Snark Smackdown! Authors Gone Wild

Posted on August 12, 2013

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Is it naïve to think that there are enough decent people in the world who aren’t intent on screwing over or creating drama for the rest of the population? It’s a struggle each and every day not to give in to the chaos and just say “the hell with it.” I’ve worked in the automotive industry, the tech industry and the publishing industry and as much as I love to see the good in people come out, why is it that the ugly always makes so much more of a lasting impression? If you ever want to witness a rat race of who can make a peer look moronic in the eyes of executives, go work for a level 8 manager at GM. Don’t even get me started on what happens in Tech. As for publishing and speaking as a published author, some of our kind tend to be just as awful.

My editor at Zumaya has always told her authors to look at what we do as a career. Because it is a career. We’re professionals and even if it doesn’t pay what we’re used to getting at another job, it could one day depending entirely on how much we put into it. It’s sound advice and I respect her greatly for it. And as a professional, it is my duty to get my name out there, interact with readers, interact with other authors, interact with bookstore owners, assist when I’m able with up and coming authors, and to not complicate things. By not complicating things, this is accomplished by not screwing over another author or creating drama for authors. It’s more than a professional courtesy not to do these things; it’s damn polite not to do them. Didn’t our parents raise us better?

I have interacted with a number of authors over the last decade. I’ve come to know who to embrace, who to avoid and how to help counter drama that’s dished out. The bar was set pretty high for me when I started. People like Dorien Grey and G.A. Hauser come immediately to mind. When you want examples of hard work and integrity, look no further than these two people. I’ve never seen anyone who’s asked for help be turned away by Dorien or G.A. I’ve never heard them utter an unkind word about someone for the sheer sake of being spiteful. It’s not in their creed. It’s not who they are.

There are also some of us who go out of our way to put ourselves out there and open ourselves up to the world. I’m still trying to get comfortable with that, but someone like J.P. Barnaby makes it look easy. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who cares more about her readers, models, or friends than J.P. And approachable? Have you ever been able to walk away and not feel like you’ve met someone genuine after a chat with Kiernan Kelly, T.C. Blue, Rick Reed, Kayelle Allen, Shae Connor, or Eugie Foster?

Even newcomers like Patricia Logan (who happens to be my own personal scratching post) and soon-to-be-published Jeff Adkins are coming out this school of thought set down by those with far more experience than we have.

It’s not all peaches and cream, though. We have our elite or at least those who believe themselves to be the elite and who act on that belief. These people have created their own little island of existence, only let in who they want and badmouth the rest. Authors have been caught using sites like Goodreads to lower ratings of books by people they haven’t even read, but who are in their genre. This happens on Amazon and, I’m betting, on B&N, too. The reviews are pretty easy to spot since there’s no evidence in them that someone even read the book. Unfortunately, on Goodreads, one doesn’t have to leave a review with a poor rating, so it makes it much easier to get away with.

I know one author who was part of an anthology and went on social media a week prior to the book’s release trashing it. This person’s reason for keeping their story in? What if it became a hit? Editors and publishers themselves have been known to get an uncomfortable wedgie and talk some authors down. It happens. It shouldn’t, but it does. And maybe some of these people deserve it. Authors aren’t perfect, but like everybody else, we learn.

Where do I fit in all of this? I write comedy. My branding is my snark. I hang with some pretty cool people and I consider myself very lucky because of it. I offer my help when I can in terms of editing, story idea bouncing and talking over problems with a current work in progress. I make myself available when possible and I don’t stab other authors in the back. I’m a professional. I have integrity. But I’m not afraid to speak my mind when I find out someone has been talking smack about someone I know and care about.

So beware and keep the blows above the belt. We’ll be watching.

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Kristoffer Gair (who formerly wrote under the pseudonym Kage Alan) is the Detroit-based author of Honor Unbound, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To My Sexual Orientation, Andy Stevenson Vs. The Lord Of The Loins, Gaylias: Operation Thunderspell, several short stories featured in anthologies (to be combined in a forthcoming book), the recently re-published novella Falling Awake, its sequel, Falling Awake II: Revenant and Falling Awake III: Requiem.

28 Responses to “Snark Smackdown! Authors Gone Wild”

West says:
August 12, 2013 at 8:09 am
I’ve seen exactly what you’re talking about. It’s one of the reasons I do not frequent Goodreads. I know as an author I need to get out and meet & greet more, but I’m a bit of an introvert, even here on the internet. Plus being an introvert goes against all of my Gemini leanings. I would love to be more involved but I always feel like I’m late to the party or I’m crashing it. I also know I need to step up my writing speed. That’s not easy when you live with a teenager and your mother. Neither of whom care when they interrupt. At least the cat only bothers me when he wants food or outside.

Anyway, just want to say great post. Actually I enjoy all of your posts.

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Kris says:
August 12, 2013 at 8:30 am
Ah, the writing interruptions. Yes, that does not sound ideal. lol I was joking with the hubby yesterday that just when I get the house in order and am ready to dig full time back into writing (when I don’t have my dad for the day) that either his grandmother, his mother or my mother will come to live in the house with me. Then the chaos begins anew. You have my sympathy.

And thank you for the kind words about the posts. =)

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Joelle Casteel says:
August 12, 2013 at 8:19 am
hm interesting thoughts 🙂 yeah, why do people make it harder for others. As my Master jokes about one useless person we know “If only she used her power for good”- she’s a stereotype of “using and abusing welfare” and just a generally unkind person. I know for me, the place for this is controlling FSoG comments, because it’s just one of those things that raises my ire instantly. Well FSoG and “BDSM for authors” things.

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Kris says:
August 12, 2013 at 8:32 am
I need only look at my extended family, typically my aunts, uncle and cousins, for examples of just how people use their power for bad. Honestly, they’re the white trash part of the family. Many of us could learn from their examples of serving as a warning to humankind. The trick for me is that I really have nothing to do with them and go out of my way to avoid them. I don’t need their drama. Don’t want no scrubs…

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Joelle Casteel says:
August 12, 2013 at 9:36 am
lmao yeah… plenty of family I avoid following such a plan too 😀

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Dorien says:
August 12, 2013 at 8:33 am
Thanks for the kind words, Kris. Like you and the other authors you mentioned by name I can’t see the point in trying to raise ourselves up by putting others down. Good job, as always.

D

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Kris says:
August 12, 2013 at 9:29 am
There have been a few incidents that happened over the last couple of weeks and found their way to me. They’re senseless and I don’t enjoy seeing people hurt over them.

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Katherine T. says:
August 12, 2013 at 9:16 am
The old adage — “Treat others as you would want to be treated” comes to mind here. So, those authors who go out of their way to undermine other authors must be looking for similar treatment in kind. Sad. I never understood people who thought they could lift themselves up by putting others down. Really, it just makes them look pathetic. You, Kris, are one of the “lift you up” kind of people and that puts you in good company. But, like me, you don’t suffer fools for very long. That’s what I like about you. Your wit and sharp tongue can put someone in their place in no time flat and leave them wondering what just happened. Priceless quality, indeed.
Keep up the good work. 🙂

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Kris says:
August 12, 2013 at 9:32 am
Thank you, Katy. I spent a decent chunk of my life not speaking up, defending myself or coming to the aid of others as much as I should. This is my profession. If I don’t take more initiative, then I might as well sit back and watch the world go by around me. That’s rather dull.

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amelia bishop says:
August 12, 2013 at 9:23 am
So often, kindness costs nothing and means everything. This is especially true in the writing world, where we put our hearts and souls out for everyone to see, and to judge. I know it’s best to have a thick skin (I’m working on it), but we should at least not face exclusion and insults from our peers. Thank you for being kind in your words and actions!

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Kris says:
August 12, 2013 at 9:36 am
There are 313 million people in the United States, which means there are 313 million potential readers. I think there are enough to go around so that authors don’t have to have to sabotage each other. But then…I’m told I’m too logical at times. =)

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Jon Michaelsen says:
August 12, 2013 at 9:52 am
Well said!! 🙂

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Jon Michaelsen says:
August 12, 2013 at 9:49 am
Great post, Kris! I’ve heard of this happening and have seen examples of the snarkiness; I don’t get it either – it reeks of someone who has confidence issues in their own writing to feel the need to attack other writers – unfortunately, I’ve even read articles accusing the typical big NY published authors doing the same; ridiculous. A good friend of mine gets attacked all the time; when his latest title gets released and put on Goodreads, Amazon, etc – instantly 1-star reviews are posted. Luckily, most readers have become aware of this practice and can spot the naysayers quickly. I avoid authors who do this like the plague. Again, great post. I read your posting often, but rarely respond, but I do enjoy your blog!

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Kris says:
August 12, 2013 at 12:08 pm
It’s happened to me once, so I count myself lucky. I had a disagreement with someone and something popped up shortly after. Coincidence or deliberate? Suffice to say that I had my suspicions.

And, hey, glad to know you’re out there reading, even if you don’t always post a comment. =) Thank you.

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Shae Connor says:
August 12, 2013 at 10:01 am
I have you all fooled! My evil plan is working! Mwahahahahaha!

(Which is to say, awww, and *blushes*, and snuggles. <3)

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Kris says:
August 12, 2013 at 12:10 pm
Am just hoping you’re not working the night shift at DragonCon again this year. You get crabby and disappear during panels when that happens! lol

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Shae Connor says:
August 12, 2013 at 8:48 pm
I am, but this year I think I’m actually *on* the panels, so I can’t slink away easily. 😀

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Patricia Logan says:
August 12, 2013 at 11:35 am
My personal pet peeve in this business is authors who attack one another. *tired sigh* What’s the bleeping point of that? We’re all authors and we’re not going to like everything we read. Does that mean that we have to go on social media and trash another authors “baby”? I don’t know what transpired in that authors life to shape their work and I’m sure as hell not going to go and trash their book in a review. I don’t give reviews to books that I don’t like. It’s as simple as that. If I can’t leave a 4 or a 5 star review, I don’t review it at all.

As far as taking things to a personal level, I have been the victim of that and it doesn’t feel good. As a matter of fact, I felt ganged up on and it sucked. The thing was, the people doing it were total hypocrites themselves and I chalked that up to the clickish high school nature of some people. The jocks and the cheerleaders just never grew up. I have a good friend who contemplated suicide when she was personally attacked by hundreds of other authors. What kind of people sense blood in the water and attack in mass? Yep. Sharks. These folks really need to visit more cock fights and get it out of their system.

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Kris says:
August 12, 2013 at 12:12 pm
I thought cock fights were illegal? Are you suggesting people not only break the law by having them, but also break the law by supporting such an endeavor?

Btw, ‘authors baby’ should be ‘author’s baby’. heh heh heh heh

See? You’re my personal scratching post!

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mary gresham says:
August 12, 2013 at 10:08 pm
While I’m not an author, I am in the process of writing something, I feel the same way as you Patricia, if I can’t leave at least a 4 star review, I won’t leave anything. I have only found a few books that I just flat out didn’t like and most of those, I didn’t finish reading. But, I never said a word about any of them to anyone, not even in a private message to the author. It’s really bad when the slamming is from fans, but even worse when it’s your own peers making up fake names and leaving nasty reviews.
We all know it’s possible to leave a review for a book without getting nasty about it, so I don’t understand why they do this, it’s stupid and very immature and when they get caught red handed, other makes them look even more stupid than they are.

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Kris says:
August 12, 2013 at 10:28 pm
I’ve had people e-mail me before and offer constructive comments about things they wished were different or didn’t like as much. Not everybody shares their opinion, but chances are if they felt that way, someone else will, too. Constructive criticism is good. Trashing? Not so much.

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G. A. Hauser says:
August 12, 2013 at 2:07 pm
great blog, Kris. I just wrote one very similar to it a week ago. “Nasty is Here to Stay”….like I said in that blog, you can’t stop nastiness, or the people who spout it- but by being kind, giving back to the rest of the authors out there who work hard and are not spouting poison, and…by succeeding, you will leave the hate-mongers in the dust. Love you, sweetie…xx

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Kris says:
August 12, 2013 at 10:32 pm
I’d recently had phone chats with two authors (not naming names) who’ve had some issues with this crap recently. It’s been on my mind for a bit now and it finally came out today. Funny thing is that word eventually gets around to who the culprits are saying and doing these things.

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JP Adkins says:
August 12, 2013 at 8:24 pm
It is sad when some people believe that in order to raise themselves up, they must tear someone else down. There is enough for everyone and the more inclusive you are, the more resources you have to draw upon.

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Kris says:
August 12, 2013 at 10:33 pm
I was proud of myself for not even referencing the whole GRL debacle.

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Kiernan Kelly says:
August 12, 2013 at 10:13 pm
I could never understand bullies. Not when I was in school, and certainly not now as an author, yet our genre in particular seems full of them. Sigh. Takes too much freaking energy to be mean.

Btw, I think you’re pretty darn cool, too, Mr. Alan, even if you did put a picture in my head of you, J.p. Barnaby, and the Fleshjack. 😛

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Kris says:
August 12, 2013 at 10:34 pm
Well, now you know what can buy Butch for Christmas. heh heh heh

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jean joachim says:
August 13, 2013 at 10:11 am
Great post! Yes, I know all about this stuff. I’ve had my best-selling books attacked by jealous authors leaving trashing reviews on Amazon, and yes, on Barnes & Noble, too. They never leave details of the book, so it’s obvious they haven’t read it. Simply trying to destroy sales with their nastiness. But they have not been successful. I never leave a review unless it’s four or five stars, like Patti. I don’t sink to their level. I no longer tout my success on Fb, especially one private chat group, as I know the trashers are there, waiting. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have a book or two on the Amazon top 100. I’ll never tell. I find that fact damn sad. Their jealous behavior won’t raise their books up, so why lower themselves? I’ll never understand it.