I have mentioned on many occasions that the indie world is in love with incessant drama. Each week, each day, each hour brings new instances of some sort of drama. It's exhausting. Often it's without full disclosure. He said. She said. They said. A whole lot of conjecture without much by way of proof or complete stories from all parties. This sort of thing brings out the mob mentality with shocking speed. Lines are drawn, sides chosen and bystander be damned, there will be an all out melee. And, sadly, once those pitchforks and torches are in hand, the factions are loathe to put them down.
A recent bit of drama via Facebook-land revolved around piracy. A common and frequently waved theme among the indie world. It's no secret that 98% of the authors who are independently published never recoup the money spent on publishing a book. Therefore pirating, or the theft of an author's book and sale of said book on a platform that is not one the author sells on, is always a hot-button topic... ALWAYS. The allegation of piracy in this most recent event was that of an author stealing the works of other authors and distributing the stories at will.
NOTE: I state ALLEGATION because NOTHING has been proven, full disclosure of ALL facts in the situation has not happened, and there is much conjecture on all sides.
When I first heard of this latest drama I was physically ill - sweating, stomach churning, a bit dizzy - at the thought of an author doing such a heinous thing. I admit that I immediately jumped onto that mobster, Al Capone mentality of "OMG! Death to the one who betrayed the family!" I'm not proud of this. It was a knee-jerk reaction that I know better than to partake in... yet, I am so, so guilty of it.
I don't know if the allegations are true that an author did such things. I don't know if that author's assertions that the whole thing was a vendetta played out publicly on Facebook to destroy her career are true. Simply put, I DO NOT HAVE THE WHOLE STORY. I feel like shit for having jumped to the Al Capone mentality. But until more facts are given, full disclosure is achieved, and the drama has played itself out, I shall simply sit back and watch, neither judging nor participating, for it is not my battle to fight. I'll just watch for the ripple effect that will inevitably begin and see just how it'll affect me.
Until then, I'll stick to my bubble of invisibility. It keeps the shit from hitting me and leaves me largely out of the drama zone. I'll also work to remind myself that the Al Capone mentality is never a helpful one. A lesson the indie world as a whole should consider learning.
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