I’m in a bit of a reading funk at the moment. None of the books in my backlog appeal to me in the slightest which usually happens when I’ve either A.) read a string of disappointing books back-to-back or B.) been reading a lot for work and have difficulty adjusting back to the idea of reading for entertainment. I’m in the midst of a Code B right now and as a result, I’ve been knee deep in the long tail of Amazon and I’ve got to say, I’m suspecting a lot of authors of behaving badly in the review sections – more so than normal.
So begins a short series of posts because the behaviors I’m see bring up some interesting things about writing, netiquette, and book marketing. I’m sure how many posts this will be; the idea is slowly percolating. So let’s begin with just a couple of things.
1. Do not abuse other reviewers who leave negative remarks about your work. Often times you’re not as transparent as you think, -especially- when a little bit of research shows that your account was only created that day, has only responded to negative remarks on this one book, and has only left positive reviews on your books and your books only. Not cool, not cool. As a consumer, I loose a lot of respect for an author when I suspect them of this.
Everyone has the same right to free speech. A published author enjoys that same right by having their words published and put before the public. So let the readership have their opinions, for good or ill. There are times when a reviewer has another agenda and is honestly only out there to twist the facts and flame an author. In most cases, they already look like an idiot so there really is no need to dignify their baseless ranting with a response whether it is under your real name or an anonymous handle.
The other thing I see happening often are suspect retorts to well-developed and legitimate opinions, and that is when an irate short response only makes the responder look like an ass. Rejection doesn’t end at the querying phase. Everyone will react differently to your work. We would all be NYT bestsellers if everyone liked everything and even still, take a look at Stephen King, Stephanie Meyer, Dan Brown etc. Everyone has a critic, and not all critics are moronic flamers. There are very eloquent reviews on the flaws of these authors’ works just which are just as helpful to consumers as those who sing their praises.
So do not attack your reviewers.
2. By that same token, control your family and friends. I know of authors who intentionally send family members and friends after bloggers and reviewers. And I’ve heard other stories of good intentions gone astray when friends and family take it upon themselves to attack perceived internet trolls. As your book approaches publication, sit down with your family. Be open and honest. As a published author, you’ll have to separate your private life from your public profile which will be out there for viewing and open to scrutiny.
Let your family know that this kind of thing can and will happen, but that you are okay with it. (And if you’re not okay with it, you need to tweak that thinking. Not everyone will like your bound darling. Bad reviews will happen.)
Criticism usually hurts, especially when as a writer we are so emotionally invested in our works. And often times our loved ones feel a similar attachment to our work and careers since our writing permeates our household lives and relationships. We work on major holidays, take revisions of vacations, crack open notebooks and laptops while kids are in practice, wake up early to pack lunches and write a dozen or so pages etc. (Disclosure: I’m guilty of only the first two points. No kids.) Even if you are prepared for the inevitable dissatisfied reader, your family may not be. Kids, I’ve heard, can take it especially hard. So prepare them.
I’ve not really seen a lot of posts about this topic and have no first-hand experience myself but I’d be majorly interested in hearing your thoughts or experiences. How do you prepare a family for publication? I would love to get some e-mails on this.
thebookbark@yahoo.com
~ L.
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