My Name Is Karen And I Fucking Love Snarky/Honest Reviews So Put That In Your Pipe And Smoke It.
Friday, December 29, 2006Posted in: Uncategorized
Isn’t it funny how time and time again writers insist on bringing up the subject of reviewing? The thing is, how many times do the authors on RTB write complimentary columns about passionate enthusiastic readers who blog about books?
The fact is, there are far more fairly neutral bloggers out there, like JMC and the like, who are generally less acerbic when it comes to their reviews, than the likes of me and the Ja(y)nes, who don’t mind tearing a book to strips if we feel that the book deserves it.
But how many times do we see the authors on RTB toasting their efforts, and thanking them for talking about books?
In fact, when was the last time we witnessed a romance author randomly giving thanks to reader bloggers for encouraging book discussion, period?
The answer? It doesn’t happen. unless said author is promoting a book They’ll bitch and moan about mean reviewers who dare voice their true opinions til the cows come home, but when do they actually give us props for our passion for books?
Wouldn’t it be nice to see an RTB columnist (preferably an author) come out and praise the endeavours of reviewers and bloggers, and no, praising Harriet Klausner doesn’t count without berating us for having the balls to be honest about our opinions?
At the risk of repeating myself, one lowly blogger writing about how he/she thought one book sucked arseholes isn’t going to end a publishing career. It really isn’t. It really isn’t going to affect your sales, if it does, then face it, your book probably sucks big time.
The people who refuse to buy based on the review probably wouldn’t have bought you in the first place. Seriously.
Incidentally have you ever noticed how the moaners are usually of the midlist mediocrity variety?
Just sayin’.
Some authors may hate reviewers they say they don’t but really they do, but as far as I’m concerned, if people aren’t chewing the fat over your books, then you probably aren’t selling so well. (Big name authors not included) so some of these authors really need to get over themselves, and in the words of my pal Indida, stop bitching, and just fucking write.
End of rant.
Coming up, gushing review of Bonnie Dee’s Bone Deep. (g)
Dee
December 29
4:50 pm
I don’t actually hate reviewers at all. Movie critics, yes, lol, but that’s because they tend to inform you what your opinion IS instead of what it might be.
I love blog reviewers because most of them have reviews designed for discussion in mind. They expect to be argued with or agreed with, but at least they expect conversation.
I figure if you put something out there for people to read, you need to be prepared that they’re not going to be silent if they don’t like it. We don’t get to complain about how they express it. And we don’t get the right to tell anyone they’re being rude or not because they don’t say it in a way we don’t like to hear it. IS there a way to hear, “Sorry, your book sucks. A LOT!”, and not be upset? Not in my experience.
Maybe it’s the “Romance is the nicest field to work in” vibe that goes around. Sure, there’s a lot of great writers who are willing to help and teach and show younger writers how to sell. But that doesn’t mean there’s not some seriously bitchy authors out there, either. (I think the whole “Authors behaving badly” section of several blogs of late is evidence of that.) The thinking that we’re all nice and flowery and sugary as hell has sort of poisoned the well. Now you can be treated as a snarker just for not posing your response in the form of “constructive criticism”. It’s not a reviewer’s job or desire to construct anything. That’s the writer’s job. And in any other field, if our work doesn’t pass muster, you’re not going to get a polite, care about your feelings response from the people that pay you. Why should you get one here, just because it’s romance?
I send every book to Mrs Giggles and I’m even grateful when she’s not happy with me. Why? Because if she’s the queen of snark and she can find something positive to say, then I’m over the moon. If she can’t find something, at least I sent it myself and I’m prepared.
So maybe authors fear the suckerpunch? Reviews they haven’t requested from people they don’t view as properly trained? I have a reader review at a bookstore that says, “This book would be great if it weren’t so damn long. The story could have been told in fewer pages.” But she gave it 4 stars, lol, so how can you complain?
I was surprised and it took a little while to wrap my head around it, but I’m not violated if someone doesn’t like my book. It’s the subjective nature of art to displease someone, sometime. Do I know if this lady is qualified to say how many pages it takes to tell a story? Nope. She could be Nora in disguise for all I know. Do I suspect she doesn’t know GMC from a hole in the ground? Yup, but she’s still got a right to be unhappy. She paid 5.50 for it.
Hugs,
Dee
Meljean Brook
December 29
5:31 pm
I love ’em. (But I’m also promoting a book, so… 😀 )
But seriously — the reviewers who do it well and honestly (whether with snark or not) are freaking godsends to me not just as a reader, but as a writer. And also what Dee said.
…and that reminds me, I should really send my book to Mrs. Giggles. God, I want to be her when I grow up.
Tara Marie
December 29
5:32 pm
I chose to ignore yesterday’s RTB post, I started to post a comment about how does one decide whether or not a review is “ethical”. Then decided it wasn’t worth it–the little lovefest would have taken too much effort to break up.
Karen Scott
December 29
5:36 pm
Dee, you’re a brave girl to send your stuff to Giggles, lol!
Meljean, we here in Karen’s World think you’re the vicar’s knickers!
Tara, I read it first thing this morning, and it sent my temperature soaring.
Avid Reader
December 29
6:05 pm
Karen, you did bring up a very important point: we are buying your books and talking about them! How great is that? There is no such thing as bad publicity. Maybe for Taco Bell and their lettuce having made people sick from E. coli, but honestly, if people are talking about your books, your well on your way. Maybe.
Trainwrecks are my guilty pleasure reads. And that apology to DA. Where in the heck did that come from? I refused to read through all that commentary to see if they were mentioned but I don’t think they were. She just confirmed that readers have some power. It made her apologize.
Keishon
Nora Roberts
December 29
6:43 pm
I don’t want to get into the whole blog/review etc, etc as it’s been done pretty much to death.
I don’t blog, nor do I write columns or articles (as a rule). I write books, and that’s what I prefer. However, I do read a lot of reader blogs, some author blogs and several message boards and review sites. It’s not only entertaining, but an education.
While I don’t think I’ve ever actually thanked the owners of various review sites and blogs, I have commented on several. I’ve notice other authors doing the same. Dear Author and SB get a lot of comments and participation by writers, it seems–as these are two I check out regularly.
I don’t think readers or readers who blog should be lumped into one big whole. But, you know, neither should writers. It’s kind of a pisser to read things like `writers can’t handle’ or ‘Romance writers don’t or do whatever’. Just as I’m sure it’s a bit of a pisser to read: `readers can’t/don’t/do blah, blah, blah.’
I value readers as a whole–and there are some in the whole I think are whacked one way or the other. Such as the guy who just wrote me asking to tell him where the portal in Morrigan’s Cross was so he could use it, as he believed he was born in the wrong time. This was a SERIOUS request, so, you know, whacked. But entertaining, nonetheless.
We’re not all cut from the same cloth, writers or readers. Some of us on this side of the page are whacked, too. So it goes.
I enjoy this blog, by the way whether it’s reviews, commentary or gossip. I may not always agree, but I still enjoy it.
Anonymous
December 29
7:07 pm
I think Jane said it best when she talked about the intended audience for reader blogs – not authors but readers. I don’t just visit this site and DA’s for the reviews. I visit them for the comments and discussions and all the fun stuff in between. Teresa Medeiros said something similar – that “readers should be able to converse honestly about books without the writers of those books peering over their shoulders.”
And I always wonder about the whole “the Internet is anonymous and you can say things you wouldn’t normally say in real life” concept. If nothing else, snarky reader blogs are EXACTLY how my friends and I talk about things on which we have opinions. In fact, we’re usually worse. We don’t sugarcoat…although we do tend to consume copious quantities of chocolate.
Anonymous
December 29
7:11 pm
I agree whole-heartedly with Nora Roberts that lumping both readers and writers in a big clump is wrong. Some readers and some writers are the naughty ones who “behave badly” and those persons should be the ones getting snarked back at.
And for Nora… LOL at the portal… definitely whacked.
Let me just say, Karen, I am sooooo glad that you are back!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nora Roberts
December 29
7:23 pm
While the intended audience on review blogs and the like may be readers–writers are readers, too.
That doesn’t mean a writer should jump in with both feet and argue with a reviewer or a reader about his or her opinion of the writer’s book. That way lies madness. BUT, I LIKE to read those blogs and sites, I LIKE to comment when I have an opinion (of which I have many), and sometimes I actually know something about the topic being discussed.
I wouldn’t want to think any of the readers who frequent the blogs and sites I pop into now and then feel I–or any other author–is looking over her shoulder, ready to rumble. Some of us just like to play, too.
And, exactly so, it’s not just about the reviews, but about the commentary, the discussion and the fun.
I’ve seen comments many times that complain writers don’t pay enough attention to readers and their opinions. Visiting the blogs and sites is paying attention, imo.
fiveandfour
December 29
7:58 pm
Nora – when you reply to that guy with the location of the portal, can you share the details here? I’d like to send my husband there some days.
Only kidding. I think I’d prefer to go myself, I’ve always loved travel.
I love a good snarky review. Problem is finding the truly snarky vs. the just plain mean. Thing is, I find that usually the snarky reviewer’s passion for books comes through and that’s attractive to me. I can identify: the desire to spread the joy of a story that satisfied; the desire to spare others the agony of a train wreck (or maybe point and laugh at the train wreck, which is always fun for the noodle-neckers). Either way, there’s an enthusiasm there that’s fun and entertaining and very direct.
And I have seen authors thanking reviewers, sometimes at the site with the review (even if not a positive one) and sometimes at their own sites with a link back to the review. So I suppose I’ve long had the perception that – with a few notable exceptions – authors appreciate the attention, even if the reviewer didn’t love the book.
Nora Roberts
December 29
8:42 pm
~Thing is, I find that usually the snarky reviewer’s passion for books comes through and that’s attractive to me. I can identify: the desire to spread the joy of a story that satisfied; the desire to spare others the agony of a train wreck (or maybe point and laugh at the train wreck, which is always fun for the noodle-neckers). Either way, there’s an enthusiasm there that’s fun and entertaining and very direct.~
This is perfectly said, and a wonderful explanation on why good snark from a book-lover works. And it’s precisely why, in the review area of things, I enjoy visiting certain sites.
Karen Scott
December 29
10:34 pm
Trainwrecks are my guilty pleasure reads. And that apology to DA. Where in the heck did that come from?
I wondered about that too, I think she got a little paranoid because of the way she started her column.
And dammit we bloggers do a lot of good on the internet, the last time I was bothered enought to count, I only had 8 negative reviews out of the forty written, the rest were fairly gushing, and there have been other bloggers who read my recs based on my reviews, how can that be a bad thing?
I value readers as a whole–and there are some in the whole I think are whacked one way or the other. Such as the guy who just wrote me asking to tell him where the portal in Morrigan’s Cross was so he could use it, as he believed he was born in the wrong time. This was a SERIOUS request, so, you know, whacked.
Nora, ya know I llove you in a strictly non-lesbian fangirlish way right?
Kat I am so with you on the snark issue, I’m pretty tame on the internet, in my real life, I’m probably far more snarky when I’m with my friends.
Anne, I love ya too!
That doesn’t mean a writer should jump in with both feet and argue with a reviewer or a reader about his or her opinion of the writer’s book. That way lies madness.
Nora, so how come so many authors feel that they have to jump in and wave the shitty stick because somebody didn’t like their book? How come they don’t know that opinions are like arseholes, and that everybody has one, and that one opinion isn’t gonna necessarily be the make or break of a publishing career? (unless of course you’re Oprah) How come they don’t know that frothing at the mouth is much better suited to rabid dogs? These are questions that I find myself asking a lot.
Problem is finding the truly snarky vs. the just plain mean.
FAF, but how many bloggers out there write just plain mean reviews? There just aren’t that many, and if there are, I’ve sure missed them.
I can honestly say that my reviews aren’t mean, harsh and sometimes ultra critical perhaps, but really, they aren’t intended to injure the author in some way.
I’m not as prolific at reviewing as the DA girls or some of the other bloggers, so when I write a review, it takes time and effort. When I buy and take the time to read a book, that also takes effort, so if the book stinks like a dead rat, then I should be able to say so in whatever manner I choose, without fear of offending the delicate sensibilities of some of the romance authors out there.
Some of those gals need to tighten up their girdles and take some of the criticisms on the chin. It’s not like a bad review will lead to them contracting cancer or anything. Know what I mean?
sallahdog
December 30
12:47 am
hey karen, welcome back.. so nice to not see that pic of Harriet every time I click the link anymore… I was getting gunshy every evening when I checked to see if anything was new in your world.
I don’t write a blog, I am just a reader (a very voracious reader).. I don’t think a bad review has ever stopped me from reading a book I was already interested in, and has actually made me read a book, if something in the review caused me to sit up and take notice…
I have read a lot of books based on blogging recomendations, so any review, negative or positive helps get a book out before the readers, especially those like me who do most of our buying from the internet, so we don’t see product placement in the book stores…
I have read RTB a few times, but in general find it rather boring(no offense guys) because I don’t relate to the trouble of writing a book (I am not a frustrated writer)or getting it published…. I just like to read (in my limited computer time) about the books themselves… sometimes the author back chat is too much like knowing what was behind the curtain in the Wizard of OZ…. lol, of course there arent people lining up to listen to a bunch of shop talk about my line of work either…
I have been trying anymore, to avoid author blogs, because several authors were ruined for me, by their bad attitudes or frankly whacked behavior (Laurel K Hamilton comes to immediate mind)… I try to go with the credo, Ignorance is Bliss…
Kristie (J)
December 30
1:29 am
I get so tired of the reader blog bashing too. I think I write at least (at least) 5 glowing/gushing or at least positive reviews for every one that isn’t so hot. And 90% of the time even if I don’t like that particular book, I’ll still say something positive like “this book didn’t work but others I’ve read by her have been great” or some such thing. I think reader blogs do a lot more to sell books than they do to discourage them! I’ve picked up A LOT of books because I’ve seen them on other reader blogs and they sound intriguing. And not to blow my own horn – well hell I WILL blow it, I think I’ve done quite a bit in selling a certain book by a certain author.
And now – who knows – I may have a whole dating thing going too *g*
jmc
December 30
2:28 am
Karen, I’d be snarky and acerbic in reviews if I could…but I can’t manage the fine line between snark and bitching, so I remain neutral, bland, boring. Meh. I can’t tell you how many F book reviews I’ve tried to write but never posted because they came off as mean and petty rather than informative.
Anonymous
December 30
4:58 am
I’ve only written a few really negative reviews in the time I’ve had my blog and that was because the books were so hyped up and made to sound soooooo amazing that I had to go out and get them only to be totally let down and disgusted with the drivel between the covers. I was expecting to get a FANFREAKINGTASTIC book but found total crap instead(yes, Karen, I’m referring to JR Ward and the ridiculous paint rollers smuggled under skin for abs thing).
What pisses me off is when I spend my hard earned money on a book expecting to get a great story and get shafted instead. So I tend to vent once in a while but much less so than some and WAY less harsh. *G*
Avid Reader
December 30
5:10 am
Just walking in from work and I think that the whole reviewing thing starts up anytime a author has a problem with a ONE reviewer. You know how some people say THEY said when it actually was one person said something? These things just don’t crop up out of the blue. It’s usually instigated by someone who snarked them and then they get in a tissy about it and hey, next thing you know, they are writing a topic about it – AGAIN.
Keishon, off to bed
Anonymous
December 30
6:27 am
Isn’t the woman who wrote the column on Romancing the Blog a reviewer herself and not a romance writer? Am I missing something? There seems to be a reviewer against author strand here… when, as I read the post on RTB it seemed to be one reviewer taking issue with the way other reviewers review… Something like your critique of Harriet Klausner one reviewer to another. Except Michelle Buonfiglio isn’t as specific about who she takes issue with. Am I off?
Karen Scott
December 30
8:56 am
Kristie, we bloggers do do a lot of good, but very rarely appreciated for it, Kleypas ought to dedicate a whole post to your endeavours, and how successfully you’ve managed to get people reading about Derek Craven! Is the dating thing gone now?
JMC wrote:
but I can’t manage the fine line between snark and bitching
JMC, I’m pretty sure I cross that line many a time, but I don’t really let it bother me, and I just couldn’t ever bring myself to not post a review cuz I thought it was too bitchy, but I guess you’re much nicer that way. (g)
Anne, I still can’t believe you never got into the Ward books, lol!
Actually, youn pretty much hated Kristie’s Derek Craven too didn’t you? Heathen you’s be!
Keishon, you’re probably right, but my theory is that she knew that harping on about reviews again would cause the obligatory stir, and get lots of attention for it, after all, the other posts at RTB have been dry as a nun’s c*nt just recently.
Anon, Michelle is a wannabe romance author and a journalist, but she’s already got the ‘them’ and ‘us’ thing down to a fine art, even as a wannabe. Which is why she hasn’t been honoured on my ABB list. She isn’t a pubbed author yet, but she’s already exhibiting author diva behaviour, once again forgetting that it’s other readers who are likely to buy her books in the future, not other pubbed authors, and yes, I do know that authors are readers too, but let’s face it, her friends will probably get the books free from her.
As for her reviewing, she gets arcs sent to her by her author friends, and reviews those, but my beef has nothing to do with the type of reviews she does, infact I couldn’t give a rats arse about them, I don’t read her, and probably never will.
Karen Scott
December 30
9:00 am
Hey Sallahdog, yeah, even I got fed up with seeing her face every time I logged on, lol!
I have read a lot of books based on blogging recomendations, so any review, negative or positive helps get a book out before the readers,
Then why isn’t this acknowledged more, rather than the fuglies going all Saddam on reader bloggers?
Dee
December 30
12:01 pm
Hmmmm, maybe because it’s just easier to blame them all then to wonder if the one person unhappy is right? Or possibly for the obligatory stir hiking the post numbers. Telemarketters bleed you for seconds on the phone. I’m sure post’s like that one are entirely about getting post numbers.
Dee
Nora Roberts
December 30
1:29 pm
I can’t say why some authors–particularly if they’ve had any time on the internet and know the inevitable consequences–elect to bite, snap and froth. But I can say that negative reviews–even well-done snarky ones–can sting. It can be very hard to separate yourself from your book. It’s smarter in every way to manage it, but it honestly isn’t a snap. So some, feeling the sting, can’t stop themselves from swatting.
It’s all right THERE. Keyboard, click, send. In fact, everybody’s standing over everybody else’s shoulder on the internet. (Part of the fun, I think.)
Reviews are opinions–good, bad or indifferent. And opinions are going to vary. But some will launch into an attack or a defensive mode at a poor opinion. And some who do will get over it and stop–as some never will.
I haven’t seen the slash and burn types of reviews in a really long time now–either they’re very rare or I’m just more selective in my blog browsing.
I absolutely don’t think writers should shut up and write. I do think we should write smart, whether it’s books, blogs or commentary. Then we have to deal with the fact that whatever we write, in whatever form, someone’s not going to like it–and say so.
I love you, too, Karen–in a totally non-lesbo way.
sallahdog
December 30
2:40 pm
hey Nora, you do make a good point.. I think critiques can hurt. The English Prof who said I was not specific enough, had alliterations running amok, and wouldnt know a period if it bit me in the butt, was harsh… Absolutely right, but harsh… (which is why I now use 3 periods just to offset my insane comma usage. The woman is rolling in her grave now, I am sure)
I do think it must sting, but authors should probably learn from the ones who have gone on before, and not get into pissing matches with what are usually trolls bearing torches, because the trolls LOVE it! LOL… I doubt that Michelle was even talking about most of the review blogging community, much more likely talking about the slash and burn reviews on sites like Amazon..
I must not go to enough reviewer sites, because even Mrs Giggles, who might hate a book, usually gives concise reasons why (she doesnt like most of my favorite authors and loves some authors I can’t stand, but she is fun to read)
sallahdog
December 30
2:54 pm
I went back and read and yes indeedy, bloggers were mentioned… hey if you ever figure out who are these nasty bloggers, I would love to read their reviews…
I would wonder if they are directing their complaints directly to the book at hand, or to the author personally, to cause such a firestorm.
Mrs Giggles doesn’t love the authors I do, Kleypas, Howard, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and a few times books I LOVED, she totally disliked, but I can understand where she comes from. (we completely agree on the mess that has become Laurell K Hamilton)Karen here, doesnt like paranormals, which I love (its ok, she is still young enough to change her mind) and a few of the books she loves, cant stand (Flowers in the Attic, I felt so dirty after reading that one)…
Opinions are just that…and any publicity about a book is probably a good thing, because at least it didnt get lost in the shuffle..
Of course from what I understand, this writer hasnt had a book published yet, so she doesnt really know about harsh yet…
Sandra Schwab
December 30
2:58 pm
Then why isn’t this acknowledged more, rather than the fuglies going all Saddam on reader bloggers?
Because most people can’t stand criticism, quite a number seem to have brains the size of peas, and several more simply love to display the most unprofessional behaviour possible. Why else would authors tell their readers “If you don’t like my book it’s because you’re too stupid to understand them”? Why else would an author stop talking to a reviewer simply because her book didn’t get a gushing review? And why else would authors stop sending ARCs to AAR because, oh, they’re sooooo mean?
Sure, we all love having our egos stroked and reading gushing reviews about our books. Sure, it’s not a very nice feeling if somebody doesn’t like your book, but as you said a few months ago, Karen, readers are allowed to snark, while authors really shouldn’t. At least not about readers, reviews, or about their own publishers.
Nora Roberts
December 30
4:12 pm
There has been commentary and blogging and arguments made by certain authors on the internet that have made me cringe/gawk/gasp–and quite frankly snort Diet Pepsi out of my nose. (This can hurt a little.) In the early days of the internet, and message boards, it was more understandable, I think. Pretty much nobody knew what they were doing, and as a communication tool it was all so new and unexplored. I know I posted things back in the day I wish I could take back.
Live and learn.
But this is no longer a new and untried tool. Even those who are rooks in picking it up should know enough to avoid amputating a limb with it. But some do not live and learn.
And come on, who’s going to deny that watching the blood gush isn’t horribly entertaining? We can’t make ourselves–or at least I can’t make myself–look away.
It also seems to be that the writers who wildly or bitterly hack off their own limbs get much more play on blogs and commentary than those who don’t. Just as the readers or blogger accused of nastiness for the sake of it get hauled out more often than others.
Human nature.
No, we should not, as writers, snark about readers, reviews or our publishers–and I’ll add one more–about another writer (not when you’re naming names) because it’s ugly and it’s rude. Besides being monumentally stupid.
Unless the review reads something like:
Sally Writer sux and her books do to! I can right beter shit in my sleep!!!
We ought to be allowed to have some fun with stuff like that. It’s almost a shame there aren’t many like that any more.
Anonymous
December 30
4:46 pm
Thanks, Karen. That clears up a lot. I was getting lost because I don’t know anything about this Michelle woman. I just read the post and the comments over here confused me because she’s not an author. But if she is a wanna-be author then I guess I see. Thanks for clearing that up. Now the comments over here don’t confuse me as much.
Honestly, I think that authors should show more appreciation to the reader-review sites, the same kind of appreciation they show for readers in general. I read mostly multi-cultural romance novels but I also read a lot of the romance novels that the review sites review as well. So, I appreciate all the different ways people come at reviews. A lot of what I read never gets reviewed at all on these kinds of sites. But I love romance novels and I love the conversations about the genre that happen on these kinds of blogs, even though I mostly eavesdrop. Hmm… maybe I should start my own reader review site for multi-cultural romances. I wonder if I’ll be “nasty” or “nice,” “snarky” or “ethical.” LOL.
Nora Roberts
December 30
5:20 pm
~Honestly, I think that authors should show more appreciation to the reader-review sites, the same kind of appreciation they show for readers in general.~
Again, lumping us into The Borg, but how would we show more appreciation?
I try to show my readers–or potential readers–my appreciation by writing the best book I’m able to write at that particular time. It won’t sing for all of them, but it’s all I can do.
I assume that book-oriented blogs and sites generated by readers are started and maintained due to the reader’s love of reading–and a desire to share that with others. And for the fun, the community, the communication. I don’t think–could be wrong–the bloggers are looking for flowers and candy (metaphorically–or maybe literally) from writers.
I think intelligent, honest, interesting review and book sites (snarky or not) deserve my respect. My way of showing that, when there’s time and something I feel interested enough in or opinionated enough about, is to comment. But there are multitudes of writers who aren’t active on the blogs and boards. There are bound to be a number of writers who are active who just don’t like reader sites–and they’re entitled to their opinion, just like readers are entitled to theirs.
Sandra Schwab
December 30
6:11 pm
Honestly, I think that authors should show more appreciation to the reader-review sites, the same kind of appreciation they show for readers in general.
A lot of stuff also happens behind the scenes, e.g. authors writing a thank-you note / e-mail to reviewers.
Karen Scott
December 30
6:31 pm
Dammit, I’m trying to write a review, but the blog keeps getting in the way (g)
Dee, I think this particular column was about getting lots of comments, rather than a true belief that snarky reader bloggers are a curse to pubbed authors. Her excuse for not naming names will probably be that it wouldn’t be profesh, but my personal opinion is that she hasn’t actually got any examples to back up her claim.
Nora, I can appreciate that snarky reviews can sting, and that not every author is able to just let it go, but I truly believe that reviewers shouldn’t have to worry about the feelings of the writer, when trying to articulate their feelings on said book. I refuse to believe that Jane Public will purchase a book, just so she can trash it in a review. I certainly don’t, and I can’t imagine any of my fellow bloggers who would, but sometimes a lot of these ‘review’ columns almost imply that that’s what happens.
I used to work in an environment, where if my endeavours weren’t good enough, then I was heavily criticised. Of course it hurt, I’m human after all, but the company’s main objective was to make money, and if I wasn’t doing my job well enough then I deserved to be hauled over the coals.
I couldn’t afford to get a complex about it, and take it personally, so I just hitched my socks up, and made sure I did the best I could the next time, to avoid the backlash.
I can’t help but think that some of the ladies who write within the romance genre need to take this approach when it comes to reviews, after all, they chose to put their work out there for it to be scrutinised and critiqued by total strangers.
As for writers shutting up, I don’t particularly believe they should either, but there are times when taking the high ground is the best course of action, simply because they’re the ones with the most to lose. If I decided to publicly call you a hoochie with a stinky coochie, the worst that could happen is that you’d stop visiting my blog, and stop loving me in a non-lesbo way.
On the other hand, if you said that about me, a lowly reader, then it would probably get picked up by RT, PW, and any other related publication, as well as providing us bloggers with at least three week’s worth of blog fodder.
The double standards are there for all to see, but that’s just life.
Not that I’d ever tell ya that you had a stinky coochie obviously. (g)
Shit that was a post all on it’s own!
I do think it must sting, but authors should probably learn from the ones who have gone on before, and not get into pissing matches
Exactly SallahD, it’s not like there aren’t any good past examples to learn from.
I also agree with you on Mrs G’s reviews, she hates lots of books that I’ve loved, and vice versa, but she always explains the whys and wherefores, so I refuse to pay any attention to authors who call her a nasty reviewer.
BTW, I used to luurve paranormals, way before they were as popular as they are now, it’s just that I’ve been over-paranormaled, and some of the books just started blending together. I had the same problem with vampire books. Christine Feehan finally put paid to my love of vamps.
Sandra, there is a double standard at work here, but as long as authors want to keep getting paid for their efforts, then they should think twice about biting the hands that feed them.
Sally Writer sux and her books do to! I can right beter shit in my sleep!!!
Lol Nora, I would pay good money to see that in an author blog, heheh!
I love the conversations about the genre that happen on these kinds of blogs
Anon, there are more of these kind of things happening on reader blogs, than the alleged slasher reviews, the Dear Ja(y)nes and Janine are fantastic at raising really interesting industry issues, and debating them, and they are also responsible for introducing me to lots of hot new-to-me authors.
Hey Nora, I know that not all romance writers are the same, I really do. If I didn’t believe that, I’d have to change genres quick sharp, because I find it difficult to read books by authors who I think would benefit from some sort of frontal lobe operation.
As for showing appreciation, I specifically meant at RTB, to be honest. I recall that the last time one of the columnist wrote a post hinting that reader bloggers aren’t actually the devil incarnate, there was not one single author who chimed in to agree with her. I of course had to point this out. (g)
Right, back to the damn review!
Sandy Schwab
December 30
7:05 pm
I can appreciate that snarky reviews can sting, and that not every author is able to just let it go,
And that’s exactly why God gave us girlfriends and the telephone: hysterical sobbing on the phone. “They were soo-hoo mean to m-me. And … And … they got my name wrohooong. And … and called my he-hero a jerk! And -boohooo- didn’t like that he had auburn hair!” (Depending on the girlfriend I’d phone, I’d probably get a reply like “Would you please get a grip of yourself?!”) (It’s a cruel, cruel world *g*)
Sandy Schwab
December 30
8:06 pm
I’ve just found this quotation on Margaret Moore’s blog: “Write your hurts in the sand, carve your blessings in stone.” She was not writing about reviews, but hey, if the shoe fits and a’ that, right?
Nora Roberts
December 30
8:31 pm
~I refuse to believe that Jane Public will purchase a book, just so she can trash it in a review.~
If there any Jane Publics out there who do this, we are back to whacked. And true whackitis would show in the review or comments. It’s pretty easy, or should be, to discount or get a genuine kick out of true whackitis.
Yeah, there’s a double standard (and no possible way I’m touching your coochie), and that’s the breaks. It’s why, while writers shouldn’t have to shut up, they need to take much more care in the tone and structure of something tossed out in public that Nancy Reader.
And yeah again, the anger and the hurt is more suitably, and productively, vented on pals than in a public forum.
Sybil
December 31
12:01 am
I don’t think authors need to hug us, love us, squeeze us and call us George. Well for the most part… it very much shocks me that lisa kleypas has never emailed kristie or at least posted on her blog. I don’t think we are mighty and powerful nor would I say kristie has had a hand in putting her on the list… but damn that chick has sold a shit load of kleypas books.
She should get ARC’s from her for life. Sez I. But speaking for myself, I am here for the books.
I am bookwhore, hear me roar.
And because where the fuck else can you go where people understand you own over 1400 books, many unread, and drive all over town to find that book you must have right then!
To go home and put it in a pile…
I adore many many many an author because of what they write. And some of them I adore because they kick ass just being who they are. But for the most part I am here because of you guys. Even though I posted a mushy mush post around xmas we should make January 1st, hug your readerblogger day *g*.
Jane
December 31
2:46 am
Holy cow. I am gone for one day from the internet and everyone explodes. What the hell. You are all egging me on to blog about this on Monday when I was not going to rant about anything.
I am definitely guilty of using the writer generalization and I should stop. where’s Cindy Cruciger? I want her to note I admitting to being wrong. When I said that readers are the intended audience, I guess I mean everyone but the author. (which seems ironic since we label our reviews Dear Susy Author). It’s not that I don’t welcome authors coming. I do. I think that on a lot of topics, we can learn alot of things from each other. But sometimes, as we have all seen, authors presence can often ratchet it up a notch.
I admit that I never even thought what the consequences would be to labeling all the reviews in that matter. I hadn’t seen a lot of authors visit any blog but the Smart Bitches! Except, of course, for Romancing the Blog, but I have often felt that is more of a ra ra blog for authors which is good for authors and I completely understand the need for it, but it never really appealed to me as a reader.
As for these alleged blogs, until someone names one for me, I am going to assume that they are talking about any blog who gives a negative review because I haven’t seen any blog do the “Author Suzy is a terrorist or has a dull sex life” (a couple of things that has been leveled at DA). And really, why even take that personally? Those types of comments are so easily recognizable as ridiculous and having no credibility at all.
As for JMC, why don’t you send me your negative reviews in an email. I would love to read them!
Now stop posting because I can’t waste anymore time here. I have a video review to create.
fiveandfour
December 31
4:50 am
And because where the fuck else can you go where people understand you own over 1400 books, many unread, and drive all over town to find that book you must have right then!
To go home and put it in a pile…
Sybil, that just described my day! Seriously, my daughter was rolling her eyes and yelling at me, “But you even said you haven’t read all the books on the shelf, so why are we going out to get more?”
Karen – I hope you didn’t think I intended to lump you in as a meanie because that’s not what I meant to imply (or is it infer?) I, too, have become selective in my rounds of reading reviews and avoid the mean ones to the best of my ability. I don’t know if it’s an issue of people trying too hard and thus failing to stay this side of mean, or not understanding how written words without the benefit of body language will be interpreted by others, or some other thing – but I have seen the internet version of a tyranical bully picking on a peace lover more times than I would have wished.
Maeve Beckham
December 31
5:37 am
As a writer, I don’t mind bad reviews, I mind lazy reviews, and, as much as it apparently bothers some people, the snarky-type reviews are generally the only reviews where you find someone making the effort of digging into a novel.
Honestly, I appreciate people willing to review my books, but I wish more of them would do more than just regurgitate the blurb and tack on a rating. I receive too many reviews like this, and I am more annoyed at the complete lack of insight they put into what my book was about (or what its failings may be) than how they actually rated my book.
So I sent my novel to Mrs. Giggles, and she produced a literate review that mentioned where she thought it came up short. I appreciate that, and the truth is that she had legitimate points. Of course it didn’t hurt that she liked the book!
Okay, now I have to send Karen my novel!
Anonymous
December 31
9:18 am
Nora, after reading your comments here, I have to say, “Why, oh why, in God’s Green Earth have I not read a single one of your books yet?”
You are funny, yet professional, and a teller of truths. It’s hard to be all three at one time, so you must be very smart as well.
I think I have to ask RTB to take my name down from their sidebar. I used to like reading the columns abot a year or so ago, but I dunno. I think I’m done.
And Karen? Yeah. Write that review. Go On. (But try not to call anyone a pederast or hurt their feelings. OK? Ok.)
Karen Scott
December 31
10:53 am
Sandra, there are a lot of terribly insecure authors out there, and I always wonder why they chhose to put themselves out there, if they are so afraid of criticism.
Nora, as you inferred earlier, that send button on your computer is one that should be treated with respect, especially if you’re an author, cuz once you click, then there can be no hiding from your words (unless of course your name is Michelle Buonowhatsit).
I’m not sure whether to be offended or grateful that you aren’t willing to go near my coochie. (g)
it very much shocks me that lisa kleypas has never emailed kristie or at least posted on her blog
Sybil YES!!! It was after reading Kristie’s gushing over Lisa Kleypas that I decided to go out and buy Dreaming Of You, and I loved it so much, I immediately went and bought and paid full price, for her entire backlist, and we all know I’m not the only one Kristie influenced.
I can’t help but think it shows bad form not to have at least acknowledged her somehow. Her only excuse could be that she wasn’t aware of Kristie’s campaign, but I’m sorry, I don’t buy that for a cotton-picking moment!
As for having over 1400 books, isn’t that like normal? (g)
Jane, Kylie Winson named Bam’s site, and apparently her book got toasted, but what she doesn’t say is that in all probability she gave the damn book to Bam to review. Although she did save herself somewhat by saying that she learned a thing or two about her bad writing habits.
If all writers were as amusing as Bam, they’d have no problem selling, she can out-write some of the so-called authors out there, with her eyes shut.
Karen – I hope you didn’t think I intended to lump you in as a meanie because that’s not what I meant to imply (or is it infer?)
FAF, I didn’t think that’s what you meant at all, but now that you mention it…. (g)
Maeve, the thing is, if an author had her book reviewed by both Mrs Giggles, and Harriet Klausner, and she got a gushing review from both of them, which would mean more to her? The answer aint Harriet Klausner’s.
It’s like American Idol, most viewers are really waiting on Simon Cowell’s verdict, because they know that they can’t always trust the other judges reactions. Simon’s opinion is the one that people always wait with bated breath to hear. Whether they love him, or loathe him. The reason? Because he’s so damned ruthless in his honesty.
Maeve, send away, but as you may have noted, it takes forever for me to review books, lol
Suisan, she’s grand isn’t she?
My review is done, and I didn’t use the phrase Sucks Big Fat Hairy Donkey Balls, even once.
Anonymous
December 31
5:55 pm
Okay, I’m a debut author, and yes, I’m promoting my book. But that doesn’t mean I’m only looking for “I love her” reviews. Sure, those make me feel warm and fuzzy, no question. But I absolutely value real reviews, the ones (like Jane and Angela and May and, God help me, Bam) that zing me when they don’t like something I did as well as hug me for things I did that they like. Criticism — specifically, constructive criticism — is vital to me, if I’m to grow as an author.
Warm and fuzzy? Nice. But bring on the whips and chains too.
Dee
January 1
12:03 pm
My review is done, and I didn’t use the phrase Sucks Big Fat Hairy Donkey Balls, even once.
LOL, not ONCE??? Darn it, I thought that was a rite of passage! Hee hee!
Dee
Anonymous
January 4
4:59 pm
If an author sends her work to a review site or reviewer, then they shouldn’t cavil about the outcome. Just because her mom and best friend thinks she’s the next big thing, it doesn’t mean anyone else is obligated to agree. If it’s an unrequested review, the author still shouldn’t get all bent out of shape — at least people are talking about the work, and you can’t please everybody. Find the fanbase who likes what you do and roll with it. That said, an author shouldn’t ignore said fanbase when most of them start saying that once-great books have plunged into the toilet. But that’s another topic.
jmc
January 4
10:01 pm
Karen,
You’ll be surprised to learn that I have apparently written something not so neutral. In going through a list of upcomings books, I noted that I thought one author’s earlier book was heinous, so I wouldn’t be trying the next one. Now the fans have started commenting. The author herself was quite polite, though.
And I wasn’t even trying to be snarky or acerbic! It was a throw away comment!
:shrug:
Karen Scott
January 5
6:58 am
JMC, It always amazes me how many authors Google-search themselves, and then get all bent ouit of shape when they see a review or even a throw away comment they don’t like. I’m gonna have a look now