tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post115885158795277331..comments2023-10-31T11:37:50.028-04:00Comments on on life & other inconveniences: Trash, Lies, Reviews (and Killing a Career Before It Begins)Sandra Ruttanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1158955524731442512006-09-22T16:05:00.000-04:002006-09-22T16:05:00.000-04:00Lisa, that was my old philosophy.Until a few peopl...Lisa, that was my old philosophy.<BR/><BR/>Until a few people talked to me. It hasn't been easy, but I do see the merit in reviewing books I have mixed feelings about.Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1158951777115384372006-09-22T15:02:00.000-04:002006-09-22T15:02:00.000-04:00Some publications will only review books that they...Some publications will only review books that they recommend. <BR/><BR/>Since, I'm freelance, I do the same -- I only review books I'm enthusiastic about. I'd have to have to write a negative review.Lisa Hunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16273391238820872246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1158888917406219132006-09-21T21:35:00.000-04:002006-09-21T21:35:00.000-04:00I think you're right Andrea - if everyone pans the...I think you're right Andrea - if everyone pans the book it might have an averse affect on sales, but one bad review? I don't know. I guess on Amazon they've been proven to do damage.Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1158885683713948562006-09-21T20:41:00.000-04:002006-09-21T20:41:00.000-04:00I don't think bad reviews will kill sales necessar...I don't think bad reviews will kill sales necessarily. Unless every review that's written about the book is a negative review. I'll take a bad review with a grain of salt....if I like the sound of what the book is about I might read it anyway. Unless everybody hates the book they I might avoid it. <BR/><BR/>As for conflicts of interest in reviewing friends or competitors I think if you feel uncomfortable doing it then you could just pass the book onto another reviewer. I think each reviewer needs to decide what they are comfortable reviewing. Unless of course you work for a newspaper or magazine where you have to review certain books. <BR/><BR/>And I haven't read too much in my TBR pile either recently. Reading more books for review than anything. I have three books to read for review now then maybe I'll get to some of my other books. I do review everything I read now though. Even from my TBR pile. I like reviewing. Although not to fond of writing negative review but will if the book warrents it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1158877268163821022006-09-21T18:21:00.000-04:002006-09-21T18:21:00.000-04:00It might not be bravery but sheer stupidity Mai We...It might not be bravery but sheer stupidity Mai Wen! :)<BR/><BR/>At this point, beginning to understand just how important reviews are to authors, it would seem wrong to stop without a damn good reason. Plenty of authors write reviews.<BR/><BR/>Not that it means my own book will necessarily get reviewed or plugged in any additional capacity - it's more that I'm aware of how important it is that people in a position to review do it.<BR/><BR/>Glad you like the layout. I have a real aversion to solid strong colours - I mean, I liked the black, but readibility is more important. After that, I couldn't find one colour I was really happy with. Bizarre...Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1158873711432604852006-09-21T17:21:00.000-04:002006-09-21T17:21:00.000-04:00Ohh, love the textured background and the color......Ohh, love the textured background and the color...<BR/><BR/>Also loved the article. I'd never known that about critics in Canada, that's crazy and really interesting. Thanks for the article. I'd never thought of the complexities of reviewing. I admire your bravery to continue reviewing. :)mai wenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570452594754186072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1158861205885292022006-09-21T13:53:00.000-04:002006-09-21T13:53:00.000-04:00Angie, you've hit one of my concerns right on the ...Angie, you've hit one of my concerns right on the head - even the appearance of slanting a review tarnishes your credibility. What if you're reviewing someone you're competing with for sales? That's a growing possible reality for me. Shudder to think some day the ARC you've got ends up being a book by someone you're up for an award against.<BR/><BR/>It creates a very complex scenario. Honestly, I wouldn't waste a minute of my time reviewing something in a genre I didn't at least read in my free time. I wouldn't have a clue where to start with an assessment of it. Hand me some of that anime stuff and I'd be out of my depth entirely.<BR/><BR/>So... it will eventually become a 'to review or not to review' debate. For the moment, I know I'm okay with me. Maybe not everyone I've reviewed, but at least me.Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1158860268730271582006-09-21T13:37:00.001-04:002006-09-21T13:37:00.001-04:00I read the review. And it came across as a snarky...I read the review. And it came across as a snarky way for the reviewer to CYA. Is it necessary to preface a less-than glowing review with those kind of statements? I dunno, but it kind of bugged me. He didn't like the short story collection. Uh, okay. <BR/><BR/>I know this is an old argument, but it is a bit odd to have professional writers reviewing books by other writers in their field/genre. Yes, they probably know the field and the craft better than most, but the politics are so tricky I often wonder if the review is really based solely on the quality the work. <BR/><BR/>Frankly, I take reviews (book, film, art, etc.) with an enormous grain of salt. When I lived in Chicago, there was a film reviewer that I disagreed with 95% of the time. It came in handy. If he hated a movie, there was a better than average chance that I would enjoy it. He was a negative barometer for me. Just means I have to know the reviewer's taste. And that's work I often don't want to deal with.angiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01751466673491487048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1158860244344405852006-09-21T13:37:00.000-04:002006-09-21T13:37:00.000-04:00I agree with you Bill - I hope what I write next w...I agree with you Bill - I hope what I write next will be better than what I wrote previously.<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, being three books ahead of SC, that leaves me wondering how good I should think it is.<BR/><BR/>I'm not convinced about bad reviews killing sales. Maybe there are stats that back that, I don't know. I know my purchasing isn't based on them and I've never been convinced my own reviews do a damn thing for the writers.<BR/><BR/>Maybe I'm just kidding myself.Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1158860002168966362006-09-21T13:33:00.000-04:002006-09-21T13:33:00.000-04:00My hope is always that the next thing I write will...My hope is always that the next thing I write will be better than the last thing I wrote. One thing that will help that is honest criticism from thoughtful readers. If that thoughtful reader happens to be a reviewer, then so be it.<BR/><BR/>Sure, there's the problem of how many sales a bad review will kill. And there's the problem of some reviewers seemingly reviewing from inside a personal snit bubble. But ultimately, if I'm going to grow as a writer, I feel like I want to hear the real deal. I may not agree. But I want to hear it, especially if it's supported. "I didn't like X because of Y." <BR/><BR/>I have a great critique group, full of very thoughtful folks, and sometimes they come down on something I've written pretty hard. Usually I think they are on to something, but not always. I can disagree with a review same as I disagree with my group. But I'll listen to both. Because maybe they're right, and maybe I'll learn something in the process. And maybe my next piece will be better because of what I learned.<BR/><BR/>I can't imagine ever arguing with a reviewer though. I suppose if someone gave me a bad review and I met them in person later, and they brought it up (I wouldn't bring it up), I might say something like, "It was disappointing, but maybe you'll feel differently about the next one." Because maybe they will. What could I possibly gain by arguing?<BR/><BR/>You can't please everyone, as we all know (or should know).Bill Cameronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04796321136771189464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1158854153742250302006-09-21T11:55:00.000-04:002006-09-21T11:55:00.000-04:00I agree Trace. I think there's always a degree of...I agree Trace. I think there's always a degree of personal disappointment there - you've let a reader down by not satisfying them completely. But you have to remember a reviewer's job is to give a tough but fair assessment.<BR/><BR/>If I can't find fault with a book, I don't make stuff up. If something occurs to me as a real potential problem for some readers, I feel I have a responsibility to point that out. A tricky one is always non-linear books. I might have no issue following it, but some people can't handle books like that. It isn't a criticism per se, but it's still something you have to point out.<BR/><BR/>I don't see a reviewers job as telling people what to read, so much as giving them a framework to decide for themselves if the book appeals to them or not.Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-1158853815044082482006-09-21T11:50:00.000-04:002006-09-21T11:50:00.000-04:00Writing reviews is tricky and asking for reviews i...Writing reviews is tricky and asking for reviews is also tricky. I bite my nails wondering if the reviewer will think my book is crap. But I really do want a fair and honest review. Like you say, it depends on how things are worded. If there are less than glowing comments on my book and it seems to come from a genuine, sincere person, then I pay attention.Tracy Sharp - Author of the Leah Ryan Serieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12239533451929739327noreply@blogger.com