On Authors Posting Reviews: my policy going forward

Why I Review, Even Though I'm an Author
I have an author account here at GR. I publish things. Most are freebies, but some people have to buy (why I sometimes charge is a matter for a whole another blog post) Nevertheless, I do not aspire to be a professional writer. I don't dream about doing this full time, supporting myself off my books, or building a fanbase for my stories. I dream about being given access to a Hadoop cluster loaded with behavioral data :D … And so the politics of the world of writers has always seemed completely irrelevant to me. I find most professional or aspiring writers boring, without experience or expertise beyond the craft of writing and with very little of interest to say because of that limited focus.

For that reason whenever authors suggest it's unprofessional to review each other's work honestly it strikes me as wanting things both ways. If your ambition is to make this your profession, then you can't ask to be granted a special set of rules. If your work was reviewed by The New York Times Book Review or Kirkus who do you think would do it? It would be another writer and most likely someone with experience in the genre. Sure, they wouldn't include silly gifs or pop culture references, but some of the stuff that gets printed is incredibly mean, vicious, often hilarious at the author's expense … and includes a nice byline promoting the reviewer's newest release (although I've always found the last part incredibly tacky)

So the fact that M/M Romance is a small community is really no excuse. I believe that the only thing holding M/M Romance back are the attitudes of the writers. M/M can be literary. It can be brilliant. I know there's a writer out there who can go toe to toe with David Sedaris or Augusten Burroughs. If we're proud of our community we should stop acting like we need disability access ramps to get on the fucking stage.

Why I Disclose I'm an Author
From this point forward, all my reviews will contain a note at the bottom disclosing my author status and linking back to this post. My policy prior to this point was to mention I was a writer somewhere in the body if I felt the review was going to be especially critical and that most of the criticism was going to be on the writing, but recently I've started to feel that it is too easy for people to misunderstand why I do that. I don't really like having stock notes that have nothing to do with the review itself, but this is probably the fairest thing for everyone.

Reviews are not for authors, they're for readers. GoodReads is a platform for consumer reviews first and foremost and readers have the right to know that there's a potential bias at play here so that they can judge the situation for themselves. Even though I'm reviewing books I bought or were loaned to me same as any reader and even though the thought of being an author full time makes me want to shoot myself in the head, the bias is still there. I am still an incredibly competitive person. I still find myself unconsciously being harder on some works than others. People have a right to know that, so I disclose. It's not intended to rub the author's face in it (like "HA-HA I'm a much better writer than YOU~~"). Just to acknowledge the obvious: this is my honest opinion, but opinions themselves are inherently subjective and here's a fact that may influence how much salt you readers want to take with my commentary.

How to Avoid Getting a Snarky Review (if that sort of thing bothers you)
I write snarky reviews … I like snarky reviews. I feel like they are an incredibly powerful tool for promoting a book. Praise is so difficult to gauge. Is the reviewer speaking honestly or just being polite? Snark has no such ambiguity, readers see the absolute worst I can think to say about a book, along side the things I actually liked about it. That's pretty influential. Snark often makes the good look better and the bad look campy and enjoyable.

But if it bothers you, I can offer the following advice: it's incredibly difficult to be snarky about something an author has worked really hard on. There are some books that I load up on my Kindle and I can just tell the author spent hours researching every detail. You don't have to earn a PhD in Nuclear Physics before turning in your first draft, but for fuck's sake spend fifteen seconds on Google, okay? Use Street View or download Google Earth to get a better picture of your locations. Ask a native speaker about the meaning of a particular word or phrase … or *gasp* don't write dialogue in random languages.

When you allow a book with your name on the cover to come out littered with factual errors, with a plot that doesn't make sense, with poor editing … it looks like you don't give a shit. And if you don't give a shit, why should I (or any reviewer for that matter) hold back my true feelings for the sake of your pride?

There are somethings that can't be helped. I tend not to care very much about spelling and grammar (just don't push it) and I usually frame bad editing as a criticism of the publisher and not your abilities as a writer (in that regard my own experiences as an author are playing in your favor. I've been there, I know writing a good book is not a solo undertaking). Of course if you've self published there's a bit of "a lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client" in there ^_~ but if I feel like these things are worth comment, I will usually chalk them up to the unfortunate reality of indie publishing. It's hard to find a good editor when you go it alone and sometimes you trust the wrong people. I adore indie publishing, so I tend to play nicer here then I would if the same work was put out traditionally.

But in any case, when the work and passion is there it's hard to be mean. So if you don't want to deal with snarky reviews, act like your work matters before I get ahold of it.

My Review Policy
I don't take review requests. Everything I review are things I've bought myself or borrowed from a friend (usually for M/M Bingo which I play obsessively). I'm not reviewing as an expert, but as a reader … who read this book and is posting her thoughts to share with her friends.

Occasionally, I admit, I'll request something through Net Galley and get it that way. But in any case, please don't ask me to review your book. That adds a whole level of complexity to this arrangement that I don't care to go fiddle with. If I've shelved your book and you want to give me an ARC…. ugh … *wobbles* … I don't know, maybe? XD It's really hard to turn down a free book…

Why All Hope Is Not Lost
I don't post reviews of books I completely hate (except The Night Circus *lol*). If I've reviewed your book I have something positive to say about it … even if it's hard for you to see that. I also invite authors to request revisions. That's right. If you feel my review is unfair, reach out and we'll talk about it.

I do this as a professional courtesy, writer to writer, and because the road to brilliant snark is about as smooth as the dirt bike trail at Jurassic Park. Fine line between funny and cruel, sometimes I'm on the wrong side of it.

How to Make a Request
If you feel like I've crossed the line. Either leave a comment on the review or send me a private message through GR. I prefer a comment because they're easier to manage and I think reviews being changed as a result of secret discussions looks bad to readers. So if you think you can muster it, I do encourage you to comment. Obviously I can't control what other people do or say, but most everyone who follows my reviews is a smart and chill person. Most likely you're not saying anything that everyone wasn't already thinking themselves. It's nice both to have these discussions openly so that people know why the review has been modified and handling yourself well only makes you look more awesome.

But I get that commenting on a review is a minefield with flying sharks for most authors, especially when you're mad. If you prefer to play it safe and keep things private I will respect that.

…Obviously not everyone shares my attitudes. My policy applies to me only, you take your life in your own hands approaching other reviewers *lol*

Oh, btw, please specify that you are the author. I ask this not to make you a target but because some people do not have their full pen name as their GR username and I might not catch on immediately to the significance of your comment. Otherwise there's no real format for making a request, express yourself as you feel appropriate.

What I Will and Won't Change by Request
No matter which course you choose, understand that I will not consider any appeals to change either my rating or my opinion. What I will consider changing is my wording, because I'm not perfect and sometimes the way I choose to say something is unnecessarily hurtful, offensive or misleading. In those cases I'm not just willing to revise, I'm eager to. I probably didn't realize how mean it sounded because I was off dancing in a field of wild flowers with forest nymph whispering in my ear …. or you know Nevermind the Buzzcocks was on in the other room, whatever.

If you feel like I have made a factual mistake about something, bring it to my attention. I probably won't change the review but I may add a note pointing out the discrepancy … It may be best to leave a comment in this case so that you can express yourself clearly with supporting links for everyone to see. If I'm mistaken, other people might be laboring under the same false assumptions or misinterpretations. We all like learning things! :D

How to Approach a Request for Best Results
Be clear and specific. I am a snarky person, I write snarky reviews. I encourage people to write snarky reviews of my stuff. If my entire review offended you, I apologize … but probably … most likely … you are being oversensitive.

I won't bother asking you to be polite, fuck that, speak your mind. It's okay to be pissed off when I've acted like an ass. It's okay to justify your characterization or explain your point of view (often this leads to the most interesting discussions). I like people who stand up to me, I don't like people who whine at me or ask for special treatment for XYZ reason. I was mean, I'm a terrible person, your goldfish is dying of cancer yar-yar-yar, put it on my tab in hell, okay? Best bring a book because there's a bit of a line … just probably not your own if you want to be entertained, but then you already know my opinion on that ;)

I will advise you to be careful if you choose to post your concerns publicly. There's absolutely no deadline on these requests so … maybe take an hour, watch some TV, come back and reread before posting? Hand it to someone else and ask if you're overreacting? I don't care if you're a cantankerous asshole-- I have no soul and sit on kittens to stifle my farts-- but you're speaking among readers here. Look like you love your work and don't take yourself too seriously and you've just given yourself the best unpaid endorsement you will ever have. Look like a petty tyrant who can't tolerate any criticism and … well ^_^;;; Good luck with that.

In general the decision to revise is usually influenced by how relevant the comment in question is to the overall opinion. Jokes cracked in the course of explaining my thoughts are not likely to be changed. If I described your characterization as 'so rubbery Jim Henson's estate is getting residuals' … oh come on, that's funny! I'm not going to rephrase that. Also, dramatic, curse ridden, all caps tirades are not up for revision just because it's rude to curse. This is M/M and some people write things that I find deeply offensive. I will react to those things as if deeply offended. Fortunately for you ... This is M/M and some people get off on things that are deeply offensive ^_~

Nevertheless my reviews can be ramble-y, with the occasional tangent and sometimes not every crack is relevant to the matter at hand. That stuff I will consider revising.

Whatever the case may be, it never hurts to ask. I will not attack you, nor leak your comments if you choose to approach me privately. I only lash out at writers for questioning a review when they send their fangirls over to wring their hands and swear to never buy any of my books as punishment for my sins of opinion (For real?) I know fangirls sometimes do this on their own, so don't panic … you get the benefit of the doubt about that too until I have proof that you incited it. Then you get eaten by wolves :)

Actually, a well written request can only play in your favor regardless. I may decide not to change the review, but it shows that you care about your work and that will definitely affect how I see future releases. I might go back and reread or change my opinion altogether (no promises but it does happen) or I may read something later and think "so and so was such a nice guy and there's so much good about this really." It happens, I don't pretend to be objective as much as I may aspire to it XD

In Conclusion…
Okay, so I've said all I have to said about this. I don't think there's anything important missing … comment if you have any questions. I'm not nearly as scary as everyone thinks O.o I just have too many opinions and no ability to keep my mouth shut.
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Published on May 20, 2012 13:44
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message 1: by Monika (new)

Monika I just have to say....That was great!!!
I'm so jealous and envious of people who can write! *she grumbles as she walks away*


message 2: by Kaje (last edited May 21, 2012 12:54PM) (new)

Kaje Harper Wow, I love that (and your confidence and your voice...) I think writers should be free to review as they choose and honestly, be it positive or negative, (although I admit to not posting negative reviews in the fields I write out of my personal version of professional courtesy.)

Loved your review of Shattered Glass, BTW.


message 3: by Isa (new)

Isa K. Thanks! :D

Kaje - I tried to hold myself to a policy like that but I problem is ... when I like something I tend to poke fun at it. It's just kind of the way I am, but it made it so difficult to maintain a distinct between positive and negative reviews @_@ I'm getting the impression that most writers do not understand "I mock you because OMG I <3 U"


message 4: by Shadow Jubilee (last edited May 21, 2012 01:47PM) (new)

Shadow Jubilee I encourage people to write snarky reviews of my stuff.

*face falls* I'm not good at writing snarky reviews - and even more so, adding gifs (How do you people find the time to look for all those pictures??!!). Maybe I'll have Bubbles do it for me when I get around to reading Split Self. :D

If I described your characterization as 'so rubbery Jim Henson's estate is getting residuals' … oh come on, that's funny!

No, it's not. What does it mean? o.O

I just have too many opinions and no ability to keep my mouth shut.

Sometimes I have the same problem. Okay. Most times I have the same problem.

Kaje said, "Wow, I love that (and your confidence and your voice...)" and I agree!


Experiment BL626 I'll just leave this link here in reply: The Beauty of The Double Standard


message 6: by Isa (last edited May 21, 2012 02:26PM) (new)

Isa K. Utterly Huggable Quills wrote: "I encourage people to write snarky reviews of my stuff.

*face falls* I'm not good at writing snarky reviews - and even more so, adding gifs (How do you people find the time to look for all those p..."


There's an awful lot of vagina in Split Self XD Not sure how it will play to the m/m crowd, but if you do read it, please feel free to point out that Clare and Jake are insufferable dysfunctional twits and how on Earth does Lily put up with them? Poor Lily, by far my sexiest male character ever and 90% of the perspective readers think he's a girl *lol* Whoops, my bad.

Jim Henson ... you know the muppets? :D Sesame Street? I think he was also involved in a lot of movie animatronics like Star Wars and stuff? Residuals is just another word for royalties. So... it's basically a roundabout way of saying the characters felt like puppets.


message 7: by Isa (new)

Isa K. Experiment BL626 wrote: "I'll just leave this link here in reply: The Beauty of The Double Standard"

Oh yeah I saw that when it was posted originally, brilliant post. Her 50 Shades recaps are hilarious too :D


Experiment BL626 I felt bad that you have to blog about this because frankly we would never see a male author/reader blog about this at all. None of this "Brotherhood of Be Nice" crap.


message 9: by Isa (new)

Isa K. Mmmm... blogging about it was more about making it clear that I want to be called out when I get out of line and spelling out exactly what the expectations on each side should be. I would love to fight the double standard, but honestly I kind of don't care what most other authors think. So that impedes rallying of the troops somewhat :3

Authors are told never ever to respond to reviews ever and usually I agree because for readers it can be awkward to feel like the author is WATCHING YOU from the shadows. I was kind of going about my merry way with my reviews, assuming there was no problem until there was a huge obvious problem and then wondering why the people involved didn't just email me ... but then how would they know that was okay to do when everyone always says never ever respond?

It just seemed like a good thing to put in writing


message 10: by Shadow Jubilee (last edited May 21, 2012 02:58PM) (new)

Shadow Jubilee Isa wrote: "Utterly Huggable Quills wrote: "I encourage people to write snarky reviews of my stuff.

*face falls* I'm not good at writing snarky reviews - and even more so, adding gifs (How do you people find ..."


I'm not a typical m/m crowd. I still read more m/f than m/m. ;)

I do know Jim Henson but I didn't know what residuals were. Thanks for clearing that up.

I'll have to save your comments so I have an idea of what to say in my review. :D


because for readers it can be awkward to feel like the author is WATCHING YOU from the shadows

It does! It's even more awkward when you don't put only positive reviews of books you read...and authors want to friend you. :D


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