What a pain in the pinfeathers. I recently reviewed a book, mistakenly believing the author, who I know on Facebook, wanted me to. Okay, I’ll own up to the misunderstanding, but when the book review (which I gave 4 our of 5 stars on Amazon and now have deleted along with my review on this blog) was published, he gave me a ration of heck about how I had gotten things all wrong and that my review was a “sales killer.”
I decided to let it go and just not respond hoping it would all blow over. It didn’t.
He went on and on and on all over Facebook and to some degree MeWe about this, that, and the other thing. He tried to contact me on Facebook Messenger, but at that point, I didn’t feel like responding. Then he got on a post and complained that I was ignoring him.
Right then, I’d had enough. I told him I was deleting the reviews, but I doubt that’ll satisfy him. I’m not mentioning his name or his book, and quite frankly, I’m pretty ticked off right now. I rarely boycott anyone, but it’s just not worth it to buy (yes, I purchased a digital copy) and review his works. I’m not going to read another one again.
Look, I get that authors don’t like reviews that aren’t wonderful and perfect and all that, but like the old baseball umpires of old used to say, “I calls ’em as I sees ’em.”
Yes, this is a rant. I’m really miffed at the moment. I’ll pass unless he keeps on me about it. The guy’s smart and he’s got a lot of knowledge and talent, but good grief get over it.
I’m done. At least until/unless the next round. Then I pull the plug.
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You are always welcome to review my books and will never hear a negative word about your review from me.
Seriously, authors reading this, they all aren’t going to be glowing 5-star reviews. If you can’t handle anything less than 5-stars then you need to find something else to do. But the very LAST thing you should do is go after the reviewer, especially on his social media.
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I’ve only had this experience once before. It was a book review I did for Discovery (never again). I said the novel was so-so relative to the writing. The author shot back that I didn’t know anything about her scientific field and so couldn’t criticize. Yes, she had a scientific degree, but knowing a profession and being able to write fiction aren’t the same. Actually, this guy is a pretty good writer and a good historian, but I had a few “issues” with things. I’m a tough reviewer but I like to think I’m fair. I gave his book 4 our of 5 stars on Amazon, which I’d be proud to receive for anything I’ve written. I’m within about an inch of unfriending and blocking. I wish he’d just let go but he has a tendency to hang onto things and sometimes takes himself too seriously. He also has some rather serious health issues, so I have to consider that. On the other hand, I think he also just has a temper. We’ll see how it goes. I’m not putting links to this on MeWe or Facebook, so hopefully he’ll chill. But if he doesn’t get over it, I will. Oh, thanks for the support.
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More commentary on Facebook so I blocked him there, deleted him from my contacts at MeWe, and since he commented here as well, removed the comment and put him on a comment blocklist. I wish people didn’t do these sorts of things. It’s time to let go.
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Such a pity there are people like this out there. I really don’t understand their attitude…
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Neither do I.
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I would weep tears of joy and dance in my garden for a 4 out of 5 star review! I would be cheerful for 3 out of 5 stars reviews…Heck I would be bemused by 1 or 2 out 5 start reviews! Any reviews would do!!….
Some writers do not know when they are well off….. Sheesh what an ingrate!
Sorry for you, you are entitled to your rant. (4 out of 5 ‘a sales killer’….what a class ingrate!)
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From his point of view, he’s the victim, although I’m still not sure why.
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A myriad of observational comments spring to mind, the majority of them NOT to be used in Polite Company, I shall restrict myself to
“What more do you want, jam on it?” (Perfectly respectable- It’s in the Cambridge Dictionary)
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A myriad of observational comments spring to mind, the majority of them NOT to be used in Polite Company, I shall restrict myself to
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My advice, worth exactly what you paid for it, is that writers shouldn’t review writers with caveats of course.
If they ask, then yes, but I would add another caveat, they should approve its publication. Not editorial control, just yes this is fine to go, or no, it isn’t what I thought you’d say.
Leave reviews to critiques, and ignore them, and to those who love to read and express their responses to a story, and ignore them too.
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Writers review other writers all the time. I’m reading a science fiction (one of about a billion this author penned) by British author Neal Asher now that was reviewed by SciFi luminary David Brin. It’s considered a selling point, but then the author/reviewer has to be famous. 😉
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It makes me cringe so much when authors go after reviewers like that. It’s like, “Dude. Just stop. You aren’t doing yourself any favors. One remotely bad review isn’t a sales killer. You overreacting about a bad review is not just a sales killer. It’s a career killer. So, get yourself a cup of tea, some nice gel shoes, and calm down.”
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Oddly enough, it wasn’t a bad review. It just wasn’t a perfect one. Thanks.
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