| Author | Message | ||
     Troy Regular Poster Username: Troy Post Number: 482 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: |
Based upon my experience; selling books (on-line and off); publishing book reviews; witnessing the careers of many authors for a decade. I’ve come up with the following axioms. If the following statements are accepted as true, it will help the reader understand a lot of the controversial issues in the book our industry. It will help explain why; “their eyes are reading smut” http://www.thumperscorner.com/discus/messages/1/8893.html How Self-Publishing is Ruining a Generation of Black Writers http://www.thumperscorner.com/discus/messages/1/20064.html Again these points should be self-evident. However, given the reactions of many authors and industry professionals, to some of the current conditions and trends in the publishing; one would think some of the simplest ideas were obscure concepts. 1 - Major Publishing Houses do publish “Bad” Books Let’s be clear: all books published by major houses are not worth of literary merit, contribute positively to our culture, or are well written. Indeed given the financial resources and number of skilled professionals involved we should be more critical of major publishers than we are of the highly motivated individual that decides to self-publish 2 - Some Self-Published Books are “Good” Similarly, let’s not fall into the trap of believing that all self published books are bad. AALBC.com has published many favorably reviewed books that were self-published. 3 - Sales Volume Best Measures the Relative Success of a Book If there is any single measure to quantify the level of a book’s relative success – the number of copies sold is it. 4 - Not All Successful Books are “Good” The converse is also true. 5 - Books That Appeal to More People Will Be More Successful It does not matter if the book is good or bad 6 - The More People Who Know About a Book the Higher it’s Potential for Success People have to know about a given book before they can even consider buying it. 7 - The Average Person Can Not Distinguish a “Good” Book From a “Bad” One Ignoring the books that are truly horrendous or spectacular; most book are “OK” and indistinguishable from each other, in terms of “literary merit” to the average reader. Readers tend to read books that; (1) they find interesting and (2) They are aware of (see #6). A lot of the discussion surrounding the “ghetto-hip-hop-urban-street-erotica” literature is largely irrelevant to the average reader. 8 - The More Books Published is Better Than Less Reader benefit when there are more choices and more competition between authors for the reader time 9 - Technology is Good for the Book Industry I’ve heard one writer lament that there were too many poorly written books by self-published authors. They then procedure to blame POD technology -- that is the equivalent of blaming the printing press for pornography 10 - ”Good Books” and “Bad Books” are Subjective Terms Ignoring books that are unintelligible because of too many misspelled words and syntax errors; there is no universally accepted standard for determining a, so called, good or bad book. This is a purely subjective matter. Of course, this will not stop others from forcing their standard of quality onto you or lamenting the dearth of “Good” books in the face of more books being sold. There are more “good” books published each year than I have time to read or even identify. I can only hope this will remain the case. 11 – The Book Business (from Author to Retailer) is Hard – You Better Love it I know I said 10 axioms but the 11th came to me at the last minute. This applies to all walks of life; but we tend to forget this in the book business. Many of us in the industry who want to contribute something positive to the world. Whether it is relating truths in a new way or sharing a wonderful story Sure, some authors, for example, are purely motivatived by money - but most are not. The most sucessful authors I've observed enjoy what they do. Admittedly, some authors are tempted to make more money by changing their style in order to sell more books (see #5). Even in this case, if the author is successful, reader benefits and author benefits from the liberty to write what they want because of the additional income. If you don’t love what you are doing, in this industry, we’d all be better off if you found something you love to do. Thank God it is Monday! | ||
| Chrishayden AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Chrishayden Post Number: 3334 Registered: 03-2004 Rating: N/A |
Troy: Good list. Thank you for sharing your experience and expertise. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 6556 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Yes, Troy, thanks for reminding us how seductive and fickle and paradoxical the publishing world is. | ||
| Chrishayden AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Chrishayden Post Number: 3335 Registered: 03-2004 Rating: N/A |
I already posted that. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 6559 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: |
When I address my posts to "toilet paper", you can roll out. You can respond now if you have anything coherent to say, "toilet paper." | ||
| Mzuri "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Mzuri Post Number: 2859 Registered: 01-2006 Rating: N/A |
12 - Some people never read the books that they have purchased. It's so true. Sometimes people are so darn busy that they purchase books and never even open them. Or they are collectors and purchase books from certain authors just because. Or they bought it because they have been brainwashed by Oprah. Whatever the reason, there are countless books whose owners never judge them since they never get read. | ||
| Troy Regular Poster Username: Troy Post Number: 483 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Mzuri, I eventually read most of the books I purchase. The main exceptions are books purchased at a reading of an author I'm supporting but not necesarily interested in reading. Which brings up observation #13: 13 - People Have Absolutely No Reservations Against Criticizing an Author They Have Never Read Typically the more vociferous the diatribe the higher the likelihood the reader has never read that particular author’s book. I’ve heard many people slam Zane for example, but when I ask which of her books have they read; typically the answer is “none.” I attended a panel discussion where an audience member proceeded to tear into Solomon Jones and the entire urban lit. genre. When Solomon asked if the woman had read his book the answer was “No.” ------ Chris, Cynqiue, tell me y'all cool? I don't like to see my mom and Brother at odds. | ||
| Jmho Regular Poster Username: Jmho Post Number: 177 Registered: 03-2004 Rating: |
Let see, I've never taken drugs but does that mean I can't say they are bad for you? But, if I one who sells drugs, would you think my opinion would be objective? | ||
| Sisg Regular Poster Username: Sisg Post Number: 271 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Good list Troy, and true. Thanks for this! | ||
| Troy Regular Poster Username: Troy Post Number: 484 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Sisg. Jmho, you can "say" anything -- most people do. I was writing about books, not drugs. I don't honestly believe the analogy is valid. However I will say, yes, your opinion is still objective. I'll assume when you wrote "drugs" you meant the illegal, non-prescribed kind. To the glacoma sufferer, a joint, would be quite "good". Drugs have been used for a number of positive reasons for all of recorded history - beyond just the "partying" reasons are accustomed to seeing today. Any thing "good" in the wrong hands can be made "bad". But more to the point. I've read feedback from hundreds of people on the reviews I've published. Educated and empassioned but in complete disagreement. Can they both be right? ---- Man, I just re-read my original post. While it is unrealistic to expect perfect copy on a discussion board post. I apologize for the typos -- peace | ||
| Chrishayden AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Chrishayden Post Number: 3337 Registered: 03-2004 Rating: N/A |
Troy: Everything is cool. Cynique has this terrific crush on me and I am playing hard to get. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 6581 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: |
Everything is not cool, Troy. If I'm your "mom" please make it clear that chrishayden is your half-brother because he sure ain't no child of mine. Had he been, I would've dropped him off at an oprhanage for retarded children. | ||
| Mzuri "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Mzuri Post Number: 2877 Registered: 01-2006 Rating: N/A |
 | ||
| Chrishayden AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Chrishayden Post Number: 3355 Registered: 03-2004 Rating: N/A |
Mzuri: That's what I love. Peace and LOVE in the Blackhand side of Cyberspace. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 6646 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
I know you'll be thrilled to learn, chrishayden, that on another thread, given a choice between ABM's unctuousness and your chafeness I found the latter the least off-putting. snort. | ||
| Yvettep Veteran Poster Username: Yvettep Post Number: 1550 Registered: 01-2005 Rating: N/A |
Cynique--He wore you down?! Say it ain't so! (Or perhaps it was Mzuri w/her famous C/CH kissy-fishes.) LOL! | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 6648 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Let's just say that chrishayden's abrasiveness was never boring. zzzzzzzzzzz | ||
| Chrishayden AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Chrishayden Post Number: 3359 Registered: 03-2004 Rating: N/A |
Well, Cynique that is one of the nicest things anybody has said to me this year, and at my funeral I want you and Mzuri to sing this song Body Heat by James Brown at MyStrandsInformation about Body Heat by James Brown. Listen to the song here! Get recommendations for similar songs and playlists. MyStrands let users discover new ... www.mystrands.com/track/9106040 - 22k - Cached - Similar pages | ||
| Mzuri "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Mzuri Post Number: 2921 Registered: 01-2006 Rating: N/A |
I'd be honored to sing (and dance) at your funeral. When are you gonna die???  | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 6652 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Right, Mzuri. Enough of this mush. Time to get back into attack mode! | ||
| Chrishayden AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Chrishayden Post Number: 3363 Registered: 03-2004 Rating: N/A |
Mzuri: I'm already dead. Now you and C-a-nook get ta steppin'! (Take it to the bridge, and stretch out my favorite part where he says "Release that presh-a-ha-ha-ha-ha!" and "I got bad luck! I got bad luck! I got ta go to church y'all!) | ||
| Yvettep Veteran Poster Username: Yvettep Post Number: 1551 Registered: 01-2005 Rating: N/A |
LOL at the Crazy Trio! | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 6668 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Say it loud! He's dead and we're proud. | ||
| Mzuri "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Mzuri Post Number: 2930 Registered: 01-2006 Rating: N/A |
Me and Cynique will be there posthaste in our DreamGirls outfits and wigs!!! | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 6669 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Yea, while chrishayden lies in state in his aluminum casket, leaving behind a devastated self-loathing negro wife who he left out of his will which listed the value of his estate at $122.35. | ||
| Chrishayden AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Chrishayden Post Number: 3368 Registered: 03-2004 Rating: N/A |
When I was a little boy About the age of five Mama told me I'd be the dancinest man alive When I was a little boy About the age of six My mama told me I'd never never get out of this fix When I was a little boy About the age of nine.. | ||
| Mzuri "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Mzuri Post Number: 2931 Registered: 01-2006 Rating: N/A |
$122.35?!?!?!?!? What provisions have you made for Cynique and I??? Hellllooooooow!!! I know you have some money stashed away for the DreamGirls. Because we have needs and we can't even chowdown at Willie's SweatMeats with chumpchange like that. Cheap Skate! | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 6673 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Well, chrishayden eventually fell on hard times Mzuri. "After the age of 9," he spent too much on "women and wine." | ||
| Yvettep Veteran Poster Username: Yvettep Post Number: 1555 Registered: 01-2005 Rating: N/A |
LOLOL! Stop it, y'all are killing me! |
