tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post6067984987193754040..comments2023-10-19T09:50:06.691-05:00Comments on Parajunkee's View: Book Blogging 101 - Bad Reviews & Authors Behaving BadlyParaJunkeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874529185180873346noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-4647384294137311532011-04-01T20:04:43.857-05:002011-04-01T20:04:43.857-05:00What an excellent post. I think your policy of not...What an excellent post. I think your policy of not writing a review for anything you read less than 50 pages of is a good one. I think I'll adopt that one too, I hate having to wade through a terrible book, just so I can write the review.<br /><br />The other issues I'd decide on a case by case basis, but my rule is that I don't publish a review I couldn't give 3 stars to. I'll send the review to the author though.<br /><br />The reason being that as an author I feel I have to be more careful to protect my name because I can't afford to have some vindictive author go on a smeer campaign, but I really appreciate reviewers who tell it like it is.<br /><br />I have a few posts on this topic too. You might be interested in this one http://tahlianewland.com/2011/04/02/indie-authors-please-pause-before-you-publish-for-all-our-sakes/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-43113212619211868282011-04-01T18:42:57.188-05:002011-04-01T18:42:57.188-05:00I agree with you on a lot of the points ... though...I agree with you on a lot of the points ... though it does give me pause, I will still write bad reviews if I don't like the book. My reasoning is that this is MY opinion. I don't expect everyone to share the same opinion but this is what I would tell you if you asked me what I thought. <br /><br />I know myself that while I read reviews of books I intend to buy, a few bad reviews do not necessarily make me NOT buy the book. Depending on the reasons given, I might or might not still go ahead and buy it. :-)<br /><br />As for the books I don't finish, while I don't post reviews, I will post that I did not finish the book and why.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15197838969034724889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-6695881940314950792011-04-01T08:22:54.730-05:002011-04-01T08:22:54.730-05:00I think that it's important to be constructive...I think that it's important to be constructive in your negative reviews. Don't just say, "I hated it!" Try to find examples of what it was that you disliked. I try very hard to do this when posting reviews under 3 stars. I have also been lucky enough for the authors of these not so good reviews to comment in a civilized fashion. A good author will say something along the lines of, "Thanks for the feedback."<br /><br />I have also seen where someone has picked up a book because of my not so glowing review. My explanation of what I disliked in a character just happened to be something they loved in a character.Hot Off the Shelveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05761595986527339674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-15375601087792377222011-03-31T22:10:13.781-05:002011-03-31T22:10:13.781-05:00Very interesting. I just read through those commen...Very interesting. I just read through those comments, and Ms. Howett accomplished nothing but ruining her own rep and landing Al, the reviewer, 800 followers.<br />In response to your question about negative reviews: I've written one negative review in the past, which I feel bad about but will not take down. Currently, I only review one book a week, so I try to stick to books I like (I'm fortunate to rarely come across bad books). But when I review, my review isn't all glowy. I tell my reader what irritated me.<br />If I were asked to write a review of a book I hated, I'd probably email the author before I write the review and tell them the review won't exactly be glowing. If they say no, maybe I'll make a brief mention of the book somewhere on my blog, for publicity, but I'll respect their wishes. Being a writer myself, I don't feel comfortable bashing someone's book utterly.<br />Good post, thanks.Riv Rehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09385226727864037794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-30389875128837849502011-03-31T20:57:39.595-05:002011-03-31T20:57:39.595-05:00Excellent post. I agree about negative reviews. I ...Excellent post. I agree about negative reviews. I think I'm more credible as a reviewer because I share both books I love and books I don't love. No one likes everything they read, it's just life. I do try, however, to find SOMETHING positive to say, even in my most negative reviews. Those are few and far between, though, thankfully.ham1299https://www.blogger.com/profile/04571203527388227830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-41322302072885677442011-03-31T20:23:04.913-05:002011-03-31T20:23:04.913-05:00As you know I talked to you about this on Twitter....As you know I talked to you about this on Twitter. I thought it was funny at first until I saw all the people leaving negative reviews for Ms. Howett on Amazon. That's going too far. First, Ms. Howett was wrong for being so nasty to Al. She even went to the excuse that Al didn't download the correct copy. Then she started dropping F-bombs. I left a comment that she should stop going after Al and retain some dignity.<br /><br />I love reading self-published or indie books. Whatever you want to call them. Within the comment section of the Howett debacle someone started screaming that self-published books aren't indie and self-published writers basically suck. I took offense to this! Some of the comments started sinking to Ms. Howett's level. Leaving terrible comments on Amazon is downright bullying -- even if she started it.<br /><br />I've never had anyone get mad at me or leave a nasty remark about a negative review. I think negative reviews are important, as long as we aren't criticizing someone personally. I give constructive criticism. Negative reviews, here and there, on a book can't destroy an author's career. Look at many bestselling authors. Not every book they write is top-notch, but people still buy them. There's plenty of books out there that not everyone enjoys for certain reasons.<br /><br />But going after a author is not a good reflection on readers, bloggers, reviewers or writers. As a writer, I'm thinking of going the self-publishing route. It's a great way to get your story and voice out there to the people who matter most -- readers! But I'll definitely make sure I have a good proofreader and editor! Ms. Howett and Al certainly received notoriety. This whole fiasco was even posted on <a href="http://www.salon.com/books/writing/index.html?story=/books/2011/03/29/jacqueline_howett_greek_seaman" rel="nofollow">Salon</a>!! And yes look at Amanda Hocking! Proof that Indie authors can make it in the world of publishing.Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10426182171849519693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-47680915407970883722011-03-31T20:19:24.293-05:002011-03-31T20:19:24.293-05:00Good post. I've got 1 or 2 two-star reviews o...Good post. I've got 1 or 2 two-star reviews on my blog so far, but no comments yet. And I always make sure to post what I did like to soften the blow. <br /><br />In the end, it doesn't matter...I'm only one opinion. <br /><br />Jennifer @ <a href="http://bawdybooks.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">The Bawdy Book Blog</a>Jennifer @ BookShelferyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03266460991818795257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-31426634133921727442011-03-31T19:30:17.630-05:002011-03-31T19:30:17.630-05:00Well said. I did see that whole mess on Big Al'...Well said. I did see that whole mess on Big Al's blog and it made me question the lady's state of mind. She seriously seemed to be having a melt-down. It is quite sad because the premise of the story sounds quite good and even the reviewer said as much and complemented that. It is certainly a story that interests me, but after all this...I don't know...I may still buy it, but I do have concerns about the grammer and sentence structure...<br /><br />There are so many people writing books and trying to write books, that it's really no surprise if some of them have problems, the sheer number of people writing pretty much guarantees this. I hope she'll be able to learn from this most unfortunate incident. Thanks again for your reasonable response and great advice--as always:-)June Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08570382577796763370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-86577755767028387562011-03-31T18:37:10.118-05:002011-03-31T18:37:10.118-05:00I heard about Ms. Howett via Twitter (and I'm ...I heard about Ms. Howett via Twitter (and I'm like brand new as you know Parajunkee! lol) so that just goes to show how viral that went! As a new book blogger too, I am scared of getting this kind of response from self-published authors. Lately I have gotten several requests to review self-pubs and a few I've declined and a couple I've said yes. So far everything has been professional, and I plan to keep it that way. I haven't had to post any 2 star reviews yet, a posted a 3 star recently (the book was just mediocre for me) but since I got the book from NeGalley I didn't expect any author response either way. I have been on the internet blogging (as a personal journal) for several years, and posting to forums, so I know about protecting your online persona. It's important to not get caught up in the fling fests when they come around. As for the people who posted 1 star reviews on a book they never read - that is shameful too. Her words were punishment enough - I mean they went viral! Everyone knows, no need to rub it in her face and tarnish your own image by reviewing a book you've never read. I loved the way Al handled the situation and because of that I decided to become a follower of his blog. I think the whole situation worked in his favor - he came out shining! So good on him!Fireflywisheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17976320685443207152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-82491351686002779792011-03-31T17:46:54.236-05:002011-03-31T17:46:54.236-05:00Oh, dear. I had not heard about the Big Al brouhah...Oh, dear. I had not heard about the Big Al brouhaha. I'm speechless!Book of Secretshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06259592113584639013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-47724109173314464062011-03-31T16:09:20.520-05:002011-03-31T16:09:20.520-05:00Great post...I loved the comments about protecting...Great post...I loved the comments about protecting your persona..:)<br /><br />Awhile back there was a huge blow up about some teacher who wanted to ban a book and the blog world went ape crap and of course I jumped on the banning books is wrong wagon and later found bloggers bashing, making fun of and just dogging this teacher. I was embarrassed that my blog had posted a reaction to it. Matter of a fact it changed the outlook and content of my blog. I think we as bloggers need to think before we write...and not have knee-jerk reactions to what an author or another blogger can say to offend us. I heard a few weeks ago an author refer to me as a person who can only write grocery lists. It seems a lot of hate is flying on both sides of the issue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-89191360515467109972011-03-31T16:01:00.992-05:002011-03-31T16:01:00.992-05:00I had that happen to me twice.
Once, I didn't...I had that happen to me twice.<br /><br />Once, I didn't even review the book (self published), I just sent an email to the author. It was his first book and I really didn't want to publish anything because, really, I had nothing good to say about that book.<br /><br />I got back two pages, in caps, filled with curses. Some of them I haven't heard before (and I was in the military).<br /><br />The prolific author then published my email and his letter on Facebook so all his friends could see (by the way, he uses that profile to market his book as well).<br /><br />Stupid to say the least.<br /><br />The second one happened this week (<a href="http://manoflabook.com/wp/?p=1832" rel="nofollow">http://manoflabook.com/wp/?p=1832</a>) - not as bad but the author kept digging her self deeper and deeper into the ground.<br /><br />She also left me a nasty comment on Goodreads, two (out of four) nasty emails etc.<br /><br />I take it as a compliment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-81777816270303162422011-03-31T15:58:45.696-05:002011-03-31T15:58:45.696-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-27640577259364028672011-03-31T14:49:59.718-05:002011-03-31T14:49:59.718-05:00Excellent post!
I've recently had issues with...Excellent post!<br /><br />I've recently had issues with a NEUTRAL review on Amazon, and I've been debating whether to post about it or not. I find the whole thing annoying and hurtful, but I also don't want to turn it into some kind of drama. (Mostly I want to call out Amazon. Only one person has been helpful.)<br /><br />As for posting negative reviews, I don't do it much. Simply because I try not to waste time on books I don't like. (Unfortunately, most of my negative reviews tend to be vitrolic because I have to really hate a book to consider it worth my time.)<br /><br />I try to protect my persona too. After all, I have my blog on my resume. I don't want to be embarrassed by anything I've said under my penname.Livianiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10479932701589363306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-3380623289665532102011-03-31T13:30:02.406-05:002011-03-31T13:30:02.406-05:00I do write negative reviews. I've only had one...I do write negative reviews. I've only had one author contact me about a bad review. It was through my email, so it was completely private, which I think is a lot more professional for the author than posting in the comments. <br /><br />She actually thanked me for reviewing her book, no matter what rating I gave it, and she said I had a cool blog. In my review I tried to be as nice as I could stating why I didn't like the book, rather than bashing the book, and I think the author was grateful that I was honest, but kind.<br /><br />Bloggers really do need to watch how they are perceived, because the relationship between bloggers and authors/publishers should be professional. If they are willing to send you a book to review, they need to know you can handle writing a professional sounding review and aren't just in it to get to read for free.<br /><br />This is a very great post, involving topics every blogger should think about!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-58471697293909147632011-03-31T13:15:23.541-05:002011-03-31T13:15:23.541-05:00I believe the author’s comments speak for themselv...I believe the author’s comments speak for themselves, there’s no need to go to Amazon and give her 1 star reviews, unless you have read the book, which wasn’t the case in at least 99% of those reviews. Do I think that’s internet bullying? Absolutely, I think in those cases you’ve got to be the bigger person, because otherwise you’re as bad as the author behaving badly.<br />My blog is really new and nothing like that has ever happened to me, but if it did, I would never take down the review, and my only comment would be I’m sorry you feel that way, but my review stays, that’s my opinion and it’s nothing personal. I clearly state on my review policy that my reviews are honest, respectful, and most important are opinions, which means that what works for me may or may not work for others. <br />At the end, it just comes down to the author, If he/she really believes that a potential reader won’t buy a book because of just one bad review they’re delusional, they’re giving too much credit to the reviewer and not enough credit to the reader, hence is no wonder they go crazy and react like that!Briehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01694232807189281284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-65553085125115543702011-03-31T13:14:16.405-05:002011-03-31T13:14:16.405-05:00Oops! I posted my comment by mistake on the “ask a...Oops! I posted my comment by mistake on the “ask a question” form up there! Sorry about that! Just ignore it please Parajunkee!Briehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01694232807189281284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-15933436221839296912011-03-31T13:12:20.807-05:002011-03-31T13:12:20.807-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Briehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01694232807189281284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-60500982618997980642011-03-31T12:57:06.656-05:002011-03-31T12:57:06.656-05:00I also tend to pick books I like so they are mostl...I also tend to pick books I like so they are mostly positive on my blog. <br />I've done a few negative reviews, but usually if I don't like, I don't finish, and if I don't finish, I don't review. <br />Thanks for the great post!brandileigh2003https://www.blogger.com/profile/01669251993917961293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-67716341642798578122011-03-31T12:10:53.954-05:002011-03-31T12:10:53.954-05:00Great post- well said.Great post- well said.Bethany C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11564866469277664412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-55886773213728933572011-03-31T11:54:37.478-05:002011-03-31T11:54:37.478-05:00If a person/site never posts negative reviews, the...If a person/site never posts negative reviews, they lose credibility with me. I use negative reviews to gauge a blogger's likes, dislikes, and reading preferences. If I don't hear anything about what they *don't* like, I can't tell if our tastes match up.<br /><br />Plus it will seem as if a reader isn't reading critically at all, which isn't very useful to me when trying to decide which books to buy, which to borrow, and which to avoid entirely.<br /><br />There's a big difference between being negative about a book and being negative about an author. As long as it's clear your complaints are about the book, a negative review is fair and professional.<br /><br />I haven't had any authors react badly (publicly) to a review I've written, but if they did, I'd probably just ignore. Comments like that are looking for validation or an opening to argue. And it doesn't really serve any purpose to make a review a debate instead of an opinion.Buriedbybooks https://www.blogger.com/profile/13945897945845383252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-2656932023357491052011-03-31T11:38:44.249-05:002011-03-31T11:38:44.249-05:00Uh, WOW! I can't believe the way that author w...Uh, WOW! I can't believe the way that author was talking!!! it scares me! LOL <br /><br />Great post!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-38007857605193500072011-03-31T11:23:44.786-05:002011-03-31T11:23:44.786-05:00Awesome post! Somehow I just knew you'd mentio...Awesome post! Somehow I just knew you'd mention Jacqueline Howett in the "Authors behaving badly" section.Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11904779840104791297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-19104556451265776562011-03-31T10:36:52.450-05:002011-03-31T10:36:52.450-05:00Part 1: Whoa. She seems unhinged.
Part 2: You'...Part 1: Whoa. She seems unhinged.<br />Part 2: You're right about it being a cope out.<br />Part 3: FANTASTIC post about PR!Tales of Whimsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10938494589922620170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7806690011500229962.post-55460385161863694172011-03-31T10:29:37.608-05:002011-03-31T10:29:37.608-05:00Perfect! Awesome post and I couldn't agree mor...Perfect! Awesome post and I couldn't agree more with more. <br /><br />What makes me beyond sad is that I read many comments from blogger not accepting self-pub or indie authors anymore. Of course, there is really bad stuff out there - but there are also jewels out there. Just like Amanda, or Scott Nicholson or JL Brian or Robert Dupree or HP Mallory , etc etc etc. <br /><br />I just hope that we (blogger) don't let this scare us so that we don't give them a chance anymore. <br /><br />Honestly, Mrs Howett ruined her own career with that. Her own fault but now she has to deal with the consequences and no blogger will accept to review any of her books anymore. <br /><br />I will write negative reviews and I did so - fortunately I was lucky enough and never got attacked. But this all will not change my mind about writing reviews and accepting authors.Dannyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05998128531860725536noreply@blogger.com