Keep it polite or keep your mouth shut

While we're on the topic of reviews, let's have a little discussion about being polite to others, shall we?

Luckily, I personally haven't had any issues, but I have heard several friends complain about other people who knock their reviews. For example, a friend was reviewing "classics" and she was being honest about what she liked and what she didn't like. People came by, read her reviews and basically told her she was full of crap and didn't know what she was talking about. Really? You people think you can judge someone's opinion? Guess what? NOT EVERYONE IS GOING TO LIKE WHAT YOU LIKE. Sorry to have to yell that, but it's an important statement we all need to pay attention to.

I see nothing wrong in having a civil debate with someone, pointing out why you think a review is or isn't fair. Civil is the important word there folks. I'm all for debates, especially when it comes to classics that I don't think should be pushed anymore, but I would never out and out say "OMG you're wrong and stupid and XX is the best book ever, you stupid person!" That's just not necessary and quite frankly, it makes you come off as the stupid one.

In case you haven't noticed, this blog has some reoccurring themes: be honest, be nice and not everyone is going to like the same things. You'd think these things would be common sense kind of things, but I guess not.

Things on the internet are traceable and I have heard stories about people bad mouthing agents when they get rejected or publishing houses that put out books they don't like, etc. and it often comes back to bite them and being rude in forums and on sites like Goodreads and Amazon is not going to go unnoticed.

Better to be nice, be civil or keep your mouth shut.