read novels, and what we are all trying to get into our novels - drama. It's just too bad that this author mixed up real life with fiction and crossed the streams. NEVER cross the streams!<br /><br />(I actually feel sorry for her and hope she learns from her mistakes.)<br /><br />@Marsha S. - OMG, so funny!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-18779431310045112562011-03-30T17:56:53.174-04:002011-03-30T17:56:53.174-04:00What a huge waste of time those flame wars are. I...What a huge waste of time those flame wars are. I totally agree with being mature and moving on if someone doesn't like your work. <br /><br />Remember not everyone liked us on the playground but we got over that, right? Sure we punched a few of them but that's neither here nor there and defeats our point.<br /><br />The only way you can hear the sound of one hand clapping is if you're smacking yourself in the face.Marsha Sigmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11095210839900479297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-9149732391070988842011-03-30T17:35:17.306-04:002011-03-30T17:35:17.306-04:00I'm terrible - the first thing I thought of wa...I'm terrible - the first thing I thought of was - ooooh please someone send me the links to these nastiness in blogworld - I wanna read!!!!! LOL!! Bad bad bad voyeuristic me!! <br /><br />:-) Off I go to hang my head in deep shame...! Take care<br />xOld Kittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13185547869183611159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-67282675814016865892011-03-30T17:33:12.506-04:002011-03-30T17:33:12.506-04:00I didn't know about this Matt and glad I misse...I didn't know about this Matt and glad I missed it. As writers it should seem pretty obvious...not everyone reads mysteries, or SciFi, or horror. Not everyone reads biographies, or romances, or historical fiction, or self-help. The list of genres is looooooong.<br /><br />It may be hard but the truth is we simply cannot satisfy everybody all of the time. It's just that it's us as writers who have to swallow that bitter pill, not the readers.Bish Denhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13359927719391990534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-43103737684713440062011-03-30T17:10:58.823-04:002011-03-30T17:10:58.823-04:00Man, I watched that train wreck. Both entertaining...Man, I watched that train wreck. Both entertaining and horrifying at the same time. It's always good to learn through other people's mistakes.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01387326618086304570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-28877384974337174362011-03-30T16:45:05.357-04:002011-03-30T16:45:05.357-04:00yeah that was one whole FUBAR mess.
Slightly off t...yeah that was one whole FUBAR mess.<br />Slightly off topic - i can totally clap with only one hand.<br />True Story.Sarah Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02795455714801965956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-24662195528286465162011-03-30T16:21:48.449-04:002011-03-30T16:21:48.449-04:00There's no excuse for bad manners in a profess...There's no excuse for bad manners in a professional setting, but I just don't think that a lot of people realize blogs can be professional settings. It's the internet, how can it hurt? <br />Yeah, it's only the fastest spreading information phenomenon of our lifetimes. No damage.<br />Great post, Matt, and definitely true. :)Bethany Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12829932931010851406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-12556904277214298002011-03-30T15:27:39.356-04:002011-03-30T15:27:39.356-04:00It is so much better to say absolutely nothing whe...It is so much better to say absolutely nothing when you receive a bad review. That's what I do. And everyone gets bad reviews. It's the nature of the beast of writing and putting yourself out there.Nicole Zoltackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07464800543376449290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-67717323204169006052011-03-30T15:25:19.430-04:002011-03-30T15:25:19.430-04:00Well said, Matt. I missed both of these too.
I l...Well said, Matt. I missed both of these too. <br /><br />I love your second point. There ARE so many wonderful and positive blogs that don't get much traffic. And we put a lot of time and yes, heart into those posts. I won't be searching out the train wrecks because of this reason.<br /><br />Suzie <br />(who refuses to believe that there are some who think Tolkien is less than brilliant)Suzie F.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09560250678212373878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-14090544975421172592011-03-30T15:19:04.606-04:002011-03-30T15:19:04.606-04:00Great post, Matt. I witnessed the second one and a...Great post, Matt. I witnessed the second one and after I picked my jaw up off the floor, it reminded me that I'm thankful that I have quite a few writer friends who keep me sane. <br /><br />There have been times, personally, I wouldn't have minded going off on someone who said something I didn't think was right, fair . . . or just plain hurt my feelings. Luckily for me, I have a good little group of writer friends that I can email and bitch to who will also remind me not to be stupid and respond. :D <br /><br />Unfortunately, it appears not everyone has that.Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03726858055689145824noreply@blogger.com