My personal views last night as I was reading the various shared pitches and excerpts from the "Amazon Breakthrough Novelist Award" discussion boards on Amazon.
In playing part of the self-published community, I have noticed a great deal of authors who possess great talent when it comes to writing. So good, in fact, that the reader can automatically place themselves in the book, going through the scenes as they unfold.
I didn't think, a month ago, that coming into this community I would enjoy so much about it. I just wanted to get my work out there, get readers, and hopefully be discovered by a big time publisher or something. Plus, I've heard in more than one place that being self-published means the author doesn't have potential, and has been rejected one too many times. PUH-LEASE! My thoughts about self-published authors has changed drastically, all by picking up a few books, and starting to read.
These diverse groups of self-published authors are definitely all part of a "COMMUNITY" - and most of them can write!
We help each other grow, give each other writerly advice, share ideas about books, recipes, music - you name it - all the while regaling our stories of what placed the writerly pen in the author's hand... and how we've managed to weather the storm to the point where we are currently standing. We all have our voices, waiting to be heard, if only the reader can find us.
Because of this, I say in earnest: Hollywood needs to get their act together. The world of self-published authors is a gold mine, filled with authors of incredible imagination. At the core of every story, there lies something unqiue and as equally powerful - and Hollywood doesn't need to be doing the same movie over and over and over. (I bet you can name one off the top of your head, can't you?) My prescription: they need to learn to read something besides works affiliated with big-time publishers!
My suggested first stop: the self-published communities (Amazon, Smashwords, WHEREVER) of the web, because it's full of spiders with mightier bites than a black widow. Some of us writers also may just be movie goers - AND WE'RE TIRED OF REMAKES! Also, we're not all like "50 Shades," though, I admit, that's a start.
This is awesome, and thanks for sharing. You are right. I'm not to self-publishing as well and I've found that a lot of times we are undervalued. But in being a graphic designer for years I understand it's all in how you package yourself, your writing, promotions, image. Just because we don't have to following of Hollywood authors or the financial backing doesn't make us any less of a great author. THANKS AGAIN!!!
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