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Bullies in the Indie Publishing World

2/9/2014

4 Comments

 
Picture
           Recently, I have come across the post of a fellow author, (who happens to be a great person) and she explained how she was being bullied over a stock photo that she had bought and used for the cover of her book. Apparently, the other author had used the same photo for a book that he/she wrote a few years back.  
         This author has taken it to Bully Extremes. Leaving bad reviews, calling this author a thief and overall trying to ruin her reputation.That is truly unfair, for my friend certainly paid for the right to use the photo as did the other author. There are bound to be hundreds of book covers using the same images from stock photos. 
          This is just one type of bullying that I have encountered in the ten months that I have been writing. I have seen authors bully reviewers because they didn't like that particular reader's review or comments.  That author's friends then gang up on the reviewer with snide comments and insults until the reader either deletes the review and comments to escape the attack or takes down all the names of  those who commented and makes damn sure they never buy a book by an author of that name!  Not to mention the fear of ever leaving another review for an author to see! Simply accept the fact that one person out of a hundred gave you a bad review. 
          I have even seen reviewers bullying authors and at some points calling these works juvenile or immature and slinging harsh insults as well ! A simple "The book is not for me" will suffice. Sometimes they go to even more extreme measures by publicly trashing them to express their displeasure and it 's not needed. Possibly point out the good aspects as well as the bad if you must leave a low ranking review! These types of things can bring a person down! 
         We all want to be encouraged to continue to bring forth great stories to the public! We love to hear from readers, it can be very constructive and help us move forward and better our technique! 
In saying that, I ask all to refrain from this behavior, it only comes back in the end. Would you want to be at the sharp end of a knife? How would that feel if someone did that to you? I will accept feedback for this article and welcome anyone who would like to share an experience and how it turned out in the end.
Julie

4 Comments
Scarlett Jensen link
2/9/2014 02:23:40 pm

Dear Julie,
You are right. The world after publishing is very unaccommodating for authors who try to break through the wall of the privileged few who are accomplished authors. It feels asif you are treading on reserved ground and given no chance to show your work.

Where is the platform for beginners to reveal the essence of your work without having to withstand a subjective bad review. Who gives us a chance. The media and booksellers in South Africa where I live, just does not pass you if you are not a member of the selected few and members of the influencial publication houses.

I am discouraged. Best of luck with your endeavours.

Scarlett Jensen

Reply
Julie link
2/9/2014 08:53:24 pm

Scarlett! Do not be discouraged! For every one person that tries to bring someone down, there are many to lift them up and encourage! There are certainly great people in the author groups that I frequent, who are more than happy to share ideas and help others along! These bullies can't be let to bring you down! There are several platforms for beginners to share! The first page I would try is Book Review Depot on Facebook. The group is very encouraging and there is no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to writing. Someone there will know of other platforms to help a new writer along! The best thing you can do is keep at it and not allow others to ruin your dream.

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Ginger Gelsheimer link
2/10/2014 04:07:01 am

Thanks for the plug Julie! Scarlett, she is right - don't get discouraged. Now that you are part of the group, you have so much support and help at your fingertips. People are willing to provide beta reads as well, so if you aren't certain if your latest work is ready or not, feel free to see if anyone has time to do a read. Also, there is a Beta Reader sign up sheet under the files tab where people have said they will read and what genre(s) they like!

Maria link
2/12/2014 06:50:59 am

Very we'll said! I was going to use a stock photo for my fantasy book, but decided against it. I borrowed a sword from a friend, found a great tree trunk, and got an artist friend to design the cover. It works!

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    J.C. Brown

    The author of The Last Day in the Life of Jillian and The Dead Live On

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