"If You Don't Like It, There Are Plenty of Other Things to Read"

"If you don't like it, there are plenty of other things to read." 

I've seen this a lot on Facebook status updates from authors I follow recently and it got me thinking, both as a fan and as an author. 

In today's world we have an onslaught of reading materials available, at the library, book stores, on-line and through e-readers and even our phones. If you don't like a book or magazine, you can always find something else to read. Much like the TV, movie and music industries retort of "Change the channel or don't buy the ticket," authors seem to be adopting a similar attitude of "Don't buy my books then." Just like any other art form, writing is subjective. It's almost impossible for a book or its author to be everything to everyone.

As an , I initially thought well said. Only I know how the story will unfold, how the world and its inhabitants I have created will develop. While I value feedback from readers, if I believe in myself and my work, then I can't let a few people dictate to me how I should write my books. If you're going to put yourself out there for a whole book, you've got to have thick skin and stand by what you wrote. 

As a fan, I thought that's a bit harsh. I've invested my hard earned money and precious time in your books and I just want an opportunity to share my thoughts and feelings about what you've written. If every fan took your advice and found something else to read then where would you be? What is an author without someone to read what they wrote? At some level an author must listen to the readers or risk not having any.

I went back and forth on this a few times before finally coming to a conclusion. This type of response doesn't come from the author not caring about fan opinions.  We value reader feedback and more often than not the reader offers a perspective we may not have seen otherwise. I believe it actually stems from the sometimes hateful and vicious comments left in the digital world we live in. Perhaps the author's hackles wouldn't have risen if the comments weren't so cruel. In the mostly anonymous world of the internet, I think we forget there are actually people on the receiving end of our opinions and comments. Would we say things the same way at a face to face event such as a book signing or convention? Probably not. Most of these people would either remember their manners or lose their nerve. 

So in the end, the author was right. If their work incites such emotion in you that you feel compelled to strike out with hurtful words, you should go read something else. May I recommend a book on meditation and reflection?