Determining the "worst" decision an author has made is subjective and can vary widely depending on who you ask, the context of the decision, and the criteria used to judge it. However, there are several decisions in literary history that have been widely criticized or have had notable negative repercussions for the author or their work. Here are a few examples that span a range of issues, from creative choices to personal actions:
- J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter series post-publication comments: J.K. Rowling has faced criticism for her post-publication comments about the Harry Potter series, including retroactive changes to characters' backgrounds that were not present in the books. Additionally, her comments on social media about gender identity have sparked controversy and led to backlash from fans and the broader community.
- Stephen King and "Rage": Stephen King made the decision to allow his novel "Rage," written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, to go out of print due to its association with school shootings. King himself has expressed regret over the novel, citing concerns that it might have influenced violent behavior.
- Anne Rice and fanfiction: Anne Rice was known for her legal actions against fans writing fanfiction based on her Vampire Chronicles series. While she had the legal right to protect her intellectual property, her stance was controversial and alienated a segment of her fan base, contrasting sharply with other authors who embrace fanfiction as a form of engagement.
- Thomas Hardy and the reception of "Jude the Obscure": Thomas Hardy's novel "Jude the Obscure" faced such harsh criticism for its portrayal of marriage and sexuality that Hardy was disillusioned with the response and largely abandoned novel writing, turning to poetry for the rest of his career. This decision is seen by some as a loss to literature, given Hardy's talent as a novelist.
- The handling of "Go Set a Watchman" by Harper Lee: The publication of "Go Set a Watchman," purportedly a sequel (but more accurately a first draft) of Harper Lee's beloved "To Kill a Mockingbird," was met with mixed reactions. Questions arose about whether Lee, who had long resisted publishing another novel, truly consented to its publication or understood the decision, especially considering her advanced age and health at the time.