Bad reviews and angry authors

[Dave Rosenthal]

On The Baltimore Sun's book blog (www.baltimoresun.com/readstreet) we've noted the recent discussions about bloggers who post tough reviews -- and get hammered. Recently, a blogger dissed a self-published author's book, and got a snide, anonymous comment, as well as threats of legal action for posting an excerpt and the book's cover. Many bloggers are justifiably outraged, and some note that they do not post negative reviews, to avoid offending anyone.
Do you shy away from giving a bad review? Have you ever had an angry response from an author? Is the reaction worse from self-published authors?

[Antonette]

There have been a few books that I've read for review that I REALLY didn't like. To the point that I struggled to even find something positive to write about. And that, for me, is rare. I still have one book that I haven't written something for yet because I'm trying to find something good to talk about.


I haven't really had any issue with negative comments per se. A couple of comments have pissed me off just because the person commenting seemed to have forgotten that it was MY blog and MY personal opinion about what I thought was a good choice for a certain age group.

Seriously, if you're going to publish a comment, at least have the guts enough to leave your name. That drives me bananas.

[Dave Rosenthal]

Antonette, maybe the author chose a nice font?
Seriously, I guess reviewers should always have the humility to say that a book didn't suit them -- and here's why -- but others might like it. It's almost impossible to create a book that everyone will like. But as many bloggers have said, that doesn't mean it's unfair to point out holes in a plot, poorly drawn characters or other flaws.

[Michele]

Font...bwahahaha. I may indeed have to use that one in the future....I'll be sure to email it to you when that day comes, just for laughs.

[Amy]

Dave I love the way you say the reviewer should have humility as well. It's an interesting way to put it.

I value honesty, but I also value courtesy. Admittedly, I can be put off by someone unwilling to acknowledge their opinion is not the only one.

[bethany (dreadlock girl)]

I posted about this exact topic yesterday...there are tons of blogger views on that post: Are you honest? Polite? Both?
It really seems for the most part that bloggers are trying to be honest, but I still wonder if free books can kinda-sorta get in the way of a completely honest review. I know it is good to be polite, but which do you value more in this world of book blogging? Honesty or politeness....I would have to say that I value honesty.

[Michele]

I'm with you - honesty. No question in my mind. If you're not honest with your reviews, you lose credibility.

[Dave Rosenthal]

At the recent Bouchercon convention in Baltimore, a panel of very funny authors discussed the passive-aggressive qualities of Southerners' speech, noting that the true meaning is often hidden (and Northerners don't get it). One example was the phrase "bless his/her heart," which seems warm but disguises disapproval. For example: "She loves to try new recipes, bless her heart" or "His hobby is chainsaw wood carving, bless his heart."
Maybe we should adopt that as a code for bloggers: "The author must have spent years on this book, bless his heart."

[Bermudaonion]

The last time we visited our son at school, we had just this discussion with him and his friends, so my husband and I roared with laughter when we read this.

[Dave Rosenthal]

Bermudaonion, I grew up in New England and when I moved to Virginia after college, I was impressed that folks kept asking me to "come by the house some time." It took me a while to realize that it was just a pleasantry and that they would have been shocked if I had ever "come by".

[bethany (dreadlock girl)]

Did you make it over to Oregon???...because when I say come buy my house, I expect them to come. :) Maybe since there are fewer people here we see the treasure in spending time together. hahah!! Of course there will always be some that do what you said....but it seems here less impressing is done, and more realness.

You should come visit!!! :) It is all rain right now though, maybe that is what keeps people away!!! This is a fun discussion for sure.

[Sabrina M. Kraft]

Because my blog is only about my favourite romances my reviews are all positive. I had a nice reaction from an author (Marliss Melton) after I published a review on amazon, she wrote me a nice email and I was really happy about it.
Of course not all books I'm reading are great (IMO) and when I have some issues with a book I'm normally mailing the author directly.
If you post negative reviews you should be respectful and fair and then there is nothing bad about it. In contrary you can help readers to not buy a book and maybe get disappointed by it.
I think it's a trend that the tone in the internet is getting harsher and people think that because they are anonymous they can say whatever say like. I hope that will change and people will learn to respect others more.

Sabrina

[Amy]

I agree so much Sabrina that it's easy to forget that the people reading are still real flesh and blood people.

It's the same authoring a blog...we are not exempt from the possibility of a negative comment or someone lashing out at us b/c they don't like what we're writing about. :(