Too Stupid

[kandscreeley]

I was greatly enjoying reading books here and doing reviews. I am critical of most books anyway and love to read. I have a bachelor's degree and thought myself educated enough to review these books. However, I am lately being proved wrong. Too many authors are coming after me for items about which I have written in my reviews or private blurbs. I guess I'm too stupid after all.

[bookowlie]

Sorry this happened to you. Don't take it personally. It happens to all of us at one point or another. I once had an author complain that I didn't mention his "favorite" part of the ending. I responded that my responsbility was to write MY favorite part or parts of the ending and also include a few tie-ins to other parts of the book to prove I read the entire book...which I did. I think many authors are sensitive and get annoyed at the reviewers if they don't get everything they want. The rules for the authors are clear - they are paying for an honest review. As for an author "coming after you" for what you wrote in the review, authors are not allowed to contact the reviewers directly for any reason. If an author does that, you should let Scott know.

[gali]

Sorry this happened to you. Don't take it personally. It happens to all of us at one point or another. I once had an author complain that I didn't mention his "favorite" part of the ending. I responded that my responsbility was to write MY favorite part or parts of the ending and also include a few tie-ins to other parts of the book to prove I read the entire book...which I did. I think many authors are sensitive and get annoyed at the reviewers if they don't get everything they want. The rules for the authors are clear - they are paying for an honest review. As for an author "coming after you" for what you wrote in the review, authors are not allowed to contact the reviewers directly for any reason. If an author does that, you should let Scott know.

If an author bothers you, you should contact Scott about it.

[kandscreeley]

Thanks guys. I just had an author make me feel really stupid after reading his book. I missed a nuance in his ending. I didn't realize it required a doctorate to read his book, and I hate being made to feel stupid. I know that the private blurb is there to prove that we read the book, because we are being paid. However, I don't think it gives the author the right to knock you down because you didn't get out of the book what he wanted you to.

[bookowlie]

Thanks guys. I just had an author make me feel really stupid after reading his book. I missed a nuance in his ending. I didn't realize it required a doctorate to read his book, and I hate being made to feel stupid. I know that the private blurb is there to prove that we read the book, because we are being paid. However, I don't think it gives the author the right to knock you down because you didn't get out of the book what he wanted you to.

The way I look at it, sometimes a point the author is trying to make is too subtle and vague. The author's message can often get lost due to a confusing or busy plot. I've read books where the plot goes off track in too many directions. Also, the writing style can be the reason. That's not the reader's fault. If you don't think the author's complaint about the private blurb was justified, you can contact Scott about it. I don't think it's fair if you did your job by explaining what you liked or didn't like about the ending, as long as you included a few tibdits from other parts of the story. Then you did your part in showing you read the entire book. The only time I can see an author having the right to complain is if a reviewer only wrote something about the end - then it might not be clear that you read the rest of the book.

[kandscreeley]

Thanks bookowlie. You've made me feel better. I did a synopsis of the entire plot as well as talking about the ending, so I know that's not the problem. I did contact Scott. Thanks.

[bookowlie]

You're welcome. Either way it turns out, try not to take it personally. Some authors can be petty.

[Masinde]

The directives and conditions highlighted in the FAQs states, at no point should the reviewer talk to the authour in any case.Too,the reviewer has to be honest and write out what he really found in the book while reading.The auther getting to you was wrong and I must appreciate you for raising this without concealment.