Author Wants to Downgrade Minority Reviewers Opinion
By APOOO • Sep 10th, 2008 • Category: Thinking Out Loud •
Email This Post
• 
Print This Post
DISCUSSION QUESTION
SHOULD APOOO REVIEWER FIGHT BACK?
Assume you are a reviewer. You recently reviewed a book for one of your favorite authors and while it was a good read, it was not an exceptional read and your amazon rating was a 3. The author calls out your review in one of her newsletters. Specifically, she asks for others to go on amazon.com and vote for ‘other reviews’ so that your review…while FAVORABLY RECEIVED BY READERS and considered VERY HELPFUL…will move down so that it folks don’t see it. See, your review is not only WELL-WRITTEN but many folks have voted for it so you’re in the spotlight position…proudly with that 3 rating. You shake your head because you wonder why the author is sweating you…especially since this is the FIRST time you didn’t give one of her books glowing marks. In fact, you’ve rated several of her other books and given her 5 stars…but it’s the one outlier that she chooses to bring to the light. Additionally…those glowing reviews…guess what…despite the positivity you’ve shown this author in the past she has NEVER sent you a personal note or thank you. But, the one time you write a review that she doesn’t agree with, she posts the following in a newsletter:
Unfortunately, a review with a minority opinion has had a very large presence on the Amazon page for some time …so if you could post your own reviews–or at least mark more favorable reviews as being ”helpful”– you might shift focus back to the majority opinion.
If this were you, what would you do? Would you email the author and voice your concern, would you just let it roll off your back and chalk it up to being her lose, or would you continue to read her books but borrow them from the library because you refuse to put any of your hard-earned money into her pockets? Again, what would you do?
Related Posts
APOOO is an online author and reader community dedicated to advancing African American literature. Our mission is to expose readers of all ages to a good book in any genre; to support African American authors, books, literary events and bookclubs; to provide marketing resources, tools and tips to authors; and, to promote literacy within the African American community.
Email this author | All posts by APOOO
Get New Posts via Email
This is a tough one Yas. On one hand the author is taking one review personal. Which she shouldn’t because a reviewer is reviewing the book and not the author. If she fell short of the mark then she needs to use the review as a learning device and move on.
On the other hand the reviewer can point out to the author she has followed her for years and has always had something positive to say about their books (not that a 3 rating is bad), but not once did she acknowledge the reviewer and praised her for a raving review. Or she could be the bigger person and say nothing at all. Let it roll off her back and in the future borrow the author’s books or not even bother to read it at all.
I think the wording of the author’s comment is a little offensive. How does the author know the review is in the minority, is it due to what she has on Amazon? How does she know some others didn’t feel the same way and just didn’t bother to post them in a public forum?
Unfortunately, this type of behavior can put a bad taste in the mouth of readers. It just shows lack of character. She may have put her foot in her mouth without the review having to even acknowledge that she is aware of her plot to try and get her review moved from the spotlight.
I am really surprised at this author’s comments and think she needs to know that her behavior is unacceptable, especially to a reviewer who has and still supports her.
Dera’s last blog post..I’ve Been Tagged
so gfc pulled a Hillary-surprised a small voice had a HUGE impact. the fact that this low rent behavior’s exuded by an author is pitiful. of people agreed with the critique-take the hint-U MISSED IT, AUTHOR!! since the info is on a public domain, will u divulge the name of the book?
I agree with the above comments 100%. As an Author you have to be able to take the good with the bad and after several books she should know this. I think that the reviewer should say nothing and let it roll off of her back. Afterall it is the Author’s “issue”. The reviewer has done her job. If anything, the Author should contact the reviewer.
If this were you, what would you do? This is unfortunate but not shocking. It appears that behavior like this is becoming more and more prevalent today. As a member of a book club (OOSA Online Book Club), I’ve experienced something similar myself.
Would you email the author and voice your concern. If she didn’t email me or my club directly, then I wouldn’t email her. Primarily because she’s the one with the problem. The book was read and reviewed she knows the reviewer’s opinion already. If she were genuine, she’d contact the reviewer/book club to discuss it; not that it would/should change the review, because if it were me, that wouldn’t happen. But at the very least she could (in the event that the review wasn’t CRYSTAL enough for her) understand where the reviewer was coming from. But truthfully, she knows that and that’s her problem.
Would you just let it roll off your back and chalk it up to being her lose, or would you continue to read her books but borrow them from the library because you refuse to put any of your hard-earned money into her pockets? After reading what she wrote, my support would end there! First, she obviously doesn’t respect other’s opinions; otherwise she wouldn’t have had the gall to send this out to others. Second, even if you didn’t spend the money for the book, you’re supporting her reading and reviewing it. People check reviews for other’s opinions to see if they want to gamble on that and you’d be helping readers do that.
Again, what would you do? I wouldn’t be bothered because clearly this is not just an author, but one of the reviewers’ favorite authors. However, at the same time, it would be a realization that maybe she wasn’t worth my time and there are plenty of new authors deserving of a chance to win me over. It would be a given that her books wouldn’t be on my anything list. The one thing I am is principled. In fact it’s a few publishing companies that know because of their lack of editing, tack and disrespect of the consumer that I will not in any way, shape or form support them. It’s this very foolishness that forces me to be careful which authors I select. Some people seem to think that you owe them something when in actuality you owe them nothing, and despite their success, fan club or high opinions of themselves, they should be appreciative. Instead of trying to force that review down, authors should examine its content to avoid making those mistakes in the future. Can you tell that this is a sore subject with me?
You have to have thick skin to be an author or to pursue any profession that opens you up to have your work critiqued by the public. A review is someone’s opinion. Good, bad or indifferent, it is what that individual thought. There are some cases in which a person may just be posting malicious comments about a book because of their own issues with an author or their own insecurities. However, that’s few and far between. If the reviewer truly took the time to read your book, you can learn a lot from what they wrote.
I’m a letter writer, so I would definitely write her about my concerns. Not only is it pitiful, but it is unsportsmanlike. Why try to illicit votes that will knock the review out the spotlight? Isn’t it part of the game to be able to take constructive criticism? And what in the hell would give someone the idea that whatever they write will be well received ALL the time?
Let’s get back to the basics here…you can’t and won’t win them all. Take the hit and keep on moving. You have to respect peoples’ opinion even if you don’t agree with them. I think it’s childish and I definitely wouldn’t purchase any of the authors books. I may get them at the library, if the mood strikes. But attitude and appreciate count, even online.
Darnetta’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen #3– Oh so cute!
Jennifer–it’s a tough one…sort of like stuck behind a rock and a hard place.
Dera–I’m feeling you…maybe it has to do with being 50…and saying hail to the nonsense…this needs to be adressed…hmmm rewind…nope it ain’t got nothing to do with age…lol…but I do believe sometimes we need to speak out when a person does something that appears out of character…the author probably doesn’t realize what vibes she’s sending to others and if we don’t tell her who will…and because I believe in whatever I say behind your back I can say to your face…and said author was wrong in this instance.
Bria, I hit you off-loop…with the author’s Web site so that you can subsribe to her newsletter…:)
Angel…yes the author should contact the reviewer and she should have done so four books ago.
Nardsbaby…sore subject indeed…I’m going to have to email you OFF LOOP….hehe.
Moses–thanks so much for gracing APOOO with your appearance and comments…deeply appreciated! In this instance the review wasn’t malicious…actually very thorough…presented the pros and the cons…told the author it was A GOOD BOOK…it just wasn’t a WOW book…come on now every book can’t always be great…can it…and the reviewer read the book…this individual is one of the best reviewers on APOOO’s team when it comes to not only giving a critical analysis of a book but also providing the rational as to why. I know authors are human and want to receive all five star reviews…but honestly I would prefer a three review anything that explains what worked/didn’t work for a reader vs. a reader who gives five stars and says…’it was a great book’…WTF is that…lol. Let’s just say as a reader I won’t pick up a book that has all five ratings but reviews with no substance…but if a book receives a 3 rating and I like the author…I’m still going to pick up the book…heck even if it’s a 2 rating…because I want to know why one individual thought the book needed improvements.
Which brings me to another question…why are some authors so vested in review ratings…for many readers…present company included…reviews don’t necessarily determine whether or not we will read a book…not unless it’s a review from someone with similar reading taste…and if it’s a book by one of our favorite authors it goes without saying 95% of the time that we’re going to purchase the book review unseen. That said…why do authors still continue to have a tissy when they get a review which is less than 4 or 5 stars. And when did a 3 review become BAD?1?1? Why are some authors so insecure when it comes to reviews/ratings? (I keep saying amazon needs to get rid of that dayum rating system and just let the review speak for itself without a number attached).
Does anyone know?
Darnetta–get to work writing that letter…hehe.
I imagine the author is just taking advantage of the review as a way to ask for good reviews. Probably saw it as a marketing opportunity w/out even thinking about the effect it would have on the reviewer. I would say a personal email from the reviewer to the author would not be out of line. It would probably give the author a chance to apologize and see her mistake. I would also recommend that the author and the reviewer not take the situation personally.
Carleen’s last blog post..Nikki Giovanni coming to Denver!
Y, Authors watch those reviews on Amazon because their PUBLISHERS do. Believe that.
Carleen’s last blog post..Nikki Giovanni coming to Denver!
Hello Carleen and thanks so much for your response… and shame on those publishers.
I wouldn’t do anything, anymore than I would have done what she did as an author, it’s the rule of the game, you place your work out for reviews and public consumption, and allow reviewers to review it…period. As a reviewer, I would keep it moving, business not personal, as an author, I would have looked for the insight and what it offerred, but that is just me…
Blessings!
angelia
(((shaking my head))) This is sad. Is there something in the water??? What’s wrong with people today? I say that because this just seems to keep happening. Author asks for review. Reviewer reads and reviews book. Author doesn’t like review. Author asks for review to be removed and/or changed. Author declares reviewer did not read book if he/she didn’t like it. Author uses other favorable reviews as “evidence.” Author questions reviewer’s ability to comprehend. Author starts a campaign of votes against the review or other measures to remove it from the spotlight. Huh? What’s really going on?!? Is this what it has really come to? When was the last time someone asked Chef Gordon Ramsey (Kitchen Nightmares – I love that show!) to change his opinion of their restaurant or sent out a newsletter like this author? What about Siskel and Ebert? NO! Then what is making these authors of today think that this is okay – to ask a reviewer to remove their review/change their review/or solicit others to discredit a reviewer. Mind you, this is the same reviewer that the AUTHOR contacted for a review. There must have been something about their opinion they respected to begin with or they would have not have submitted their book for review. Authors need to understand first and foremost that in this art they have chosen, there are going to be those that like and those that don’t like their work, as I’m sure they too have read novels that they didn’t like/love. If an author wants longevity as a writer, then they need to develop a thicker skin, take constructive criticism, learn and grow from it.
Removing the review should never be an option. It would condone such behavior and become the “solution” for less than favorable reviews. Don’t start a precedence of foolishness. If the author did not have the decency, maturity, foresight and professionalism to contact the book club and/or reviewer, I would not email the author. She’s already said all that needs to be said and her behavior is unacceptable. I would voice my concern in another way – not supporting that author’s future works. I would not only NOT buy her books, but I would not read them either because that is still a form of support. I am a firm believer that if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.
Yasmin, point her out (offloop) cause this is an author that doesn’t need my time. No time for fake ones!
There should be a new reality show – Authors Behaving Badly!
OH wow how pathetic of the author. I am trying to understand exactly why she penned that offensive piece.
Is she saying readers of her books should march lock-step in giving her reviews? Is she saying she is such a great writer, that everybook she publishes is great?
That is the reviewer’s opinion and should be accepted as such. That was the REVIEWER”S opinion. As such it should be respected.
There should be a list called Authors behaving badly, and I know several who should be on it.
Rosa/Ms. Toni, here here for the author’s behaving badly list…lol.
This is really sad. I am a letter writer, so I think I would have written a letter. I hope it is not an author that I read faithfully because I find this in very poor taste. I would not as a reader go onto amazon and blurr the lines of any review after reading that on a blog post, I do not care who it is. I have gotten books that did not get a good review and I liked them. Likewise I have gotten books with this great review and the book was horrible, leaving me feeling like the reviewer was a family friend.
Girlie, You did what you do and should not have any regrets if your assessment was your honest opinion. I would not give anymore time and energy to this chick. Oh, but that next book would definitely be a loaner from the library.
I wouldn’t email the author, I’d just Let It Slide. Unfortunately, when people are in a certain mindset there’s nothing you can do to change their opinions and it’s never worth the protracted argument that ensues when you answer them. As an author, sometimes I get too attached to my projects, and any criticism feels sorta like you said my kid is ugly, but I take it with a grain of salt. Since I have disliked books other people have loved I know my writing won’t please everyone. Less than stellar reviews keep an author humble: it’s never a Good Look to think you’re the greatest writer since Moses penned the first five books of the Bible. Would I continue to read her books? Probably Not. My opinion of the author would be too damaged for me to ever be an impartial reader again.
Hello All,
This has happend to me just a different scenario. The author was upset because I gave her book a 3. She sent an email to the person that I was reviewing for, and she went OFF!!! After receiving the authors email I sat in shock for a moment. Once I thought about it I realized that my opinion was just that. MY OPINION!! The reality of it is, why ask for your book to be reviewed if you don’t want an honest answer. My answer was honest, and maybe I was the wrong person to read the book. However everyone is not going to be happy with everything you put out there, I’m sorry. Unfortunately I did not have the authors email, but if I had they yes I would have e-mailed her directly. If you can’t accept the good with the bad; Get out of the business of writing.
Even though this is really sad, and a bit childish, I would let the situation slide. It doesn’t look like there would be any win here for the reviewer by contacting the author and voicing concern. This author is obviously not interested in true, independent opinions. I don’t understand is how you can be an author or producer of anything creative for that matter and expect that everyone will like what you create. It is just not realistic.