Even Stephen King

I have preached many times about being careful promoting your religious, political, and social opinions. Yes, you have the right. But also, others have the right to delete, cancel, and cease reading your work when they can’t put that off to the side when they see your work.

Stephen King expressed his opinion recently that hurt his sales. Some bookstores ceased carrying his books. Rumor has it he lost a movie deal. The argument is that he had the right to speak his mind. Yes, he did. And bookstores and readers had the right to not read, buy, and promote him anymore.

Maybe he chose that route. Maybe he didn’t quite realize the ramifications. Maybe he’s made enough money not to care. Some say it was a mistake and others think he had the right. I agree with both sides.

But the bigger picture is this.

1) He damaged a reputation he spent a lifetime creating.
2) A lot of people who have his books on their bookshelf regret the time and money they invested in him.
3) A lot of employees have lost money in the publishing, bookselling, and movie business because of him being cancelled.

That last one is what resonates most. When you are successful, particularly at that level, it’s not just about you. It’s also about who dedicated their lives to aiding you. Agents, publishers, editors, movie employees, bookstore owners. On a lesser scale, the fan clubs, the book clubs, the general fans feel let down. They liked riding his wave.

If people look up to you, depend on you, appreciate you for your success, think twice before popping that bubble.