Don't Give Up On AuthorTube | #ARCSAreFree #AuthorTubeTea #SaveAuthorTube

I freakin' love you! That shirt is everything! When you mentioned not really watching Authortube anymore: Since I started Authortube I've discovered sooooo many newer/smaller Author channels! The bigger channels make up such a small percentage of what's out there. There's so much quality content in these small/new channels, it's awesome. A lot of times with a big platform comes a huge ego, I think that is mostly unavoidable unless you have the consciousness to ethically deal with the large following. Keep doing what you're doing, I adore you and your channel. Thank you for taking the time to make this video, Doll!

Settling in to listen to this whole video ✌🏻

Ngl, maybe this drama actually has been a good thing for Authortube numbers and engagement tbh. Maybe with the new Authortube Newbie tag - which I'm def gonna take part in - the community can grow more and expand! Def wanna see more creators out there -^_^-

I've been planning on starting an authortube. It's something I've wanted to do for a while but I've been looking more into learning the equipment to do so. But all this stuff has me feeling kind of... hesitant. I had no idea there was so much going on. I still plan on starting up soon, but I think I'll be trying to tread lightly. (Not that i'm in it for money or fame or anything but to share things I've learned. etc)

Part of me wants to know who all these questionable people are so I can avoid them, but things like this turn my stomach into knots.

I'm really glad you made this video. I had a lot of feelings about everything going on, but I wasn't sure how to articulate it. Now I can just direct people this way. Also happy you made this because I found your channel! lol

Just change out Elizabeth and Olivia for KM and Authortube(Especially the women)

I wanted to start an authortube channel but I always decided against it because of people but since I don't want it to die because I love to listen to peeps talk about writing, this video changed my mind :)

Is it bad that i didn't even know who Kirsten Martin was before this video lol!!! Now i want to go see who she is lol.

What do I have to look out for to make sure I'm not following the mob of scammers? I also don't wanna support their work.

I think you are very well spoken in this video, Jenna. From someone who is a smaller creator on authortube, I knew what was going on but was afraid to speak up. Even to this day, I get scared to voice my opinion. I don't want this conversation to be swept under the rug because it needs to be heard and said so we as a community can improve. I have been very cautious about who to trust in the space and who to watch which is sad. I hope this whole thing is a wake-up call to everyone and we can go back to what we started out doing this for...WRITING!

I’m so glad that people are talking about this, as someone who almost fell for the scam.

All this drama just made me realise that I enjoy watching all the smaller authortubers I'm subscribed to. I don't watch videos to buy things, I watch them to get inspiration or just to feel I'm not alone in the struggle! Lol! There are many more of us out there than you might think!

This was a lot to digest but like you said I won't let this discourage me. I will be starting my own channel soon and will do the best I can to be authentic and ethical.

Great video, Jenna :)

What also bothers me about this whole thing, are those people that attended Kristen’s author retreat and participated in collabs, but are now posting vids about how much they disagree with Kristen’s practices. SHE HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS.

They clearly wanted the views and subscribers. Now that Kristen’s actions are finally being brought to the forefront, they want to be up in arms? That’s bullshit. Those people are just as shady and malicious if you ask me.

I have so much respect for you. You are so brave and wonderful for making this video and for the AuthorTube Newbie Tag 2.0. I look forward to doing it. I understand the situation you are in with not being able to come forward with everything. I'm sorry for your pain, but I hope you stay strong. You're great!

A feature film length video exposing the crappy ethical practises on authortube? Don't mind if I do ☕☕



Edit: typo rip

Lol I love your directness!

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, I totally agree what Kristen Martin and anyone else who is just scamming the readers/authors is wrong and seriously is in this business for the wrong reason, they are not true writers. Those of us who are true writers from the heart and get our books out there for the joy of sharing our stories and just letting our character's voices be heard are in it for the right reasons and they will over time succeed and folks who scam will fail in the end. I'm in the process of starting my writing channel and I'm not going to let the drama scare me away. If you're writing for the right reasons, then sharing your stories is what truly matters. Thanks again!

I am glad someone finally said something. I am planning to help you in your effort in picking this community back up! Watching you grow while I strive for better as well!

This is unrelated but has anyone seen Zoboombafoo? Every time someone says Kristen Martin the theme song from that show pops in my head! “While walking through the woods one day Kris and Martin saw something strange...!” Kris and Martin sounds just like Kristen Martin!!! 🤣😂 I’m strange, sorry lol.

"The light died behind me..."
"That's foreshadowing."
Pun intended?

Just Thank you!

Kaila Walker's website is currently down and is "undergoing routine scheduled maintenance." 🙄

Keep your head high and keep posting for authortube. I’m new to this group and have quickly become educated about the unsavory side of things. I would hate to see the minority ruin it for the majority of us.

This is supposed to be a place for authors to share their journey and encourage one another in a career that is more than challenging on a good day.

Thank you for encouraging us to stay and continuing to contribute, positively, to this group. There will always be difficult people and toxic relationships within any community. But the good will always outweigh the bad.

This platform holds so much promise for those of us who wish to connect with other writers. Writing can be a lonely pursuit. AuthorTube is a needful thing. And it will be up to us to keep it authentic and transparent by our individual actions. Authors who join this community only to take advantage of others will eventually root themselves out.

Be encouraged! 💕

I just joined authortube/booktube and rather enjoy these tea videos. Been watching them for a while now. Keep it up!

I'm knew to this whole authortube world. So thank you for this video. This definitely gives me hope that authors who have a big influence gets called out. You articulated your points extremely well. I respect Kristen as a business woman. But unfortunately, she does use cultural appropriation. It's frustrating. I hope she learns from this mistake.

I'm posting my first authortube video at the beginning of July and I'm hoping that I can help bring my audience from Tumblr into this community because I feel like this is a much more personable community that could become really positive and reinforcing for baby writers and professionals alike.

Personally as a consumer/viewer I think that everyone who refuses to name names of scammers is at fault for every further scam those people are able to pull. If you help them hide, you are part of the problem.

Good comments (and information). Thanks for this video and the follow-up to get past this situation. This community needs more members like you.
Thanks again,
Robert

Thank you for clarifying this. I had no idea what was going on. That’s just crazy! There are some really good indie authors that have a positive, nurturing community for us newbies and all I can do now is be GRATEFUL that I fell in with a great crew. I never heard of charging for ARCs or monetizing that in any way. Like wow! You are a brave soul and I have mad respect for you!

It's a frustrating wire to walk on, especially if you're female. It's frustrating to see people do unethical practices and spread misinformation for personal gain,; but if you have breasts, then you know that if you say anything, you run the risk of being dismissed as a gossip hen or a jealous "mean girl." But, as far as name dropping goes, I'd say it's usually better not to when in doubt (I'm a major hypocrite right now but whatever). Because for all we know, the person we're tempting to name drop will change for the better in the future.

Damn...😲

There are people who are so easily gullible to give this KM person money? They are actually paying her to live her affluent, upper class lifestyle. I---

Hey Jenna. I'm new to the AuthorTube (2.0?) community. I found it through my buddy Robert Jones (The StoryDTechtive). I thought a group of like minded people who understand the challenges we face as creators and the balance we need to strike between making money, selling out or just scamming would be a great support system. As I started to dive in, I found the KM issues and went down the rabbit hole to try and understand the whole debacle. That's when I stumbled across your vid. Listening to it did give me a momentary pause since it reminded me of high school bs drama. After watching the enter 80+ minutes I decided to stick around and create my own channel. I was very impressed with your rawness and passion as you spoke about your desire to create something bigger than yourself with then intention to give and provide value. Never give up hope. As Rey says in Rogue One, "rebellions are built are hope." I subbed and "belled".

Seems like little cliques and catty jr. high mentality, which creeps into every damn activity where groups gather. I'm just going to listen to advice as needed to achieve my goals in my lifelong love of words and stories. Cyber drama maybe what people do when they get writers block i dunno. This dulls the imagination and is uninspiring. Have fun with that.

ffs

Better save Authortube, I just got here. You wouldn't want to miss out on all the intergalactic awesomeness to come.

I'll admit, that I skipped a few parts (as you advised), but I really love how passionate you are about this subject. It's brave to be emotional and honest online and as a newbie on AuthorTube, your channel is one of my go-to's for 'leadership'.
And yes, we're super white (and brunettes are the majority), but personally I chose to see that as funny (I'm a Scandinavian anthropologist, so living in the mothership has given me a different perspective on colour...)
And yes, AuthorTube should be a GIFT to each other. After 20+ years of working in service and within childrens education, providing a service is my main goal. Not making money. If that was the point, I would still be an educational manager, instead of a waitress focusing on my writing...
I just hope, that I can be one of the building blocks in the new and better AuthorTube. ;)
Happy holidays, TJ

Why are you such a potty mouth? You have an important message, but I tuned out after hearing the excessive cursing.

My favorite authortubers calling out the shady people!

I’d rather people not name drop.