I'm going to preface this post with a disclaimer. This is my opinion. I'm stating my opinion because we still have freedom of speech around here, and by law I have that right. I'm not looking for an argument. In fact, my hope is that some will read this post and rethink their actions. (Now, on to the actual post.)
It seems like daily I'm seeing yet another instance of an author behaving badly. I read 3 different blog posts about it yesterday and then lo-and-behold, ran face first into another instance last night.
The relationship between authors and reviewers can be tenuous at times. Of course we love getting those 5 star reviews. (Who wouldn't?) However, when those 1 star reviews come in....they can have a bit of a sting at times. But what happens when that terrible review comes from another author?
As stated above, this is JUST my opinion. First and foremost, I don't believe authors should be giving bad reviews. As an author, you probably have a following of some sort. Is it fair to persuade your followers to stay away from another author's work simply because you don't like it? I don't believe it is. Different strokes for different folks and all that.
When I hear phrases like: It was a complete waste of time, or worst book I ever read, come out of another author's mouth (or fingers) it makes me cringe. (Even if they aren't saying it about me.) Do they have the right to their opinion? Of course! However, I do believe that authors have a moral obligation to be professional an act responsibly when leaving a review.
Personally, I live by the "If you don't have something nice to say, keep quiet!" rule. There are scads of books out there I do not like. It is easy to find out which books I enjoy because I WILL review them. As far as I'm concerned it's no one's business which books I detest. LOL
Now, it goes much deeper than just "I don't like your book." Recently there seems to be a rise in personal attacks from authors against authors. Most of which take place in the numerous online review forums. Some have gone so far as to create fake accounts to leave particularly nasty reviews, while others just come right out and say it. The practice of doing this might actually get you some publicity. If it blows up into an all out fan war.....you might actually see a rise in sales. OR you might be ending your career.
As a reader, I have something to say to those people. Readers aren't stupid! They might not catch the first trick, but they'll probably catch on by the second or third time. (And by the way, some of us see it the first time.)
As an author, I'd like to say this: If you are granted the good fortune to gain a readership, you have an obligation to those particular people. You owe them the courtesy of behaving in a manner that will not disappoint or embarrass them. I'm not talking about writing, I'm talking about your public behavior.
I'm not trying cast stones while living in a glass house. I'm human and sometimes I fail. However, I keep trying. Personally, I don't want to fail my readers. I know I owe them.
I guess the whole point of this post is simply this: Wake up authors!!!! We have books to write and people are waiting. We don't have time for all the petty nonsense that's been going on. If you are justifying your actions by saying you have the right to say whatever you want, remember, although you do have that right...you have an obligation to your fans to say it in an appropriate manner. And if you are just looking to bash someone and bring them down a notch or two, be very careful. The next time you do so, your fans just might catch on to what you are doing and without them your books are just files on a computer.
This society is only as good as the people living within it. Stop complaining about the state of things and DO something to change it. It all starts with one very simple thing. Be a better person. If enough of us do that, this world will change. Idealistic? Maybe, but the alternative to having hope is having nothing. ;)
It seems like daily I'm seeing yet another instance of an author behaving badly. I read 3 different blog posts about it yesterday and then lo-and-behold, ran face first into another instance last night.
The relationship between authors and reviewers can be tenuous at times. Of course we love getting those 5 star reviews. (Who wouldn't?) However, when those 1 star reviews come in....they can have a bit of a sting at times. But what happens when that terrible review comes from another author?
As stated above, this is JUST my opinion. First and foremost, I don't believe authors should be giving bad reviews. As an author, you probably have a following of some sort. Is it fair to persuade your followers to stay away from another author's work simply because you don't like it? I don't believe it is. Different strokes for different folks and all that.
When I hear phrases like: It was a complete waste of time, or worst book I ever read, come out of another author's mouth (or fingers) it makes me cringe. (Even if they aren't saying it about me.) Do they have the right to their opinion? Of course! However, I do believe that authors have a moral obligation to be professional an act responsibly when leaving a review.
Personally, I live by the "If you don't have something nice to say, keep quiet!" rule. There are scads of books out there I do not like. It is easy to find out which books I enjoy because I WILL review them. As far as I'm concerned it's no one's business which books I detest. LOL
Now, it goes much deeper than just "I don't like your book." Recently there seems to be a rise in personal attacks from authors against authors. Most of which take place in the numerous online review forums. Some have gone so far as to create fake accounts to leave particularly nasty reviews, while others just come right out and say it. The practice of doing this might actually get you some publicity. If it blows up into an all out fan war.....you might actually see a rise in sales. OR you might be ending your career.
As a reader, I have something to say to those people. Readers aren't stupid! They might not catch the first trick, but they'll probably catch on by the second or third time. (And by the way, some of us see it the first time.)
As an author, I'd like to say this: If you are granted the good fortune to gain a readership, you have an obligation to those particular people. You owe them the courtesy of behaving in a manner that will not disappoint or embarrass them. I'm not talking about writing, I'm talking about your public behavior.
I'm not trying cast stones while living in a glass house. I'm human and sometimes I fail. However, I keep trying. Personally, I don't want to fail my readers. I know I owe them.
I guess the whole point of this post is simply this: Wake up authors!!!! We have books to write and people are waiting. We don't have time for all the petty nonsense that's been going on. If you are justifying your actions by saying you have the right to say whatever you want, remember, although you do have that right...you have an obligation to your fans to say it in an appropriate manner. And if you are just looking to bash someone and bring them down a notch or two, be very careful. The next time you do so, your fans just might catch on to what you are doing and without them your books are just files on a computer.
This society is only as good as the people living within it. Stop complaining about the state of things and DO something to change it. It all starts with one very simple thing. Be a better person. If enough of us do that, this world will change. Idealistic? Maybe, but the alternative to having hope is having nothing. ;)
