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Without going back into the history of other attempts by Howard Hopkins to remove what he sees as his competition, let's look at his latest to vilify the writer he hasn't the guts to name but which is myself.
The "bitterness", the "grousing", the "rhetoric" and the "hyperbole" are all Howard's own subjective assessments of what he perceives is in my comments. As always, these are written in the spirit of full reporting, of putting the whole truth before the public, not just parts of it. Information is feared by those who think they have a need to fear it.
To dismiss the information I give from time to time as "a constant barrage of digs and what ultimately amounts to bridge burning" is pernicious. To say I have "insulted" other writers is a downright lie. I believe that with Black Horse Extra I have done as much as anyone online to spread the good word about Black Horse Westerns. That said, to pretend every book carrying the BHW imprint is going to satisfy every western reader would ultimately not be in anyone's interests. Creative work should never be marketed as a standardized, homogenized product.
There is no crime in being a "beginner" and I have never suggested that. Beginners are always welcome. What is not welcome is a policy of replacing author names or pen-names as soon as they achieve any degree of recognition that might match that of a publisher's imprint.
All I have written carried the legitimacy of fact and the ongoing desire to preserve for writers the last regular market for westerns in the UK.
I realize that Howard is an imaginative writer but to use the phrases "foot stomping", "grousing" and so on in the context of what should be sober debate is not helpful. I do not stomp my feet, and never have, even as a child. It isn't in my nature, which Howard presumes to know although he has never met me. In fact, the newcomers might like to know that the unsubstantiated "foot stomping" and "passive aggressive" clichés were being used by Howard about me more than three years ago when he was figuring out ways to dump me from the Black Horse Westerns Yahoo group.
To suggest, even indirectly, that I favour excessive swearing in fiction is also untrue, as those who read my books know.
But enough said. This really is all too deplorable.
Keith
I have been on the Black Horse western discussion group, and known Howard, for about three years now. In all that time, I have never known him make any attempts to villify you. If you read in the history of Black Horse Extra, there are quite a few attempts by you to villify both Howard and other members of the Black Horse western discussion group. You do not seem to mention this when you mention about what Howard said about you three years ago.
I have also never known Howard treat anyone, in three years, the way you said he treated you. He has always been encouraging and supportive to everyone.
As for what Howard said in his blog, I believe this what written out of frustration and because of his loyalty to Hale. After the last edition of "Black Horse Extra", I actually asked a question on the discussion group as to whether Hale was into excessive censoring now, as I understood from Black Horse Extra. Such censoring would have bothered me greatly, but other writers do not seem to have this problem. It could be very misleading and put people off.
I probably shouldn't post this, as I have had unpleasent exchanges with you on this subject before, but when you call Howard a liar, it is going too far. Did you or did you not use the word "mediocre" to describe some writers of BHWs?
Andrea
The entire tone of Howard's post was one of vilification. Its timing is no doubt calculated to do as much damage as possible to BHE Books, just as his previous attacks were timed to derail Black Horse Extra.
Howard's schoolmaster-ish "recommending" to a writer his senior in years and experience, advising him to show "contrition" are quite out of place.
I have no wish to start corresponding with you again, Andrea, on this subject or any other.
But in answer to your question, I don't know where Howard is taking the "mediocre" from, though yes, BHWs have frequently been mediocre. In the business, literary agents have been known to advise their clients to make no mention to other publishers of contributions they may have made to the series.
I find that sad, but along with Howard and most of the writers he mentions, I've been trying to set that right with entertaining books for intelligent readers of today.
This does not mean becoming pretentious and holier-than-thou in our writing about our books. As another writer wrote me today:
"It seems to me that there is a movement afoot to 'elevate' the western to the level of 'art' when, frankly, the standard is actually dropping, and this as much in America as elsewhere."
Some months ago, before the present undesirable furore, another writer, under the subject heading "Fawning" wrote:
"I am constantly astounded by all the fawning that is done on the 'author’s week' blog. I also wish I’d never let ---- ---- persuade me to join it.
"Whew! . . . this Howard is looked upon as the next Luke Short or L’Amour. Since I haven’t read his material, or any other for that matter, I don’t know what kind of writer he is – but he sure sounds like a pompous jerk. He made a comment about how his hand got the cramp while he was signing his books! Are you frigging kidding me!!!!!!
"But you know what? I could care less what these guys do. ---- asked for the interview and I gave it to him, answering only his questions. And since ----- (who has confessed to me he’d like to dump the site too) is involved and answers occasionally I’m trying to be tactful.
"Maybe all the guys lathering up the cyberspace will bring back the western. But I doubt it."
Again, long before all this, I've received similar comments from other longstanding, professional writers of BHWs who don't want a bar of the mutual-congratulation nonsense and its unpleasant flip side of ostracization. For that reason, as much as any other, they prefer to keep themselves to themselves and a few, chosen, genuine friends.
I won't get involved in any of this but I will say this - Howard's book are damn good read, I've done over half a dozen of his and enjoyed them all. He's also a active supporter of the western and not only the BHW line which are receiving praise all over at the moment.
Gary
Gary, my apologies this has muddied up your blog.
Keith, I am sorry you took some of the things personally--the swearing statement referred to Deadwood, not your books--and felt the need to reopen old wounds isntead of debating the subject on my blog where my opinion piece occurred. In that spirit I am willing to put everything behind us and offer my hand. You can accept it or bite it, the choice is yours. And I wish you nothing but success with your new venture. I invite all those reading this blog to go over to the BH Extra site and read Keith's excerpt and if you enjoy it purchase the Misfit Lil book and support his publishing efforts. The more western books out there the merrier. Love the blue on the cover and I personally know these books are very high quality products.
Cheers
Gary, There was never any question about the quality of Howard's books. I read them -- and enjoy them -- myself.
Howard, The reason the issue is debated here is because Gary pointed his Archive readers to your piece and because I didn't think I'd have a show of seeing my side of the story on your blog. It's a reopening of old wounds inasmuch as the circumstances, and the words you use, are similar and in places identical. The last personal email I had from you told me: "Please do not reply to this letter because it is not up for discussion." It also said I would be allowed back into "your" circle only "after an extended period of self-reflection on your part".
I am always willing to look forward (rather than backwards) and react to opposition in a positive manner. If I was not, there would never have been a Black Horse Extra, nor a BHE Book which I hope will not be the last.
But the paperback project is currently in a precarious position, largely due to pricing which I can't change. The good news is that everyone who has seen Misfit Lil Cheats the Hangrope and read it has reacted favorably on all scores. Comments in my emails today are: "Mightily impressed" and "Ironic that the book is not getting out there to a wider audience. I truly don't think prospective buyers/readers know just what they're getting for their money!"
Keith,
My suggestion for your next publishing venture is that you consider the trade-off involved in publishing in a larger size format. It's a logical aim that if you're self-publishing a 45,000 word novel that you'd like that book to appear in a small paperback format. The trouble is a 160 page paperback sized 4.5 X 6 inches is disproportionately expensive to print and once the retail mark-up goes on top, the retail cost spirals to a ridiculous level.
When we came to publish Where Legends Ride the retail price for publishing it as a standard size paperback was $25. It was 90,000 words, but this was a hard if not impossible sell and something had to give. That was either give up or go for a large size paperback at 9 X 6. Initially this felt wrong, but when I bought a lulu paperback that was that size, I saw how handsome they are and that allayed my worries. As a result we published at 6 X 9 and are able to retail WLR at $13.95, which is a fair price that people are prepared to pay. And nobody has complained about the large size. The sequel is 50% longer again than the first one and will probably retail at around $17.99, which is expensive, but for a bumper book I think it's a price that we won't be ashamed to ask for.
I'd estimate that if you were to publish your next 45,000 word book at 9 X 6 you should be able to offer it at the breakthrough price of $9.99, and that's not much different to a retail paperback in the UK. The irritating thing is the book will be thin, but think of it as being a Dales Western type paperback and it won’t feel so bad, especially when you're able to offer it at such an appealing price.
Another idea could be that with a series character such as Lil you could combine two novels into the one book. I've got Where Legends Ride and I'd say it's great value for money.
The 6 x 9 format is the one I use as well and a standard trade paperback size. But also my most expensive book, Night Demons, which comes in around 23 US dollars has sold the best (150,000 plus words), followed very closely by Dark Riders at $20 us. And the Dales and Linfords all sell retail at 22 or 23 here in the States, and the Dales books are fairly small. Also the difference between 12 and 11 pt is very little as well on the look, but can save a number of pages in the book. As Ian mentions, it will be a bit thinner, but some very thin specialty books run 30 or 40 bucks. I would definitely recommend the 6 x 9 size. It makes for a very nice looking book.
Many thanks, Ian, Gary and Howard, for the benefit of your experiences. I can see a lot of re-thinking is necessary.
At some stage, via Lulu or elsewhere, I'd like to see re-established for westerns the pocket-book paperback of similar size to the old Piccadilly Cowboys books, Gold Medals, or the standard Mills & Boon/Harlequin romance series. But wouldn't we all?
By the way, even the people who advise you at Lulu (when you can reach a "real" person to reply to your questions) are confused. The last words I received on all this were:
"I understand your concern about the price difference in binding options. I spoke with my supervisor, because this case is perplexing to me as well.
"6 x 9 is the standard. Therefore, when we send the books out to our distribution printer, there is a discount on printing the standard (the 6x9), resulting in a lower price for the purchaser.
"When I first input the information into the Book Cost Calculator, it showed me that the 6 x 9 and pocketbook cost the same. However, when the same information is input into the Retail Pricing Calculator, the discount is reflected. I apologize for the confusion."
And of course at this late stage I have to accept their apology, though I'm assured by all those who've read the book that potential purchasers deterred by the price are depriving themselves of a bargain!
It seems incredibly strange that a larger book, using more material but virtually identical processes, should be a cheaper book. In the weird way of the publishing business, even going through Lulu, readers and writers are being obliged to accept what they wouldn't really choose.
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