Authors Reviewing Other Authors By S.C. Wynne

Hello all,

I know authors are people and they, of course, are readers too. I also know there might come the occasion when they want to review a book by their peers. Maybe even a book they didn't enjoy. My advice would be tread lightly.

Now before anyone gets upset and thinks I'm saying authors shouldn't be allowed to review other authors, that isn't what I'm saying. But I am saying with that "right" comes consequences.

If you think you can tear an authors work to shreds, and still keep a warm and fuzzy relationship with them, then you're probably smoking something pretty strong. Because authors are people too. And people have feelings. If you were invited to a dinner and you didn't like the food, you have every right to scream your disgust from the rooftops. But don't expect to be asked back. Don't kid yourself into thinking because you have the "right" to give your opinion it will be appreciated.

I'm always shocked by the short sightedness of some authors who feel the need to give negative reviews to other authors in their own genre. It can't help but smack of jealousy. And when they say "I usually love so and so's work." But the only review they ever bothered to post was the negative one, it makes you wonder why they didn't also post positive reviews about the books they loved? Couldn't we all use a little more positivity in this world?

Maybe some other authors don't see things the way I do. But I think it's human nature to dislike someone who treats you callously. I think the rare individual is the one who can have someone rip their book apart and then go hang out at GRL and have a grand ol' time. God bless those of you who can.

But my advice is maybe use an alias. If you absolutely think the world needs another mean review, please for the love of all that is holy, use a freaking alias, people! Then you can still be buddies with the people you back-stab.

S.C.
www.sc-wynne.com