AAR

[mirole]

It's very interesting to ready everybody's opinions. I agree with many of you, too many to quote.

I agree with those who say that they prefer to know little about an author, that it would be something really bad to prevent me from reading a book. I cannot think of anything but direct plagiarism is one of such things. When I read about Cassie Edwards I knew I would never try her books. But in general (other than in cases of plagiarism), my curiosity and desire to read an interesting new book would outweigh my principles.

I also agree with those who say that none of us is perfect and we should not hold authors to higher standards than ourselves so everybody draws a line for herself at what to tolerate and what not.

Library Addict: thank you for posting all the links in your post, I started reading them and will finish later tonight. I am very interested in all these controversies.

Xina, thank you for posting the link about the bidding war for FSoG movie rights on the other thread. I am happy for the author, it's like a Cinderella story. (Now I have to keep my eyes and ears closed lest I hear something disgusting about her haha).

[Moriah Jovan]

[Moriah Jovan]

One more thing: I do think that artists of any stripe are at least a little unbalanced and that is part of what makes their work something we want to read/look at/watch/listen to. I can tell when an artist is phoning it in or sees it as a job; their work is totally soulless.

There is a long tradition of Teh Crazy in literature and elsewhere, a long tradition of Authors Behaving Badly. To me, it's part and parcel of living in one's head a good portion of the time.

Being forced into the role of marketer is, in my opinion, not good for the author or the work and it blurs those barriers between author and reader that should remain in place. Most writers aren't marketers. They just want to go in their hole and write. Most of us would prefer not even to offer a bio.
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The Proviso .:. Stay .:. Magdalene

[Linda in sw va]

[Moriah Jovan]

[Lizzie]

I have recently stopped reading an author because I find her posting here constantly about her books extremely annoying. This author was one of my all time favorites and I would wait patiently for each new book.

I really don't want to know any personal information about an author. I want her books to speak to me.

Not all books are going to appeal to everyone and a writer should be mature enough to understand that concept.

Here in Georgia we have a saying "If you can't run with the big dogs stay under the porch."
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chocolate poppin' bookaholic

[xina]

[Diana]

There is a big difference between unethical and garden variety obnoxious or just plain annoying. I tend to give authors a lot of latitude because after all they're people too (and maybe a little emotional with the creative juices,too).

The only thing that's struck me as unethical lately is that big ole honkin' failure to disclose by an influential blogger. It still bothers me and the blogger still sells her book and feeds soundbites to national media without revealing a paid professional relationship with her author clients.

And honestly with all the back and forth going on online now, is it really fair to expect authors to behave better than bloggers and those of us who tweet and post on message boards? We certainly don't hold back. The pendulum is swinging back the other way as far as I'm concerned. I know I know I know that authors are selling a commodity and that we're the consumers, but I'm just as often put off with readers going after authors with guns blazing. I think the place for authors to vent is on their own blogs or in private email loops. Of course that's a double edged sword because some helpful reader will post a link and the pointing and laughing will start, or hell, an outright lynching will occur. But I really don't expect authors to be better people than we are. Really.

I don't remember where I read this recently but it made me laugh. If you can't run with the big dogs, then stay under the porch.

So here's where I admit I'm a hypocrite along with a whole lot of other people in romancelandia. I really want to keep the AAR boards clean as a sanctuary for readers (including authors wearing their reader hats) to discuss books and trends and all those lovely potpourri topics. I want to be able to post a review on Goodreads and discuss books here without having the author interfere. Authors, if you step into a reader discussion about your book, you can expect someone to tell you that you shouldn't have.

I dunno. Seems to me that Romancelandia is awfully judgmental lately. Lots of finger-pointing and shaming. Is it wrong? Not really, but I'm more than a little sick of the I'm-more-righteous-than-you-are game.
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Diana

[Katie (kat)]

First off I have to say how much I like Jennifer Crusie from her blog. I've only read a few of her entries (usually when there is a link in a thread I'm reading) but every time I do I like the woman. I'm going to have to give her books another shot.

I can be incredibly judgemental (of myself included) and I don't like that aspect of my character. I have been very critical of Linda Howard in recent years because I use to love her books and was a huge fan. I've said what I thought and I think it's time to let that go. I'm not a fan of her new work but I will try to refrain from bashing her anymore.

I stopped going to the smart b****es who love trashy books site because I do think they are just too negative and, sorry, condescending. It was there I got into an argument with Nora Roberts. Before that incident I really liked her In Death series and bought all the books but I can't read her anymore. I think of the author as being self-righteous and I can't separate her personality from the character of Eve Dallas. I wish I had never gone to that site because I'm very picky and need more things to read.

I think authors have every right to say whatever they want and if I complain about them/their book they have every right to tell me why I'm wrong. If I don't like someone I don't have to read their books but I respect people who are passionate and even if disagree with them I can respect that they have a strong opinion. They only poeple I really I have no tolerance for are: anyone who hurts or thinks it is okay to hurt an animal, anyone who is cruel and people who think they are above others intellectually, physically, because of status or class or any of that nonsense.

I have had a few positive experiences with authors and that has influenced me to buy their books:

Teresa Medeiros - she was signing books at the B&N I was working at and was such a lovely person I bought several books to read and give to friends

Janet Evanovich - went to one of her book signings and she was so nice and wrote something special for my sister for her birthday. I don't want to know anything negative about her because I'm very appreciative of the happiness she has put out in the world with her Stephanie Plum series.

Shana Abe - very nice lady! just a little interaction through emails.

Lori Foster - always nice to fans
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The basis of all animal rights should be the Golden Rule: we should treat them as we would wish them to treat us, were any other species in our dominant position. ~Christine Stevens

[Linda in sw va]

[Diana]

[Diana]

[Diana]

[Nana]

I think authors, like all of the rest of us, are figuring out where our public and private lives begin and end. We're not used to realizing that we're equally "public" in a suit at a bookstore signing and sitting in bed in fuzzy slippers and in curlers, as long as we're online. For authors, I'm sure it's extra complicated by the rule of sales and visibility, and for many of them even bad publicity is good for sales.

[Eliza]