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Don’t Be an Idiot
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On the one hand, you’ve got the Big Five, cranking out shoddy novels with plot holes bigger than the Grand Canyon and telling you they’re “hot reads” or “perfect for your book club.” They don’t think you can tell that the books haven’t been edited, much less revised and developed over months or years (like all good books need to be).
But then again, at least the Big Five publishers go through the pretense and actually have people on staff called “editors.” Sure, it’s clear that they’re doing a whole lot of nothing, but at least they’re putting on a show.
And that brings us to what’s on the other hand: all those books uploaded to Amazon, Nook, Kobo, etc., by self-publishers who haven’t even bothered to pretend to edit their work. At all.
I’ve been in the publishing industry for longer than self-publishing has been “trending,” yet in all my experience (that’s 24 years this summer), I have not once encountered a self-published title that has been through ANY form of revision or editing (short of the standard spellcheck on Word—if that!).
Now, don’t get me wrong: I’m not saying there are NO self-publishers out there who care about their work. I’m sure there are some, somewhere, who bust their butts to improve their craft, pay big bucks to get their work professionally edited, and go through all the tedious steps you’re supposed to take before setting a book loose in the world.
I’m just saying that most . . . don’t. And by putting out unedited garbage, they’re insulting your intelligence, just like the Big Five.
All these other publishers, whether big or small, traditional or indie, think you only care about books written by flashy celebrities or on topics related to the latest trending hashtags. They don’t think you understand—or care about—good writing.
Buying a book that hasn’t been edited is like going into a bakery, asking for a dozen chocolate chips, and being given raw dough instead of baked cookies. Sure, raw cookie dough can be damn tasty, but we all deserve the fully baked cookies we’re paying for. By giving you raw dough, these publishers are telling you you’re not good enough or smart enough to know any better, that you don’t deserve any better.
These people think you’re an idiot. But you’re not an idiot, so don’t read like one.
You’re smarter than they think. (Obviously: You subscribe to the Blydyn Square Books newsletter, after all. ????)
Unlike the other guys, we care more about creating high-quality titles than making a ton of money (though, we admit, that WOULD be nice for a change). We don’t want to be rich and famous. We just want our books to be read.
So, show off your smarts and try a title from Blydyn Square: We’re all about books that make you think.
This has been a public service announcement. And now . . . back to our regularly scheduled newsletter.
Blydyn Square Book Club
This month, our book club read This Is Paradise: Stories by Kristiana Kahakauwila. Since we’re smack dab in the middle of summer, we figured it would be fun to read a book set in a tropical vacation spot—in this case, Hawaii. Unfortunately, most of us didn’t think much of the book. But it was still a great discussion. In case you missed it, you can check out the video from our meeting here.
Next month’s book club selection is This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and we’ll be meeting on Thursday, September 17. For more details, visit our Facebook page or website.
Quote of the Month
“Let’s be reasonable and add an eighth day to the week that is devoted exclusively to reading.”
—Lena Dunham
Brain Teaser of the Month
Since it’s our job to make you think, every month, we include a trivia question, quiz, or puzzle in our newsletter. And so far? You guys have failed—not to get the question right, but to answer at ALL!
This month, instead of picking a winner at random from whoever submits a correct answer, we’re changing things up. The FIRST person who emails us (info@blydynsquarebooks.com) the correct answer will win an Amazon gift card (and it’ll be $50—not too shabby). So we BEG you: Stop futzing around and send an answer!
Here’s this month’s question:
What is the bestselling novel of all time?
That wraps things up for this month. See you next time!
Tara Tomczyk
Editor in Chief
Blydyn Square Books
