I am utterly embarrassed to be a member of the Authors Guild.
I joined the Guild about 30 years ago when I was first published by a mainstream publishing house. The Authors Guild back then seemed to be fighting for my rights as an author against the big bad publishing industry. The Authors Guild fought for me while I published six books with the big guys.
Times change. Now, like so many not-exactly-bestselling writers, I'm indie.
As an indie writer, it's painfully clear that the Authors Guild is fighting FOR the big bad publishing industry. They are puppets of Hachette. And they are clueless about the needs and issues confronting indie writers. What the hell happened?
My Authors Guild membership is up for renewal on September 30. After three decades, I am not renewing. I'm not angry, just sad.
Meanwhile, you can still buy my books from Amazon. The big bad publishing industry won't sell my books, but Amazon will.
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I'm sorry a place that was once home has turned on you and other authors; I hope it may change to what you need again in the future.
ReplyDeleteI don't expect it, unfortunately - but miracles do happen.
They may change if their membership dwindles. I'm probably not the only person dropping out. And what new author would want to join under the current leadership?
DeleteThanks Joe, This helps me make some decisions. What I don't understand or can't find is an organization of authors intent on protecting authors. How many indie books got published last year? Half a million? I'd happily convert book sales into group power if there was an organization that truly protected my interests and worked in some way to make me a better writer.
ReplyDeleteI've joined a scrappy group of indie authors called ALLi, or Alliance of Independent Authors. They are UK-based but have many USA members. Find them on Facebook. That's where they operate.
DeleteJoe, I'm with you on feeling embarrassed! As a long-time member of the AG, and with a book published by Hachette--and now, publishing as a "hybrid" with my newest books going Indie...I hate the AG assuming that I fall into their camp! Thanks for voicing MY feelings perfectly!
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'm a coward for dropping out. Fight the good fight, Ciji, and maybe you can change them from within. I don't have the time or skills for political infighting, so I'm just quitting. I just want to write books...
DeleteVery bold of you to come out and speak up. I'm impressed and in total agreement. I belong to a lot of author organizations, but AG is not one of them. It seems rather lost and out of touch.
ReplyDelete"Lost and out of touch." Exactly. Some very privileged writers are floundering in the new environment.
DeleteIt's not that easy to leave. My wife decided not to renew three years ago for a variety of reasons, one being that the legal advice was always geared toward acceptance of legacy publishing contracts and recommendation to refuse any contract not fitting legacy's standard rubric. In any case we quit paying the membership fee and told them we wished to not renew. Every year since we get an invoice for renewing our membership for the current year AND the two previous years, so rather than $90 it's now $270. Each invoice we send back indicating we do not want to belong, but that seems to make no difference.
ReplyDeleteGood grief. Like a cable company...
ReplyDelete