Default

[info]barbhendee

Noble Dead Coffee Talk

Barb's Thoughts Today

Previous Entry Add to Memories Tell a Friend Next Entry
Responding to Negative Reviews
Default
[info]barbhendee
June 30th, 14:31
I just borrowed a link from my friend Lili St Crow's journal because I think this is important and I don't know how many of you read Lili's blog.

Alice Hoffman recently lashed out at a reviewer--on Twitter--in a pretty shockingly unprofessional manner. Here's the story

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2009/06/did-alice-hoffman-strike-back-or-strike-out.html

What's really surprising is that Ms. Hoffman seems shocked by the attention and backlash all of this has mustered. I could have told her this myself.

Did she learn nothing from Anne Rice's public "lash out" a few years back?

J.C. and I have had our books praised to rafters and we've had them eviscerated. We would never, ever respond to a negative review. All writers must fight this temptation.

I've had my buttons pushed a few times (I didn't even know I had those buttons), but I always tell myself to suck it up and move on.

A reviewer can give away our entire plot . . .

A reviewer can tell us to try getting a degree in plumbing instead of foisting more punishment upon the world with our books . . .

A reviewer can call one of our books "Tylenol PM in a dust jacket."

We suck it up and keep quiet. Anything else is unprofessional and it's bad form.
( 7 comments — Leave a comment )
call one of our books "Tylenol PM in a dust jacket

thats good to know if I want to sleep.. grin.
(Reply) (Thread)
Wow. I guess that is another reason to avoid Twitter. Easy to avoid an impulse if you don't have the ability to post your anger for all to see.
(Reply) (Thread)
Excellent advice. I really hesitate to ever comment on anything when angry. Never know when you will be misintrepreted.

(Reply) (Thread)
You know, it wouldn't have bothered me if she'd just said it was a terrible review and she didn't think the reviewer "got" the book. That's ok, that happens. She said the reviewer gave away the plot which yes, is unfortunate and unprofessional. It was when she posted the reviewer's home phone number and urged people to call to "let her know what you think of snarky reviews" that really made my jaw drop. Rallying the troops to harrass someone who didn't like your book is way, way over the line.

But yes, the ideal response to a bad or lukewarm review is to say nothing. If Hoffman really felt too much of the plot was given away, she should have e-mailed the editor about it, not called up public forces. Good grief.
(Reply) (Thread)
Also, while I'm at it... someone actually said you should get a degree in plumbing?!? That's above and beyond. A reviewer isn't supposed to make judgements or personal comments about the author, just talk about the strengths and weaknesses of the book. Ugh, that annoys me. I've written some harsh reviews of books that were (in my opinion) poorly written, but while I might say "I'd rather visit the dentist than re-read this" I'd never tell the author they should stop writing. Personal attacks are uncool, regardless of venue!
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
Hi Anna,

I'm heading off to bed, but no, no one ever actually said any of those things above. I was just trying to be funny and make a point at the same time (smiles).
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
Oh, good. Well then, very effective point. *g*
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
( 7 comments — Leave a comment )
Archive
November 2009
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930     
Powered by LiveJournal.com
Home