Suck it up, cupcake.

There are a few reasons why I rarely accept self-published fiction titles at Pop Syndicate: Most are typically poorly edited, poorly written concepts that leave the reading side of my brain twitching for hours afterward. My reviewers refuse to try anymore because of some of the really, really bad ones we've received.

The main reason, however, is the overwhelmingly ugly, vicious and over-inflated egos that come along with the self-published book. I am shocked at some of the downright rude, obnoxious, toxic behavior I see from these authors.

Self-published fiction authors tend to want the world - for nothing. I've had them make demands that would put JLo to shame. Based on the quantity of emails I tend to receive from them, you'd think my entire life revolved around their one-day virtual book tour slot.

The thing is, it isn't just one or two who need attitude adjustments; this is a pattern that remains consist, despite my hopes to the contrary. (Not every author, but enough to make it matter.)

Of course, the ones who make the most idiotic demands are the ones who are never on time with their virtual book tour interview questions or guest blog. (Apparently, deadlines only apply to me in their comfy little world.)

So it was with little surprise that Henry Baum of the Self Publishing Review community shared a link on Twitter to a review where relatives of the author took umbrage.

These spiteful people tossed insults and questioned the reviewer Carol Buchanan's credibility - who has a PhD and wrote a really fair review. (Read the comments to see why I specifically mention PhD.) Baum checked the emails of the commenters and quickly discovered that they had the same last name as the author - and had used fake names for the public - something he shared with readers.

Of course, I could not let this slide. I had to leave my own two-cents - which, for the most part, was pretty tactful. (Aren't you proud of me?)

After reading this, I thought it was time for a reminder to authors that sometimes, reviewers just aren't that into you - for whatever reason.

If you have hot-headed relatives who want to duel anyone who doesn't like your stuff, tie them to a chair until they understand that their attitude reflects poorly on YOU. It could cost you sales and future reviews at ANY blog. (ehm... Alice Hoffman.) If you, the author, are the culprit, go buy yourself a journal, a fancy pen and some chocolate and furiously scribble the death warrants of every reviewer who didn't like your work - then burn the journal to exercise the revenge demons from your system.

If you are smart, once you get over the emotional toll of a bad review, you will sit down and seriously read what the reviewers had to say. Those that give examples from your work could provide valuable details that will make your next novel even better.

If you haven't already, check out my Etiquette Week post, How to Respond to Bad Reviews for tips to avoid blunders like those at the Self Publishing Review.

NOTE: Not all self-published titles are stinkers. Not all self-published authors are egotists. Unfortunately, this is a continuing trend I see in self-published fiction authors. These authors make it difficult for the terrific writers who know how to network. If you know an author who is acting stupid, take them to task and set them straight on proper ways to deal with bad reviews.

As a reviewer, I see a self published book and run as fast and far away as I can.

As hard as I tried to champion self-published authors, too much crap came across my desk to make it worth it. Sure, there are diamonds in the rough, but finding them takes way too long for me and my crew at Pop Syndicate.

This is an ironic turn of events, because as a writer, I am 100 percent for publishing my work on my own. I have the skills to write, know who to help with edits, who to hire for book covers and how to market once it is finished. I would much rather go this route with fiction and nonfiction to stay in total control of my work, and sell it in various venues.

Karen Syed of Echelon Press recently posted a column about how authors trash talk self published authors. It was terrifically honest - and refreshing to read from someone other than a self-published author. Check it out - and be sure to leave a comment for her.

http://www.popsyndicate.com/column/story/cant_we_all_get_along

For the first time ever, self-published authors can network with others, share ideas and talk about trends in the growing world of self publishing in one place.

The Self-Publishing Book Expo will be held Saturday, Nov. 2, in New York City.

Cost of this conference is reasonable compared to others; however, you will make it up in airfare, driving and/or hotel costs.

If you want more details about programs, panel discussions, how to sell your books there, or guest speakers, visit http://www.selfpubbookexpo.com/.

If you want to go, but don't want to bust your budget, contact other self published authors on Twitter who may want to split costs, or put a shout out on Henry Baum's Ning group, Self Publishing Review, on Ning.

Dead Robots' Society - a podcast for writers on writing - just posted a new interview with Richard Ridley, author marketing specialist at CreateSpace. The self-publishing site is owned by Amazon.

Check out the CreateSpace interview

Dead Robots' Society creator Justin Macumber is always searching for new authors to chat with about various topics. If you like to do audio - and like the site - send Justin a brief note via the site or @DRSPodcast via Twitter.

When it comes to self publishing, authors need to stick together, share resources and knowledge and network. Now, there is one Web site dedicated to connecting authors who want to publish on their own with each other, good publishers and more.

Self-Publishing Review is the brainchild of Henry Baum, author of North of Sunset. It offers reviews of self-pubbed titles, news, interviews, publishing resources and more. Today, Henry sits down for a virtual chat about his new site at Market My Novel.

Henry, tell us about your new site, the Self Publishing Review. Why did you start this site?

I wanted to start the site I wished existed when I self-published my novel, North of Sunset, in 2006.  I’m gearing up to finish a novel and I’m really not interested in going through the querying process again. So I started the site to both impart what I’ve learned about self-publishing and learn some new things for when I put out my own book.

It’s a very different world now for self-publishers.  In 2006 there were a handful of blogs devoted to self-published reviews, now there are many.

Still, there’s not a central portal that covers book reviews, publisher reviews, how to’s, etc. My hope for the site is to treat self-published writing as another literary review might treat traditionally published books.  Self-published writing has gotten a terrible rap – often for good reason – but that bad reputation has overshadowed some of the very great writing that is being self-published.

Do you accept all genres of self pubbed titles?

My goal on the site is to review everything – every genre of fiction, as well as non-fiction.  This includes marketing ebooks people sell online.

There’s an unlimited amount of those.  The site will not only review the great stuff, but the stuff that needs work as well.  As it says on the site, the aim is to improve the culture around self-publishing, to get it out of the cultural gutter, and that means pointing out problems in self-published books.  That said, totally ripping into a book or author doesn’t make sense to me.  The book is self-published – the author is starting at a loss – so there’s no reason to add any extra insult.

The site aims to review all publishers: subsidy self-publishers, book printers, as well as ebook publishers and houses that use print on demand technology.  That’s not technically self-publishing, but it’s not far removed – and if you publish with a POD house, you’re going to have to do your own marketing just as if you published with Lulu or someplace else.

Because self-published book design is often so terrible and just as often there’s a correlation between the quality of the cover and the quality of the prose.  People are still putting out covers with clip-art or very basic templates.  That’s not all bad – one of the great values of Lulu is that you can publish a book as easily as registering a blog, but if you want to be taken seriously by reviewers and readers, you’ve got to take the time.

That’s the idea, but the forum is crickets for the moment.  I encourage everyone to come – if only to promote a book and leave.  We also have a ning community selfpublishingreview.ning.com.