Comments on Reviews at Amazon
Amazon is now allowing comments on reviews. Evidently (I have not tried it, so I can't confirm this) the author of the book can respond to a review on her book.
Oh boy, talk about opening a can of worms!
Ann Rice responded to some negative reviews once on Amazon. It was highly entertaining to read, but as an author, I don't recommend it.
Reviews are a reader's opinion. And readers generally love to talk about books they read, the good, the bad and the ugly. I know my sister and I can spend a long time debating a book. It's part of the fun. Amazon has become another forum for readers sharing opinions.
The author interfering in that is probably not a good idea. We tend to get our feelings hurt and strike out in anger. Come on, admit it, we do. Who wouldn't? And secondly, I think we're sticking our nose where it doesn't belong. Our job is to write the books, it's the readers job to talk about them. (Promotion is a different thing, I'm just talking about Amazon reviews and comments here). I don't think it'll help our promote us and I know it will suck up vast amounts of emotional energy that would be better spent on writing.
That's my opinion--what's yours?
posted by Jennifer at 10:48 AM
19 Comments:
I review most of the good books that I read. (sometimes it takes me a while) I don't write bad reviews, because loving or hating a book - outside of writer ability - is relative.
I recently signed up for a workshop at B&N University on a book I'd read, by an author I enjoy immensely. I didn't end up doing the workshop, but only because I didn't enjoy the forum. It was specifically a clunky and awkward format. But that is my personal thought. The book was enjoyable, the author's voice was delightful, I love her blog, and the interaction with her and her readers.
While I don't think an author should join a negative reviewer in a fest of words that will suck up and abuse the writer's emotion, as well as self and public images I think forums to discuss a book with an author are wonderful.
Readers want to connect with their author. They want to rave about it, discuss what they loved, and look into the author's motivation. Blogs are one way to do this and workshops are another.
I try not to READ reviews!! LOL... it's pitiful, but there you go. The bad ones always make me doubt myself for awhile and the good ones make me worry about being able to top that book the next time!
So there's no win...and there's definitely no win in trying to argue with someone over what is, essentially, just their point of view...
Cele, I love connecting with readers! I so agree with you. That's why I like meeting with book groups, and I used to do Internet chats for that reason. I'm not big on arguing or disagreeing with reviews. By the way, Cele, you have such grace!You'd never bash an author, even if you didn't like the book.
Maureen, very wise of you not to read them! I tend to remember the bad reviews over the good ones, which is really sad. The good reveiws are by FANS who deserve much more attention. And clearly, they are brilliant fans for liking my books, LOL!
I don't think authors should respond to negative reviews. I understand it can hurt their sales when there is a negative review up there, but I think it will hurt their sales even more by defending the book. If I was going to buy a book on Amazon and saw an author defending the negative review, I would think, ''too much drama'' and not even buy the book and move on.
This is off the subject but I thought I'd mention it because it concerns a similar subject. I recently won a book from an author who wrote a book that I absolutely loved. This is the next book in the series and I was SO excited to win it. Well to make a long story short, I've been waiting over a month to get the book. Everytime I contact the author, the author forgets who I am and says he/she will get back to me. They claimed at least 3 times that the book will be in the mail, and each time it never comes. This is actually making me strongly dislike this author now. It makes me think they dont value their readers at all. Why would I go on buying their books when they don't even care to send me a book that I won?
My point of this is, sometimes the internet relationship that authors have with readers can ruin their persona as the wonderful author. Another author I love, has a blog and they constantly complain about their sales numbers. I do love this author too, but to constantly read about their sales numbers puts me off a bit. I will still buy their books, but what I am saying is, these authors need to be careful about what they say and do online, because in the long run it WILL affect their book sales. So if authors post on Amazon to defend their negative reviews, in the end this will hurt their sales, it will not save them.
Rachael, you made several excellent points, and said it much better than I did. Thank you!
I'm really sorry about the book you won. I would be disappointed too.
Rachel I'm sorry your relationship with a favored author online has been less than desired. I am lucky, mine have/are all stellar. I've been fortunate enough to win memorablia and books from several. But all the blogs I participate in by authors, find the writer "very active and interactive."
Hi,
Hi Jennifer. I'm glad you liked my rambling. It's just disapointing when the author ends up being rude and not the magnificent person I thought she would be. Jennifer, what do you suggest I do about the author who keeps saying she'll send me my book but then never does?
Well, I'm going to check back on and see if Jen has a solution for you, Rachel.
I'm really sorry that you're having such a time with this author. But I've been disappointed by favorite authors, too. One in particular was so rude at a booksigning, I never bought another book by her, and I used to love her.
Very disappointing.
Rachael, I wish I had the answer! I'm really suprised at the author. I can understand forgetting and I would appreciate an email reminding me. But after that--I just can't imagine why the author hasn't sent you the book. I'm sorry!
Maureen, do you have a better suggestion? Anyone?
Hi Rachael,
Do you know if the author that you are corresponding with is anwering your e-mail? I would also forward the e-mail telling you about your prize to the publisher and her publicity agent (if she has one). The more people who know that you're waiting, perhaps you'll finally get an answer.
So far, I've been lucky when corresponding with authors who's books I've enjoyed. I do read the reviews - but I still make my own judgement..what someone dislike, I may like. It's good for authors to see what readers like and dislike but they shouldn't engage in negative conversation because words said in print never goes away.
Hello and thanks everyone. I did think of contacting her publisher but I thought that was a bit drastic. If she doesn't write me back, like she said she would, then maybe. It's just such an awkward situation. I was SO happy when I won the book, but now she's taken all the fun out of it by making me hunt her down for the book. She PROMISED she would send it Priority Mail and then it never showed up. When I emailed her about it, her wording made me think she doesn't even remember me, even after I included my address and told her who I was and what I won for the millionth time! I think I'll just let it go. It's not worth all this energy. Jennifer, I won a book from you once and you sent it quick. Thank you for that. It's such a shame this author is acting so forgetful.
Rachel your situation would make me so sad. Do you have the original "You've Won!" email? If so I would use it to forward your reminder to both the Author and their publisher.
At some point I think it would be best for you to walk away from it. Your energies and well being are far more important, and there are a lot of other excellent and worthy authors looking for your readership and good will.
I wrote the author another email tonight. It's upsetting to me because I really used to love this author! Hopefully she will respond to my email and send my book.
Sorry Dru, I didnt answer one of your questions before. Yes, I am positive it's the actual author responding to the emails.
Thanks everyone for the sympathy. I feel really awkward about asking her over and over again for the book. Hopefully I will get it. I will let you all know what happens.
Oh and no I dont have the original email saying I won. I wanted this book but it wasn't out yet so she said I could have it when it came out. This book came out 3 months after my win. The author told me to just email her and remind her and she would send it out.
Oh and Cele, I wont hunt her down forever. LOL I will give up if she doesn't send it this time.
Rachael, let us know how it works out. I really hope that it was just one of those things that got away from the author and she sends you the book ASAP.
And thanks everybody for trying to help Rachael!
Hi everyone!
Well the author wrote me back last night and it wasn't the nicest email. I admit my email to her wasn't so nicey nice, especially since she's been blowing me off and never even apologized for all this. She wrote me back with a long paragraph about how life gets in the way. It ended with that. She didn't mention my prize, when I would be getting it, or anything. Just wrote some bull about life getting in the way. No apology. Nothing. So I wrote her back and said I'm sorry if she's offended and I have family too and all, but what about the book??? LOL I said if it's going to be a problem, I would like the email address of her publisher and maybe they can further assist me. Well she wrote me right back after that and sent me a tracking number so I can trace the book. She seems to hate me now and that's a shame since all I did was win one of her prizes and wait months to get it! She has weekly prizes, and I dont think I will get to enter for them anymore, because once she sees my name and addy she will run. Hopefully she wont see this blog and read all this on here! Anyway, my book is in the mail. Hopefully for real this time, since she DID give me a tracking number. Thanks everyone.
Rachael......WOW. I'm sooo sorry to hear this author has been so bad about everything and then not even nice!!
You've been very understanding about it all though. And I really hope the book is good, after all of this!
Wow Jen, this is a fascinating subject you've brought up!
I can't personally relate to bad reviews--yet!--but I know when I've received particularly negative or hurtful comments from judges in contests, I've just had to grit my teeth and keep going. It's their opinion and there's not much you can do about it except send a thank you note and tell yourself you're a much better person than they are! LOL
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