Hugh Howey - Must Read...

[psychotick]

Hi,

I'd be more wary of noncompete clauses. This is a battle that's been heating up these past two years.

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As for Hugh he knows quite a bit about about the industry, and AbsoluteWrite which is I assume the fora being dismissive of him, is markedly anti indie. They went after Brenna Aubrey big time just recently for her turning down a six figure three book deal with a big six publisher because of the noncompete clauses.

Cheers, Greg.

 

[Kissmequick]

As for Hugh he knows quite a bit about about the industry, and AbsoluteWrite which is I assume the fora being dismissive of him, is markedly anti indie. They went after Brenna Aubrey big time just recently for her turning down a six figure three book deal with a big six publisher because of the noncompete clauses.

Cheers, Greg.

Actually the mods locked that down with a public apology when it became clear that a few posters had crossed the line. Personally I wondered why she didn't at least try to negotiate the clause, but hey, it's her book and I wish her all the best.

AW are not anti - indie as such*, but anti people making uninformed choices whether that's re a small press, self pubbing gurus proclaiming it's The One True Way, not getting scammed, knowing a bad contract when you see one, knowing when/if it's good idea to self pub etc, which isn't the same thing. Several prominent members (and some of the mods) are self pubbed. Several members are doing really well at it too, and are always in hand to help with advice etc. Ofc there will always be some on every forum...but it's a big board and the mods do their best to keep everyone respectful. As for Hugh, I'd say yes he's obviously very knowledgeable about self pubbing, and I'd probably listen to his advice on that subject, but in this article what he's saying isn't jibbing with my experience at all (especially where he suggests things that several big pubs are already doing and have been, in some cases, for some time).

Frankly I'm not seeing anything like that sort of non compete in my contracts. Maybe it's more in the US??? Don't know. But if they were that restrictive, no I wouldn't sign it either, or not until my agent had negotiated it to something I can agree to.

*ETA: Although they do have people coming over from various self pub boards, making an account and basically trolling so they cam say 'hey look how bad it is', which can be a problem. But that's not anti indie. That's anti people being ****-stirring gits. Not the same

 

[Fishbowl Helmet]

Actually the mods locked that down with a public apology when it became clear that a few posters had crossed the line. Personally I wondered why she didn't at least try to negotiate the clause, but hey, it's her book and I wish her all the best.

AW are not anti - indie as such*, but anti people making uninformed choices whether that's re a small press, self pubbing gurus proclaiming it's The One True Way, not getting scammed, knowing a bad contract when you see one, knowing when/if it's good idea to self pub etc, which isn't the same thing. Several prominent members (and some of the mods) are self pubbed...

That's an interesting take on that site. My experience, with the mods and owner at least, is they're the ones pushing things in questionable directions, cheering on the over-the-line posters, and often the most One True Way, and insisting that anyone who disagrees with them can only do so because they're uninformed. This was a few years ago mind, so it's possible there's a new owner who sacked the lot of 'em, but it's doubtful. There is some great writing advice there, but not worth dealing with the instability.

 

[Kissmequick]

Oh I don't doubt that it could be seen another way, or that my perception isn't the only one, or even that the mods aren't perfect! Or even than no one board can be for everyone.

Just from my POV (and that's from someone who may well SP a thing or two so I look on those threads with interest) I see them calling out questionable info, rather than SP in general. Again, from another perspective that could look different.

But ain't that always the truth?

EYA: As with all things writing wise, I think it's wise to look at several places for info, not just one, because who can be completely impartial? Not AW, not Mr Howey, not anyone really. We've all got our own opinions and biases about what is good info and what isn't. Just pays to look at everything, really, and sift it in your own head.

 

[Fishbowl Helmet]

Recipe for pundit response to Hugh Howey

 

[Stephen Palmer]

Imply, or even outright claim, that self-published books are of a substantially lower quality than than the trite, homogenous, celebrity-obsessed output of other-publishing (as opposed to self-publishing). (‘Not a celebrity? Fine! We also love has-been and burned out celebrities. Niche markets! Loadsa money in them.’)

So, exactly the same thing, by implying almost everything in paper between two covers is celebrity crap. Nice.