Just like Sue Grafton, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for bringing this up again. I had a post all lined up about dumb people at the bookstore (similar to the Tiny Little Man Wants an Eraser post), but I just can’t let this go. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, click here.
So, the lovely Lynn Reynolds posted a comment on that post that Sue Grafton had back pedaled all over Kentucky in response to the outrage expressed by Indie authors hailing from every corner of the universe. Seriously, the blogosphere, the Twitterverse, and Facebook (no fun name for that community, sorry) was beyond fired up. And Sue Grafton caved. Read her ridiculous response here.
Now, I am tickled pink that she cared enough about the outpouring of commentary to even release a statement. However, I’m not exactly pleased with the statement itself. Here’s why:
1. Basically, she plays the “Little Old Lady”/”Back in my Day”/”I Didn’t Know Any Better” cards. I get that Sue Grafton is old. Really. I’m not unaware that old people can be behind on the times. HOWEVER, writing is her PROFESSION! You mean to tell me she’s been writing for decades and doesn’t belong to any writing associations? Doesn’t receive any newsletters? Doesn’t attend any writer’s conferences? Or did she just use all of her wealth to buy the world’s fanciest rock to live under? Give me a break, lady.
2. She says, and I quote, “Like mystery novels, self-publishing was dismissed as second rate…” Let me get this straight… You write mystery novels. Mystery novels were considered crap. You were discriminated against in the early part of your career because of said mystery novels. So, after you achieved success, and were put in a position to face stigmas (such as the still lingering feelings toward self-publishing), you forget your roots, put your head down, and roll with the herd. Way to go, Sue.
3. This may be my favorite quote, “When I’m asked for advice I warn many writers about the charlatans lurking out there. I warn about the risk of being taken in by those who promise more than they actually deliver and do so at a writers expense.” Umm, no. When you were asked to offer advice you said: Don’t self-publish. Oh, and PSSST, by the way (using my sarcastic, loud-whisper voice), self-publishing has grown in response to those offering more than they can deliver, such as, I dunno, some AGENTS & PUBLISHERS out there!
4. About half a dozen times she basically says “I still don’t get it” in regards to Indie publishing. That just annoyed me. Plus there were a couple of typos in her statement. Maybe I’m just being nit-pickity now, but I don’t care. This is me sticking my tongue out at her old ass.
Hopefully, this is the last time I have to write/anyone has to read about anything that comes out of Sue Grafton’s hoity-toity mouth.
journeyofjordannaeast 
I’d never even heard of this Grafton lady until I followed your links. Talk about a bag of wind. It must be nice up there in her ivory tower.
Hopefully, this isn’t one of those “there’s no such thing as bad publicity” situations where she benefits from stirring up controversy.
Grrr.
Thanks for sharing your great responses. 🙂
Thanks for being around to read my stuff. I’m sorry it’s all about Sue Grafton the Old-Hag-Wind-Bag. I hope you stop by again when I’m funny in a different capacity, haha.
And I seriously hope she doesn’t get “bad = good” publicity sales. That will make me cry. And write another post. I don’t want to do either of those things.
Thank you for the eloquent defense of self-publishers. However she does have a point, I have read her books and was aware of the fact that she is in her seventies. Some people get stuck in a rut, she is still looking at self-publishing the way it was fifteen to twenty years ago, at a time when the only people helping publish were rip off artists. The fact that she is unaware of the amazing books available from Small and Indie publishers is her loss not ours, and even the interviewer could tell how misguided she is being.
Thank you for commenting! I have to disagree though. She’s old, but if something is your profession, I feel you owe it to your profession to keep up with the latest goings-ons. Doctors have to keep up with the latest technology and procedures. Restauranteurs have to keep up with the latest cooking methods and ingredients. Artists have to keep up with the latest mediums and equipment. If she were just a random grandmother on the street who had no idea about the progress of indie publishing, then I could excuse her. And you say her ignorance is her loss not ours, but if she’s going to go around painting us all with the “lazy wannabe” brush, then it is our loss: our loss of people’s respect of our work.
Please stop by again!
I totally get your irritation here but now I am waiting for more bookstore stories! Love the Tiny Little Man Eraser story. Oh my gosh I laughed so hard!
Haha! Stop by next Monday, Elena.
All I can say is…well said.
Thanks Sharon!