This post had perfect timing for me, Elle. I am disheartened by the tactics some writers use to gain power for themselves.
I just bowed out of a writers forum, because of horrible, childish behavior from a self-published member.
<snip> The site has forums for most genres, and the one that this member haunts is the only one that has no consistent posters. The other genres are flourishing.
When I went to the site owner, she insisted that his behavior was completely acceptable. She said she had no control over members personalities, and didn't wish to discuss it any further. I got totally discouraged, and left the forum, like everyone else had.
Mmm... I think I know which forum you're talking about here. I've been a member for a long time, but I haven't been in there very often because I find it a very judgemental and negative place that caters best to those with the biggest egos and best users of rhetoric to beat others down. And I know several members who fit into his description; I'm sure it's probably one of them.
...........................
On a separate note, I wanted to talk to the issue of self promoting one's published works - in well...less than shameless ways. This tactic is not new. Walt Whitman, when his first published pieces went unnoticed, he launched a nationwide campaign by an "anonymous" reviewer, filled with accolades on this new, genius writer. It worked! Even though he got negative attention for faking the reviews, he became world famous as a classic poet.
Then there is Dr. Wayne Dyer. After he got his first book published, he bought out the first printing himself, which put him on the best sellers list. He then sold the copies from the trunk of his car.
Question is, are these methods bad behavior, or clever ways to get noticed, in a highly competitive field???
Shay
Ooh boy. Yes, that is another entire issue, isn't it? Obviously it is clever marketing because it has worked (this time). It could so easily backfire, losing the author not only a lot of money, but also his credibility.
In my opinion, both of these examples are gaming a system. It's dishonest, insincere, and unfair to other authors who play by the "rules". Sadly, though, our society is an unfair one, and those who are prepared to bend or break the rules will usually win. I guess the questions are "can you live with yourself" and "how far are you prepared to stretch your integrity before you give it up completely"?
One of the experts on The Secret DVD was recently exposed as a fraud and conman. He seems to have gone against what the Secret is all about by getting too greedy and he stopped approaching his business with integrity or gratitude, but rather how much he could take away from someone else. I think it's a good example of how slippery a slope it can be once you decide that you will compromise honesty.