Writers and Readers discussion

I recently stumbled on the strange case of an author meltdown over a bad review (see this blog post for details). Her behavior was not only unprofessional, it generated a viral campaign of bad publicity for her book.

So as both an author and a book blogger I'm handing out some tips on how to interact with a blogger:

1- Check out the blog before you send any emails. Read any guidelines or rules that the blogger has posted. You do not want to start off a request for a review or feature with a mistake or look like you can't be bothered with doing your homework.

2- Tell the blogger want you want. I do book reviews, interviews and spotlights and I've gotten requests that have been unclear in what they want from me.

3- Do not send a book unrequested. You can send a short book excerpt, or even better, a link to an excerpt. This is especially helpful if asking for a review.

4- Do not respond negatively to a bad review. Remember, the reviewer took time out of his life to read your book, and probably did it for free. You are not doing yourself any favours by calling the blogger out.
If you have questions about a review, send a polite inquiring email.

5- Don't be afraid to ask questions if you are unsure about something. Bloggers don't bite (usually).

OH MY GOSH!! That has to be the funniest and saddest thing I have read in a very long time. I understand it is hard to take the negative criticism that comes along in this field, but if one is to survive in this market, "turn the other cheek" seems to be the standard to live by. The book may have been brilliant, and even a best seller at some point, but due to her lack of self restraint, it will be lucky to be bought off may "bargin bin" shelves.

Amy wrote: "OH MY GOSH!! That has to be the funniest and saddest thing I have read in a very long time. I understand it is hard to take the negative criticism that comes along in this field, but if one is to..."

I read the book's free preview on Smashwords and the reviewer may have actually been kind. And the only thing her rant got her was multiple one star reviews on Amazon.

Even in the description she wrote for the book on Amazon is riddled with errors. Anyone with a basic college grammar course could see that there would be issues with this. I'm not sure if I should feel sorry for this author or not, but I guess when you dig your own grave....

Amy wrote: "Even in the description she wrote for the book on Amazon is riddled with errors. Anyone with a basic college grammar course could see that there would be issues with this. I'm not sure if I shoul..."

It's sad watching a person self-destruct like that and I've seen other authors do the same thing (to a lesser degree). It just is a bad thing for everybody.

A.F. thank you so much for posting this....If I got bent out of shape every time I received a bad - or even sort of bad review - I would be in SERIOUS trouble. It seems to me that this author needs to either grow a thicker skin or stop reading her reviews.

Brenda wrote: "A.F. thank you so much for posting this....If I got bent out of shape every time I received a bad - or even sort of bad review - I would be in SERIOUS trouble. It seems to me that this author needs..."

Or maybe write a better book. I read part of the preview of her novel on Smashwords; it was not good.

Ha ha I had not even considered that possibility!

You are so correct with everything on the list. When I send request for reviews I send - nice letter, link to book trailer, media kit, and sample read. Also the isbn and buy links if applicable.

Thank you A.F. Good list. Wise help for reviewers as well as writers.