just because you have written a book does not make you an author

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by Apache

It sounds like you want people to be certified as an author before they can use the title.
Apache

More like go away and not clutter the market with unsanctioned books.

It's not an uncommon attitude.
See, indie books mark the end of civilization.

Of course, indie music doesn't.
http://indiereader.com/2014/02/indie...r-indie-books/

Nor indie movies--they even have cable channel for it carried by all the cablecos and satcos.
Or indie gamers; Sony and Microsoft argue over who is friendlier to indiegame developers, Google's Play and Apple's iTunes App Store are chock-a-block with indie software, literally by the million in Apple's case.

Indie musicians are so cool, second tier studio acts change their name and pretend to be newcomers to pass for indie.
http://www.good.is/posts/why-does-in...e-lana-del-ray

Indie movies are art, not the commercial drivel you get from the blockbuster-obsessed studios. Even when they come from the same directors and feature the same actors. Indie movies are special snowflakes.

Indie is good if you're a musician or a director or an actor or even a software developer. You're special! You're not selling out to the establishment!

But if you're an author and you choose to bypass the establishment then you're not even fit to call yourself a writer. You ought to be ashamed to show your face in public pretending to be an author just because you wrote a book. Feh!

No double standard here, no siree...

[Tarana]

No, I think you are being unfair.

Yes, if you publish a book, whether self published or not, in softcover, paperback, hardcover or ebook, that makes you an author. Period. Whether you continue being an author depends on your resources.

Snobbish idea that a book has to be in hardcover.

[Tarana]

If you are going to draw your personal line in the sand, then at least get your metaphors correct. A completed book that has been published (either self or by publisher means) is a far cry from a tool that a doctor uses.

[Catlady]

It's not a matter of what the publishing format is, but if someone calls himself or herself an author, I would expect that person to be earning money from writing.

[jeremy young]

Just because you can read, does that make you a reader.
Just because you can hear, does that make you a listener.

It's a game that can be played endlessly.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by Catlady

It's not a matter of what the publishing format is, but if someone calls himself or herself an author, I would expect that person to be earning money from writing.

Fair enough.

In fact, that is the criterion that professional author associations use to vet their membership.

So far, the Canadian Authors Union and the Romance Writers of America both accept indie published authors as members and the Science Fiction Writers of America is currently drafting guidelines to do the same.

In all three cases the requirement is to have earned 'x' amount of money over a single calendar year, where the specified amount for indie publishers is a *multiple* of the requirement for traditionally-published authors minimum income, because it is easier to make money by going indie.

Edit:

From the RWA guidelines:
http://www.rainbowromancewriters.com/node/544

The purpose of the Published Authors Network (PAN) is to establish within the RWA framework a network of communication and support to effectively promote and protect the interests of published romance authors; to open channels of communication between those romance authors and other publishing industry professionals; and to encourage professionalism on all levels and in all relationships within the publishing industry. PAN membership is available to any RWA General or Honorary member in good standing who has earned at least:

$1,000 in the form of an advance on a single Eligible Novel or Novella
$1,000 in the form of royalties or a combination of advance plus royalties on a single published Eligible Novel or Novella
$5,000 in the form of earnings for a Self-Published novel or novella that meets the definition of Romance Fiction shall be eligible for membership in PAN.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by moonshot

It's easy for any budding author to publish their writing to Amazon or Kobo in the form of an eBook.

Indeed.

But, how do we determine what is a 'proper book' by a professional author?

In that case, you must first determine what a "proper book" is. Does it have to have at least 200 pages? Must it be published by one of the big five? Must it have an official ISBN number? Does it have to be available in print as well as digital?

To me unless an author has had their book published in hardback they are not authors, they are people who have written a book.

Am I being fair?

You're being unfair.

Writing makes you an author. Even this post makes *me* an author.

Wikipedia says this:

An author is broadly defined as "the person who originated or gave existence to anything" and whose authorship determines responsibility for what was created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work and can also be described as a writer.

Anybody who creates anything, is an author.

If they are a good/great author or not, is a completely different matter. That *you* only see someone as an author if he or she is published in hardcover by one of the big publishers, is your very own problem.

By the way: there are many authors/writers who have never, written a book, ever. They write short stories, poems, news posts, blog posts, scientific articles.... on and on and on.

[morriss003]

Hi there, Moonshot. I believe I have seen your posts over at Goodreads.
In answer to your question, a writer is someone who writes. That doesn't make them a good writer. An author is someone who has published some material somewhere. That doesn't make them a good author. A speaker is someone who speaks. That doesn't make them a good speaker. A singer is someone who sings. That doesn't make them a good singer.

At one time I would have questioned whether or not someone who has only published online is an author, but that has long been settled by the presence of ebooks that previously would only have been available in hardcopy.

[Namekuseijin]

every blogger or forum poster is an author

author =/= rich & famous (TM)

Plato and other ancients didn't get money from writing. Getting money from writing is so XIX's... how about hurrahs? or peanuts? likes?

BTW, I'm copyrighting my posts here just in case someone decides to sell them somewhere...

[Jane Oldaker]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

Then you must have asked that question on another forum. We don't allow spam or spammers on this site.

That's what I thought. This would probably be the best place I know of to solicit recommendations untainted by self-promotion Moonshot. Why don't you try your inquiry on this forum?

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by morriss003

At one time I would have questioned whether or not someone who has only published online is an author, but that has long been settled by the presence of ebooks that previously would only have been available in hardcopy.

Once upon a time, to be a reporter or columnist you had to work for a newspaper or newsmagazine. Then came radio. TV. Websites. Blogs. Podcasts. Youtube channels.
Patrons are now optional. The professions remain.

Newsmagazines are mostly gone.
Newspapers aren't far behind.
Times change, professions evolve or die.
Most practicioners are smart enough to evolve.

[ucfgrad93]

Originally Posted by moonshot

I think a line needs to be drawn in the sand so that we know who are the real authors.

Ok, thanks for sharing and giving me a good laugh.

[jgaiser]

Originally Posted by moonshot

I think a line needs to be drawn in the sand so that we know who are the real authors.

With kind of attitude, I think you're going to be standing behind a line pretty by yourself. Enjoy your books.

[moonshot]

Originally Posted by Grace Elliot

Interesting discussion.
Hard back books represent a small proportion of book sales. So does a 'true author' have to been professionally published but not sell in best-seller quantities? If a HB author had a hit, does their credibility plummet?

No, they can be published and sell in bestseller quantities as well.

Anyone can write a book but not everyone can write a good book, and it seems as though the weeds are getting into the flower beds.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by moonshot

No, they can be published and sell in bestseller quantities as well.

Anyone can write a book but not everyone can write a good book, and it seems as though the weeds are getting into the flower beds.

That's rubbish. We have authors in the Netherlands that are highly celebrated here and abroad, but I wouldn't give a durned penny for one of their books.

Someone's vegetables are other person's weeds.