Weekend Reflections 3/24

Looking outside...it's clear and currently 45. The sun is shining and the sky is blue. It feels warm. We had a lot of rain this week.

Listening...to The Artist and a friend watching Pacific Rim before The Doctor takes them to see Pacfic Rim Uprising later this afternoon.

Loving...listening to the laughter and conversation in my living room right now.

Thinking...that I need to transfer some laundry over.

In my kitchen...Crio Bru. We're grilling for dinner tonight.

Wearing...black and white striped skirt, lime green t-shirt, bare feet.

Reading...I'm still working on Daughters of the Night Sky by Aimie Runyan.

Today...there are marches going on all over this great country. We are fortunate that we have the right to express ourselves and I'm grateful to see that, for the most part, they have been peaceful. I wish that we could have actual, honest discussions about how to go about changing things so that everyone is content, instead of talking over each other. Maybe that will come.

Quoting...“If every person in this room made it a rule that wherever you are, whenever you can, you will try to act a little kinder than is necessary - the world really would be a better place. And if you do this, if you act just a little kinder than is necessary, someone else, somewhere, someday, may recognize in you, in every single one of you, the face of God.” ― R.J. Palacio, Wonder

Feeling...tired, but then I'm always tired. 

I've seen some author posts over the past couple of months that have left me thoughtful. Not that my opinion matters or that anyone really reads these reflections. I've seen several posts where authors lament the fact that people don't buy their ebooks because readers think ebooks shouldn't cost as much as print books do. The posts go on to talk about how authors deserve to be paid for their work or break down how much it costs them per hour to write or the publishing percentages, etc. That they don't get rich from writing and they really don't get rich from writing if people don't buy their books. 

I read another post this week lamenting that people don't review books when they read them and how unfair that is to authors.

I can see their points, but these posts border on extremely entitled and even petulant. Yes, reviews are important to you and probably to your publisher. Yes, everyone wants to get kudos and hear that what they have written is amazing. But, to expect that the people who read your book will review it is unrealistic. Especially because the average reader isn't always aware that they can review books. Most just read because they like to read. You might not want to admit it, but most readers aren't thinking about you as a person either. You're a name on a book. And if they like your book, they might buy more. They are not thinking that it's their responsibility to get the word out that you even have a book out there. They just want to read. Be glad they want to read. And if they happen to leave a positive review some place? Be grateful.

It might also be time to do some actual educating instead of complaining. In your author's notes at the end of your book? Put something in there that reminds the reader that if they enjoyed the book, you'd love it if they left a review on Goodreads or Amazon or whatever site is your favorite. In your social media posts, do some kind educating to remind readers that they can leave reviews. Don't demand them and criticize and complain that they're not being left.

To expect and even demand that people review or buy your books is incredibly entitled. We have libraries for a reason. And people who purchase print books and balk at paying the same price for an ebook? That is called reality. A print book you can hold. It's tangible. It is actually your possession. And best of all? You can share it with other people. Which really does benefit authors because word of mouth is huge. An ebook? No matter how well written it is, an ebook is a glorified PDF document. It is not your actual possession no matter how much you paid for it, because it is at the mercy of The Cloud. And? You can't share them. With few exceptions, you can't let someone else borrow it and share the joy of reading. So yes, there are many of us who have a limit as to what we will spend on an ebook, since most of us aren't financially well off either. Because of that? Some of us don't go to the theater every time a new film is released, but we'll buy it on Blu-Ray or DVD or even digital download. Not all of us see it in the theater AND buy our own copy.  

And while you may lament that you can't make a living simply from your writing, the rest of us lament that we often can't make a living by what we do either. We're not deliberately refusing to buy your books. Many of us don't have the extra money to buy books or go to the theater either. Stop making it about you. As with reviewing, most readers aren't thinking of you as a person. They are not thinking, "Wow, I'd better buy this book so that the author can make some money." They're thinking, "This book looks interesting. I wonder if I can afford it this week? Maybe my library has it."

When I see these kinds of posts whether on blogs or Facebook, I take note. My fellow bloggers take note. Whiny, petulant authors don't go on my reading list. Authors who complain that people don't buy their books, don't go on my reading list. Just like authors who complain about negative reviews or criticize and go after reviewers who don't like their books don't go on my reading list. Entitlement pisses me off.

We as readers are grateful for all of those who write. Who take their time and talents to create something we can enjoy. When we can, we purchase your books. When we can't, we borrow them from someone who has or we get them from our libraries. But we read them. And we remember that we liked them and so when a new one comes out, maybe we can buy that one. Or maybe we'll remember that the author of that book pitched a fit and complained about the readers who didn't buy it last time.

Planning...this next week. It's Spring Break.

Gratitude...for the sunshine today. That my family is all together this afternoon. That The Artist's friend fits in well with us. That the Doctor is an awesome father and willing to take them to see the movie this afternoon.

From my world... 



Cookie Butter. Oh. My. Goodness. Whoever invented this and said, "Hey, lets take those yummy Biscoff cookies and mix them up and make them into butter." You? You are my favorite person this week. Seriously. 

What about you? What are you reflecting on this week? How has your week gone?

Comments

  1. I can't believe you consider 45 warm! We've all been whining because it was only in the 50s today.

    I hear you on the dialogue in this country - we seem to be more divided than ever.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, it seems weird, doesn't it? But, 45 in April is a lot warmer than 45 in October. And when it's dipped into the 20s, 45 seems warm.

      Delete
  2. You want to see warm come over here!!!!
    I like the part about authors. Eye opener.

    ReplyDelete

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