.jpg)
Paula looks at unprofessional behaviour.
As writers we
have to take the bad reviews with the good. There seems to be an unwritten code
of conduct that authors should not comment on or argue with any bad reviews. Maybe
at times we would like to respond, especially to what we perceive as an unjust
comment, but we have to accept the fact that not everyone will like our books.
Earlier this week, I came across an example of a well-known
author taking to Facebook to complain about a one-star review for her recently
published novella. She named the reviewer and, worse still, called her an
idiot. I considered that very unprofessional.
It seems the author’s many fans then swung into action and (I
assume, although I did not actually see this on Amazon) proceeded to criticise
the reviewer or maybe they complained to Amazon, with the result that the
review was deleted, either by the reviewer herself or by Amazon.
The author then proceeded to thank her fans for their support in getting the
review removed.
I read the actual review before it was removed because the
author provided a screen shot on Facebook. It was actually more of a general
criticism of novellas in general (which is fair enough, since some people like
them, and some don’t). Her opinion was that they were too long to be called
short stories, but tended to take a long time to ‘get going’ and then ended
abruptly, and that this also applied to this novel. She also said she had read
other books by this author and had enjoyed them, but called this a ‘half-assed
job.’ While I admit she could have been more polite, I have seen far more
critical reviews than this one.
It certainly didn’t warrant the rude reaction by the author,
and I admit I was shocked that any author would publicly name a reviewer who
gave a one-star review, let alone call her an idiot. As authors, I believe we
should remain professional at all times, and perhaps even more so on any social
media.
Interestingly, a couple of days later, both the author’s original
post on FB about the review, and her later thanks to her fans for getting the review removed appear to have 'disappeared' from Facebook.
I’m now wondering if someone (her agent, maybe, or her publisher?) took her to
task for her posts?
Should authors maintain a professional silence, or should
they bite back if they find a review they don't like? What do you think?
Interesting topic, Paula. I have to say that I believe in the old, "Treat others how you wish to be treated." I agree that turning it around on the reviewer probably wasn't the right way to go. I've never gotten a review I would call nasty...maybe not politely worded, like you said about this one, but never outright nasty. But I have seen them, so I can definitely understand how it would make an author angry. Some people just seem to get joy out of treating others with cruelty and it runs rampant over the internet. But all backlash does is make readers think twice before reviewing books. And with the way Amazon is currently policing reviews, that's already a problem. I think that getting her readers to vote that review off is cheating the system. And her calling out the reviewer could easily have backfired on her. Even if the review really is nasty, it's just not worth it to me.
ReplyDeleteExcellent points, Joanne. The review wasn't particularly nasty, and definitely did not warrant the author's FB comment about the reviewer being an idiot. As you say, reactions like that can make reviewers wary about leaving an honest review, in case they are then subjected to the author's over-reaction.
DeleteI could not agree with you more! WHO is the idiot? I have had trouble from authors who disputed me on giving them four stars,(and sometimes I was being generous).After all, not everyone cranks out a masterpiece every time...not even the masters did! I judge books on their own level, compare to others of like ilk. I can't believe that writers behaved that way.What a conceited bully! Obviously, someone gave her sound advice to delete those posts.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that some authors disputed a 4* review from you, Tonette. Everyone has a right to their opinion, and this review was simply that person's opinion of the novella, not a personal attack on the author! In the latter case, it is up to the author to report it to Amazon, and they make the final decision.
DeleteOnce, a few years back, I went on Amazon to leave a review for an author on a book I'd enjoyed. It was about several couples and their trials of having a baby. Having had problems myself, I empathised with the characters in the book. When i went on the page I was disgusted to read a 1* review that said "I didn't like this book. Don't buy any books from this author." I was livid. I left a comment which said. You can't generalise like that. Just because you didn't like the book, you can't tell people not to buy from the author. It would have been more useful to say why you didn't like the book. Was it the subject matter? Maybe if you didn't have trouble having children you wouldn't have enjoyed the subject. Did you engage with any of the characters, was it just not your cup of tea, in which case you could say that. If you are going to leave a review give a reason for it. But don't advise people not to buy books written by an author.
ReplyDeleteIf I leave a review, I make it an honest one, if there is a good point I try to say something positive. The author emailed me to thank me for commenting and saying what she would have liked to say herself!
It appears that the review in your example, left a positive note in their review, but I bet they wished they hadn't after all the trouble.
What i didn't do was blast the reviewer, I didn't call her names or name her on FB, it wasn't my book being reviewed, but if you are an author, like it or not, people have the right to review. That shouldn't open them up to abuse and, well, it's basically trolling, until the review is removed. Bite the tongue and back away and move on. If the author you wrote about has that many fans, then the bad reviews would be insignificant and in such low numbers anyway, that the author had no need to complain. Unless either a) They're insecure or B) so vain to think they're perfect.
On another note
If I had been an onlooker to the rant and subsequent review removal, it would put me off the author's books regardless of how good they were.
In answer to your question. Yes, Dignity in Professional silence at all times.
Excellent comments, which I agree with 100%. As you say, an author who reacts in such a way is either insecure or vain. If she felt she must reply, all it needed was a comment (direct to the reviewer) saying 'I'm sorry you didn't like this story, but glad you have enjoyed my other novels'.
DeleteI think it's important to remain above the fray and professional. That being said, I did receive a review once from someone who seemed to invite dialogue with me, so I very carefully approached her, thanked her for reading and reviewing my book, and apologizing for her not enjoying it as much as my others. It ended up opening up a very nice conversation where she further explained her thoughts. While I don't agree, it's not necessary that I do. Each reader is entitled to his or her own opinion. But I'm glad that in this particular instance, I spoke to her further.
ReplyDeleteIf you read my reply to the comment above, you'll see that's exactly what I suggested this author should have done. She certainly shouldn't have made a public complaint about the review on Facebook!
DeleteOn day I hope to receive reviews and I'm sure some or even most of them will not be what I would have liked. However as pointed out so often, to be professional you need to bite your tongue and rise above it. I hope I can emulate Jennifer and open up a dialogue with someone who has not enjoyed a book and that hopefully would encourage them to try another (in the wild hope there is another :) )
ReplyDeleteThe important thing, I think, is to not take reviews personally, on the basis that not everyone will like your book(s).
DeleteThe advice I've read from established authors is to NOT respond to a troll or unfairly harsh review. What some do, though, is ask loop friends to review so the bad review is pushed out of the top five or six, so it's not the first review accessible.
ReplyDeleteI dislike the idea of 'manipulating' reviews in any way. To me, it's dishonest. Yes, by all means, ask friends to leave a review, but not to 'counteract' a bad review.
DeleteI agree with Paula. Above all, keep it classy.
DeleteI agree that this author's behavior was very unprofessional. Venting to a friend or spouse about a review we don't like is one thing. Taking it 'to the streets' and calling out the reviewing (and calling her names) is a very unprofessional thing to do.
ReplyDeleteIt is tough sometimes to not take a poor review to heart and look at it as a personal attack, but, again, I agree that preferences are so subjective. Not everyone likes the same thing.
Such an interesting post and situation, Paula.
And I'm so dying to see the original trail of all this (because I'm nosey) but alas, it sounds like all has been erased. Which is probably for the best.
Yes, all deleted now, which hopefully indicates that the author eventually realised how unprofessional she had been.
DeletePeople tend to forget, a review is one person's opinion. Whether they like or dislike your book, it's not the end of the world. Never respond to a negative review. It just stimulates the retaliation gene. Civility seems to be a lost virtue these days.
ReplyDeleteAgree on all counts, John. Thanks for dropping in :-)
Delete