Having been chastised into being polite, thoughtful, and considerate -- you know, civilized -- by my mother, I am always astonished at people who are not like that and when it's someone in the industry in which I work, I am all in on spectating the bad behavior. This is not to say I am perfectly behaved, not even close, but at least I try. Mostly.
Recently, there was a nasty kerfuffle when an author trademarked a word and then served other authors who used the word in their titles with cease and desist letters, claiming she would sue them for using the word that was pivotal to the success of her brand. Yes, you read that right - she trademarked a word!!! Needless to say, I had to fire up the popcorn machine and settle in to watch the drama unfold. It is still underway, I believe, as it has gotten even bloodier since Amazon started to take down the books of the authors served with cease and desist letters. How the Patent and Trademark Office approved this author's request to trademark a word I do not know, but (hoo boy) it made for some crazy Twitter reading! (If you want to read about it, this website does a nice summary from a legal perspective: The Passive Voice).
That's the latest mayhem in publishing that I've seen, but as far as I can tell it's been going on since authors took pen to paper. Here are some of my favorite tidbits old and new:
Charles Dickens was awful to his first wife Catherine, mother of his ten children, who he then dumped for Ellen Ternan. He was aware it would impact his public persona of being a kindly man, so he kept his new relationship very hush hush.
Norman Mailer stabbed the second of his six wives, Adele Morales, twice with a pen knife! And then when someone went to help her, he told them to let her die. She didn't.
Ayn Rand told her husband that she planned to have an affair with one of their mutual friends and then she went ahead with it. Why does this not surprise me?
Jonathan Franzen speculated that Edith Wharton "hated women" and only wrote tragic beautiful female characters because she was herself unattractive. Ugh! Back away from the first female to win a Pulitzer, dude.
Nicholas Sparks is a study in how not to do an interview unless you enjoy a fiery backlash. For example, when being interviewed do not compare yourself to Hemingway and Shakespeare and then declare that no one else is doing what you do. It doesn't go over well. Humility matters.
I have to admit that even while I am fascinated by reading about the misbehavior of some authors, I do have a hard time separating the artist from the art, knowing that an author is a jerk will taint their writing for me. When I do my book signings, I always ask the booksellers if they have any authors behaving badly stories for me -- they usually do!
What about you, Reds and Readers? Can you read an author after you discover they are not what you supposed? Can you separate the artist from the art?
Oh, my goodness, Jenn, this is all new to me. I guess it just goes to prove that authors are people with foibles just like everyone else.
ReplyDeleteI’d never really considered “authors behaving badly” as a criteria for choosing not to read a book, but it is an interesting idea. I think it would depend on what the “behaving badly” consisted of . . . authors who unfairly trashed other authors, for instance, would not fare well in my future book-shopping or book-reading.
[And I guarantee you that the lady who believes she has the right to trademark a word and then threaten other authors to keep them from using “her” word is definitely on my list of writers whose books I will never purchase or read.]
I am just always boggled by some of the crazy behavior. I have always felt that there is room enough at the table for everyone so have a seat and relax - clearly, some authors do not feel the same.
DeleteI'm not reading her books either Joan! But you are right, we are all just flawed people who make mistakes. And maybe some weren't lucky enough to have manners beaten into them by someone like Jenn's mom.
ReplyDeleteWhat about writers accused of plagiarism? Forget it. There are too many books out there!
Plagiarism is a hard no for me - again - what are theses people thinking?
DeleteI'm with you, Jenn. The same is true of actors, as well--there's behaving badly, then there's the people I choose not to support by buying tickets, dvds, etc.
ReplyDeleteExactly. If you treat others poorly I will pass on supporting your art.
DeleteApparently I DO have trouble separating the artist from the art. If I like an author when I meet him or her, chances are I will like his or her books (and vise versa). Also, if I like the book of an author I haven't met, chances are I will like that person when we meet in person. Maybe it's because authors put so much of themselves in their work.
ReplyDeleteThat is the hope - that the artist lives up to their personal potential. I’ve always loved Jack Nicholson’s romance writing character in As Good As It Gets - a mean old grouch who really was a romantic underneath it all.
DeleteVery interesting! Knowing about some of the stuff could very well influence my selection. I probably wouldn't have anyway but now I will not buy or read any cocky trash. I'm like that with actors, too, which may be unfortunate. I have recently heard something that has totally changed how I feel about an actor I had previously thought was a rather decent human being. But maybe what I heard wasn't exactly true which makes it very unfair for me to be judging him. Who am I to judge anyone?
ReplyDeleteThat’s the tricky part - separating the rumor from the truth and deciding whether you can still be invested. Personally, I love the ego fueled spats - Twain trashing Austen, Chandler ripping Christie, etc.
DeleteTalk about being cocky, that's the limit! None of her books for me either. I have a big enough TBR list that she would not even make it into consideration. I too do not watch movies with certain actors.
ReplyDeleteSame. Always a disappointment when a person turns out to be not what I’d hoped.
DeleteI still don't understand how someone actually approved that trademark. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteI guess my answer is "yes and no"? If I know in advance a person is not so nice, it's harder for me to pick up their books. But if I've read the books and love them, then learn maybe they aren't the greatest person in the world, it's harder for me to back away.
Mary/Liz
She’ll have to defend it if it’s challenged so it will likely be taken away. I imagine but what do I know? Nada.
DeleteI was outraged to read about that author, she who will be unnamed, who "trademarked" a word ... latest news on this, more than 20,000 people have signed a petition to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office asking it to cancel the copyright. Sorry, but this writer is clearly an a-hole. Maybe I'll trademark that word.
ReplyDeleteI am conflicted, however, reading about the bookstores banning the books by authors for bad behavior--the latest example Junot Diaz who wrote an essay fessing up to his own bad behavior in The New Yorker, getting ahead of the bad news. Should that let him off the hook? Should there be a human-decency test for writers, or can the unsavory among us be permitted to write and publish and sell? Gosh, I'd have to stop buying and reading books by Roald Dahl to my kids -- his biographer described him as "a fantasist, an anti-semite, a bully and a self publicising trouble-maker" and described his many extra-marital sexual liaisons. I hope no one bans THE BFG or THE WITCHES or JAMES AND THE GIAN PEACH because the author was an a-hole.
I get to choose who I read, who I spend my money on--but I don't see that gives me the right to make that decision for someone else--I don't think banning a book is ever the best way to go.
DeleteWhoa! I had no idea and I love James and the Giant Peach.
DeleteCount me among those who would not ever support book-banning.
DeleteAnd I agree that I am certainly not the one to judge anyone else’s behavior. Separating the author and the book isn’t always such a difficult task; generally, I would say that it is unfair to equate the author’s personal life or opinions with the quality of the book or books they have written.
However, the trademark author’s actions are so egregious . . . .
That trademark story is frankly 'amazing', in a bad way. And, no I likely wouldn't be tempted anyway by 'she-who-shall-not-be-named's books. However, I did hear something about a noted fantasy author that made me very sad and sorrowful. I had not read her books, but now I shall not (don't read much fantasy anyway). And someone on another blog was commenting that they recently learned that Charles Lindbergh was not a very nice person. I responded that I had known that. So, I guess it would affect how I felt - though as someone who does reread favorite books, if I learned about an author of one of those, I bet I would not reread. Sigh. Why can't people just be kind and 'normal'? LOL
ReplyDeleteFor me, it depends upon how the narcissism manifests. If they are a brilliant wordsmith but horribly self-involved I can overlook it but if they do damage to others then I have to pass.
DeleteI've been following the story closely, not because I am a romance/erotica writer or even a fan of the genre, but because it's a slippery slope if the Trademark and Patent Office starts trademarking words. (Q: How the heck did this happen in the first place??) So, while a boycott of her work by me would be meaningless, I can understand the sentiment behind such a decision by others. I was glad to see that at least some of the books Amazon had pulled due to the trademark kerfuffle have been restored (along with their reviews), but this fight may be far from over. My understanding is that petitions to cancel a trademark can take 18 months or more to be addressed. If your book(s) are held in limbo that long, it can be devastating. To top it off, this woman seems to be reveling in the attention and is now assuming the role of victim! Color her clueless.
ReplyDeleteDo you suppose her sales might actually increase? People wanting to see for themselves how 'good' her work is?
DeleteI admit I bought the ebook that one of the targeted authors threw up as a protest - The cockiest cowboy whoever cocked - or something like that because I’m always down for a good rebellion! But, yes, this is a hot mess with 1 1/2 hour FB live tirades and all. I am going to my first RT Conference next week. I was feeling meh about it and now I am stoked! Can’t wait to hear the buzz.
DeleteI suppose it is possible to separate the artist from the art, but I can't imagine it would be easy.
ReplyDeleteI actually hate reading these types of stories. It happens a lot in the comic book world too. I had heard for years that Jim Starlin was a bear to deal with at comic conventions. However, when I got the chance to meet him back in 2005, he was a dream meet! He wrote one of my all time favorite comic series and not only did I get to talk to him but I bought one of the very few pieces of original art that I own from him.
The whole people behaving badly is why I have resisted doing interviews with musicians despite a myriad of opportunities. Because I know that my appreciation of the music would be affected if said musician was a jackass to me in the interview.
Of course, the one interview I've ever done was with Hank and it was great to do that because she was both a pleasure and VERY patient with me.
Jay- My husband was the music editor for the Tribune in AZ for years. He interviewed everyone from Brian Wilson to Jordin Sparks and he never met anyone that changed his mind about them as a person or an artist - but he is also much better at separating the artist from the art than I am. Journalist!
DeleteI had a personal interaction with an author I had admired and she was cold and dismissive. I never read her again. There is no excuse for bad behavior.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm about to trademark the word THE. That should limit the competition in bookstores!
LOL! I was thinking the same, Rhys!
DeleteWell, all I gotta say, is watch out--I'm filing for a trademark on the letter 'e'--heck, maybe all the vowels!
DeleteThis is a big issue in the children’s lit world. Two very popular authors have lost publishing contracts over sexual harassment accusations, mainly from other authors at writing conferences . As a librarian, I’ve decided their books stay on the shelves, but I won’t be replacing them if they’re lost or damaged, and their books are not included in any displays. I’m not a believer of book banning, but it doesn’t mean I have to promote every book:)
ReplyDeletePersonally, I’m glad we’re entering an age of accountability. It’s been a long time coming.
DeleteWhen I first read about trademarking a word I thought it was fake news. I mean really! If you want to do that at least invent your own original word. Years ago I enjoyed a series about a Cleveland OH PI. My husband got a book autographed for me at a signing. When he mentioned he was a working PI the author became super friendly. When he mentioned he’d written a mystery he was trying to get published the author shut down and was borderline rude. I quit reading that guy.
ReplyDeleteI never buy or read the books of authors who have been rude to me or others, if I know about it. There was an author who was very rude to me and my husband at a book signing. I wish I could have returned the book she signed. I will never read it, and I will never buy another of hers. I also boycotted her panels at a recent writer's conference, and avoided being near her, because I'm afraid I might voice my opinion of her in public.
DeleteI am amazed at authors who think everyone is competition. Ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteSeems like the word should have been b**ch.
ReplyDeleteLOL!
DeleteAll I can say about this is “poppycock.”
ReplyDeleteI don’t pay much attention to what I read about who does what to or with whom. No book should be banned although there are millions that shouldn’t be read. But I can make up my own mind about that. 50 Shades Of Grey comes to mind, but that only reflects my good taste.
I’m betting there isn’t a writer here who won’t use “cocky” as often as she likes!
Precisely!
DeleteCensorship in ANY form is completely unacceptable!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely do not understand how anyone could be allowed to trademark a word, unless it a specific brand name (which this one is/was not) such as “Rice Krispies”(tm). Then only used in reference to that specific product. That the word “cocky” could be trademarked is ludicrous. Where is the law team from the American Cocker Spaniel Club when we need them? Amazon's actions of pulling books or comments is censorship. Bah.
But then let’s not even go to the whole Amazon comment and review thing.....
I agree, Rick. The librarian in me can't abide censorship. And, yes, Amazon reviews, let's just leave that one alone -- for now.
DeleteMy favorite subgenre of mysteries are historical mysteries. Many years ago at an LCC convention, I attended a panel about them. There was a new, about-to-be-published author (who shall remain nameless) who stated that he/she had a new book coming out and had chosen this subgenre because it seemed the most profitable. (Personally, I'd love to see the research on that because I'd disagree). And, yes, I can agree that you don't want to put all your time and effort into a book that won't sell but it really came off as cold, crass, and mercenary and turned me off. I can't read the series because I have an emotional remembrance reaction to that.
ReplyDeleteThe next point I wanted to say, I don't mean to start any debate or flame war so please just take it as my opinion and leave it at that. A part of the job these days as authors and celebrities is to promote themselves along with the product they are currently attached to. It's a part of the biz. It is their choice to be in the public in that way. I really really don't like when politics get involved because no matter which "side" you're on, if you take a stance you will offend half of your potential customers. It can happen in the book itself, in a blog, social media, in-person interview, etc. Why would you do that just so that you can state your opinion? It's perfectly ok to HAVE an opinion and please do. You're private citizen and in this country we have amazing freedoms to express ourselves. But this is your chosen job to create entertainment of some sort, the product we will spend time and money on that you want 100% of potential customers to buy ... why offend half of them when it can be avoided so easily? And most workplaces don't allow politics and it should be the same for authors and celebrities. It's a job and we can both keep our politics to ourselves for this little while. Just my two cents. I don't go looking for it but it can happen and for the same reasons of bullying or sexual misconduct, etc. it can affect whether or not one will spend their time on their work. I think it is fine to have two accounts in social media if you want to express politically ... one that is the neutral public persona for the work you and a personal one for friends and family. Ok, back to my corner.
I very much like knowing the political stance of friends, acquaintances, and people I do business with. This includes writers.
DeletePK, I absolutely hear you and respect your opinion - no need to back away. The politics of celebrities does influence whether I will watch their show or buy their books. It shouldn't but it does, so you're right a smart celebrity keeps it on the down low if they don't want to lose readers/viewers. That being said, while I keep most places politics free I have one sounding off place (Twitter) where I let loose. Mostly, it manifests in liking and retweeting people who state things the way I see them. Does this do any good for anyone? No, probably not, but it's my one refuge (other than emailing my congresspersons) to let it out.
DeleteIt does seem these days there is always someone(s) offended by something or just about everything. It's almost like a person has to be afraid to express an opinion. That's really sad.
DeleteI could not agree more, PK! I think we were all much happier when we didn't know the political leanings of every single person with whom we came into contact. Why would that be important when interacting with our writing peers or readers anyway? Isn't it about the WRITING?
DeleteThe longer I'm on social media, the more I appreciate Sue Grafton's approach to politics & religion: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1718979738145516&id=170941702949335 (written by Julie Smith, an author and close friend of Sue's).
I cannot separate the author from their art with the exception of authors who long before my birth left this life behind.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I don't really hold Charles Dickens shenanigans against him. LOL.
DeleteThe author (who shall remain nameless....no free publicity) is obviously off her cockamamie rocker!
ReplyDeleteShe was certainly cocked and loaded when she went after the other authors. LOL!
DeleteIt's hard when you already like the books, movies or TV shows. I'm thinking of Bill Cosby. I still have some of his comedy albums and watched all his TV shows and some of the movies. He was funny most of the time. I would never patronize anything new if he hadn't been convicted because he was a sleezeball for what he did to those women. I'm conflicted about the TV shows since he wasn't the only actor or creative person involved. Why should the other suffer if TV stations boycott The Cosby Show or his other shows?
ReplyDeleteThat killed me. I so admired him - I am still feeling very betrayed.
DeleteWoohee! Nicholas Sparks comparing himself to Hemingway and Shakespeare and thinking he is a unique star in the universe? Mr. Sparks, meet Mr. Humility and learn something from him.
ReplyDeleteSome years ago at the National Festival of Books in D.C. there was a well-known author, whom I think most of you would know, and in talking about her books, she made it about money, about how she didn't care what anyone thought because she was laughing all the way to the bank. Most off-putting. She was talking to a large audience of fans who would much rather have heard her talking about her love of the craft and her characters. Then during the question time, she was dismissive of fans when queried about previous series. I haven't read anything else she has written. Little respect for your readers hits me that way. And, don't misunderstand, I want authors, especially my favorite authors, to make money and be successful, but to smirk about it to an audience of fans is bad form.
Very bad form! I agree completely.
DeleteThis will come as a great surprise to Cocky Locky of Chicken Little fame.
ReplyDeleteLOL!
DeleteThe tears are literally rolling down my cheeks! LOL!!!
DeleteI spent way, way, way too much time reading up on this cocky author and all the going on last Sunday. It was the train wreck I couldn't look away from. I do enjoy a good author behaving badly saga as well. Sadly, I think proper behavior is on the way out in our society.
ReplyDeleteSame! I was completely sucked into the drama! Crazy!
DeleteI was fascinated by the story as well, and keep looking it up to see if there is any more information. The way others digested the information was also interesting--glad to see that RWA was looking into on behalf of their members. If the trademark holds up there is going to be a run on words...
ReplyDeleteFor those wishing to stay updated on the cocky author, this is the latest. Follow @kneupperwriter on Twitter for more as the case progresses: https://twitter.com/kneupperwriter/status/996235766400401408?s=19
ReplyDeleteUPDATE: Her TM has been moved to “Cancellation Pending” status.
ReplyDelete