There's a lot of excitement on the blogs at the moment about this daft author who's having a complete snit about a 1 star review at Amazon. It's nothing new, is it? I've lost count of the number of times an author has gone off on one in public and the rest of the civilised blogosphere spend their time either gleefully watching the train wreck or scratching their heads and muttering about decorum and bad publicity. Sometimes we do both.
But what rarely seems to get mentioned are the ways that authors behave badly in private, behind the closed doors of personal email and direct twitter messages. This came to the forefront of my attention when I received an email yesterday from an author complaining about a review I had written of their book a short while ago. Now, I'm quite lucky in a way, I don't get many emails like this at all, but I know that some reviewers get lots and lots of complaint emails from authors, enough so that they've even considered jacking in the whole reviewing thing because of all the nasty emails they receive. When I got this email yesterday a few thoughts went through my mind:
1. Huh? But it was a really positive review.
True, it got a grade of Very Good and I said only one negative thing about the whole story. It's also true that I explained my negative point thoroughly but that's my style. I'm not one to throw out a negative comment and then not explain why it was negative.
2. What was the author trying to achieve by sending me this email?
Did this author think that I would suddenly change my mind about the review and the part I hadn't liked? Were they expecting me to go 'Of course, I now see that I was totally wrong. Let me change my review and post an apology immediately'? Er, no. No matter how much this particular author felt I hadn't 'understood' or 'got' what they were trying to achieve, I won't change my mind about a book just because the author sends me a horrid email telling me that, in their opinion, I'm wrong! In fact, it's more likely to make me stick to my original opinion of the book.
On a side note here, I'm not talking about emails where the author tells me I've made a factual mistake. If I've accidentally got the name of one of the heroes wrong, or even the title of the book, or even spelled the author's name wrong, I want to know. Really I do. I'll be absolutely mortified and will probably send a grovelling, apologetic email back after amending the review, but I do want to know stuff like that or I'll be even more embarrassed if I discover the mistake weeks later. After all I'm only human so factual mistakes do sometimes happen.
Anyway, back to my original point. What annoyed me mostly about this email was that the author had put a nice comment on the end of the review - a sort of, thanks for reviewing my book - so the whole world could see what a lovely person they are, how polite they are in the face of criticism, how reasonable. Then they'd emailed me and been almost hysterical in their criticism of the review. Talk about two faced.
So what am I to do now? I had several options:
1. Post up the email so the whole world could see it.
2. Ignore it, delete it and forget it.
3. Reply to the author.
4. Rant on to a 'safe' person.
5. Do a blog post about it.
Well, you can see which option I chose. I also did number 4. Many of you are probably wondering why I didn't just 'name and shame'. Well for two reasons really. Firstly, this author is very popular and I didn't want to start a wankfest on the blog which would happen when the author's fans got stuck in to defend their idol; secondly, That would be mean and vindictive and I am neither of those things. Now I've got the whole incident off my chest I shall rise above it and get on with doing what I love best: Reading books and writing my (sometimes painfully) honest reviews.
One thing I WON'T be doing in the future is reading and reviewing and recommending any more of this author's books.
Well that's suckage. Very good wasn't good enough? There aren't many books out there that rate excellent, not in my mind. I can really enjoy a book that is "very good", but excellent sticks in my head for days. And the whole "thanks so much" "you witch" thing is pretty mean.
ReplyDeleteAh well, rant, blog, delete, forget. :-) That works.
Hi Tam
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, the grade wasn't the issue. The author was OK about the grade. It was the fact that I'd gone on at length about this particular aspect which hadn't worked for me which got them all riled up.
You are right, after today it's all water under the bridge :).
It never ends - does it...
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am fairly new to blogging, I have had my share and I take the same option, never we read that author (s) work again and rise above it all....
Well done on you...
E.H>
I've been fortunate to have only had a few such author contacts, but they always leave a bit of a bad taste behind... and my reaction is always to not read anything else by that author, too.
ReplyDeleteHi EH
ReplyDeleteRising above it is always the best option, I think. Which is what the author should have done too, no matter how negative I had been.
Chris: I can count on one hand the number of bad emails I've had like this but I'm one of the lucky ones. I know some reviewers who spend a lot of time dealing with irate authors who really should know better.
I'm sorry, Jen! I'll never do it again. *hangs head in shame*
ReplyDeleteSean: HA! As if you would DARE :).
ReplyDeleteJen would send Kris over the mountain after you, Sean..........
ReplyDeleteChris: *snort* Yeah cos she's at my beck and call at any time I need to put the heavies on Sean.
ReplyDeleteI think she'd enjoy the menacing him bit, whatever the excuse. ;)
ReplyDeleteDon't worry Jen, it kind of happens to everyone. A *very* popular author that almost everyone idolizes sent me a condescending and nasty message about a mostly positive review I gave of their book.
ReplyDeleteFunny how some popular authors seem so nice in "public" yet behave differently if they think they can get away with it.
I applaud you on not "naming and shaming" though I understand the urge. Just remember you're reviewing for readers who very much appreciate your honesty and not the authors.
Sorry this happened to you!
Hi Kassa
ReplyDeleteHmmm. I have to wonder whether it was the same author. Perhaps this is something that they do regularly. In which case that would be quite a relief that it's not just me that's been singled out.
Thanks for the kind words. It's nice to know that we've all been though it at some point and come out with at least our dignity intact.
It's unfortunate when veteran authors become so spoiled by adoration that they take it for granted, or when newbies simply assume adoration is in order, because they've yet to develop a sense of their own fallibility.
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm displeased, I sit on my hands and maybe grumble to a friend. There's really not much point in doing anything else. I know you guys are just striving for honesty per your personal standards. And I realize how subjective all personal standards are.
For what it's worth Jen, you are one of the few reviewers (and by few I mean I can count them on my fingers and still have enough left to make myself feel *really* good) whom I can rely on for fairness, honesty, and candor.
ReplyDeleteWhile I might dread you reading some of my stuff, I ALWAYS know that whatever flaws you find, whatever comments you make, are always spot on. I for one appreciate that far more than you probably know.
As for the rest of the yo-yo's... They're a waste of bandwidth. (But that's just my opinion.) :)
Oh, Jen, I'm sorry this had to happen! I think K. Z. summed up this type of author mindset perfectly in her comment:
ReplyDelete"It's unfortunate when veteran authors become so spoiled by adoration that they take it for granted, or when newbies simply assume adoration is in order.
It's so counterproductive for an author to send a nasty email. Even if the reviewers don't actually post the email, they may share the information amongst themselves in private (I mean, it's a small world), and I think everyone is turned off by such behavior on the author's part.
The natural inclination when hearing about author behavior like this is to drop that author from our reading lists, and since fiction has never been more plentiful than now (i.e., everyone on the face of the planet seems to be writing it), it's not like we'll be hurting for something to read.
I am always just amazed when I hear about authors who have a fit over a detailed critical review. Do they really want a review like, "This was really, really awesome and hot." How are they going to learn anything from that? How are they going to expect such a content-free review to seed any curiosity into the readers' minds?
I know what you mean about explaining a complaint in detail within a review. I always worry when I do this that an author is going to think I'm overwhelming them with negativity.
But I'm really trying to back up what I say with evidence so that they can get something useful out of my critique (even if the author just realizes, okay, I understand what's meant here, but I don't agree and I'm ignoring it. That's fine.) I'm like you -- I don't want to nail an author with an unexplained negative comment.
As for what an author hopes to achieve with such an email, I don't know. I'm guessing it's an emotional reaction with no thought behind it, and I think you're right to shrug it off. After the initial shock, it doesn't merit much further attention. Instead, think of all of us who subscribe to your blog and get a lot out of your reviews!
Hi KZ
ReplyDeleteConversely, I've often found that newbie authors are just so pleased that someone, anyone, has taken the time to read their book that they are grateful for any feedback. Whereas popular authors are expecting every review to be overwhelmingly positive and don't take kindly to a dissenting voice.
I know it must be so hard to sit on those hands when you feel that a book has been unfairly reviewed. And you are right, my reviews are just my, entirely subjective, opinion and should always be taken as such :).
Patric: Thanks, you've made me blush :).
ReplyDeleteI too have a list of reviewers whose opinion I value just because I know they are going to tell it to me straight.
Val: Thanks for such a comprehensive comment. I'm glad you share my need to explain any negative parts of a review and you are right sometimes it does mean that a review looks more negative than it actually is, especially when one negative point can take up a whole paragraph.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately some authors may well prefer it if we just said "It's a great book" and that's it. Readers, however, may not thank us if that's all we wrote, especially if there are major flaws with the book.
And I do appreciate all my readers. I love you guys and I wouldn't be here writing this blog every day if it wasn't for you all :).
You're very welcome. :) This is good: "And I do appreciate all my readers. I love you guys and I wouldn't be here writing this blog every day if it wasn't for you all :)." because we appreciative readers definitely outnumber the one or two authors who go nuts and send an email. Plus, this particular one could be regretting the impulse even now!
ReplyDeleteI'm dying to know who it was! A popular author, you say? It's usually the inexperienced ones who have trouble with criticism.
ReplyDeleteIf a reader doesn't "get" what I was trying to convey, I consider it:
1. no one's fault (not every book/plot/character makes sense to every reader)
2. my fault (I didn't do my job)
Getting defensive, or faulting the reader, is never a good idea! Let the work speak for itself. Authors shouldn't need to explain what they meant. If we write it right, you will not "read it wrong." You know what I mean?
Some fail to keep in mind that it is better to have someone read your book and talk about it, good or bad, than not read it at all.
ReplyDeleteI think you did the right thing in not posting the email.
Val: Perhaps the author is regretting it. I'm sceptical though :).
ReplyDeleteJill: You've made a good point there. Sometimes what's in the author's head isn't what happens in the reader's head and that's no-one's fault, just a result of different upbringings, ideals and situations. I may not connect with something you've written but it could speak deeply to someone else. Another reason why it's important to always have the perspective that a review is just one person's opinion.
KB: That's very true. Any publicity is better than no publicity.
ReplyDeleteJen
ReplyDeleteYou're very lucky that you receive very few critical emails from authors. I get them from the authors as well as the publishers.
This is pretty small as criticisms of reviewers go but because it happened to you, of course it's personal. I mentioned to Kassa only yesterday about the author who posted the telephone number of a reviewer who had given her book 4stars instead of five and she invited all her fans to call the reviewer and tell her off. She also called the reveiwer an idiot in a very well known newspaper and on Twitter. I did a post about that a few months ago.
Another situation which happened about a year ago concerns an author who tracked down the home address of a reviewer who had reviewed her book on amazon, and she proceeded to harrass her for a long time until the Police put a stop to it.
I mentioned to you yesterday that I had a draft of a post that I was going to do on the website about all the authors who hate us but I had decided not to do so, being Christmas and all. Maybe I will post it after all.
The thing to remember is that this incident is no reflection on you which is why you should be able to just let it go. In terms of some of the emails I get, this one is middle of the road. Others are really offensive, if you can believe it.
Oh, about revealing the name of the author, tempting as that might be, I have never done so because I prefer to preserve my professional integrity.
Hi Wave
ReplyDeleteI'm astounded at the lengths that some authors will go to in order to 'get back' at a reviewer for voicing their opinion. The extremes that you have mentioned are harassment and the authors are obviously deranged. You are right that it certainly puts my very few horrid emails into perspective.
As does the sort of stuff you have to put up with - in fact I'm not sure how you do put up with it :). You run a great blog with a good reputation and a set of reviewers who are passionate about m/m books. If I were in your position, I would have set up a blacklist ages ago and posted it on the sidebar :). However, I know that you are committed to providing the best for your readers and sometimes that means reviewing authors who have made your life difficult in the past, especially as only you know who they are.
You should definitely post that blog post. Authors need to be reminded occasionally that we are all human beings, despite our pseudonyms, and deserve to be treated as such.
Jenre I'm so sorry that this had to happen to you. I have had 2 such emails and they were not easy to take, let me tell ya, so I feel your "pain".
ReplyDeleteI think you're reviews are wonderful - whether you give them a good rating or not. As you said, when you find something negative in a book you tell us why you felt it was negative in a clear and comprehensive way. It's really too bad that the author who sent the email had to focus on the negative instead of the positive..especially if you gave a Very Good rating.
Wave and Jen (and anybody else), do you really perceive some writers as "hating" you? I'm curious, because hatred does seem like a rather strong reaction.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't knock derangement. It can be very liberating! ;-)
KZ: Did I give the impression that I thought the author hated me? That wasn't my intention if I did. The author certainly hated my review (or parts of it, anyway) but I don't think they actually hate me the person. How can they, they don't even know me beyond someone who read their book and had one objection to it?
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, authors who send emails to reviewers such as the one I received are making it more personal than an objective review should be, which is another reason why I can no longer read anything by this author. Their actions have coloured my view of their writing and that means I lose my objectivity.
Tracy: Thanks for your support, sweetie :). You are right, there was lots of positive stuff for this author to take from the review.
ReplyDeleteJen, it was actually Wave's comment (wherein she mentions "all the authors who hate us") that raised the question in my mind.
ReplyDeleteIt might have just been a casual turn of phrase, though.
(shaking head) I wonder if there should be a word-verification type process in sending e-mails for some people...kind of like, okay stop and think, are you SURE you want to send this??
ReplyDeleteI was happy to get a Very Good from you last week! (and FYI, no, 'Author Behaving Badly' is not me!) You have a great reputation as a fair and insightful reviewer, so I'm sure that if you brought anything niggling up, it was well thought out on your part. I admire your restraint in how you dealt with it, but I'm not surprised..you're a class act.
And I'm not just saying that because I've had "perfect" reviews from you in the past (they haven't been!)...or expect them from you in the future. ;) Seriously, glad for your honesty, and from the sounds of it, you are well appreciated by all but one or two 'Badly' apples.
It's hard to believe that someone who is well known and popular, which means they must have several books published, would be that way. They must expect that everyone will be giving their books 5 stars, excellent and I totally loved every word of your book, and that's just impossible to achieve.
ReplyDeleteObviously their "fame" has gone to their head and replaced their common sense.
KZ: Oh I see, I missed that. I'll have to let Wave answer that for herself :).
ReplyDeleteDevon: Thanks for your kind words. Yes, it's certainly true that authors (and bloggers come to think of it) should have a little angel sitting on their shoulder saying "do you really want to send/post that?".
I dithered about a great deal today before I wrote this post as I wasn't sure if was being a tad over-sensitive (and it's possible I am) but I just wanted to make readers aware that what happens in plain view is not always what is going on behind the scenes. As it is I let a day pass before I could trust myself not to say something stupid :).
Lily: I think they did expect all five star reviews :). Have you had any authors send you complaining emails in the past?
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry this happened to you. This probably makes me horrible, but I wish you'd name and shame. Not because I'm interested in wank, but more b/c I'm offended on your behalf that the author had the gall to do that and I think they should be made to stand by their rude behavior. I don't think it's mean and vindictive, b/c I don't think an author should be sending anything privately to a reviewer that wouldn't hold up to strict scrutiny. There should be consequences to bad actions. If that makes any sense.
ReplyDeleteEither way, I think you're one classy lady, that's for sure.
Jen, I've been lucky so far and haven't received any negative emails. I'm sure at some point I'll end up with one.
ReplyDeleteThat's awful Jen, I'm sorry. And I mean 'awful' because really, I perfectly understand how this kind of behaviour completely ruins your enjoyment of the author's work, and if you've given their book a 'very good' grade, well, it's a shame to cross them off your TBR list. I would be turn off too. I'm sure there may be a lot of mitigating factors for this sort of rants and your criticism must have stuck on their mind growing exaggeratedly in size the more they thought about it, but really, how could they not understand how detrimental to their work/reputation it would be or could have been? Just to start, your reviews have a certain weight, at least on the minds of those who follow your blog - and this author has lost a great chance for their books to be pimped; then they have lost you as a costumer and really, if you were less fair-minded than you are you could have made their name public knowledge - and I for one would have remember it during my shopping sprees.
ReplyDeleteI know criticism it's not easy to accept, I really do! But some authors should be more savvy, IMO. Even if it means biting their tongue. Sometimes internet and the direct, immediate access to all kind of information is not so positive after all :(.
Hi Dakota
ReplyDeleteThanks for your indignation on my behalf :). In an ideal world then, yes, there should be some consequences. However, in the interests of peace and harmony I'm choosing to let it go. If that make me classy, well, I think I can live with that :).
Lily: I'm glad about that. I hope you never do :).
ReplyDeleteSara: you are right authors do need to be careful who they annoy. Word of mouth is a powerful force for good or bad in an author's reputation. There are many bloggers who would have named the author and this author took a risk with me. Fortunately for them, I'm a classy lady (apparently) *g*.
Jen, so it seems - you're British after all *g*.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as if the hypocrisy galls you as much as, or maybe more than, the personal email. Being gracious to a reviewer on her blog, just for the sake of good PR, and then being the opposite in private communication is pretty damned smarmy.
ReplyDeleteI'm sad to hear this happened to you. I don't think I know of any reviewer who hasn't had to deal with these kinds of authors.
ReplyDeleteSad to say, but from your description, I think I know who this popular author is (once blew up all over Elisa Rolle's review). And you know Elisa is probably one of the gentlest reviewers ever. Although, I think you're pretty nice and reasonable in your reviews, too!
KZ: You are right there. Any objections to the review should have been placed in the comments section for everyone to see, that's what's ticking me off.
ReplyDeleteCaitlin: It seems to be a sad fact of life for blog reviewers at least. It's a double edged sword because I've met some great authors by reviewing, authors with whom I am now friends. I suppose this means there has to be a flip side doesn't it, where authors who object to your reviews become, not enemies as that's too strong a word for it, but certainly a thorn in your side.
I'm glad you mentioned the bit about wanting to know about factual errors, because I've gotten some reviews where the recap is presented in such a way that I'm not sure the book the reviewer read is really the book I wrote. Not knowing what to do about it, I didn't do anything- figuring it was one less opportunity to stick my foot in my mouth. But to be ugly in private and sweet in public is just - no. Don't. I'm sorry this happened to you.
ReplyDeleteNot just as an author, but simply as a professional, or, I'd say as a person with common sense, I don't understand why people behave like that. If there is a factual error, then one can politely and friendly point it out. I cannot imagine anyone not being accommodating in that case. If one doesn't like the review, one should just be quiet about it and suck it up. It's the sign of any professional (and well brought up person) to be graceful about such things. Ach, it's a personal bugbear of mine, as if one was entitled to anything. One should be thankful instead.
ReplyDeleteHi PD
ReplyDeleteI have, on occasion, made an error in a review. I once got the name of a hero wrong in a review I did of an anthology and I only found out about it weeks later (my only, very poor, excuse is that I was reviewing a number of stories all at the same time - but I should still have checked my facts rather than rely on my notoriously unreliable memory). I was very embarrassed when I did find out (by reading a blog post by the author where they mentioned my mistake) and I wished that the author had just sent a quick email to tell me my error. As long as an author doesn't make a big deal out of it - like saying 'how dare you' or something similar - then there shouldn't be a big deal about pointing out factual mistakes.
Hi Marq
ReplyDeleteYou are right that any criticism should be viewed in a professional manner. It's hard for anyone to have their work viewed negatively, but many people do in their every day jobs and they can't send emails to their superiors pointing out that their judgement was wrong, otherwise they would end up without a job pretty quickly!
Sorry this happened. It's unfortunate, but I guess it happens sometimes. You did the right thing by not publishing the email. Great blog post.
ReplyDeleteHi Fiction Vixen
ReplyDeleteLooking back from the space of a few days, I'm glad too that I didn't post the email - no matter how tempting it seemed at the time :).