Bryan, i just browsed through the forum and came across this... and i truly fail to see your point, sorry to be so blunt. I have encountered truly awful books (well in my opinion) that were published in traditional ways that people liked.
Sure it’s frustrating, i’m struggling for every order and yet some people with a social media base swoop in and get something funded in notime, but I don’t let jealousy get the better side of me. A man once told me "go straight and god be with you" - i try to implement this as much as i can.
As to a book being awful. lord knows that if u take my book as a case study (god i hope u aren’t referring to me :P ) than i get feedback ranging from I love it-i’m hooked to you need an editor stat! evidently, a vast majority to the former, otherwise i would have revised myself.
But the point is - literature is subjective, and painful as it may be - you have to learn to accept that some people like something that others find is trash.
On a mission from god, a group of eccentric old men use illegal substances to spread everlasting love throughout England but their existence is under threat from a former member. Only some new members can help them in their efforts...
I have encountered truly awful books (well in my opinion) that were published in traditional ways that people liked.