Renad Farid
Staff Writer
On the Huffington Post blog, British crime author Lynn Shepherd wrote an article titled “If J.K. Rowling Cares About Writing, She Should Stop Doing It” … What?!
Apparently Shepherd thinks that Rowling’s first adult novel The Casual Vacancy “sucked the oxygen from the entire publishing and reading atmosphere.” Although she admitted that she had never read a word from any of Rowling’s Harry Potter books, “or seen a minute,” she claims that Jo needs to step down because “Rowling has no need of either the shelf space or the column inches, but other writers desperately do.”
Lynn then tells Rowling to “keep writing for kids, or for [her] personal pleasure,” but no more adult novels because she had her chance. “Enjoy your vast fortune and the good you’re doing with it,” Shephard continued, “luxuriate in the love of your legions of fans, and good luck to you on both counts. But it’s time to give other writers, and other writing, room to breathe.”
The article met a huge number of angry comments and responses including this one by author Robin O’Bryant, ” As a successful author and freelance writer, I read this with my mouth hanging open. I don’t think there is anything lower than publicly dissing another author – WITHOUT EVEN READING THEIR BOOKS.”
It seems to be that when Shepherd wrote this article she had no idea it would hurt her OWN business. Jo’s loyal fans went on Amazon.com, and now Lynn’s The Solitary House has 59 one-star reviews, most of them were written this week, captioned with “I’ve never read any of your books, and now I never will!” and “There is no way I could support an author (or anyone else for that matter) who has such a terrible outlook.” Well, she did that to herself!
Other readers gave more 28 one-star reviews for her A Fatal Likeness, “It’s been done before and done better. Shepherd does not have the skills to write a compelling novel. She should take some notes from J.K. Rowling’s excellent Cuckoo’s Calling,” a reader advised Shepherd.
Earlier this month Shepherd spoke to The Guardian and apologized for the inconvenience and explained that she “only ever meant to raise the issue of how hard it is for new writers to get noticed and how publishing is much more of a zero sum game than people often think”.
“Many writers face the same challenges and frustrations when they’re just starting out, and J. K. Rowling did herself,” Shepherd said. “She’s been a phenomenal success since then and has millions of fans who are passionate about her books. That’s an amazing achievement.”
Well Lynn, as a one of Jo’s BIGGEST fans and the behalf of other Potterheads I don’t think an apology will do you any good now! Successful people don’t step aside to let others -who can’t compete with their talents- have their moment of fame.
What do you think of Lynn’s article? Do you agree or disagree? Tell us in the comments!
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