Why some authors are really rude with their followers?

[BubooSenchan]

I'll not say any names, and if you know who I am talking about please don't say it, because it just my point of view and I can be wrong. The thing is that I'm subscribe with this author who is really popular and I love her work. But lately she is just attacking her followers saying things at the end of each part like: if you tough my character will be this way please unsubscribe, or, stop shoipping, I don't want shit like that in my comic, or stop with the shit about who will be the seme or the uke.
I don't understand why that author gets really mad every time somebody starts doing theories about her comic.
I used to love her comic, but because her rudeness I've been losing interest.
Do you think I'm wrong?
How do you treat your followers?
I love treating my followers like friends, even when they are making weird theories and stuff like that, and you?
thanks

[Overlord_Thundersnow]

That's very odd. Most if not all artists covet communication with readers. It's almost non-existent on personal websites so when someone comments on my stuff I ALWAYS reply.

Although people aren't chiming in and giving wrong advice or anything so, I could imagine a constant barrage of harsh suggestions would get on anyone's nerves.

We artists are an emotional lot.

[keii4ii]

I think it really depends on the case? It's understandable if the readers are pushing for something that the author is deeply uncomfortable with, e.g. shipping a 10 year old with a 22 year old, or a rape-y ship that the creator never intended.

But if the creator shoots down even harmless discussions just because they're not canon, yeah, that may be too much. Or not. It really depends. For example, what if there's a history of the fans trying to bully the creator into writing their favorite ship?

I believe in professionalism, respect and kindness, but I also believe in extenuating circumstances. Can't say whether it's good or bad (or even both) without more understanding about the specific situation.

[nessiefynn]

While I do think authors should be allowed to set their foot down if fans are acting unruly, I do agree with you that a lot of authors can get kind of A-holeish when dealing with fans. Nothing turns me off to an otherwise enjoyable comic than an author who's unnecessarily rude to their fans. I see some authors who blow up at fans for saying the slightest bit of criticism to the comic, or saying that they don't understand the plot. It usually comes from more popular authors, which I feel sets a poor example for younger/less experienced webcomic authors, thinking it's "cool" to act like a stuck up prick to your own readers.
Overall, I think readers should be treated with respect. Without them, your comic would be kinda pointless. I think its okay for authors to call out readers for saying/doing inappropriate things, but authors should try to veer on the side of politeness/professionalism themselves.

[uhokhjol]

Maybe the author is just tired of stupid comments and suggestions, really. At first you are polite and understanding, but when it happens constantly (and maybe those ships are just so pulled out of thin air, idk), you can really go mad. But I can't be sure, 'cause it never happened to me xD When some weird/annoying comments appear, I just ignore them. Politeness with subscribers is a rule for me, it's my way of showing them my appreciation

[AlkseeyaKC]

Honestly I would never treat my readers in anyway negative. If they make comments I can't handle, I don't respond to them. Or if someone is taking a character wrong, and it's happened to me, Then I feel that is my fault for not doing the comic or character right. I feel like, yelling at readers would slowly hurt your comic. Like how you are saying you kind of don't want to read it any more. Honestly, if I see someone an artist or comic artist being rude to followers, I tend to stop following them.

[joannekwan]

You're not in the wrong! I know if I was reading something and the author was unjustly rude like that without actual provocation, I'd unsubscribe.

I mean even if I had readers who would suggest something I'm not comfortable with I'd be like, "Um, no. I'd never do that, lol."
Or easier yet, JUST IGNORE THEM.

I've had people say they straight up hate my character and other people theorize stuff totally way off base but I don't get up in their face or passive-aggressively take pot shots at them in the episode descriptions.

I like to be the best creator I can for my readers. I try to answer questions when I can and comment on comments where applicable. And of course I always try to be polite and respectful. I've seen authors go on rants before (even with stuff unrelated to their comic) and their words were very accusatory and it just left a bad taste in my mouth and I don't see myself ever reading stuff from them.

[BubooSenchan]

Yeah, but example, her comic is yaoi, BL, So, I think is normally for a BL fan to ship.

[BubooSenchan]

Yeah, example, you and Lucazu are so nice I'm super fan of your work! and I think you are the example that being popular doesn't mean being rude.

[BubooSenchan]

Right, if the same with me. If I don't like something they say, I just ignore it

[joannekwan]

Aw thanks! (๑•́‧̫•̀๑)

[69Michi]

I can understand when an author straightens up their fans when they cross the line, but I never understand how one can be so ruthless toward the people that admire them. it's like slapping a defenseless person that look up to you in the face :/ Personally I treat my audience as if they are my friends and always try to reply if possible. Although as the same time I also see how my overly friendly attitude backfire as the readers think they own an author and start giving the most unreasonable demand.

[AnnaLandin]

Well, I don't know what her side of the story is in all this, but that does sound a bit uncalled for, I have to say.

I try to be polite and friendly towards my followers! They are mostly polite and friendly in return, and if they do cross the line, they tend to apologise when this is pointed out to them.

The only time I've removed comments, it was when people were making fairly graphic sex-jokes in the comments about a character who (to be fair, they did not know) is asexual - it made me uncomfortable, both because of the context (sex-jokes about an asexual character) and because I know I have some readers who are quite young, and I want them to feel safe in the comment fields of my comic. But I explained myself, and people were okay with that!

I personally enjoy watching people come up with theories and ship characters and stuff; I know all of the facts, but my readers don't, so it's fun to see how many of them get it right (very few), how many of them get it wrong (most of them), and how wrong they get things. =D And I like seeing people ship my characters - it's adorable, and it's fun.

[Kura]

It depends on a case by case bases, some artists out there really REALLY get harassed by fans when they don't get their way, and it could turn very ugly. There a literally fans that will PM or harass artists to 'do this or else' in their story, to the point it's really ridiculous.

Examples I've run into
"If you don't make character A kill character B, you're just a terrible author because not doing that would be bad writing."
"These two species better go to war, and the side I like better win. If not FUCK YOU YOU PICKED THE WRONG SIDE how DARE you make that side the bad guys."
"If you don't get rid of this character I hate I will stop reading. I fucking hate her!"
"If you don't make 'this guy x this guy' canon, you're a fucking homophobic gay baiter"
"The fact that 'this guy x this guy' is canon and 'this guy x this guy' is not means that you support abusive relationships, rape and paedophilia. Fuck you" (couple they're talking about isn't even cannot at all, it's all in their head)

So I understand when authors will react that way under those very specific conditions. Maybe that author has faced this harassment as well and they are growing tired of it? Who knows, like I said it's very case by case.

Aside from the people that will do that, fan theories, shipping and head canons I don't mind, and it's actually pretty fun to see that I have fans so invested in my work. I'll even roll with it letting fans vote on their fav ships (canon or non-canon) for valentines pictures and such, but yes, there ARE fans that will cross the line, and as much as authors do their best to ignore them or handle them maturely they can end up ruining it for everyone.

[AnnaLandin]

but yes, there ARE fans that will cross the line, and as much as authors do their best to ignore them or handle them maturely they can end up ruining it for everyone.

Every time I see the harrassment you have to put up with, Kura, I want to go full-on disapproving auntie on the terrible subset of your fans and tell them to go sit in the time-out corner and think about what they've done, sheesh.

I have never had to put up with that kind of entitled, shitty behaviour, and I count myself lucky. I don't know how or why I've never encountered it - all I've ever gotten has been, like, one mean anon on Tumblr whining about a fandom ship.

That kind of frothing-at-the-mouth rabidness does seem to be a behaviour more common among fans of bigger, established franchises, but I suppose it does spill over on us webcomic creators occasionally as well. It's terrible, and it makes me sad; it's not only an unhealthy thing for creators to have to put up with, it ruins things for less rabid fans as well.

[spadesart]

shipping an adult with a child is not normal my dude..... :/

[KSlinger]

I think I know the creator you're talking about and I personally unsubscribed from that comic months ago for this exact reason. It became clear that there wasn't ANY room for interpretation of the story at all. The creator had a crystal clear vision in their head and anyone who interpreted it differently had hell come down on them in biblical proportion, which I didn't mind at first because it sounded like there was some legit weirdness going on (a la what @keii4ii mentioned, underaged creepiness etc.), but when an actual essay of complaints became attached to the end of every episode I lost all interest.

I agree that creators have every right to do and say what they want when it comes to their characters, but I also believe readers have the right to take information they're given and interpret it as they please, whatever that may mean.

It must be awful to see beloved characters puppeteered in a way that offends you, I understand that. I'd feel the same way. But it's the height of arrogance to tell people who enjoy your work that it's your way or the high way- that's not what stories are about- and to come down so ridiculously hard on readers engaging in innocent speculation is downright rude.

[Aspie_Gamer]

@kurapikasuki Somehow I'm not surprised seeing you post in this thread. You could write a book about all the rude fans you've acquired at this point.

@AnnaLandin Yep. Undertale, Five Nights at Freddy's, Steven Universe, etc in a nutshell. I like SU, but I'm too aware of how crummy the fanbase can be. i.e whenever a female artist was told to kill herself after she drew an SU character in her style.

Anyway, on topic, some authors sadly are as big a jerk as they seem which is why I subscribe to the idea of separating an author from their work as much as possible. (Don't meet your heroes in other words.). Now on the subject of creators themselves, even if your fanbase is rabid, it pays to take the high road and either kill them with kindness or better yet, ignore those type of people.

[joannekwan]

it pays to take the high road and either kill them with kindness or better yet, ignore those type of people.

And let your other readers chew them out! They do the work for you and your hands stay clean xD

Unless it gets really messy and ya gotta intervene and shout "Children, behave!"

[Maria]

Maybe she/he is sick about her/his obsessive fandom, sometimes some fandoms are very too intrusive... :/