I should apologize in advance, I am not active enough with this site to know the protocol. I do, however, think it strange that so many people offer backings through forum posts in exchange for anything that has nothing to do with the merit of their own book. Do backings often come this cheap on Authonomy? It seems like quality is getting compromised in exchange for gimicky forum threads.

Perhaps I'm just an old, complaining fart. I can promise that part's true, at least.

Can someone shed some light on this for me?
Thank you from an old fart idealist.

Posted: 07/02/2012 04:03:22

Writers are desperate, self-involved, narcissistic, and--forgive the expression--slutty.

I say this in full awareness that I, too, am a writer. =)

Many believe the backings and rankings aren't so important now that Scott Pack is actively searching the entire site for material to publish under the new digital imprint. The race for the desk has slowed to a crawl. Members now stand in the dim glow of their respective showcases, hoping to be selected from the crowd of peddlers, beggars, and prostitutes.

Read and review other books to receive reciprocation. Engage others in the forums. These are the two ways to get reads, reviews, and sometimes backings.

Posted: 07/02/2012 04:09:29

Oh, and welcome!

Posted: 07/02/2012 04:10:22

Sadly the answer to your question is yes. Many people on here will back your book expecting a favor in return. Or the other way around. It is a messed up system that allows people to create false accounts to promote their own book, thus rising in the charts.

Posted: 07/02/2012 04:11:02

Didn't you write The Sun Also Rises?

Posted: 07/02/2012 04:13:43
Last Edit: 07/02/2012 04:15:01 by RobRow

WCE has answered admirably. I back only those books that I would like to buy in the bookstore.

I found it best to join a crit group. That way I spend my time offering reviews to people who really want them and getting reviews from people who really like to give them. Works for me!

When I get messages offering to exchange backings, I just delete them. That strategy works for some people; I'm just not one of them.

I'm here to get meaningful feedback and improve my manuscript. And I've gotten exactly what I need.

Best of luck to you, you old, complaining fart.

~AudreyB
Forgiveness Fits

(smiles sweetly, hoping everyone got that the last line was affectionately amusing)

Posted: 07/02/2012 04:13:44

Sadly the answer to your question is yes. Many people on here will back your book expecting a favor in return. Or the other way around. It is a messed up system that allows people to create false accounts to promote their own book, thus rising in the charts.

Well said Audrey. I tend to play the game sometimes.

Posted: 07/02/2012 04:15:21

The gamesmanship amuses me. Don't these people realize that getting to the desk via an army of socks will yield nothing but a disappointed review? I'd rather work on my writing. Luckily, there are plenty of like minded people here.

And RobRow, the funniest man on earth.

Posted: 07/02/2012 04:16:16

@AudreyB

I agree, crit groups are perhaps the most valuable aspect of this site, along with many very informative and long-running threads on writing- and publishing-related topics.

It's also great engaging with other writers on a daily basis. Works to abate literary loneliness. =)

Posted: 07/02/2012 04:18:44