Back-Bitching. It Exists
There’s something both fascinating and alarming that authors do, and just for fun, I thought I’d share. Note: everyone I’m talking about today will be nameless to protect the innocent, and the annoying.
I subscribe to the old adage, praise in public, reprimand in private. In other words, why show your ass to everyone and sundry when a private flare-up will suffice?
Lately, I’ve been privy to a few author loops (where readers don’t see this, thank God) where authors have been acting out. I’m focusing on authors because authoring is what I do, but this applies to any job where you have a public place to stand up and cry foul.
Now, I’m not advocating letting anyone walk all over you. Publishers exist because authors write and readers read. That doesn’t give publishers the right to not pay, dismiss, or ignore author concerns. However, that said, there’s a way for an author to express her or his displeasure. And ranting on a publisher forum ain’t it.
Recently, one of my publishers has gotten backlogged on pay. They are still in line with what they’ve promised per the contract, so technically an author doesn’t have a leg to stand on complaining about late payments. But since the publisher has pretty much been paying monthly, authors (myself included) have grown to rely on those monthly paychecks.
Yeah, yeah, I know, cut to the chase. So on these publisher forums, read by authors and publisher alike, authors have taken to talking smack…
“Only the big seller are getting their checks, I bet.”
“Why are these late again? What the hell?”
“Why do we have to deal with this? I can’t believe they haven’t fixed this shit by now.”
“Oh my God. I can’t pay my electricity! It’s the end of the world!” (Um, hello? Why the heck would you not budget? Writing is a known commodity for not paying consistently or timely across the board, at EVERY publisher I’ve ever known.)
These are not direct quotes, but you get the gist. Now my question is, why the hell, as a professional author, would you not go right to the source and ask the pay people at the publishing house when to expect payments? The publisher has already expressed, twice, why payments will be late. And yes, the publisher didn’t explain the first time until after the payments were first late. Yet some of these authors continue to complain without, I think, realizing how it makes them look.
Granted, this is a closed loop. But you know what? I’m also a reader. And I am for sure not going to buy a book from a whiny idiot who doesn’t know better than to act like a professional. Whether it be pay, editing, communication, whatever the issue, as a grown, mature individual with a brain, I’d think it basic courtesy and sense to take a problem to someone who can handle it.
I’m ranting a bit, but I’m just frustrated to see my fellow authors acting so stupid. Look, I was with a publisher who was awful, with a capital A. They didn’t pay on time, per the contract. They didn’t give edits, changed release dates, and outed authors’ real names on their website. But I never called them on it publicly or trashed them to readers or other writers because it would have made me look bad. Instead, I never submitted to them again and let anyone asking know what was what, privately in an email.
You’d think by now folks would grow up and get a pair. Passive aggressive behavior has no place in business. But apparently the drama in many an author’s work has leaked into real life. Scary stuff, for sure.
Curious though, is it just me who gets annoyed by author tirades? Would you still read an author who acted like a schmuck on public/semi-public forum?
You’re right and I wouldn’t and won’t read after what I’ve seen. I get that we’re all human, but acting out on a social media group (private or not) makes me wonder why they’re really writing to begin with. Just my two cents. Thanks for finally saying something and tactfully.
Well, tactful is not my middle name, so I had to try really hard not to offend. LOL
I agree 100%.
You’re only saying that because I didn’t mention you specifically as one of those whiny authors. HA! Kidding. That’s why we’re friends. We don’t tolerate BS and author acting out.
It seems some people (authors and other professions alike) are just complete drama merchants…
I can’t be doing with theatrics and drama thrown about by a writer – or anyone else for that matter!
You are so right Marie, their behaviour shows THEM up for what they are and it’s not pretty!!
If reasons for late payments or whatever have been explained, what do they honestly expect to change with their rants? Do they see themselves as more important than everyone else that they expect they should be treated differently?!?!
They should indeed deal directly with whoever their issue is with and maintain some dignity & self-respect!!
I’ve, two or three times now, changed my mind about reading work by a certain author because of rants that have been made in public/social media sites (or have found their way into the public domain!) This may be a loss to me as their books might be great but I don’t want to waste my time and money on someone who is nothing more than a self centred, overly dramatic, overgrown child!!!
Life is hard enough without listening to someone else’s unnecessary moaning and complaining…. :-\
Everything you just said, Tracy. Yes!
There is a right time place and way to do pretty much everything. If you have a problem with your employer (or supervisor or whatever) you go to THEM and try to work it out to everyone’s satisfaction BEFORE you start bitching up a storm.
The word compromise seems to have left our collective vocabularies lately. A middle ground that helps everyone be happy (and make money) is never a bad thing.
Do I think ANYONE should let an employer walk all over them and not take a stand? Of course not. But if your contract says things will be paid at certain times and you happen to get lucky enough to get paid more often … be thankful … but realize that if that changes but everything is still done to the contract … suck it the fuck up cupcake. And there are ways around contracts (I’m looking at you Prince).
Would it affect my opinion and buying of an author (or any other artist)? YES it would. It probably wouldn’t have when I was younger … but I have a conscience and my own moral code. I don’t expect ANYONE to be perfect or saints. But I can tell you after having dealt with a certain WELL KNOWN band and the people who are in their “inner circle” … (continued)
the people this band calls friends as well as knowing what behaviors the BAND still participates in (come on guys … you’re in your 50’s … GROW UP) .. Yeah … no thanks. Not to mention they haven’t been putting out anything worth buying anyway. I won’t buy Michael Jackson stuff either. Justin Beiber … I wasn’t a huge fan anyway … but his behavior has assured I’ll NEVER buy anything of his … EVER.
And there is one particular Author … I have read them from pretty much the beginning and I LOVE their work. I’m having a hard time reconciling that their current book got delayed by 3 MONTHS because of the death of a CAT. Really? In WHAT other job do you get 3 freakin months to mourn a pet? Hell most jobs wouldn’t give you an hour. And this author ISN’T working on multiple books … nope … JUST one. Would this be a HUGE deal to me normally? Not always … but considering it’s already taking almost 2 YEARS between books … I’m having a hard time staying devoted and interested. And got slammed by her fan girls for saying so LOL
So yes an artists behavior WILL affect whether I’ll buy/continue to buy their stuff.
Angi, I’m confused. So you think whiners are wrong? LOL I’m so with you on all this. It’s sad, but I used to be a huge Mel Gibson fan. Then he acted out, crazy, a hater, and just…again, crazy. Now I can’t watch his movies. There’s an author I know of who is a real “rhymes with witch” on the loops. I refuse to read her anymore. Same with another one who thinks–or at least acts like–the world should revolve around her. I can’t read her. I WON’T!
There is a difference between venting after a rough day/week/month/etc and whining LOL I sent my kids to their rooms because I wouldn’t tolerate whining LOL
There is a right way to discuss an issue with an employer/publisher/agent/anyone and a wrong way. It’s ok to discuss and vent between friends/co-workers when things are going wrong. It’s ok to try to come up with a solution together.
In this case people were flat out wrong. Especially if no contract terms were being broken and explanations had been given. That’s when a good bitch slap is due LOL
You are so right, and not only with this issue. I see a lot of strange behavior and wonder whether or not people think of the backlash it can have on their credibility as a professional. Nice post. Thank you, Christina
Marie,
You are so right! Being an author is a profession and you should act professional in ‘public’ places. I’m in agreement that if you don’t like how the publisher performs, you choose not to work with them again in the future. But I wonder how many publishers choose to end relationships with the vocal authors by not offering contracts. What a reject letter that would make, “While we enjoyed your story, we are not offering you a contract because of you unprofessional behavior on our forums.”
I’ve never understood this type of behavior and normally just click delete when I see the first rant. I’m of the old-fashioned “You don’t air your dirty laundry in public.” Write a letter to the person/people who you are angry with and vent to a friend, but that’s it.