“Stop Edit Shaming Indie Authors” by Tam French

Posted on by Lawrence G. Taylor

www.quora.com/q/an-inkling-of-writers/Has-anyone-else-noticed-the-amount-of-hate-and-inequitable-critiques-indie-and-self-published-authors-receive-It-got-me

LGT: I have received a few comments about typos and incorrect grammar, which have always inspired me to improve my proofreading. Nevertheless, it had never occurred to me that such remarks could have come from someone who wanted to ridicule my work because it was self-published. Although I couldn’t help but consider the tendency to be petty, as the review itself was not free of errors. I suspect the tendency could be considered human, because my Caribbean friends have a similar predisposition. But I shouldn’t be cynically critical of honest reviewers. I need positive and negative reviews. Both contribute to credibility. While uploading the manuscript, Amazon warns the self-published author that some readers may be hawkish.

Posted on by Lawrence G. Taylor

An Interview I Did In Early 2016 – My Debut Book Strangers In Another Country had just come out.


Interview with Lawrence G. Taylor
(from 2016)

Today our guest is Lawrence G. Taylor. He recently self-published a collection of stories, in ebook format, and available on Amazon. We have conducted an interview with him.


How did you decide on the settings in the late 60s and about marginal men of colour in your stories?

My interest in writing stories began in the late sixties. There was much going on regarding social, political and economic, as well as cultural issues. The decision about the settings came naturally. The same could be said about my selection of characters, “marginal men”. I wanted to write about some of my experiences and that of others. I was always interested in individuals not belonging to the mainstream. The stories are indeed a work of fiction. Few scenes are authentic while others got fictionalised.

What inspired you to write these stories?

In my mid-twenties, I had become politically conscious and socially engaged with the times. I wanted to be involved in some cause or another. The goals of making the world a better place for all and the need for self-realization were made apparent for peoples in various regions of the world. From my corner of the world, I offered verbal support for the black American struggle. The question of identity, being authentically black, was in full swing. There were, of course, perspectives from left, right, and centre. I held a leftish position on matters of such and others. But with time, I have shifted to the centre.

Were the stories in your book based on your experiences during the time when you were a mental health counsellor?

The four stories were written in the early 70s before working in mental health. Before such work, I had written other stories too, a four-act closet drama, a short novel, and an unfinished novel. I had spent around two years nurturing the ambition to become an author of some repute. But the going was tough, financially and feelings of insecurity for the future. I got myself an education and profession. The dream of becoming a writer full time was ditched. Nothing to regret, for I still enjoy helping others in the capacity of psychotherapist/mental health counsellor.

What are the key themes of your book “Strangers In Another Country”?

The themes are loneliness, empathy, love story, friendship, non-solidarity among black expatriates, education, racial prejudice/discrimination.

Who do you recommend to read this book?

Based on feedbacks from readers in 1977, I would say that the reader for my stories is he or she who is interested in social, cultural, and personal problems of folks of colour in a predominant white environment, and an interest in the human condition, with a positive view of people in general.

How do you think social and personal issues can be alleviated when someone is new to a different culture?

I would say that having a positive attitude helps. One must also be optimistic as well as realistic in one´s expectation of success in the “adopted country”. The new situation that refugees and others in need of work are confronted with is both welcoming or to the contrary. It is also imperative to learn the language and cultural norms of the newly adopted country. I say good luck to all newcomers, whatever country you succeeded in entering. These are trying times for anyone in need of a better life. I strongly believe: where´s a will, there´s a way.

End of interview