Reading a self-published novel

[deborahjross]

sartorias posted a wonderful discussion of issues in selling that first novel: the investment that one's support group has in the success of one's effort; the ease of submission brought about by computers (as opposed to having to type out the manuscript, carbon paper and all, and mail it), and some thoughts on being asked to read -- and supposedly write a blurb for -- a self-published novel.

I am reminded of an experience I had oh, 4 or 5 years ago. I was on a con panel with an earnest (and also disarmingly gorgeous) young man who was promoting his first book. Trade PB, glossy cover. He made lots of typical first-novel comments on the panel, so he wasn't stupid. He sounded as if he were about where any first-time novelist should be. We chatted writerly chat afterward, and he bestowed a copy of his novel on me in thanks.

Glossy covers don't tell anything. It was self-published. And it was awful. Really awful, and I usually bend over backwards to come up with encouraging comments. The Red Line of Doom (the point at which an editor stops reading) would have come on the second line, if not before. Sometimes a dynamite story trumps mediocre prose. (Dan Brown's work is an example, although I think it's exceptionally generous to label his prose mediocre.) I couldn't get far enough to tell if the concept was worth anything, but the prose was so bad, it would have made no difference. The sad part was how proud he was of it and the sincere enthusiasm with which he was promoting it.

I'd read a page, put it down, look at the paper-recycling bin, pick it up again a month later, when my brain had recovered. I kept trying to find a way to say, "Please don't do this. You are seriously damaging your career. For every reader you charm into buying this book, you will create an anti-reader who will never buy anything you write again. You are generating name recognition for all the wrong reasons. Go, learn, get some decent feedback, and then let an editor decide when your work is good enough."

In the end, I put the book in the library-donation pile.

Comments

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Bet I know who that is. The fellow seemed to have a ton of money--went to many cons where writers hang out, and one year not only handed out many, many copies of the novel, but costume jewelry to remind folks of it.

[coppervale.livejournal.com]

I just had a former apprentice ask me for something similar. He's supposed to be getting his last paycheck from me - but wrote to ask if instead of the money, I'd be willing to do a cover and write an intro for his book (which he plans to self-publish).

I told him it wasn't my work he'd be buying if I agreed, but my endorsement and reputation. And that's worth more than just the money.

I've done more work for less money, but that wasn't the point - me "lending" him my credibility would be. And it might last through a purchase - but it would evaporate when the buyer opens the cover.

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Yep. There are a few well known authors who provide a generically praise-ful blurb when asked. Of course they are being kind, and I'm sure finding their name on a lot of books one then finds disappointing doesn't hurt their own sales . . . but take their opinion on something? Nope.

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen or heard of him since, and this was a few years ago. I think he had a day job in something high tech, and hence could subsidize his ... er, hobby. I don't remember the jewelry, although I know a couple of writers who distributed "value added" book marks (with strings of beads attached). Since I've never bought -- or even read -- a book because of a fancy bookmark, I never thought it worth the effort.

[dancinghorse.livejournal.com]

You had a book that made your brain melt and ooze out your ears, and left you hysterically blind for days...

and you donated it to a library?

The next time I want a character to do something absolutely evil, that will corrupt a civilization for generations, I shall remember this.

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

Sorry I wasn't clear. I seriously doubt the book will end up on a library shelf. The books are sorted by librarians who presumably know what they're doing in selecting the items they can use. The rest get offered to the public. The Friends of the Library has a giant annual book sale for a fundraiser. It's in the civic center auditorium, and they sell the books BY THE POUND. (There are rules about how many linear feet of books you can scoop up at a time, or people would just sweep them off the tables and examine them after they'd gotten them home.) I think they recycle what doesn't sell. Hopefully, though, a small donation got made to a worthy cause.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

On the other hand, I read a simply wonderful self-published novel the other day. It happens to be from someone who's the exact opposite of your fellow on the panel--a very humble, self-effacing person. But wow--I just adored the story.

I think your experience is more common, but sometimes the other thing does happen too.

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

Care to mention it by name?

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

It's the first in a set of six books by cinda_cite, and it's called In God's House. It takes place in Maine, and the characters were so, so vibrant. There was a Vietnam vet who's fallen for a young woman who's a developer--but then his high school sweetheart comes back to town, fleeing a bad relationship, so this adds emotional complications. Other characters--the owner of a diner that's having to close, the local historian, the mother of the Vietnam vet, the developer-woman's brother--they all have a part to play, and they're all so real. And the presence of nature is very large and resonant, too, as well as the presence of the past. She talks about the paper mills, about the history of the settlement of Maine--and it all weaves into the story unobtrusively.

It's my understanding that gradually, over the course of the six books, a more fantastical element comes into the stories. This one had hints of that, but it wasn't at all what you'd call a fantasy. I just loved the characters and the writing style, which was light but firm.

If you go to her journal and scroll back, you'll eventually come to some of the entries she has on printing up the books through Hulu. I've only bought the first two, but one day I hope to get the rest.