Grumpy Old Authors

Apparently some authors feel it is their publisher’s duty to publish them. And when something happens they don’t like, though the fault may lie with them, they decide to criticize and denigrate that publisher in public forums and expect this passive aggressive ploy to endear them to that publisher and therefore get them their way.

It’s a risky tactic unless you are somebody like Stephen King or Stephanie Meyer. And it makes said author look like a bitter sniveling curmudgeon. Publishing, like writing, is a business. The publisher, through their own marketing research, knows what it wants and doesn’t want. It may have limitations placed on its material by outside elements the author has no knowledge of. You don’t get a job at McDonalds and start telling them how to make their fries. So if you are going to push the limits you had better decide to be sincere and do it for the sake of your art, and not simply for the sake of pushing to see what you can get away with. And you should be prepared to tone down that effort if it doesn’t fly.

Of course, I am not saying you shouldn’t express your displeasure in a polite courteous manner befitting the professional you are. You have that right and publishers respect that. But keep biting the hand that prints you and sooner or later you’re going to pull back a stump—read: rejection, or blackballing.

Besides being a business for both publisher and author, being published is a privilege. I am totally against the PC pervasiveness, but on the other hand I understand it’s there and if you are going to write you will need to come to terms with it and work around it. Constantly whining about it does not do a damn bit of good for any concerned. An artist should be able to work within the boundaries set forth by the publisher—and ALL publishers have them—and still be able to satisfy their creative integrity. If your publisher frowns on violence or sex, then work harder on character and suspense. If you can’t live with the guidelines, go elsewhere.

I’ve been very lucky with my publishers. I have probably used some things in books that might not fly from others because, I hope, I have used them in such a way as to still be palatable and true for the reader. There have been times when I pushed the limit--though I have never down this on purpose, it was just the story I was telling--and maybe went too far. Sometimes I probably haven’t gone far enough. That’s part of being an author. That’s part of being a professional, as I discussed in a previous blog.

Some folks never learn that. They feel every word they set down is sacrosanct, and bitch and moan about their artistic integrity if even a single phrase is altered, when in actuality all it comes down to is pathological need for control and validation. They crave being right. They are essentially two-years-olds stomping their feet and wanting their way or no way.

Believe me, take this attitude enough and it is usually no way.

Then of course, after the inevitable confrontation, they feel the need to argue their point incessantly and ad infinitum. They take it public. Perhaps there are instances in which this is necessary, such as if you are being radioactively poisoned by Russian spies, but for the most part this just burns bridges and makes the complainer look like an ass. I know authors like that. They usually pick and choose supportive statements from friends out of context to back up their case. I’ve been the victim of it and so have some friends and publishers.

This negative energy usually turns on the user, much like the Wiccan tenant of what you do unto others coming back on you seven times over(forgive me if I balled that up any, I’m going from memory). I wish these authors would seriously sit down and take a hard look at themselves. See the other point of view and perhaps learn to channel their energy into a more positive creative expression. There are points of no return. A little revising might get you published, but a lot of whining isn’t going to endear you to anyone, including the folks who initially supported you. Hard lesson learned for those types. Too often a bitter pill that just swells in their gullet. A pity. Because talent is a gift. Irritating the hell out of someone is not…