Comments on: Author Wants to Downgrade Minority Reviewers Opinion

By: Pooh

Pooh — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:57:01 +0000

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.

By: Maia R.

Maia R. — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:13:29 +0000

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.

By: Brooklyn Darkchild

Brooklyn Darkchild — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:38:37 +0000

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.

By: Khadejah

Khadejah — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:09:09 +0000

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.

By: Lashonda Silver

Lashonda Silver — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:59:16 +0000

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.

By: APOOO

APOOO — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:15:54 +0000

Rosa/Ms. Toni, here here for the author’s behaving badly list…lol.

By: Rosa

Rosa — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:06:17 +0000

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.

By: Angelia

Angelia — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:19:16 +0000

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

By: Ms. Toni

Ms. Toni — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:10:52 +0000

(((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!

By: APOOO

APOOO — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:20:09 +0000

Hello Carleen and thanks so much for your response… and shame on those publishers.