Clean Reader

Wow. I recently learned of an app called, "Clean Reader". I have read several opinions from many different folks and I will say that both sides have a point. As unusual as this may sound, I agree with both sides. It really is a very opinionated argument, and those looking for a winner, I am so sorry to disappoint, there will be no winner.

For those who don’t know what "Clean Reader" is, let me explain. It is an app that filters "dirty" words from a book that someone may want to read. The books come into the app as pure as the author wrote them, however if someone decides that they want to "clean up" what the author wrote, they can. Basically replacing the authors words with something the reader would prefer to read.

Author J.K. Rowlings, famous for her Harry Potter series is a perfect example of this. Harry was clean. Even though the books grew with Harry's more grown up situations, it still did not offend those who chose to read about Harry.

J.K. decides that she wants to venture into something else. Something totally different. Something that drops the "F" bomb a few times within the first few chapters, and her fans are suddenly disappointed in her work.

Well, we all know that the human being is a huge creature of habit. We do and react to what is comfortable to us. Change is also hard for the average human. This is why I am on both sides of the fence with this "Clean Reader" app.

Continuing to use J.K. as my example, we got used to Harry and his friends being the kids who always got into minor trouble and always forgiven. This is how the average human life is. Harry and his friends are young, curious, and well at times brilliant. We loved it.

This would be the example of comfortable. This is what we were used to seeing from J.K.

So the Harry Potter series ends, and she wants to do something different.

OMG! Change! This is something as humans we usually have to grow into. How will change ultimately affect us? I could go on about change, but that is a subject for a different time. Well maybe a little bit. Change is as human as comfort. One being more acceptable depending on the situation, but the same none the less.

Bottom line, there is no way that you can criticize her for being herself. Perhaps she wanted some change in her life. Perhaps there was something in her that she wanted to write and pursue. Oh the insanity!

Let's get back on "Clean Reader". Okay let's just say that I am writing books, good or bad ones (and yes there is some garbage out there), my goal is to become the best author that has ever lived, but I don’t care what I put out. As long as I have sales, I am successful in my eyes. In this case, "Clean Reader" does not matter to me. I am the author, and you have purchased my book. What you do after that is your business, because I already have your money.

Oh! I can't believe I just said that, because I happen to lean toward the other end, though what I said is way too true.

I once had someone say to me, "I would read your books if the curse words weren't in it." Well hell (and yes I said, hell), there is no way that me sitting at my desk alone can appease everyone in the world, so you get what you get. My edited words. And yes, the raw version may be a bit more offensive, but it is what it is.

In closing, I will say, "Clean Reader" is for those who want to pretend. If you choose to pick up a book that would normally be offensive to you, well then don't read it. Don’t be pressured into reading something because all of your friends are reading it, stick to your beliefs.

If vamps, cursing, and sex are not your thing, well don’t buy it. These days electronic books are cheap. If you spend three bucks on a book and it is not your cup of tea, then hey, you lost the cost of a cup of Starbucks coffee. I'm almost sure you will forget about your purchase the next day. We do it all the time. Do your thing as long as you have already purchased the book. No one can tell you what to do with your property after you already own it.

On the back side of that, authors do not appreciate their words being changed after they have worked months, and even years perfecting their work. I'm one of them.

So perhaps the app goes away? I'm not sure what the solution is, but in the meantime, we are losing precious time arguing about this. Authors, don't you have work to do?

Until next time,

Kayresia