tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6572244077856831005.post8547947734116477779..comments2023-10-24T00:47:56.684+11:00Comments on Tania McCartney Blog: Vicious Reviews and How to Deal with Them Tania McCartneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07704561641397381874noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6572244077856831005.post-13299921790763192452015-10-02T09:35:25.294+10:002015-10-02T09:35:25.294+10:00All fabulous points, Hazel, and I so agree.
It...All fabulous points, Hazel, and I so agree.<br /><br />It's horrifying to hear people pay for reviews. I was approached by someone asking if I'd like 'massive exposure' for my books, with carefully-placed reviews, by paying a fee. I told the person in no uncertain terms that authors should NEVER pay for a review and that I was actually insulted that she would think I was that desperate or that my books needed that. Awful awful.<br /><br />I think Goodreads has many legit, dedicated reviewers, but like many things online, their voices are frequently drowned out by pap and smear campaigns, and I find I can't trust their reviews any more. Some a great, but most are unhelpful, I have to say.<br /><br />I think a mixed review is fine, and even stating one's disagreement with writing style, story or facts is fine, so long as it's not a personal attack on the author and their character. This is unacceptable.Tania McCartneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07704561641397381874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6572244077856831005.post-17161098284669294492015-10-02T09:30:23.526+10:002015-10-02T09:30:23.526+10:00Thanks, Shez! It's mindboggling!Thanks, Shez! It's mindboggling!Tania McCartneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07704561641397381874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6572244077856831005.post-61588496103298664392015-10-02T09:13:19.654+10:002015-10-02T09:13:19.654+10:00An opportune subject.
Agree with all your comment...An opportune subject.<br /><br />Agree with all your comments about reviewing, but there's also the dilemma of personal reputation as an impartial and informed reviewer. <br /><br />Then there's the Emperor's New Clothes issue. If you have technical qualms about a highly promoted and marketed title which was published only because of the author name and connections and it is just not well written, there's a dilemma. <br /><br />Too many reviews of new authors by friends tend to be pure gush. And that's a danger too. <br /><br />So is the self-published author paying for reviews which appears to be a growing trend. In the past there were more print outlets where an editor allocated a book for review to an experienced reviewer who was paid for an objective review. Even the selection of the book for review via this sifting process indicated it was worth reading. Now it's possible for anyone to put up a hasty review online. Sometimes the motives are NOT to share the book but deflect interest from it because the amateur reviewer has a personal interest.<br /><br />Good Reads attracts genuine fellow readers looking for honest evaluations. But there are also others with different motivations.<br /><br />I prefer to find something positive to say, but also moderate my technical qualms with examples. And to declare any personal bias in the review.hazelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10556671784279607099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6572244077856831005.post-5938074989389902422015-10-02T08:59:13.230+10:002015-10-02T08:59:13.230+10:00Good on you, Tania!! I can't for the life of m...Good on you, Tania!! I can't for the life of me understand why certain people can be bothered with that sort of viciousness. Just nasty and jealous too, I suspect.<br />I got on and defended one of Karen Brooks's books a few years ago - the person who did it was so selective and judgemental, and wrong! So I told her so. :)<br />Tania, you'll probably want to change in your first paragraph, the title, :) The Year of Living Dangerously. Great book! haha You might've already noticed that. xxSheryl Gwytherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03660201098245632077noreply@blogger.com