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.