Why can’t we all just get along?

[stacia_kane]

A little note in advance: I’m about to rant. I may rant at some length. I’m ranting about something other people have ranted about, as well. So be warned.

So here’s what happened. Wednesday, the New York Times ran an article about the Kindle and how many Kindle owners are now buying more books than they used to. The end of the article contained the

Comments

[ext_211813]

Wow. Just what the publishing industry needs, a bunch of angry authors steamrolling their self-righteous attitudes over the people who essentially pay their salaries!. It reminds me of when Metallica would rant about how music lovers were stealing from them and the sour taste that left in fans' mouths. It's just sad and makes authors look like spoiled little brats.

[stacia_kane]

Exactly. It fuels suspicion and anger. And the thing is, there is an appropriate way to do it; Shiloh Walker did a fantastic post on her blog a month or so ago about piracy. But she wasn't pointing fingers or having hissy fits, just discussing an issue on her own blog.

Sigh.

[tmthomas]

Oy. and vey. It's too bad I don't read that genre of romance, just so I could shun those authors. Which is entirely unproductive, but it would make me feel better.

[stacia_kane]

Lol, yes. And feeling better is good.

[elialshadowpine]

A disturbing number of authors have been added to my "do not buy" list due to this brouhaha. I won't support that behavior financially. If I want their books, I'll buy them used or get them from my library.

The author vs reader thing disturbs me, a lot. While there's reader entitlement... I spend more time in author circles, so I see a lot more of what goes on there. When I've seen authors argue that libraries are hurting their careers because they don't pay royalties for each book read... there's a big freaking problem. Their attitude is that if you can't afford to buy it yourself, then you don't deserve to borrow it. o.O

[stacia_kane]

Amateurism, IMO. Pure and simple. When readers aren't people you want to please and entertain but are instead little floating dollar signs who owe you worship & adoration on top of it, when literacy isn't something you want to encourage but see as a vehicle for your Golden Words or a stage on which you deign to star, you are not a professional. May be bitchy of me but it's how I see it.

[elialshadowpine]

No, I see it much the same way. Money is all well and good, but I'm not expecting to support myself off my writing career, and I don't see how anyone could reasonably expect that. Hope for it, sure, but when you're acting like readers have an obligation to support you... gah. I'm just glad people are reading my work, you know?

[stacia_kane]

Thanks Catie! I know, we of all people should be coming together and making things happen, instead of arguing.

[lordruthven]

I love you.

[stacia_kane]

I love you too! {{hug}}