Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

Gosh what an interesting idea!

I've done yours, Sterling (as my alter ego Ellen)

Here are mine:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chocolate-Ero...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Weekend-Eroti...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sold-Romance-...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gift-Erotic-R...

I'll revisit this thread in a few hours. Or you can message me.

At the risk of sounding like a cranky old fart, one of the main reasons Amazon eliminated tags, etc., was because of this kind of abuse. Unless we know a person's work, it's basically lying to go in and "like" the book or the good reviews. I doubt that kind of thing does much good anyway, while still messing with the READER'S ability to use the reviews to decide if your book is good (and it is the reader, i.e. the customer, that Amazon cares about--as should we).

If you have 1-star reviews that are truly just vitriol, people will be able to figure it out. If they are because your book isn't what they expected, work on your blurb. And if they are deserved. . . well, do something about it.

I don't want to wet-blanket the desire to help one another. I just want us to remember to keep it honest.

Rebecca wrote: "At the risk of sounding like a cranky old fart, one of the main reasons Amazon eliminated tags, etc., was because of this kind of abuse. Unless we know a person's work, it's basically lying to go ..."

I agree with you, Rebecca, and I am a cranky old fart.

Rebecca wrote: "At the risk of sounding like a cranky old fart, one of the main reasons Amazon eliminated tags, etc., was because of this kind of abuse. Unless we know a person's work, it's basically lying to go ..."

Part of the problem is that the whole system isn't honest. I gave away some books to reviewers I found online who were kind enough to put up their notes on Amazon. Not all of them were 5 star. Now all but one review has disappeared. I have no idea why.

The fact that the honest, independent reviews have vanished, means I have no chance of visibility.

When I look at what's being pushed in front of buyer's eyes, I feel that Amazon are promoting books put out by publishers who they work closely with. Us independent types can't get a look-in.

We can't even review works of other authors if we write in the same genre!

I'm moving over to Smashwords as much as I can because I feel it's a more honest platform. Unfortunately, I signed up with KDP before I realised what a pain Amazon are to work with.

I will fulfill my contract but in the meantime, I'm not going to stay lily white when the big players play dirty.