It’s been a trend that I’ve solidly seen over the last couple of years and I think it has to stop. It goes something like this:
Lauded Indie Author:
I’ve been really struggling about X but I think I need to say something, but I’m really afraid to say something because, let’s face it, people are assholes, but ABC happened to me, and these are all the details and you really need to look out for this person, but because fear, I’m not going to say who it is.
So you’re essentially warning me about a very real and very dangerous issue such as getting heartily ripped off/sexually harassed/having your reputation ruined by a blogger/photographer/cover model/another author/event coordinator but you’re not really warning me about anything because you won’t say who they are because fear.
So why did I just waste my time reading your diatribe? Seriously. There was nothing in there that was actually useful to me as an author or a person other than the oft repeated PSA of people are assholes, which thanks… I’ve been on this earth for 34 going on 35 years and I pretty much have that all figured out on my own. That situation isn’t getting any better, it’s only getting worse.
This is what I would like to see in the future:
Heads up, I have filed suit against this party. I can’t discuss the goings on because litigation is in progress, but that’s what’s up.
Now I have been warned. if it’s serious enough that you’re willing to launch litigation against that individual, then yes, absolutely, I’m steering clear. Period.
If they then choose to go the flaming unprofessional route and go, Oh my god! This bitch author is suing me saying XYZ, and that I ABC… well guess what… I’m more inclined to believe the quietly professional one who was just, I can’t / won’t discuss this, but yes there is current litigation going on between me and So and So, than I am inclined to believe the raving lunatic in he equation.
People are smart and capable of figuring out what is going on and there are much more positive ways about going about making your story known with a minimum of drama.
Basically, the TL;DR version of this, is if you’re going to commit. Commit. Don’t do it half way, it just makes it look like you’re stirring up shit. We plain have enough of that going around lately.