Angry, Unprofessional Authors

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Scott
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Re: Angry, Unprofessional Authors

Post by Scott »

On the other hand, many authors show an amazing amount of dignity and appreciation. For instance, take a look at this recent reply by an author.
"That virtue we appreciate is as much ours as another's. We see so much only as we possess." - Henry David Thoreau

"Non ignara mali miseris succurrere disco." Virgil, The Aeneid
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Post by CataclysmicKnight »

Scott wrote:On the other hand, many authors show an amazing amount of dignity and appreciation. For consider this recent reply by an author.
I was so honored to get that reply!!! I'm still a little giddy actually... I used to review indie video games and this feels similar... I always felt so awesome when I'd contact a developer and get a reply, this feels the same! People who create any form of art and can stand behind it are awesome and should be celebrated!
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Post by bookowlie »

CataclysmicKnight wrote:
Scott wrote:On the other hand, many authors show an amazing amount of dignity and appreciation. For consider this recent reply by an author.
I was so honored to get that reply!!! I'm still a little giddy actually... I used to review indie video games and this feels similar... I always felt so awesome when I'd contact a developer and get a reply, this feels the same! People who create any form of art and can stand behind it are awesome and should be celebrated!
Well done!
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Post by ALynnPowers »

That's what I love to see.
I had a similar thing happen on one of my reviews as well. :)
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Post by Janiac02 »

Wow! This thread is an emotional roller coaster! :laughing-rollingyellow:

The first book I reviewed here was not very well written, though the subject matter was interesting enough. It was very stressful to me for my first review to be negative because I wasn't sure whether I was being constructive enough in my criticism, or providing enough detail about why I decided to rate the book lower. I am trying to get a little better each time I review a book, but I think if I had received a rude, inflammatory remark from the author as my first form of feedback I would have been very intimidated.

I learned quite a bit from paging through negative reviews from some of the more experienced reviewers here. You are a very tactful and perceptive bunch! I also read some negative reviews that were not so constructive, so I suppose there's a lesson to be learned in that as well. Overwhelmingly, though, you all do such a great job at being honest without being rude. I have to agree-- the positive environment is pretty impressive considering this is the internet. I think having moderators that are so involved with discussions helps that as well.
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Post by bookowlie »

Janiac02 wrote:Wow! This thread is an emotional roller coaster! :laughing-rollingyellow:

The first book I reviewed here was not very well written, though the subject matter was interesting enough. It was very stressful to me for my first review to be negative because I wasn't sure whether I was being constructive enough in my criticism, or providing enough detail about why I decided to rate the book lower. I am trying to get a little better each time I review a book, but I think if I had received a rude, inflammatory remark from the author as my first form of feedback I would have been very intimidated.

I learned quite a bit from paging through negative reviews from some of the more experienced reviewers here. You are a very tactful and perceptive bunch! I also read some negative reviews that were not so constructive, so I suppose there's a lesson to be learned in that as well. Overwhelmingly, though, you all do such a great job at being honest without being rude. I have to agree-- the positive environment is pretty impressive considering this is the internet. I think having moderators that are so involved with discussions helps that as well.
The funny thing is that an author does not know what rating you gave the book, or see the review, when they are given the ending blurb to approve. In one case, I encountered a problem (hence the reason this thread was started) because a system glitch allowed the author to see what rating I had given the book. Once he/she saw that, she went ballistic and disputed the blurb for no reason other than saying she has no interest in what some idiot has to say about her book. Not dispute the accuracy of the blurb, just sour grapes and revenge. It's funny because the author would have had no hint of the rating, based on the ending blurb.

In general, I think most books have some redeeming qualities. It's always nice to also point out the positive elements, if any, in a review, even if the overall rating is low and I have give constructive criticism. I believe in building people up, not crushing their spirit.
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Post by Janiac02 »

Ah, I read that, but I guess I didn't fully understand the process. That makes her attitude so much more obnoxious, although I'm not sure it could be anything but that. There's really no excuse for that sort of overly defensive behavior in any situation. It can be difficult to accept criticism, but if you're going to go ballistic, you might as well wait until you've actually received some.

I agree, it is pretty important to not only focus on things you dislike when providing someone with feedback on something they wrote, created, performed, etc.
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Post by Scott »

Here is an interesting talking point: Many big businesses pay lots--and we are talking lots--of money to consulting firms with various specialties to come and tell the business what is wrong with the way the business does things.
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Post by Duende Knocking »

Janiac02 wrote:Wow! This thread is an emotional roller coaster! :laughing-rollingyellow:

The first book I reviewed here was not very well written, though the subject matter was interesting enough. It was very stressful to me for my first review to be negative because I wasn't sure whether I was being constructive enough in my criticism, or providing enough detail about why I decided to rate the book lower. I am trying to get a little better each time I review a book, but I think if I had received a rude, inflammatory remark from the author as my first form of feedback I would have been very intimidated.

I learned quite a bit from paging through negative reviews from some of the more experienced reviewers here. You are a very tactful and perceptive bunch! I also read some negative reviews that were not so constructive, so I suppose there's a lesson to be learned in that as well. Overwhelmingly, though, you all do such a great job at being honest without being rude. I have to agree-- the positive environment is pretty impressive considering this is the internet. I think having moderators that are so involved with discussions helps that as well.
I had this problem as well. My first reviews were pretty low, and at times I was stressed about it. I didn't want to lie about the books, but I didn't want to be super critical and just give everything a bad rating, either. What was especially worrying was a book I gave a 2/4 to had a prequel that someone else gave a 4/4 to.

Luckily, my new book has been awesome and there are major differences between it and the others I've read, so now I know it's not just me being overly critical. :?
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Post by Janiac02 »

Duende Knocking wrote:
I had this problem as well. My first reviews were pretty low, and at times I was stressed about it. I didn't want to lie about the books, but I didn't want to be super critical and just give everything a bad rating, either. What was especially worrying was a book I gave a 2/4 to had a prequel that someone else gave a 4/4 to.

Luckily, my new book has been awesome and there are major differences between it and the others I've read, so now I know it's not just me being overly critical. :?
I'm glad you've gotten a book you really enjoy. My last two have been great for their respective genres. Now if I had read those first I'd probably think I was too lax :roll:
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Post by ALynnPowers »

Scott wrote:Here is an interesting talking point: Many big businesses pay lots--and we are talking lots--of money to consulting firms with various specialties to come and tell the business what is wrong with the way the business does things.
There are lots of people I wish would pay me so that I could tell them what is wrong with their personalities. ;)
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Post by bookowlie »

ALynnPowers wrote:
Scott wrote:Here is an interesting talking point: Many big businesses pay lots--and we are talking lots--of money to consulting firms with various specialties to come and tell the business what is wrong with the way the business does things.
There are lots of people I wish would pay me so that I could tell them what is wrong with their personalities. ;)
There are lots of people I would tell, even for free. :roll: :lol:

-- 28 Feb 2015, 22:31 --
Scott wrote:Here is an interesting talking point: Many big businesses pay lots--and we are talking lots--of money to consulting firms with various specialties to come and tell the business what is wrong with the way the business does things.
Excellent point Scott! I think the main difference here is authors are individuals and probably more sensitive to even the slightest criticism. I wish authors would act more like businesses, and would accept constructive criticism in order to make improvements. While there are certainly authors who hit it out of the park with their debut novel, it's more the case that they improve after getting feedback.

-- 28 Feb 2015, 23:17 --

I just noticed that this thread is now 5 pages long. I hope authors don't get the wrong idea, and think we are bashing all authors. I wonder if we should start a thread to discuss all the awesome, pleasant authors. :) I do think the majority of authors and wonderful people.
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Post by ALynnPowers »

bookowlie wrote: I just noticed that this thread is now 5 pages long. I hope authors don't get the wrong idea, and think we are bashing all authors. I wonder if we should start a thread to discuss all the awesome, pleasant authors. :) I do think the majority of authors and wonderful people.
We're definitely not bashing all authors! And conversations get off track and then back on track all over the place. 8)
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