I am a blogger, and I am pissed! #2

The first post in the series got a lot of comments and interactions. If you've not read the first post, you can check it out here. After going through all the reactions, as well as reading through and participating in discussions about the first post on a number of groups, I'd like to clarify something here. These posts are in no way a generalization, and I am definitely NOT saying that most authors are like this. It is a few who are doing these things, and many more who may be unaware how irksome these things are to bloggers.

My only hope here is that, authors can read these posts, and just learn something which may help in creating better relations between bloggers and authors. So, let's continue!

6. Put out a good book: I’ve read so many books with a great story that were in desperate need of an editor. Spelling mistakes, bad grammar, wrong usage of words, plot holes, missing words, bad formatting, you name it. I know good editors are costly and not every author can afford one. But, in that case get good beta readers, alpha readers or any readers to help you spot mistakes you can’t find. I really do hate giving a good book a bad rating. Another thing authors could do to make a great book would be to get a professional cover designer if they can’t do a great cover themselves. That is why I always ask for a book cover along with a review request. There have been so many books I have seen and ignored because of bad covers. I’ll never know if I missed reading a great book because of this. 

~Alexia: Ditto! I’m a cover whore! If the cover doesn’t attract my attention I usually don’t read the synopsis or for that matter the book.

7. Help the blogs in return: I’ve agreed to do that review, author interview or guest post? Great! All I ask in return is that authors promote THEIR posts on our blog. How hard is that? You can’t take out the time to promote your own post? I had a few authors who recommended me, and mentioned me as a helpful blogger to their networks. I just loved it and will now do anything for them. See how both of us benefit?
In a similar vein, being there to respond to comments on your posts is something I should not have to ask for, but I have learnt my lesson. I now don’t expect authors to stop by unless I badger them to take a look and reply.

8. “Demanding” reviews: So, I’ve accepted your book to review? That is great! But, did I tell you I have a long waitlist? One which can take months to get through? And, I do tend to move books up the queue once in a while? After telling authors all this, I still get messages from authors asking me why I am not getting to their book faster. I’ll be nice and reply to you the first time with my standard message to such emails, maybe a second time. But, after that, there is a very good chance I’ll just not review your book.
Here’s an incident with an author on Goodreads. For a little background, I had accepted this book in November and had told the author that I would be able to review it before the end of the year. I somehow forgot all about the book and the deadline passed. I know, big mistake. One, which I had not planned to commit. When the author messaged in late January asking me why I had not reviewed, I finally remembered the book and committed to get to it quickly, and told him I had a few books I needed to review before I could get to his book. When the author sent me a couple of more messages asking me when I would get to his book, and why I had not gotten to it yet, I just ended up deleting it. It might have been a book I would have loved, but now I will never know, and I do not regret it. Too many books, too little time.

9. Book pricing: OK, I know I am not the one who can tell an author what he should charge for his books. But, when I see an author selling their first and only book for $4.99 and more, I am not the one who will buy it. I know this has nothing to do with blogging, but I have a really good rant going so I thought I’d throw this one in as well.  The maximum I would pay to read a book by an unknown author is $2.99. Beyond this, it becomes too much of a risk. Also, the huge number of other authors for me to try out will lead me to ignore books beyond this price range. I’d however, pay more for subsequent books by an author I like.

And finally for today, the really big one!

10. Going to war: Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, blogs, I’ve seen authors and bloggers warring everywhere. Why, you ask? Over 1-star reviews of course. Authors do not seem to realize how visible their actions are on the internet. They also don’t seem to realize that they need to act professionally everywhere, every little bit reflects on their books as well. One author left nasty comments on a blog which had posted a 1-star review. Another emailed all her friends and other contacts to go and down vote a review on Amazon. And the email got out into the public arena. Yet another abused a blogger on Twitter and Goodreads. What do you think happened? Word got out and these incidents went viral. Hundreds of people got so turned off, they bandied around the bloggers. There is no way an author can win a war against the readers. There is no clean exit here. And apologies don’t matter. 

~Alexia: I’ve heard authors say that negative reviews are good publicity as well. If you want an honest review then you have to accept any review. Look at the Fifty Shades of Grey commotion… the only reason I picked it up is because there were so many bad reviews as well as great reviews – I wanted to know what all the fuss is about!
I fully agree with what Ritesh has said, but in the same breath, bloggers should not be snarky towards an author in a review. Being rude and bashing them is not cool at all. You aren’t reviewing the author as a person, you are reviewing their book. I personally don’t post reviews on the blog that are 1 or 2 stars martinis, I’d rather email my review to the author and ask them if they would like me to post it or not, I’d tell them personally why I gave it a poor rating.

Just this past week, I came across a huge war started by an author due to the fact that reviews promised to him were not put up. I don’t have all the details, but after going through a few internet articles and blog posts, here’s the lowdown, as I get it. He fell in love with a debatably underage girl (and blogger) after lying to her about his age, and when she found out and broke it off with him, all hell broke loose. He put up a lot of posts ranting about the whole affair, and decided to put up a list of “bad bloggers” who had not reviewed his book after promising him to do so. The catch? There are some really well known bloggers on that list, and they say they never got a request from him. And, this is not really the problem. REALLY! The problem is the whole thing blew up in his face (now, why did he expect anything other than this to happen?), a lot of people got involved, and he went on the defensive … by degrading, abusing and threatening every person who left a comment on his posts.

After seeing this last incident, I really have to wonder why I even agree to look at indie books. I really wanted to put up a notice on the blog that I would not be accepting indie books, or authors anymore. I do not lose anything, there are tons of books out there for me to read and review. So tell me, who loses?

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So AUTHORS, what do you think? Do you think this is too harsh? Do you believe avoiding these 'pitfalls' would help you in getting a better 'hit rate' with bloggers?

And BLOGGERS, tell me if you've had similar experiences. Also, what is your biggest pet peeve regarding how authors approach you with review requests? Leave a comment below, and I could add it to my ever expanding list. Of course I'll give you due credit to bringing it to my attention and will add a link to your blog to the posts.

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