Episode 52; Naming and Shaming Authors

[Judie]

That is tricky, isn't it Simon? On the one hand people may want to know what an author is like as a person - but it may influence whether they read the book or how they feel about the book. But that happens in other arts - think of Wagner...

What about if you describe the altercation exactly, without stating how you feel one way or another? It would be more like reporting and the listener could decide how rude they thought it was??... I'm cheating a bit now ... dying to find out your story!!! :D

[Elizabeth☮]

i think in this day of instant information it's difficult to know what people are truly like in person or otherwise. an author may make a rash comment and then not be able to make amends.

i think it's best to share the story among friends, but not on the world wide web and other technology.

[Tasha]

Funny you should mention this. My friend here on GRs had an altercation with a self-pub author also here on GRs. My friend read her book and although could only give the book 2 stars, her review was tasteful and respectful. My friend and this said author were friends before the reading/review and after the review, this author got very nasty with her and dropped her like a hot potato. Not only that, but she came back making rude comments under a new profile that my friend was smart enough to figure out.

This author (who is on Goodreads) also went under another profile giving very high praises to her own book...and making negative comments to those who gave her book anything less than stellar reviews.

My friend, until the end of this issue, acted with much respect towards this author and didn't name names until she started getting personally attacked. The author's name has since been mentioned but really only in response to their altercation.

Interestingly enough, this altercation led a second self-pub author to respond in a disrespectful, shall we even say crazy, way.

So, i don't see a problem letting others know of your altercations with authors but I do think it helps to know the backstory. :)

[Louise]

And I guess everyone can have a bad day - including succesful authors. I think it's more than fair if they're not always in the mood for talking to readers :-)

[Kim]

I feel like I try really hard to separate an author from their work, and consider the two things separately. I've definitely been disappointed in authors, whose work I adore, making public choices or statements I find offensive or unacceptable. But their work still stands, and I still recommend it.

But then, there is a limit to how much I can compartmentalize, and if it had been something so personal like you mention Simon, I think I might not be able to go on reading or recommending the person's work, just because of personal discomfort. I think that's a fair reaction, and only human.

[Esther]

I think authors should be ridiculed for responding childishly to bad reviews and should be shamed for racism or other unacceptable behaviour.

I think it is up to the reader to decide whether an author's personality will affect their reading choices. But if an author can't behave like a decent human being I think naming and shaming, at least among friends, is what they deserve. If it really just was an 'off day' they can apologise.

[Elizabeth☮]

after reading the posts, i think i agree that you would report shamefully behavior. i think most people in the public eye, if they have rude or inappropriate behavior, it's not typically limited to one event. so the chances are that we are all going to find out eventually.

[Tiffani]

I think if it is fair to report bad behavior. First, it happened and you are reporting the truth and there is nothing wrong (usually) with telling the truth. Second, as was written in an earlier post, if it the incident was truly the result of a bad day they can just apologize and the incident will likely be forgiven and forgotten in short order. Third, as for separating the work from the person, I disagree with that. The person and the work are interconnected. More to the point, if a person chooses not to read a book because of the author’s bad behavior that’s their choice. We all choose to read or not read books for a variety of reasons and an author’s behavior is just another factor affecting that choice. Furthermore, authors (like other artists) in part use their charm and celebrity to sell books and if people buy books because they admire the author for some reason (for their charm or celebrity status), then it should be just as acceptable to choose not to buy books when one doesn't admire an author (due to their bad behavior or whatever else).