Is Anybody Else Annoyed With the Book Publishing Industry?

Question

Okay, maybe I just came here to vent, but everytime I walk into a bookstore, it seems like my only choices of a read are books with titles like 'my shitty childhood,' 'woe is me, I had such a hard beginning,' and other such tales. Either that or so called self-penned celebrity bios', (and let's face it, anyone who pays attention to the small print will realise that Katie Price never contributed one word to her so called novels, isn't this worse than plaigarism?? At best, it makes her a liar. And why are the publishing houses shelling out millions in royalties to so called celebrities when for the most part, their books end in bargain bins for 50p?) Who actually buys this rubbish? Where have all the real books gone? You know, the ones where writers had something profound to say, or books that allowed for some adventure. I read books to escape real life for a little while, not be confronted by it. Anyone else feel me?

Answer 1

Yes, often. And it's the ghost writers making the little bits of money... I sure hope people aren't really plagiarizing. Nah. I have "ghosted" myself, and got next to nothing. A bad deal made on my part, really.

The books of substance aren't understood by the slick publishers of this day and age... rarely do you find one with a conscience or much in the way of mind--they are after $$$ only, and quick ones at that.

So they stick with the stars, the "different" cookbooks, the New Agers, etc... little books with little new to say, because all the TV junkies are buying them.

The old authors are still there to buy, and they are often still writing, so be sure to check them out before letting your heart break! Look under "Literature," or whatever floats your boat...

Answer 2

Yes! I think people should just do their own work! Read the work like you're supposed to and you'll get a good grade and have something to write about. Then you won't have to ask such an annoying question! People keep trying to say, "Oh, I'm not cheating. I just didn't get it" even though they're asking, who are the protagonists and antagonists and what are 8 important events? That is annoying but what's worse is that people actually answer them and give them what they want so they can just keep on cheating.

Answer 3

I'm too busy reading all the great books that I see. I can't read them fast enough. No their not all the Great American Novel, but I have read some good ones.

I love adventure/suspense/mystery/sci fi/horror stories, and they are out there..

You may be in the wrong section of the store.

Many celebrities get ghost writers, By Jane Doe as told to Rick Rogers, kinda thing. And as long as thats there somewhere, its legal and not stolen (but it is paid for). I never, but never buy them.

I get the James Patterson, Patricia Cornwell, Dean Koontz, Lawrence Block, and oh so many others. (I read for pleasure (and escape) and to do reviews... stacks and stacks of books waiting).. Maybe you should do some reviews-- you can post your opinion on Barnes and Noble and on Amazon. I do them on request from publishers, and authors, but post them everywhere I can.

Just go to Barnes and Noble and do a search on what you like.

Answer 4

DEFINANTLY!
I am a teenager, and I am SO SICK of all the "rich beautiful glam" books like Gossip Girl, The Clique (gag me), the Au Pairs, and others. They are all carbon copies of each other, and horribly written pieces of garbage. I much rather prefer calssics or philosophy books such as The Life of Pi, Pride and Predjudice, and ANYTHING by F. Scott Fitzgerald or Hemingway. They are amazing.

Answer 5

You're a little naive. Obviously people are buying it, and that's why they keep printing it. If you don't like these books, don't buy them. There are plenty of good books out there.

Same reason show producers make reality shows, they're crap but people watch.

No I don't "feel you". I think there's more than enough reading material available. Maybe instead of complaining, write something and cash in on the Cash Cow.

Answer 6

its good to vent i think everyone should just come here to vent. but yea 90% of any form of entertainment sucks nowa'days, television, music, and books. i love to read but the thing is, i can never find anything that is worth reading. so i feel ya homie. but its not only books everything is in black and white these days. no alternative to the mainstream. but they say it gets darkest before dawn so maybe better things are on the way. hang tight.

Answer 7

Start looking for out of country authors. Perhaps the real question is where have all the American authors gone?

Answer 8

I feel ya, but thats what's sellings these days. People actually find it necessary to get their life story out there and others find it intriguing to read about other people. But what really gets me is all these people who want to tell their "stories" have been rich all their lives, so how bad could their life really have been? Reading others lives is the new sex craze. It's ridiculous.

Answer 9

I feel you. I have a really awesome book (no lie there, it's been read by sevral B.I.P* and they all lurved it) but all the publishing compainies HATE IT because I'm...erm..... 13.

*Big Important People

Answer 10

so many questions, not enough time