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Friday, July 13, 2012

Drama-Llama Author Etiquette



Today I am going to talk about something that is not only important to me, but something that has been plaguing the book blogging world for months.

AUTHOR ETIQUETTE

Everyone keeps talking about how book bloggers need to learn manners.  Can we take a time out and discuss how authors need to learn some as well?

Now I know Ashley has done numerous posts on how authors should approach book bloggers in email about requesting you to review their work.  (Which by the way, you really should check out the posts because she tells it like it is! Pay attention to them authors!)

What are we as book bloggers to do about authors that not only disagree about our reviews, but enlist the help of others in the bashing of the reviewer?  Is this the new acceptable norm for self published authors now?

I was talking to a blogging buddy last night through email and she explained to me how an author bad mouthed her on Goodreads and enlisted the help of her friends in bashing her for leaving a negative review on a book.  We see this all the time, but this is a little different.

You see, this reviewer was a major supporter for this authors work.  She gushed about the first few books in the series.  She told numerous people -- including myself -- that we need to read these books.  I did and I really enjoyed them as well.  This blogger and myself even discussed this book and shared our thoughts on them.  We did what we could in helping in the promotion of this self published authors work.

This author even asked my fellow blogger to be a BETA reader for the newest release in the series.  She did and she pointed out what needed fixing from a readers point of view.  The author basically shot her down. She said that she would take it into consideration and then say something condescending afterwards.  Then why would you ask someone to BETA read if you aren't going to take their advice? Okay we will move on from this since I have never done this, but I just wanted to point it out.

Then the author tells her that writing is her only source of income and that she worked very hard on this book.  She told my blogging friend that she needed to be told this stuff sooner. Um, didn't she tell you as she was reading it in the early stages?

My blogging friend mentioned on her Facebook page that she will not be continuing the series and she was hurt about the emails from the author.  You would think this would be case closed. 
Noooooooooo!

The author went to Goodreads and tried to make the reviewer look bad.  The reviewer rated it a one star. Deal with it authors.  Not everyone is going to enjoy your work.  There will always be someone who didn't enjoy the story.  Bashing a reviewer for a one star rating is just wrong.

We take time out of our busy lives to read for enjoyment.  We do not get paid to review books.  Personally I don't even consider myself an actual reviewer since I do this for enjoyment!  I give my personal opinion and do not receive any money from it.  I just enjoy telling MY STORY or journey in reading the book. This is why I think of myself as a book blogger not a reviewer.

When authors decided to attack a reviewer just because they didn't enjoy the story they need to realize that this is just plain wrong and also in bad taste.  Like other bloggers have mentioned, once it is on the internet everyone will see your behavior.  Yes, I know this pertains to this post as well, but I am willing to share my opinion just like you did.  

After all of this I guess I should not only come to a conclusion, but come to my point.

Authors who are looking for 100% positive reviews --- it won't happen.
Not everyone will like your book.
Learn some manners as you go.
Don't be a Drama-Llama Author!!
Remember that Freedom of Speech applies to Bloggers as well.
Your actions online represent not only you, but your work as well.

7 Comments:

Blogger Good Choice Reading said...

I agree with your post 100%! Thank you so much! I am still trying to get over this all...

My words were twisted, and I was made to look like I was upset over something that wasn't even the case.

I am done with that author and will no longer read, or promote any of her books ever again!

July 14, 2012 at 7:34 AM  
Blogger Stephanie @ Once Upon A Chapter said...

I agree so much with this. Thankfully I have never been on the receiving end of an author's wrath. All of the self-pubbed (and traditional published for that matter) authors I have worked with have been great. Not all of them received glowing reviews either.

This was a great post! You made your point without being a drama llama yourself! ;) I'm your newest email subscriber and I can't wait to read more from you!

July 14, 2012 at 7:51 AM  
Blogger MMAR said...

I'm with the others and agree 100% and think it is sad when things like this happen!! Reviews are personal opinions!!

July 14, 2012 at 8:38 AM  
Blogger mnleona said...

I was not happy with a book I read and gave it a 3 star. The comments by the author was a nice one.

Leona's Reviews


"Talon of the Unnamed Goddess by J. R. Tomlin"

1 Comment - Show Original Post



J. R. Tomlin said...
Leona, I'm so sorry you didn't enjoy this novel, but I very much appreciate your review.

When it comes to less than positive reviews, as a writer my feeling is that your comments help people who wouldn't enjoy the novel avoid it but at the same time help people who would (after all some people enjoy reading about battles) know it may be something they will enjoy. Of course, this is the point of reviews, not to make us writers happy.

I never fault reviewers who give honest opinions. I wish I could offer you something I thought you would enjoy more to make up for it, but the fact is that at the moment most of my novels focus rather a good deal on war and battles.

Thanks again for the review!

JR

August 15, 2011 12:44 PM

This is my review:http://mnleona.blogspot.com/2011/08/review-of-talon-of-unnamed-goddess-by-j.html

July 14, 2012 at 11:23 AM  
Blogger Jennifer A said...

I enjoyed reading this!

Most authors that I've seen or interacted with have been nothing but nice and professional, which is awesome. I think that it's only a few that act this way, just like I think that badly behaving book bloggers are in the minority.

I think as an author, it's part of your job to act professional. You're mostly selling your book, but you are also selling a product that's part of a whole. Of course I think that book bloggers should behave, but it's not their occupation, and don't really need to (although acting badly as a blogger won't really work in your favor either...).

I would not buy a book from an author who was abusing their audience in any way, just like I wouldn't shop at a store with horrible service. Same idea.

July 14, 2012 at 7:07 PM  
Blogger KT Grant said...

and author saying their books are their only source of income to guilt reviewers into praising reviews is pathetic. I hope I never find out who this author is.

July 15, 2012 at 9:37 AM  
Blogger Patricia Eimer said...

That's just sort of flabbergasting. I mean hello, hasn't this author ever heard that people don't all have to like the same thing? And even if you disagree with someone there's something called manners and she should be using them.

July 17, 2012 at 4:42 AM  

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