The Internet Invaded

I remember hitting Wordstock in my home town a couple years back. I'm a big fan of the fest, actually, but like any convention of any kind there has to be...has to fuckin' be, at least one titan level dick-head.

His name will be left out 'cause...well...daddy can't afford a lawsuit. Also, I can't remember his damn name for the life of me.

What I do remember is his supreme arrogance. Grandiose? Maybe. True? Shit-yes, Baby. He had this cock-sure line about "The Internet Invaders" and how these bloggers/self-publishers and the like are ruining the written word and sullying the good name of literature as a whole. He sited the ability of easily publishing your work to the web, and therefore the general world, as being nothing more than the work of amateurs and, my favorite: "...fiction whores! Possibly decent authors and literary would-bes who think themselves above 'the grind.'"

I laughed at that last bit. "Above the grind." As if self-publishing isn't a royal pain-in-the-ass that can erode the ol' soul just as much as the search for a traditional publisher. But, perhaps I'm misguided in my interpretation of his words. Or maybe he's on to something. Maybe it should be like a psycho shit-lottery that requires you to not only churn out a high-quality... Ya know what, never mind. I was going to be all sarcastic and what not, but that doesn't serve anyone. He was an archaic, short-sited dick who chose to crap on something new because it was easier to do and less frightening than admitting that he might have to update his methods. His methods, not his work. He had merit, sure, or he wouldn't have been speaking at a convention. So if you're talented enough to get a job, why freak out that someone came out with a device/option to help make you more money? Nothing to fear, everything to gain.

Here's the real. Selling your book is a bitch. It's enough of a challenge for many people to churn out something really sellable, let alone hook yourself an agent and/or publisher out of the gate. Your first book is probably not going to be your masterpiece, even if you're good and it rocks, and that's okay! You've got more options these days than found in the Way-Way-Back Machine. Take advantage!

The part I always have to remind myself is that it's the entertainment business. Even if it wasn't, it's always been hard work and "who you know" in every business. If you're given a leg up (in this case: the internet), take it! It's still no guarantee that you'll be the next Steven King, Rowling or Twilight Lady (yeah, didn't take the time to look her up), but every little bit o help...uh...helps...

If I've learned anything over the years, it's that everything has value, especially if it adds another avenue for success/discovery. There is no right answer other than this, "Keep moving forward."