Well, for some time now I have been reading Nathan Bransford blogs when someone sends me to it, and mostly just shaking my head. He has always seemed a little lost and clearly agent perspective, which means he was more publisher interests than writer interests. But now that some time has passed since his agent days, he seems to be turning a corner. Or at least it appears that way from a distance. I honestly don’t know him.
His most recent post shouting about the fact that there are no lines between indie writers and traditional writers is something both Kris and I have been saying for a long time. In fact, Kris says it very, very, very clearly in her new blog today. She talks about time and decisions. If you haven’t read it, do so.
Remember, Kris and I both, over and over and over, talk about how we are in both camps. And will stay in both camps as long as the traditional publishers don’t chase us out with ugly contracts like Joe is talking about on his most recent blog.
So for a change, I agree with what Nathan Bransford said. To read it, go here. He is making a very, very clear point, and if you find yourself thinking there is a fight between indie published writers and traditional published writers, catch a clue. All you are doing with that kind of thinking is limiting your ability to make money and get your work read.
Sometimes it is right to be an indie writer, sometimes it is right to go traditional. The key is to be smart in the choice, not just locked into some imaginary fight.
Do what is best for you and make smart, informed decisions.
Us vs. Them strikes me as a waste of time, effort and energy when talking about writers.
Publishers and agents are another matter entirely. Those ‘gotcha’ clauses are the stuff of nightmares.
Things have changed so quickly – there may be hope in the future – but I’m not going to hold my breath. I’ll stay tuned, though – just in case.
Perfect way to express it, Kat. A waste of time.
Thank you.
We writers are all in the same boat. As a beginning (2 book) Indie, I need the advice of experienced writers. Which is why I obsessive read everything on DWS, KKR and PG’s blogs.
Someone once told me ‘To know that you don’t know is the beginning of wisdom.’
Someone on the superstars facebook page posted a link to this earlier today and I read it. Very good post. I’ve never read any of his other posts but this was a good one. A commenter jumped on and called him dead wrong about this, and some folks jumped on and corrected him, fortunately. Everyone wants to be in some kind of skirmish where it’s us against them. I don’t get it. It was like when the nook first came out. All the nook and kindle owners were up in arms against each other, trolling each other’s facebook pages and the like. These were GROWN folks, not kids. I never understood that, but it happens everywhere; Traditional vs Self Publish, Playstation vs Xbox, Kindle vs Nook. I just don’t get it.
By the way, great new look on the website.
I never read his blog when he was an agent but read it after and follow his blog quite a lot. I enjoy it. I think he is funny and most of the time I agree with him.
I don’t think there is a need for two sides but it’s the authors that do it to themselves.
Vera, granted, 90% of this made-up battle is done by authors just not understanding, or by bestsellers with their heads in the sand protecting their own world. But 10% is also done by uniformed agents and editors.
One thing I realized a long time ago is that agents and editors have no idea how writers make their money. Kris and my agent came out one year for another reason and came to our house and was shocked that we lived as well as we did and had three buildings on a ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Our agent had no idea we made what we made or even how. And again, it was our agent. Editors have even less of a clue. So when one of them gets something like this made-up battle in their heads, or has some issue with indie publishing, or thinks it is threatening their job, they also add to the silliness. So yes, mostly writers, but not 100%.
Dean, I like the new look of the site too. The font is larger and easier to read–although your previous font wasn’t difficult to read. It was certainly large enough.
I keep hoping Kris might make the font on her site a little larger. I really have to lean close and squint, even with my reading glasses, when I visit her blog (smiles). It’s so tiny.
Thanks, Barb. Kris is also working on a redesign that will be much simpler and larger as well. Hers will take more time, but sometime this summer is my guess.
Barb,
Firefox (the browser I use) has a +/- feature that is very useful. You CTRL-click in the navigation toolbar, which bring up a menu with Customize… on it.
From there I was able to put a +/- button at the end of the toolbar. Now any time the font is too small to read comfortably, I click the + side of the button until it is legible. Most websites take from 6 to 10 clicks – but I do it so automatically I don’t even notice. So much easier to read.
Don’t know if other browsers have it, but most should have add-ons somewhere that do the same.
Thanks! I’ll give that a try.