Author "punishes" readers for copyright violation breach

[Selena_Kitt]

What do you think about this?

Stephanie Meyers is a teen phenomenon. Both my daughter and son LOVE these books. I've started reading them (I'm through the second) and while there's a lot of teen angst in them, I can see the draw of a vampire story...

But apparently, someone leaked a great deal of the fifth mss and posted it on the Internet... so Ms. Meyers is taking her bat and ball and going home. She's put the fifth book on hold "indefinitely."

 

[Recidiva]

Histrionic and unprofessional.

And sorta in line with lots of authors I know.

*ducks*

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Histrionic and unprofessional.

And sorta in line with lots of authors I know.

*ducks*

LOL

 

[Corylea]

ONE person behaves unethically, so THOUSANDS of fans get punished? That's not fair. And who does she think made her success possible in the first place? I think the line about teaching her fans about copyright law and artistic control is self-righteous and condescending in a way that's unlikely to win her any friends. Mistake, Ms. Meyer, big mistake.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

ONE person behaves unethically, so THOUSANDS of fans get punished? That's not fair. And who does she think made her success possible in the first place? I think the line about teaching her fans about copyright law and artistic control is self-righteous and condescending in a way that's unlikely to win her any friends. Mistake, Ms. Meyer, big mistake.

I'm still trying to figure out what it is about these books that's making them such big sellers. They're not that well-written... if I were the editor, I could cut them in half, at least. Lots of unimportant blah blah blah in between the good stuff. Harry Potter, I got. Original, interesting, fairly well-written. But these? Huh?

And she's not endearing herself to me any further with the prima donna attitude...

 

[Corylea]

I'm still trying to figure out what it is about these books that's making them such big sellers. They're not that well-written... if I were the editor, I could cut them in half, at least. Lots of unimportant blah blah blah in between the good stuff.

I know. It makes me wonder how editors choose what to publish. I have friends who write like gods but can't get published, yet when I open a random book in a bookstore or library, what's between the covers is usually not as well written as what my friends can do. I really don't get it.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

I know. It makes me wonder how editors choose what to publish. I have friends who write like gods but can't get published, yet when I open a random book in a bookstore or library, what's between the covers is usually not as well written as what my friends can do. I really don't get it.

Guess it proves the old adage, it's who you know, not what you know... or what you can do.

 

[Recidiva]

I'm still trying to figure out what it is about these books that's making them such big sellers. They're not that well-written... if I were the editor, I could cut them in half, at least. Lots of unimportant blah blah blah in between the good stuff. Harry Potter, I got. Original, interesting, fairly well-written. But these? Huh?

And she's not endearing herself to me any further with the prima donna attitude...

It's just the wrong target.

It's the only target she can locate though, or who gives a damn about what she does.

Which explains the mentality of those who come home and kick the dog after a bad day at work.

She feels helpless - she acts powerful.

Not in keeping with wisdom. Just in keeping with...teenage vampires?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

CORYLEA

I read something recently, a popular fiction writer asserted that young women in NYC are making all the decisions about what duz and duznt get published, and these young women are unplugged. The writer is Annie something. But Florence King makes the same complaint in her book reviews.

 

[Corylea]

CORYLEA

I read something recently, a popular fiction writer asserted that young women in NYC are making all the decisions about what duz and duznt get published, and these young women are unplugged. The writer is Annie something. But Florence King makes the same complaint in her book reviews.

Thanks, JBJ -- that's interesting. I'm not sure what you mean by "unplugged," though; I've always heard it used to mean a musician who uses acoustic instruments, rather than electric ones, but that doesn't seem to apply in this context. (I haven't watched TV since 1986, which puts me way behind on things like slang and catchphrases.) Enlighten me, please?

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Thanks, JBJ -- that's interesting. I'm not sure what you mean by "unplugged," though; I've always heard it used to mean a musician who uses acoustic instruments, rather than electric ones, but that doesn't seem to apply in this context. (I haven't watched TV since 1986, which puts me way behind on things like slang and catchphrases.) Enlighten me, please?

I think he meant... out of touch?

 

[manyeyedhydra]

I know. It makes me wonder how editors choose what to publish. I have friends who write like gods but can't get published, yet when I open a random book in a bookstore or library, what's between the covers is usually not as well written as what my friends can do. I really don't get it.

I think the filtering process might have broken down. There's too many submissions and not enough time or will to sift through them for the gems. Both Meyer and Rowling were rejected multiple times. I think there are probably thousands of Harry Potter's languishing in slush piles that will never get a chance to reach an audience that would appreciate them. It seems like chance and contacts plays a much greater role than merit at the moment.

It sounds like Meyer is being rather foolish. Her fans will probably just move onto the next angsty teen vamp/werewolf series and forget who she is in a year's time.

 

[Just-Legal]

For some unknown reason, I will have to rummage through my boxes of books at my parents and dig out the series I can only refer to as the "Bastet" series, which isn't the damn name of it. But its bloody awesome.

Aha! Its the "Year of the Cat" trilogy. Very teen but sooooo awesome.

Must. Find.

 

[3113]

Her Fans Had Turned on Her...

I'm still trying to figure out what it is about these books that's making them such big sellers. They're not that well-written...

Very popular with young teen girls (think about the heroine and you'll see why--on her own, smart, pretty, independent and has two hot guys interested in her. Wouldn't you want to be her at 14?)...up till this last book. Which is why I suspect (and only suspect mind you) that she's grabbed onto this event to put the next installment on hold "indefinitely." I don't know, given the reaction to the last book, that she really wants to go on. See, In the last book released, Meyer's fans pretty much realized she wasn't that great a writer and turned on her.

Really. There's been a huge uproar about what happens to the heroine in the last book. Fervent fans who adored the series hate this last book. I mean HATE it with a vengence. My husband and I know the sweetest, most kind hearted 14 year old, a devoted fan of the series...after reading this last book she said to my husband, roughly quoting here: "The first part was boring, the second part was stupid, the last part was gross. I hope Stephanie Meyers goes to hell for that book!"

The problem? Well, it seems that none of Meyer's readers understood that she was a devout Mormon and was writing about Mormon vampires (yes, the Vamps are Mormons). She gave her last book a Mormon happy ending (PM me if you'd care to know what it is), which means it fits in with what Meyers believes is the ultimate goal an 18-year old girl should have in life.

Her readers didn't agree. In fact, they were appalled.

Now I have no personal objection to Meyers bringing her religious beliefs into her fiction--writers of all faiths do. Stephen King had an ending that fit his religious views in The Stand, and Orson Scott Card is a wonderful writer who brings his Mormon values to many of his stories. But as you pointed out, Meyers is not that good a writer, certainly not on part with Stephen King or Orson Scott Card, and so what happens to the heroine didn't come across very well to her readers and now they're furious.

I *suspect* she was really shaken by the way her loving and worshiping fans suddenly attacked her; probably angry and feeling betrayed as well. I think this publishing of the partial manuscript, which, to be fair, was evidently a rough draft and had faithful readers even more upset with her, and posting even more nasty stuff about her writing on the internet, pretty much made her decide to throw in the towel. And yes, have what petty revenge she could on the ungrateful lot!

I suspect, however, that she'll change her mind eventually and the long lost book will appear and sell very well for her once time has passed and readers have gotten nostalgic...perhaps?

Anyway, let that be a lesson to you all, young writers. Huge popularity with lots of rabid fans is not necessarily a good thing for anyone.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Very popular with young teen girls...up till this last book. Which is why I suspect (and only suspect mind you) that she's grabbed onto this event to put the next installment on hold "indefinitely." I don't know, given the reaction to the last book, that she really wants to go on. See, In the last book released, Meyer's fans pretty much realized she wasn't that great a writer and turned on her.

Really. There's been a huge uproar about what happens to the heroine in the last book. Fervent fans who adored the series hate this last book. I mean HATE it with a vengence. My husband and I know the sweetest, most kind hearted 14 year old, a devoted fan of the series...after reading this last book she said to my husband, roughly quoting here: "The first part was boring, the second part was stupid, the last part was gross. I hope Stephanie Meyers goes to hell for that book!"

The problem? Well, it seems that none of Meyer's readers understood that she was a devout Mormon and was writing about Mormon vampires (yes, the Vamps are Mormons). She gave her last book a Mormon happy ending (PM me if you'd care to know what it is), which means it fits in with what Meyers believes is the ultimate goal an 18-year old girl should have in life.

Her readers didn't agree. In fact, they were appalled.

Now I have no personal objection to Meyers bringing her religious beliefs into her fiction--writers of all faiths do. Stephen King had an ending that fit his religious views in The Stand, and Orson Scott Card is a wonderful writer who brings his Mormon values to many of his stories. But as you pointed out, Meyers is not that good a writer, certainly not on part with Stephen King or Orson Scott Card, and so what happens to the heroine didn't come across very well to her readers and now they're furious.

I *suspect* she was really shaken by the way her loving and worshiping fans suddenly attacked her; probably angry and feeling betrayed as well. I think this publishing of the partial manuscript, which, to be fair, was evidently a rough draft and had faithful readers even more upset with her, and posting even more nasty stuff about her writing on the internet, pretty much made her decide to throw in the towel. And yes, have what petty revenge she could on the ungrateful lot!

I suspect, however, that she'll change her mind eventually and the long lost book will appear and sell very well for her once time has passed and readers have gotten nostalgic...perhaps?

Anyway, let that be a lesson to you all, young writers. Huge popularity with lots of rabid fans is not necessarily a good thing for anyone.

OMG are you kidding me!??! Mormon vampires? Like, literally? (No, wait, don't tell me... I still have to read books 3 and 4... they're coming with the 14 YO this weekend...)

Interesting bit of info... I had no idea!

 

[michchick98]

I know. It makes me wonder how editors choose what to publish. I have friends who write like gods but can't get published, yet when I open a random book in a bookstore or library, what's between the covers is usually not as well written as what my friends can do. I really don't get it.

Okay, I haven't heard of the books in question, but I gotta throw my two cents in here. Yes, I'll wait until everyone's done with the eye-rolls......










Okay. Now, I'm currently reading a book that seems like either Big Bird or Cookie Monster edited it. First and foremost, it's narrated in present tense. I've never, ever read a book or story that's told in present tense (at least not one done well.) [Maybe you all have heard of it, it's titled The Ice Chorus written by Sarah Stonich.]

Who the hell edited it? Surely not Selena. (no, I'm not kissing-up, just learning how to be a better writer and editor from her edits.)

The story itself seems interesting. I've tried three times over the course of the last six months to read this damn book, but the verb tense really throws me for a loop.

The worst part about it is it jumps from present tense to past tense in the same friggin' paragraph!

As for the topic at hand, I don't see what the big deal is about this book being partially released. Just gives people a teaser of what's to come. The author needs to get over herself.

 

[3113]

OMG are you kidding me!??! Mormon vampires? Like, literally?

Not "literally" no. They have, from what I understand, similar values and things they do that are very Mormon-like. It's like if the vampires refused to go out hunting for blood on Saturday for some fictional reason, but then you found out that the author was a devout Jew...you'd then say, "Oh, I get it!" Same here. It's not literal and it's not immediately evident. But Mormon readers have been pointing out the similarities.

 

[fieryjen]

I just keep thinking... if she really does, in the future, decide to finish the book in question, she's not making too bright a choice here.

Even those fans that would have patiently waited for the actual book to come out will now go looking for that internet rough draft - because she's not supplying them with an alternative, but in fact saying there won't be one. Thus the potential buyers of the book in question is probably further reduced.

Just a random thought.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Not "literally" no. They have, from what I understand, similar values and things they do that are very Mormon-like. It's like if the vampires refused to go out hunting for blood on Saturday for some fictional reason, but then you found out that the author was a devout Jew...you'd then say, "Oh, I get it!" Same here. It's not literal and it's not immediately evident. But Mormon readers have been pointing out the similarities.

And she's admitted to aligning them to Mormon values?

 

[3113]

And she's admitted to aligning them to Mormon values?

Admitted it? No, I don't think so. But remember, she's not that good a write.

Now I *know* there are wonderful writers out there who are very opaque. The Genius of Shakespeare is that you don't really know what he was or, generally, what he thought or valued. Some argue he was Catholic--but astonishingly, there are equally good arguments that he was just very High Anglican and not a Catholic at all. Some say he was bi-sexual and there are good arguments for that--others that he's been misunderstood on that score and is very hetero. Some argue he was a feminist of sorts, others, no, he was just as chavuvinsitc as all other men of his time...

We just don't know. He's that good. But then there are other authors, even good ones, who are pretty darn transparent, especially if you know what you're looking at. You may read C.S. Lewis as a kid and not realize that there's anything Christian about the "Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," but once you're adult and you re-read it you say, "HEY!...oh, my...one kid betrays them, and the lion sacrifices himself and rises from the dead and. the people of the Eastern faith are bad guys..."

*Shrug* C.S. Lewis didn't have to "admit" a thing. It's all there, if you know how to see it, and he didn't make much of an effort to hide it. It's still a good book as he's a good writer. But imagine a writer who isn't so good, but just as devoted to their faith/values/moral point of view. We all put our values and beliefs, in some ways, in our writing. If we're good, then the reader don't always catch on; if the readers are young or unaware, they won't catch on either. But if we're not such a good writer and there are readers who are aware....

In short, I think you can trust what Mormon readers are saying about a devoutly Mormon writer and the fact that the "good" vampires in her book are mirroring Mormon ways and values. I don't know for sure of course, but I don't think the folk making this point are stretching it as some readers do when they analyze works of literature and/or make bias accusations about it (as many accused Rowling of proselytize witchcraft to children). I think Meyers is rather like a Tom Clancy who can't help--and maybe wants to telegraphs his political/moral belief system in his fiction, or, for that matter, a Charlotte Brontë who, in Jane Eyre, is hardly subtle about the fact that sinners must surrender their will to God before they can be forgiven by the world and find true happiness in domestic bliss.

But you're reading the books. Search the web for what's been written on the subject. You can formulate your own opinion on whether the arguments that this is a Mormon book about Mormon vampires is valid or not.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

But you're reading the books. Search the web for what's been written on the subject. You can formulate your own opinion on whether the arguments that this is a Mormon book about Mormon vampires is valid or not.

I definitely will... when I'm done. I can't until I've finished them... too many spoilers!

 

[Guest]

I don't read this author. I have seen the titles. I have read some 'teen' books... Potter, Eragon, Golden Compass... so I am not opposed to them. But I have no basis for her books, so I thought about some of the powerhouse ladies that I do read. I thought for a moment... how would I feel if suddenly after so many books, be they 5 or 15, would I feel if they just up and suddenly stopped writing because they were mad about something or other... I would be irate. My feeling is don't punish me for something that one person or persons did. I have been a loyal fan from the beginning of your career as have thousands of others... and in the same breath I would say... if you do this, and you stick to it... do not be surprised that when you finally do decide to release that next book.... your sales are garbage because we have all left.

 

[Ssunstorm]

This was a fun series to read, and while I know her reaction is not very professional, I'm not that disappointed. Sure, it would have been nice to have a book from Edward's POV, but we do know the basic story already.

 

[Boota]

I had never even heard of the series until my girlfriend and I were asked to take her niece and friends to a midnight release party for the last one. I couldn't believe I hadn't heard of something that warranted that big of a release. I skimmed a few pages and realized that the author just short of totally blows. She had better write and publish all she can before people realize how bad she really is.

 

[jomar]

I haven't read the books and hadn't even heard of her until saw a TV segment with the author. It looked like her readers were young and...middle aged. She was likable in the piece.

Buffy is in reruns. Meyers seems to have benefited of being in the right place at the right time with the right theme.

Maybe she had a snit and decided to work on the next movie version of the second book.