It's all good and wonderful to help people, it's all perfectly fine to do blog tours and get your name out there, but what I find increasingly sickening is the mutual appreciation society. If you look on Indie blogs you see 'Today I'm talking to the incredibly talented Indie author xyz'. That, to be honest, makes me feel incredibly. Sick that is.
I see that everywhere when Indies talk to each other, one says, your success is well deserved and the answer will be: so is yours, you're so talented. But how many of those talented people have read the other talented's work, be it a longer excerpt or a full novel? I would guess not even 50%. Isn't that like going past a restaurant, looking at the menu and then saying, the food is really good in here?
For an interview you don't necessarily read the work, all you need is a rough overview about what the person is doing. That's all okay, but calling someone talented just because the person happens to be in the same boat is just wrong. What do you do if you then read the author's book and find he or she's not so talented?
I often feel like Indies think they need to blow up smoke each other's arses just to maintain the friendly tone, but isn't it enough to wish each other well?
Yes, I have a few people I can confidently recommend to someone, because I find their writing engaging, their stories interesting and them in general talented. Those will know it because I have told them several times. But you will not see me telling an author he's talented when I didn't read at least enough to form an opinion.
Look around on Twitter, those who follow each other to compliment each other; it's just a big love-you-writing fest. Sorry, just because you love my writing, doesn't mean I will love yours, too.
Okay, rant over.
Happy weekend, everyone :-)
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