Melissa West

I've been thinking about writing this post for a while now, and the events of this weekend have frustrated me enough that I feel it's time. There has been a lot of author related behavior that has given me pause. Lashing out at reviewers, mocking the writing preferences of other authors, and the list goes on and on. But nothing has made me as angry and disappointed as the three events that have occurred lately. A well-known reviewer and supporter of the industry is sued and authors laugh? A mega author makes light of downloading child pornography? An author freaks out over a bad review and stalks the reviewer and authors revere this behavior? So I ask you: where is your honor? Where is your decency? Where is your stamp that says I'm an author and I will act appropriately? Authors are a small group compared to many other industries, and one that automatically receives respect from the public. I tell people I have a master's degree, and they nod. I tell the...