Much ink has been spilled on SFWA's decision to side unconditionally with Hachette in calling out Amazon for being a big, mean corporation that is putting their own profits ahead of the profits of other big, mean corporations the interests of helpless authors. In general, this reads as a slap in the face to indie authors who are publishing their own sci-fi and fantasy works without waiting for permission. In contrast, it seems that most of the defense of Hachette is coming from the big name, guaranteed best-seller authors that make Hachette most of their money.
Ironically, SFWA has recently been taking comments on allowing self-pubbed authors entry. That is, they're maybe, possibly, thinking about doing some discussion at some point about deciding on just how high to set the bar. Some of the discussion about just how high to set the bar reminds me of how the Russian judges view ice skating by anyone who isn't Russian. I think this comment sums it up:
SFWA: proudly slamming the car door on its own fingers since forever.
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Help keep the words flowing.
Ironically, SFWA has recently been taking comments on allowing self-pubbed authors entry. That is, they're maybe, possibly, thinking about doing some discussion at some point about deciding on just how high to set the bar. Some of the discussion about just how high to set the bar reminds me of how the Russian judges view ice skating by anyone who isn't Russian. I think this comment sums it up:
Marc Cabot
If, upon review, the work is professional, the applicant can be admitted.
Punchline of an old joke, modified for context:
Poll Worker, Incredulous: “You can read that?”
Indiepublisher, Resigned: “Yep. It says ain’t no independent authors gettin’ in here today.”
SFWA: proudly slamming the car door on its own fingers since forever.
||| Comments are welcome |||
Help keep the words flowing.
Not forever, only since going indie became a viable way to get your work "out there."
ReplyDeleteAren't we all on the same side (and if both my comments show up, Tony, kill the first one)?
ReplyDeleteI'd never join a club that wants me as a member!
ReplyDeleteNow I have to go shoot an elephant in my pajamas.
+1 what Larry said. And I LOVE the Russian skating judge comparison.
ReplyDelete