STOP! Do NOT Talk to the Book Reviewers!!!

7 thoughts on “STOP! Do NOT Talk to the Book Reviewers!!!”

I tried to leave a comment regarding this post, on the author’s website where the post is located. The post was constructive advice on choosing a reviewer. (I am paraphrasing, as I do not recall the exact post). Things like checking out the reviewer’s website and past reviews to make sure reviewing your book would be a good match and if that reviewer posts negative reviews, find one and check out what others have said about the book. If the negative review was constructive, found something good about the book, and not vicious or hateful, you might want to ask for a review..

In regards to contacting a reviewer after they post a bad review about your book, I said the author’s attitude needed to be positive and the words written need to be non-aggressive. If the post made comments that were blatantly untrue, you might ask for information why or even correct the information, but do so in a positive light. If the reviewer doesn’t return your email or returns a nasty email, forget them. Drop them and pass the word along, giving the review as evidence. No one wants a bad reviewer especially if they are viciously attacking the book or author (a big no-no).

When several days went by and the review was not approved, but others after it had been, I emailed the author and asked why she chose not to approve the email. I never recieved a reply. I guess the only opinion that matters on the post “STOP! Do NOT Talk to the Book Reviewers!!!” are those of authors BUT NOT REVIEWERS who might be able to shed some light, defend reviews (oh, no!), or offer constructive advice.

Maybe it was the last paragraph that gave advice on avoiding a negative review. I said writers need to make sure they have written their best, had a good editor edit the book, make need revisions suggested by the editor, use the help of beta readers, and not expect a book written in a weekend, or even a month. I think I said many great authors will take a year or more to get their manuscript publication ready. I suggested writers should take their time, learn the craft of writing (ongoing) and write daily.

Oh, I did mention one other thing. I am trying to figure out what I might have said to offend the author who wrote the original post and seems not to like reviewers, period. Oh, sad. Imagine a reviewer who did not like authors, period. None of them. Anyway, she started her post by saying, “Controversy has always ruled the top of the bestseller charts!” I don’t agree that all bestsellers are controversial as to whether they are good or badly written. I said I thought most of the bestseller lists contained books that are well-written and deserved to be on the list. Sorry, I had a differing opinion.

I guess it should have registered that a reviewer would not be welcome from the opening sentence: “I thought I would touch on a very sensitive topic to most writers and authors… book reviews. *GASP* I know I know, it’s a taboo topic but I feel this needs to be addressed.” Why are reviews taboo? Why are reviews so sensitive to authors. I bet if you took a cross-sectional poll of authors you would find they do not think book reviews are a taboo subject, as in should never be spoken of.

Unfortunately, and I never said anything close to this, the author of the post has a well-ingrained disgust towards reviewers and will not even allow a reviewer to comment on a post about reviewers. Dare I might say something to provoke the other readers into thinking more calmly about reviews? Negative, hate-filled reviews was the actual topic of the post, and those reviews and those reviewers have NO BUSINESS reviewing books.But, the reality is, most reviews are NOT writing bad, hateful, or as viciously as the post suggests, nor are all reviewers prone to write against books. Many refuse to post anything but 4 and 5 star reviews because of the controversy over a negative review.

Most reviewers review because they love books and want to contribute to the literary scene. Bad reviews, those that are hate-filled, vicious attacks, are much different from than a negative review. Unfortunately, not everyone can write well enough to write a good book. Today it is easy to have a book published, but that does not automatically mean you know how to write. The golden thread is this: everyone can learn the craft if they are seriously interested in publishing a book–just not in weekend. Negative reviews can help an author understand areas they need to learn or get advice about. A negative review’s aim should be to help authors, never to hurt them. Please do not throw out all reviewers because of a few bad apples and a few authors so upset they cannot differ between good and bad reviewers.

FINALLY, MOST IMPORTANTLY, THANK YOU CHRIS THE STORY-READING APE for allowing me to comment/vent/say my peace regarding reviews good and bad, reviewers, good and bad, and allowing differing voices to comment on your posts. One-sided posts help no one. I apologize for the long comment. If you have read it in its entirety, I thank you.

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The Story Reading Ape says:

June 26, 2014 at 07:30

Phew, THANK YOU Suzanne,
I DID read the entire comment and saw nothing in it that was bad – it’s always good to get the opinion of others on books AND blog posts.
I will try and get your comment to the post originator as well 😀

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Reply
- KidLitReviews says:
  
  June 26, 2014 at 22:34
  
  The above post is longer than the original, which I was trying to remember to hit every point I had made. I am sure I said more here than on the original post. Thanks for letting it stay. I appreciate that very much..
  
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  Reply
  - The Story Reading Ape says:
    
    June 27, 2014 at 07:30
    
    I didn’t add or change anything in your comments Suzanne, it’s all your own work LOL 😀
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply
    - KidLitReviews says:
      
      June 27, 2014 at 18:26
      
      It really didn’t need anything added – it was long enough for a few posts. lol:
      
      LikeLike
    - The Story Reading Ape says:
      
      June 27, 2014 at 18:48
      
      I wonder if it’s possible to reblog comments?!? LOL 😀 😀 😀
      
      LikeLike

If you can’t take criticism then you should not put your writing out there to be read, because you cannot expect everyone will think it’s wonderful. Simple as that. But this is definitely a very good reminder for everyone!

LikeLike

KidLitReviews says:

June 26, 2014 at 01:12

I tried to leave a comment regarding this post, on the author’s website where the post is located. The post was constructive advice on choosing a reviewer. (I am paraphrasing, as I do not recall the exact post). Things like checking out the reviewer’s website and past reviews to make sure reviewing your book would be a good match and if that reviewer posts negative reviews, find one and check out what others have said about the book. If the negative review was constructive, found something good about the book, and not vicious or hateful, you might want to ask for a review..

In regards to contacting a reviewer after they post a bad review about your book, I said the author’s attitude needed to be positive and the words written need to be non-aggressive. If the post made comments that were blatantly untrue, you might ask for information why or even correct the information, but do so in a positive light. If the reviewer doesn’t return your email or returns a nasty email, forget them. Drop them and pass the word along, giving the review as evidence. No one wants a bad reviewer especially if they are viciously attacking the book or author (a big no-no).

When several days went by and the review was not approved, but others after it had been, I emailed the author and asked why she chose not to approve the email. I never recieved a reply. I guess the only opinion that matters on the post “STOP! Do NOT Talk to the Book Reviewers!!!” are those of authors BUT NOT REVIEWERS who might be able to shed some light, defend reviews (oh, no!), or offer constructive advice.

Maybe it was the last paragraph that gave advice on avoiding a negative review. I said writers need to make sure they have written their best, had a good editor edit the book, make need revisions suggested by the editor, use the help of beta readers, and not expect a book written in a weekend, or even a month. I think I said many great authors will take a year or more to get their manuscript publication ready. I suggested writers should take their time, learn the craft of writing (ongoing) and write daily.

Oh, I did mention one other thing. I am trying to figure out what I might have said to offend the author who wrote the original post and seems not to like reviewers, period. Oh, sad. Imagine a reviewer who did not like authors, period. None of them. Anyway, she started her post by saying, “Controversy has always ruled the top of the bestseller charts!” I don’t agree that all bestsellers are controversial as to whether they are good or badly written. I said I thought most of the bestseller lists contained books that are well-written and deserved to be on the list. Sorry, I had a differing opinion.

I guess it should have registered that a reviewer would not be welcome from the opening sentence: “I thought I would touch on a very sensitive topic to most writers and authors… book reviews. *GASP* I know I know, it’s a taboo topic but I feel this needs to be addressed.” Why are reviews taboo? Why are reviews so sensitive to authors. I bet if you took a cross-sectional poll of authors you would find they do not think book reviews are a taboo subject, as in should never be spoken of.

Unfortunately, and I never said anything close to this, the author of the post has a well-ingrained disgust towards reviewers and will not even allow a reviewer to comment on a post about reviewers. Dare I might say something to provoke the other readers into thinking more calmly about reviews? Negative, hate-filled reviews was the actual topic of the post, and those reviews and those reviewers have NO BUSINESS reviewing books.But, the reality is, most reviews are NOT writing bad, hateful, or as viciously as the post suggests, nor are all reviewers prone to write against books. Many refuse to post anything but 4 and 5 star reviews because of the controversy over a negative review.

Most reviewers review because they love books and want to contribute to the literary scene. Bad reviews, those that are hate-filled, vicious attacks, are much different from than a negative review. Unfortunately, not everyone can write well enough to write a good book. Today it is easy to have a book published, but that does not automatically mean you know how to write. The golden thread is this: everyone can learn the craft if they are seriously interested in publishing a book–just not in weekend. Negative reviews can help an author understand areas they need to learn or get advice about. A negative review’s aim should be to help authors, never to hurt them. Please do not throw out all reviewers because of a few bad apples and a few authors so upset they cannot differ between good and bad reviewers.

FINALLY, MOST IMPORTANTLY, THANK YOU CHRIS THE STORY-READING APE for allowing me to comment/vent/say my peace regarding reviews good and bad, reviewers, good and bad, and allowing differing voices to comment on your posts. One-sided posts help no one. I apologize for the long comment. If you have read it in its entirety, I thank you.

LikeLike

- The Story Reading Ape says:
  
  June 26, 2014 at 07:30
  
  Phew, THANK YOU Suzanne,
  I DID read the entire comment and saw nothing in it that was bad – it’s always good to get the opinion of others on books AND blog posts.
  I will try and get your comment to the post originator as well 😀
  
  LikeLike
  
  - KidLitReviews says:
    
    June 26, 2014 at 22:34
    
    The above post is longer than the original, which I was trying to remember to hit every point I had made. I am sure I said more here than on the original post. Thanks for letting it stay. I appreciate that very much..
    
    LikeLike
    
    - The Story Reading Ape says:
      
      June 27, 2014 at 07:30
      
      I didn’t add or change anything in your comments Suzanne, it’s all your own work LOL 😀
      
      LikeLike
      
      - KidLitReviews says:
        
        June 27, 2014 at 18:26
        
        It really didn’t need anything added – it was long enough for a few posts. lol:
        
        LikeLike
      - The Story Reading Ape says:
        
        June 27, 2014 at 18:48
        
        I wonder if it’s possible to reblog comments?!? LOL 😀 😀 😀
        
        LikeLike
islandeditions says:

June 18, 2014 at 19:49

If you can’t take criticism then you should not put your writing out there to be read, because you cannot expect everyone will think it’s wonderful. Simple as that. But this is definitely a very good reminder for everyone!

LikeLike