First, a disclaimer: this is not an infantile rant. It may seem like one, but I’ve rewritten this 4 times to try and ensure it’s not, so I hope it comes across in the spirit it is intended for and not just me whining.
Okay.
We all have our one-click authors, right? The ones where we preorder their newest soon-to-be-released book without even knowing anything about the story, simply because we’ve loved the way they have written their previous books and know we will get enjoyment out of reading their new stuff? For me, those authors include: Lauren Layne, Jill Shalvis, Kari Lemor, Marianne Rice, Donna Simonetta, Sandra Brown, and of course Nora Roberts/JD Robb. The moment Goodreads informs me these gals have new books on the horizon, I head over to amazon and preorder.
No thoughts about not doing this. Ever.
I venture to say we also all have those authors whom we’ve read once, maybe twice, and then realized…never again. Not even if their books are listed at $.99 cents or free. They are probably not bad writers, but something didn’t resonate with their story, or characters, or something was missing in the plotline. Whatever it is, you’ve decided that you’re not going to waste your time – an hour you will never get back! – or hard earned cash on purchasing something you know will not bring you enjoyment. I have several I’ve read in all different genres like this, and no, I’m not going to name them here. If I can’t say something positive about someone I’m going to do what my mother always told me to and keep my mouth shut and my thoughts to myself. I satisfy myself by simply not purchasing these authors’ books no matter how many Amazon alerts I receive to.
End of story. Well, not quite, yet….
The question I pose today is why would anyone read an author they have so obviously disliked in the past – even venturing to pan their books on review sites and give their stories 1 ratings? Seems ridiculous and counter intuitive, right?
Yeah, well it’s happened to me. Twice. By the same reviewer and of course she’s the type of reviewer/reader who broadcasts her opinions/reviews/pannings on every book outlet from Bookbub to Goodreads to amazon and B&N.
I won’t mention her name but you can see her reviews ( I actually call them attacks on my character, but that’s me) on Goodreads first for DIRTY DAMSELS and then for my newest release. Let’s be real here: she HATED Dirty Damsels. Hated it. Why, I wonder, did she request to read and review the newest one, knowing she hated the other one?
I actually asked this question of a few people because it bothers me so much and most of the answers were the same: Maybe she wanted to give me another chance, or the first book just wasn’t to her liking, but thought the second would be.
Yeah..NO. Not buying either of those responses. I won’t be vicious and say what I really think motivates someone like this ( read yesterday’s blog for a little insight, though.). But maybe I harmed her in a previous life; or maybe I went to high school with her and she thought I was mean ( It can’t be that, because I was a total geek introvert in HS and never talked to anyone.) Or maybe she’s just the kind of person that lives to brings others down by writing nasty things about their work – in all truth I have no idea what motivates a person like this.
When I’ve read a book that is categorically a misread on every level for me- character, plot, actual writing – I don’t review the book, scathe the author, or broadcast the fact this book was the spawn of the devil to anyone, anywhere, or across any media. I simply don’t purchase another book from this author and move on- which is what I wish everyone would do.
Now, as I said, I don’t want this to sound like I’m whining because this individual didn’t like my books. The right to have an opinion on something is just that – a right. Not everyone will like what I write. Hey, not every one likes me as a person. I’m cool with both those things. What I’m not cool with is nasty vitriol for no apparent reason other than to be, well, nasty, and appear better than anyone else around you.
I learned a long time ago that the person who is the smartest one in the room is NEVER the person telling you or shouting out that they are the smartest. It’s the person who goes about their business, living their smarty-ness without rubbing it in the faces of others, or shouting it from the rooftops. This goes for book reviewers, too. Hopefully, you can understand in what way and why.
Okay. Rant over.
For now….
Until next time ~ Peg
Like this:
Like Loading...
Peggy Jaeger, Author 