still moaning I'm afraid

[erastes]

I don't think I'd ever label myself "best-selling author". I see it all over the place, and I think possibly that if you see it so blooming often you just begin to wonder where this accolade comes from. I know that most people use Amazon as a guideline, but then with the way that you can manipulate down the lists: books>literature>romance>heterosexual>rabbit-oriented>dutch-lopeared>sci-fi, just about anyone can be a best seller. I've been at the number one spot several times on Amazon, but it's always been on a diluted list: book>gay>romance>erotica and something like that. If I ever actually headed the gay list on Amazon.com - then I might consider adding the accolade, but not before I think. But hell, that's just me. If I ever head the BOOKS category, then baby!!!! BEST SELLER will be in sparklie lavender sprinkles.

I am on anti-biotics. It is what I am always on ABs for (as it's a Scorpio trait apparently) but hurrah, things have improved since I last was forced to take them (I only take drugs when I absolutely HAVE to) as my heart sank when he said "I'll prescribe you a course..." and then soared when he said "it's usually three days.." (HURRAH!) "but I'll give you five..." (boo.) But I can make five days without wine. I'm sure..... *trembles* Last time it was THREE WEEKS and I failed miserably, which is probably why I've still got the bloody problem.

Incidentally my latest brush with my GP (General Pillock) has reaffirmed my lack of faith in all things NHSy. Don't get me wrong, t'is a wonderful thing and all that, and I wouldn't want it any other way, but when I go into a doctors I'd like
1. the doctor to turn around and LOOK AT ME and listen to me, instead of sitting there at his computer, not taking his fingers off the keyboard, or his eyes off the screen.
2. not to have the doctor (who has my medical records available from when I was BORN) ask ME: "are you allergic to anything?" when he's about to prescribe me dangerous drugs.
3. the doctor to actually examine me and not just ask me to roll up an inch of my trouser leg and peer around the desk (whilst still not taking his hands off the keyboard.
4. for him to actually believe my concerns, and to answer my questions.

In fact, I'm SO sick of this guy, that I am leaving - and I am going to write and tell him why, and copy the GMC in.

Nothing else to say. The Random Death Eaters wrote one of the Sporks at deadlyhollow btw, if you missed it.

Comments

[anderyn.livejournal.com]

Yes, I would be v. angry if I had to deal with a doctor who didn't LOOK at me when I was being examined. Grrr. My doctor doesn't even have a computer anywhere NEAR the exam rooms.

Meanwhile, I did note the RDEs had been at it, but I wanted them to be even meaner and snarkier -- they've lost their edge since the books have been finished and V. is dead, perhaps? Bored stiff with the bland future presented in the epilog? (NOW THAT I'd like to see -- The RDEs playing merry Hell with the epilog of Doom.)

[markprobst.livejournal.com]

How about "critically acclaimed"? I've seen some authors use that too. What is the criteria to make one critically acclaimed? One good review, I guess.

[batboy126.livejournal.com]

"it's always been on a diluted list: book>gay>romance>erotica...If I ever head the BOOKS category, then baby!!!! BEST SELLER will be in sparklie lavender sprinkles."
Ironically, you'd probably have a better shot at it if you wrote something other than gay erotica.

[lilian-cho.livejournal.com]

Okay, #2 is v. alarming O_o
I thought they're supposed to teach _compassion_ in medical school, yeah?

=P

[logophilos.livejournal.com]

In defence of #2,people can *develop* allergies, when they had none before. But then this prat should have known if Erastes did. I have to say, he sounds pretty standard for the NHS these days.

[mzcalypso.livejournal.com]

The computer-obsessive behavior is crap--but since allergies can result in anything from a nasty rash to anaphylactic shock and death... and because medical records are compiled by humans and mistakes do happen, and it's better to have an irritated patient (even a Scorpio) than a dead one... better he should ask than assume.

Granted, #1 in a small Amazon pond is not terribly impressive--but it's still more exciting than being #73. What annoys me is writers who run contests on their own promo lists, which they (surprise!) win, and then label their books "Award-Winning!!!" At least on Amazon the numbers reflect objective sales figures, not self-aggrandizing nonsense.

[logophilos.livejournal.com]

What about writers who set up their own publishing company and squee about having 'won' a publishing contract? I wish I was making that up.

[angelabenedetti.livejournal.com]

I wish you were too. :/ And yeah, that's just incredibly lame.

Angie

[lee-rowan.livejournal.com]

I might not call myself a 'best-selling author,' but I wouldn't weep if someone else did. (g)

And be fair to your book: Standish has been on the gay fic bestseller list for over a year now. Hitting #1 when the thing's first released is no big deal--hitting it a year later, as it did a few days ago, means people are still reading it and recommending it. Not lavender sparkles, maybe, but better than hitting #1 and vanishing.

[the-sea-to.livejournal.com]

valid point about the bestselling authour - and i hope you get well soon. As you will not know this journal - check your inbox. (if you cannot tell from the random spelling mistakes and general lack of snaity) Sorry to be so cryptic - normally dislike it in others - but trying to keep a complete break between this journal and my previous one.

Oh, and hugs.

[maximvanziel.livejournal.com]

I hope you'll get well very soon.

I adore your modesty. That's why I started with Erastes and always return to Erastes :) Your spicy criticism on every matter, sometimes merciless, really makes me laugh to death. But your fairness applies it to yourself. It's not easy of course, nor can everyone :)

[angelabenedetti.livejournal.com]

I don't mind so much so long as the author makes it clear just what magnitude their best-sellerdom came from. I mean, I was on Torquere's SF bestseller list for like a month when my first story with them came out, and I was boinging a bit but it's nothing I'd blaze across my blog or anything. Fiction>erotic>gay>Torquere>SF>#7. Ummm, yeah. [rueful smile] I think it's perfectly reasonable for someone to get excited and squee about it in a blog entry or something, but that's different from having it permanently displayed on the blog's banner, or printed on your cards and bookmarks. :/

Especially if all that's displayed is "Bestselling Author," with no indication of the source -- most people see "Bestseller" and assume the NYT list, or something of that stature, and leaving them to think that -- or assuming they'll think that when in actuality, no one's going to believe any such thing -- is just the writer shooting her/himself in the foot.

Angie

[rwday.livejournal.com]

I would very much like to be at the top of the dutch-lopeared rabbit-oriented straight romance category. That would be awesome.

That doctor sounds like a real ass - he probably stayed at his computer because he was playing Tetris. Hope the antibiotics are working. *hugs*