Quote:
Originally Posted by PepsiFree
Self-published authors are some of the most unintentionally sad people I've ever known. The writing is almost always terrible, they become more marketers and grifters than writers, and they almost always seem more concerned about the existence of the book than whether it's any good. And of course, they're always first to tell you they're a published author, as though their version of that actually means anything.
The best comparison I can think of are those modelling/acting agencies where you have to pay all of the costs for headshots, screen tests, etc, and maybe you get a background part in some commercial (which anyone without an "agent" could get) and you call yourself an actor. It's people who want to be something so much that they'll pay just to be able to call themselves that, when the actual joy of it comes from earning it (and... you know... getting paid instead of being the one paying). It's embarrassing.
Not all traditionally published books are good, but almost all self-published books are some level of bad. There's reason why. Don't be bad.
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I think you are being a little harsh. If you have ever written a book, you would probably realize that it is often harder to convince a publisher to publish your work than it is to get up the courage to write the book in the first place.
There are numerous well written and well received self published books by authors that are a long way from being sad e.g. the Wealthy Barber.
Also I think with time and the advent of modern technology it is becoming easier and more feasible to publish and promote you own work.
I think one should respect and commend those who show the courage and commitment to make public what they deem to be adding to the overall public good.