17 Responses

  1. Tanja
    Tanja at |

    Thanks again for all your answers. Good to know that there are so few impolite authors. I pick up books by reading the blurb and based on recommendations, but I don’t let my choice be determined by what I hear about the author themselves.

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  2. Angela
    Angela at |

    No i don’t base me picking up a book on the opinion someone else has about a certain author.If i like/love the blurb i will read the book. i feel that that is the best approach for me 🙂

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  3. dee
    dee at |

    You can’t give all books 5/5 points/stars/hearts/whatever. Everyone has different tastes. I’ve read books that had an overall rating of 2.5/5 and I still liked them fine. And I’ve read books, where I thought *wth?* that had more than 4/5. So, I don’t get it, if an author starts complaining to reviewers. I think in general you are very well-mannered in your reviews. And what I’ve taken from the comments I’ve read on this site, no matter the rating, if readers want to read a particular book/author they will do so anyway, no matter the ratings.
    I’m glad to hear that it doesn’t happen that often that an author is lashing out, when they don’t like a particular review *hugs*.

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  4. Trix
    Trix at |

    If it’s just hearsay, I usually don’t. Proof of plagiarism or batcrap-insane behavior toward readers or fellow authors will make me shy away, though…

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  5. James Escol
    James Escol at |

    I really LOVE your responses. <3

    I was actually skeptical on throwing my question in that Question Round post of yours since I thought that you wouldn't want to answer it. Am I ever glad that I chose to fire it off. ^_^

    Keeping a level head is I think the gist of responses I got from you which is nothing but the perfect answer! I think it's better if author treats low-rated reviews as their stepping stones to be better writers. I mean… reviewers wouldn't give low ratings for nothing. And reviewers are not like trolls who just spew nonsense.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts & thank you for the GC!

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  6. waxapplelover
    waxapplelover at |

    Great question and answers as well. I try not to let other’s feelings or perceptions of authors deter me from reading their books, but public attacks on readers/reviewers are another matter.

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  7. susana
    susana at |

    Thank you for the interesting answers, I was very curious when I read the question. I think you have the right attitude

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  8. nicki442
    nicki442 at |

    I agree that it’s best to not lower yourself to a rude person’s level. However, most authors who are what I refer to as “real” writers know that reviews are for readers, not authors. Real authors are supposed to have editors and beta readers to give them criticism and advice, and stand behind what they publish. If an author attacks a reviewer (who at the end of the day is simply a reader who publishes their opinion because folks like what they have to say), then I think the public deserves to know about that behavior. Not necessarily the gritty details, but something like a addendum added to say “the author contacted this reviewer to dispute the rating given” or something similar. If I know an author has the personality of a can of tuna, I’m not going to buy their work or support them in any way. There are too many real writers out there struggling against the glut of make-money-quick wannabes to not expose them for what they are. I learned about a certain author’s personality from her own public interactions with readers and have grown to despise her and seriously question her mental state. I no longer read her work, which declined the more popular she became. Fame does things to some people, and it isn’t always pretty. Readers have a right to know if an author is giving reviewers a hard time and decide for themselves whether to ignore the truth of the person in favor of the fiction written.

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  9. nicki442
    nicki442 at |

    *forgive the repeated words: “editors and beta readers to give them advice”. I can’t edit it out, lol.

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  10. Purple Reader
    Purple Reader at |

    Thanks for the answers. I’m not surprised it’s rare, knowing what little I know of the authors, but also happy to see reviewers taking the highroad, and bowing out of reviewing them in the future, since it’d be hard with that history. I actually appreciate reviewers trying to use a broader spectrum of the scale, but unfortunately the average if probably higher, so with pride of authorship, it’s probably hard to get a 3 or 3.5, but for me that helps me as a reader of reviews.

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  11. Carolyn
    Carolyn at |

    If I hear something about an author’s books that’s a real red flag for me, no wonderful review will make me touch their work. I feel like I have a good sixth sense about an author’s work I’ve never read, too, so even when I’ve seen great reviews, I haven’t touched the books. I’ve had those feelings verified a few times by things they later did as people, not as authors. I give my little sixth sense a little pat on the back for keeping me away. What hurts is authors I’ve read and enjoyed who turn out to do something that turns me away from them. I’m sure I’d enjoy their books, but now their name associated with that action means I won’t be able to fully immerse in the book. As we all know, there are plenty of books in the world that skipping some authors won’t really be hurting us.

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  12. Ami
    Ami at |

    >> Do you base your opinion on something you hear about an author before picking up one of their books? <<

    I seriously try not to. I mean BEFORE the age of social media, I didn't really care about authors personal life / opinion before I pick their books. Unfortunately these days, even if I stay away from drama, they often come to my gadget without me being able to block it. And I admit that it influences my decision in reading their books. I honestly have authors that I blacklisted because of their behavior.

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  13. H.B.
    H.B. at |

    Thanks for the reply. The question was a good one and I enjoyed reading all your answers. I’ve never had an encounter with authors behaving badly. Recently I did have a another reviewer make a haughty comment about a book I wrote a review for. I calmly wrote her back justifying whatever she pointed out and moved on. Inside I was seething about her taking the time to pick on me. But I suppose that is how some people will be. I’ll only shy away from reading from an author if they do something I morally disagree upon (i.e. plagiarism, offending ppl by making jokes about serious things, racisim, etc).

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  14. younela
    younela at |

    I like to read reviews, but don’t base my buying/reading on them.I follow a few people who will recommend certain books and I’ve never been disappointed. But I make my own buying decisions.

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  15. suze294
    suze294 at |

    I base my buying on reviews and favourite authors to read. I can’t recall ‘banning’ an author on their rants but usually I hear about these tantrums well after they’ve happened!
    I like how you all said either no response (I always say to my kids when they are having playground arguments, never explain as friends dont need and enemies don’t believe!) or step back and think before replying. And we are all different and have different likes and hates anyway.

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  16. Lisa
    Lisa at |

    Authors’ names are their brands and when they are behaving badly I don’t want anything to do with their brand. And with social media being so prevalent it’s pretty easy for word to get around when someone is jerking other people around. There’s only a few I’ve blacklisted because their actions have harmed others.

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  17. ELF
    ELF at |

    I tend to avoid reading additional books by authors who demonstrate poor manners…either to me or other reviewers. There are far too many great books out there to waste time on negative folks.

    Reply

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