FROM THE DESK OF AUTHOR DC GRACE

I have seen some very ugly things going on lately in the literary world, things aimed at a particular individual, who did nothing to deserve such treatment. Though authors seldom involve themselves in such disputes, I am breaking my silence and speaking out. I was not asked to write this. I simply could not stand by and watch such abusive behavior any longer.

I have been a published author for several years, and in that short time, I have found few people so devoted to the promotion of authors and their series as Jenny Bynum. Jenny has been the administrator for the Facebook page for my series, The Amethyst Dragon, going on a year now. She works for several authors, and is good at what she does. She genuinely cares about promoting each and every one of us, and takes pride in her work. In all the time I've known Jenny, she has never had a bad thing to say about anyone. There just isn't a mean bone in her body. She goes above and beyond for me and everyone she promotes, staying at the computer long into the night rather than sleeping to get it done. And more often than not, she does it for free - for the sheer joy of reading.

People coming into the literary world as authors need to have a thick skin. Not everyone will like your work, and you have to be willing to accept that if you want to survive in this industry. The smart author accepts criticism graciously and gleans from it what they can. Reviews are called such because the reviewer is expressing their opinion of the work. No one has to agree with it. Personally, I would rather have a thoughtful negative review of my work from someone who actually read it than a rave review from someone who didn't read a word, and posted it simply to be "my buddy". True, there are plenty of people writing scathing reviews simply because they don't like the author. Jenny, however, is not one of those people.

So I would simply say to those people slamming a nice woman who gave her time and effort for free that they have no reason to be trying to slander Jenny's good name so needlessly. If it's a boot-licker you seek, there are plenty to be bought for a fee, I'm sure. Jenny isn't one of them. I'm proud to call her my friend, and grateful for every ounce of dedication she gives me and my work. However, I do not expect her to be at my beck and call, nor do I expect her to praise every word I've ever written. She is entitled to express her opinion, as we all are. That doesn't make her a backstabber. So rather than deflecting attention from the possibility that others might share her opinion by finger-pointing, turn that finger around and point it at yourself first, and see what needs fixing within yourself.

Hopefully I've provided a bit of clarification. Jenny is a terrific person, and I don't want to see her needlessly slandered.

Best Regards,

DC Grace