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Sick of Amazon removing your book reviews? Sign this petition!
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Will wrote: "The problem with a disclaimer is that Amazon would be opening the door for lots of "friend and family" reviews. It suggests that it's okay to have fake or untrustworthy reviews as long as there is ..."Right. Not to mention the fact that it violates Amazon's TOS. So, if Amazon feels it's a violation of the prohibition regarding friends and family posting a review, they have every right to remove it.
It's in the consumers best interest to have unbiased, consumer reviews in the area for consumer reviews, not ad copy and promos from friends.
Sure an author may think it doesn't matter as long as Amazon makes sales - however Amazon is smart enough to know that consumers being fooled into purchasing what isn't to their taste, or in actuality is a sup-par product, do to misleading friend "reviews" doesn't make for satisfied customers. And getting a reputation for having fake and misleading "reviews" so that consumers purchase items they are not going to be pleased with is something Amazon knows is not in their best interest.
Suzette wrote: "I think the relevant point is (1) did the reviewer actually read your book? (2) did they give their honest opinion? If the answer is "yes" to both, they should be able to post a review. "That might be what YOU want, but that isn't want Amazon's TOS says.
"If you're going to leave one review up, leave them all up and let the reader decide."
Let the reader decide? Did your mom disclose to readers she's your mom, so they could decide?
I realize attempting to try to explain the problem with your view for both consumers and Amazon would likely be a wasted attempt, so I won't bother to try.
Bottom line - it's their sandbox, their rules, and they'll enforce those rules as they see fit.
Suzette - I'm sorry, but why should Amazon remove a review simply because the author doesn't like it? It would be great if every review we received was a glowing and honest five stars. But we have to accept that not everyone will like our books. Readers are perfectly entitled to give one star reviews.Yes, there will occasionally be a rogue dishonest one star review from a troll. The good news is that readers aren't stupid. If they see a lone one star review surrounded by oodles of good reviews, they will usually figure out that the reviewer shouldn't be trusted.
But when readers see several one and two star reviews of the same book, it's usually a sign that there is something to worry about. Authors shouldn't grumble about the poor reviews - they should learn from them.
Hi Suzette, Be sure to put,"finalist in the 2015 Chanticleer Mystery and Mayhem awards" at the top of your book description. You can do it anytime as an Edit your book info. Also, looking at the title of this forum, it says AUTHOR feedback forum. If you've never written and published then you can 't possibly understand how snarky reviews feel to an author.
We authors all understand when a reader posts that it "wasn't to their taste." But "wants to throw up," does nothing to help the next person who may be considering this book to read, and yes, some readers really do get a personal sense of satisfaction that they have slammed the author's work--which sure feels personal--hence the use of the word, troll.
R.P. wrote: "Also, looking at the title of this forum, it says AUTHOR feedback forum. If you've never written and published then you can 't possibly understand how snarky reviews feel to an author. "Oh my goodness! Please do NOT lump all authors in with such an entitled and frankly, offensive, statement.
Firstly - Goodreads is a public social media site designed for readers. Anyone can read and comment on threads, this is not a closed group for authors only. Readers are entitled to their opinion. Many readers have valuable insight into issues that crop up in the Author Feedback group. If you don't like the fact many different people contribute to these discussions, then perhaps you need to rethink posting on Goodreads?
Secondly - if reviews upset you, don't read them. If you can't separate yourself and your ego from a review of your product, don't read them. Do not lump all authors in together and say we get upset over "snarky" (a subjective opinion you are applying) reviews. And I could not disagree more strongly with calling any reviewer a "troll" just because of the wording of their review.
As an author - I appreciate every single person who takes the time to leave their thoughts or impressions about a book I have written - regardless of the star rating attached or the content of the review. I also understand that reviews are NOT for me, they are for other readers. I know when I am looking for my next book I quite often read low star reviews to judge what didn't work for other readers.
I'm shaking my head, it's entitled opinions from special snowflakes, demanding what readers can and can't do in their reviews that not only gives indies a bad reputation but contributes to people no longer bothering to leave reviews.
R.P. wrote: "Also, looking at the title of this forum, it says AUTHOR feedback forum."Smart authors, who are in a profession and are business people, typically are interested in how things effect consumers - you know, customers and potential customers. And how expressing views that are contrary to the best interest of consumers on a public forum on a site for readers may not be well received. Additionally they may find it helpful and informative to listen to the views of actual readers - you know people they're hoping to sell to.
"If you've never written and published then you can 't possibly understand how snarky reviews feel to an author."
"Snarky" or any other kind of consumer review isn't written for the author - so if they make you feel bad, don't read them. It's not that complicated.
"But "wants to throw up," does nothing to help the next person who may be considering this book to read,"
Sure it might. And those consumers who don't find it helpful move along to other reviews they DO find helpful. Consumers aren't stupid. Well, generally.
As long as Amazon allows it according to how it determines TOS violations, the consumer has the right to voice their opinion regarding a book.
You know what reviews I don't find particularly helpful? The ones that simply rave about how MARVELOUS and WONDERFUL BEST BOOK EVERRRRR! some book is, but nothing more.
It amuses me that as much as I see *some* authors complain about "unhelpful" negative reviews, it's exceedingly rare to see them say the same about positive reviews that aren't particularly useful.
But you know what I do, as a consumer, when I come across a review I don't find helpful? I move on to look at others that I find more helpful. That's what normal and reasonable people do.
"and yes, some readers really do get a personal sense of satisfaction that they have slammed the author's work"
You find a scientific poll on that somewhere, or is that just your feelings "informing" your opinions, which you then state as a fact?
"--which sure feels personal"
Feeling personal to YOU doesn't magically change it into being personal - it isn't. Your customer isn't responsible for your feelings. Did you ever think for one second about that person's feelings? Spending their hard earned money on a book they ended up disliking SO MUCH? Doesn't look like it. And sure, readers know sometimes we're going to waste money on something that is (for us) a dud - it happens. But if you're going to get worked up about your feelings, seems fair you'd think as much about theirs.
"--hence the use of the word, troll. "
Hence demonstrating you don't actually understand the meaning of that term - because a troll is not someone who expresses an opinion about your book that you don't like.
R.P. wrote: "Hi Suzette, Be sure to put,"finalist in the 2015 Chanticleer Mystery and Mayhem awards" at the top of your book description. You can do it anytime as an Edit your book info. . . We authors all understand when a reader posts that it "wasn't to their taste."”
Thank you, R.P., for your kind response and great suggestion. Yes, I am used to severe editors and have benefitted from harsh reviews. A criticism of the work is far different than a personal attack and name-calling; the reviewer noted absolutely nothing specific as to the reason for his dislike (but there were other attacks on my person included in the review). I would think it would be evident that “your book made me want to throw up” is not a literary assessment of the work. Clearly they understand the difference at Chanticleer.
Suzette wrote: "A criticism of the work is far different than a personal attack and name-calling; Personal attacks in reviews are TOS violations on both Goodreads and Amazon.
"the reviewer noted absolutely nothing specific as to the reason for his dislike"
There is no requirement consumers do so in consumer reviews.
"(but there were other attacks on my person included in the review)."
If so that would be something to address with the site where the review is posted. If the owner of the site deems it truly is a TOS violation it would be removed.
"I would think it would be evident that “your book made me want to throw up” is not a literary assessment of the work. "
Consumer reviews are not required to contain a "literary assessment". They are consumer opinion, and quite often simply express enjoyment, or lack thereof - which is a valid consumer issue - and nothing regarding literary value.
Those looking for a "literary assessment" would probably be better served seeking out professional reviewers.
Suzette - I think you are bending the truth a little here. I've had a look at the reviews for your book. While that review is particularly harsh, it is not the only review making the same points. If you look across all six 1 star reviews and all three 2 star reviews, you will see several reviewers saying similar things.Admittedly, that particularly reviewer could have found a less colourful way of expressing his opinions, but that's the reviewer's choice and not yours.
Right now, you have a choice. You could obsess about the harshly written one star review and demand that Amazon delete it - which they almost certainly won't.
Or you could look across all nine of your one and two star reviews and start to look for common themes. Look for areas where you could improve so that future reviewers won't feel the need to give you one or two star reviews.
I've read the start of your book in the "look inside" part of Amazon. I think I know what these reviewers are struggling with. If you would like, I could send you some comments by PM.
The choice is yours. You can rage about a bad review or you can try to learn from it.
Will,Good advice stings sometimes, but it should, as you have said, as it teaches us something about our work. On LinkedIn there was a character who championed and boasted of his 10,000 member group and growing. I started spending time around him and noticed he couldn't spell worth a lick. Also, his thoughts were a bit disconnected.
Then something strange occurred. He asked me about editing and how I do it. It took me by surprise, since I already knew he was the least likely candidate to edit anyone's work. He then contacted, by PM, some of the younger gals on his site and offered to edit any of their books for $300. Two gals were about to send off manuscripts to him.
I got curious and did a thorough search of books he said he had published. I found the books. He had pirated other writers' covers and added his own name and title to them. Then I read his description and the red flags went up all over the place. Also, he garnered many 1 star reviews for both books. Ouch!!!
I contacted a gal who knew these other ladies, and she warned them not to buy into his scam! He was grabbing up manuscripts, trashing them, and taking their money. He did it too many times, and finally was apprehended. His site group then was closed and disappeared, while members went to other groups who would have them.
I'm so glad Amazon left those nasty 1 star reviews posted. This is what caught my eye that day. "50 Shades of Grey" got away with murder when they were published - no one stopped James with her poorly written book. How bad was this poorly edited piece of garbage? The author's brother edited it, and the quality of his work was easily seen in all of the 1 star reviews.
Added feature:
Would You Know An Editor, If You Saw One? By Don Ford
I stood one day looking out the window, and watched folks as they filed by on the street below. They were close enough; I could see each face. Some were smiling; some even winked when they saw me checking them out.
But who were all of these people? Or better yet, who were each of them; what did they do in life? One was a baker. At least he wore the clothes of one. Another was obviously a policeman with special hat and a gun at his side. Maybe that one over there was a Librarian; she had a key to open the place.
But of all who passed by this morning, were any of them writers? More importantly, were any of them Editors? Maybe if I knew what an Editor was, that would help. Any one of them could be, but which ones were, if any?
Could you tell he was or wasn’t an editor by the lines he himself penned? An Editor is a position that is held by those who love the written word; those who are irritated enough by the abuses of the language, to do something about it. They are rewriters, mostly.
A Dentist fixes your tooth, a Clockmaker works on timepieces, and an Editor puts a smile on another writer’s face, when he helps his manuscript to be the best it could possibly be, by the time it hits the hands of the Publisher.
An Editor is the average writer’s best friend. Many writers know what they want to say or are trying to say, the Editor puts the correct words into the right order for them. The writer’s work now has a certain polish or shine about it! Editors make the writer LOOK GOOD!
The Editor becomes the writer’s Shadow or Muse after a while, until they get to know one another personally. When I began work as an Editor, though I took a serious interest in my clients’ works, I stayed at a distance with just the facts. I did the editing and not much more.
The same writer was returning more often with other stories for me to edit. Soon I got to know the writer’s style and was able to do even a better polish on their work. I started to get my head into their story; I was enjoying their tales like a reader would.
If I didn’t like where their story was going, I’d say something in blue highlights, but I wouldn’t change it. Most of the time they would come back to change it themselves. This was their call; their story.
“Editing requires the strange ability to stand in the place of the audience and the author simultaneously.” S. Zvan
That's a nice story. Thanks for sharing it.I think there are two levels of editing - from bad to "good enough", and from "good enough" to great.
The first level - from bad to "good enough" - is when an editor gets rid of all the mistakes. Misspellings, grammatical mistakes, newbie writing errors, cliche, purple prose, plot holes, too much tell not show, repetition, that sort of thing. These are the sorts of problems which attract one star reviews like a sofa attracting dog hairs.
Many readers will give up on a book that has too many of these problems. It can make the book unreadable for them, and lead to some of the nastier reviews that people have been talking about.
Once an edit has zapped all these problems, the book gets to the "good enough" stage. This is when readers don't really notice the writing at all. Instead they concentrate on the story. Do they like the characters? Does the setting appeal to them? Are they gripped by the action?
Many commercial writers get to this stage and make a perfectly good career there. They tell damn good stories that people like to read. Their prose might not sparkle, but they don't need it to. This is where we find the Dan Browns, the JK Rowlings, the Stieg Larssons et al. Character, story and plot are what matters. The reader doesn't notice the quality of the writing.
Beyond "good enough", the reader starts to notice the writing again, but for the right reasons this time. The individual sentences and words aren't just there to rush you to the next bit of action. They are a positive pleasure to read. You savour each sentence, marveling at the author's skill.
That, for me, explains why there are best-selling books that aren't well written and well written books that don't sell well. As long as the writing is "good enough", then we will be immersed in the story and characters.
IMHO, all aspiring authors should aim for the "good enough" stage first. That doesn't guarantee that our books will sell - we still need strong characters and good plots - but it should stop all the one and two star reviews about the quality of the writing.
I'm new to the indie publishing world and I had no idea Amazon was removing reviews. But I had wondered where two of my reviews went. So far I only have three reviews, so I noticed when two were gone. And the two missing reviews weren't written by family or friends. I don't know what all this is about, but I do know I don't want to lose my reviews.
Grace wrote: "I'm new to the indie publishing world and I had no idea Amazon was removing reviews. But I had wondered where two of my reviews went. So far I only have three reviews, so I noticed when two were go..."As a point of clarity, the reviews are not "your" reviews. They are reviews of the book you wrote. The reviews themselves are the intellectual property of the reviewer.
I just think it should be up to the reviewer to remove the review. But if it is an attack on the author, then I think the author should contact Amazon for them to remove it. Goodreads doesn't remove reviews, but the author can ask them to. I think that's how Amazon should do it.
Grace wrote: "I just think it should be up to the reviewer to remove the review. "Amazon owns the site where the reviews are posted. Amazon has the right to remove any review it pleases for whatever reason it pleases.
Amazon will remove any review it finds that it determines violates Amazon TOS. All users can report reviews as violations for Amazon to review and make a determination on.
"But if it is an attack on the author, then I think the author should contact Amazon for them to remove it. "
An author certainly could report it. As can any Amazon user. And if Amazon determines it is genuinely an "attack on the author" it will delete it since that is a violation of Amazon TOS.
"Goodreads doesn't remove reviews, "
Goodreads DOES remove reviews it discovers and determines violate Goodreads TOS. Additionally Goodreads users can flag reviews they feel are violations for Goodreads to review. If Goodreads determines it is a violation Goodreads will delete it.
"..but the author can ask them to."
So can any Goodreads user. And Goodreads won't delete a review simply because someone "asks" them to, but if they determine the review violates Goodreads TOS.
" I think that's how Amazon should do it."
Goodreads and Amazon both "do it" the same.
You appear to desire only the reviewer or the producer of the product to have control on if a consumer review is removed from Amazon or Goodreads.
That isn't how it works. If you want a site that functions as you want you'll need to look for another site, or make your own.
It's just not that simple, though. There are plenty of documented cases where sellers/authors are buying reviews, for example, from sites like Fiverr. Hence, all the recent media articles about Amazon suing certain large-scale review manipulators. And that's just one example--plenty of other review manipulation going on. 'Leaving it up to the reviewer' to remove in these cases is obviously counter-productive.@Grace,
No idea specifically,what happened to your book's reviews, but another recently common occurence is that review fraudsters build up a serious/legitimate looking profile by mixing 'honest' and paid-for reviews. When/if they get caught, their entire account is wiped out and the 'good' go with the bad. Just another reason why reviews may disappear.
Huge amount of variables - again, just not that simple...
Grace wrote: "I just think it should be up to the reviewer to remove the review. But if it is an attack on the author, then I think the author should contact Amazon for them to remove it. Goodreads doesn't remov..."Actually, GR staff do remove reviews which violate their TOS, so do Amazon staff. They can also ban site users from the site indefinitely, if they see users violating site rules multiple times.
Both GR and AMZ users have the right to remove their own reviews, if they chose to do so, but both website's staff also hold the right to remove reviews which violate their terms of service.
As lola already said, authors do not own reviews. Why are there still some that think that? It's like me saying I own the book because I've read it and just because I didn't like it, I get to decide if it should be removed from a site or not. Rediculouse, isn't it?
If a book is good, the word will spread like a wild fire and authors won't care if a review, or two, that looked suspicious to GR or AMZ, was removed.
Amen to that. Losing a few reviews is a small price to pay if we can make the review system more honest.
I see what you all mean. I'm just a little frustrated because it was my first published book and my reviews just vanished. Thanks for explaining it to me. :)
Grace wrote: "I see what you all mean. I'm just a little frustrated because it was my first published book and my reviews just vanished. Thanks for explaining it to me. :)"I can understand the frustration :D
I get the info about taking down reviews, but are some never posted on Amazon to begin with? Can authors request to know if reviews were never posted?
You can ask, don't know if they'll give a specific answer. Presumably something about it is deemed to violate TOS.
Many people complain to me that they have purchased one of my books but are unable to leave a review. When they try, and click the button on the page to leave a review, it instead takes them to "The process of posting a review" with no other links that allow them to do so. What use is this?As authors, reviews make or break us. And lack of reviews do the exact same thing. What a lack of reviews does is say that nobody has bought the book and nobody wants to. It also says that if somebody did buy and read it, the book was so bad that it did not warrant even a single star.
Amazon needs to sort themselves out, change their ridiculous policies, and allow all buyers of our books to leave reviews. We cannot all be punished just for a corrupt few that "buy" reviews from some places I have heard about. Amazon sent an email to Kindle authors warning that they will start removing reviews if they even suspect there is a connection between you (the author) and the person who has bought and read the book. This leaves me at a distinct advantage, since everybody with my surname, whether I have met them or not, no matter which country they live in, are somehow related to me. It does not bias the review.
Oh, and I pity anybody with the surname of Smith. Something tells me that all Smith authors will be linked to everybody else with the most common name in the world. This is a sad sad world when struggling authors can't get something as simple as a review for their books.
Where do I sign the petition, btw?
You say this now, until someone disagrees with your politics and you get 500 negative, bogus, often hilarious fake reviews ;)I agree to an extent; but Amazon is going to do what Amazon feels is best for their business.
If you want to protest something they do, I recommend focusing on other, larger, sins than this.
Just my $0.62 (adjusted for inflation, and my ego.)
Larger sins? I am a Deaf/blind author and my books are my only income. When Amazon messes with the right for people to leave reviews, it severely reflects on the hip pocket.
Like I said, I'm with you in spirit, I just see both sides of the equation.Amazon is *not* a 'benevolent entity.' I have many, many disagreements with their practices. But, they are still one of the best ways many people have for selling their product.
Fight your fight. But I doubt much will come of it, for reasons good or ill.
Rosie wrote: "As authors, reviews make or break us."Not really true. And it's placing a purpose on consumer reviews which is completely contrary to the actual purpose of consumer reviews.
Yes, I understand the frustration of a consumer who wants to leave a review on Amazon and is having trouble doing so for whatever reason. They should contact Amazon for assistance.
Rosie wrote: "When Amazon messes with the right for people to leave reviews..."I am not unsympathetic, but the only "right" anyone has to leave a review on Amazon is the allowance Amazon gives them to do so. That's it.
It's Amazon's site, and they can allow or disallow what they want for whatever reason they want. And no one has any "right" to do anything other than what Amazon decides to allow them.
Rosie - Amazon wants the same thing that you do. To sell more books. Profit for them is profit for us.Dodgy book reviews hurt sales. It brings the whole review process into disrepute, and Amazon relies on reviews to encourage customers to buy something.
So Amazon are taking action to restore some trust in the reviews. It is going after the fiverr review click farms. Deleting reviews that seem to be from friends and families. And quite a few other things that we won't get to hear about.
While they are doing this they will probably delete some legit reviews too. That's sadly inevitable given the way that Amazon works. They keep their costs low by automating as much as possible. This level of automation is usually good news for us authors because it means that anyone can publish a book for free - something that was impossible before Amazon.
Amazon is not messing with people's rights to leave genuine reviews. It is trying to stamp out the dodgy reviews that are damaging sales. And if some legit reviews are lost, it's a shame but probably something we just have to take on the chin.
By all means sign the petition. I wish there was a polar opposite of this petition that I could sign.
I can't with this thread anymore...If you have a good book and a good marketing strategy, readers will buy and reviewers will review the hell out of it. If not, then you'll end up in one GR feedback group complaining about Amazon review policy. I have a feeling that some of the authors, that posted in this thread, need to go back and evaluate their writing skills and then the strategy on how to spread the word about the book, in stead of pointing fingers at others. Because it's always someone else's fault, isn't? Their might have been some "casualties" (probably still are and most likely will be in the future) during AMZ and GR clean outs, but I, as a reader, rather have that than a flood of reviews from author's family or friends.
That's an opinion of a reader, who has spend a lot of money throuout the years on books, both with and without reviews, more that I should've, but don't regreat a dime of it.
Will wrote: Rosie - Amazon wants the same thing that you do. To sell more books. Profit for them is profit for us.Yes! It's not in their best interest to start zapping random reviews just for giggles.
Rosie wrote: "As authors, reviews make or break us. And lack of reviews do the exact same thing. What a lack of reviews does is say that nobody has bought the book and nobody wants to. .."This is simply not true. All my books sell with zero reviews. I've never worried about reviews, but concentrated on presenting a professional, polished product that readers are willing to pay for. Reviews flow in naturally when you start selling.
Comments like this simply perpetuate the WE MUST HAVE REVIEWS OR WE DIE!!!! hysteria which is a load of rubbish and feeds all these shonky review mill services. If you want reviews, sell books. You should receive about one organic review for every 100 sales.
Even better, if you stop worrying about reviews and let genuine readers leave them, they won't be removed by Amazon.
A.W. wrote: "Rosie wrote: "As authors, reviews make or break us. And lack of reviews do the exact same thing. What a lack of reviews does is say that nobody has bought the book and nobody wants to. .."This is..."
My books sell. But when the buyers complain to me that they cannot paste a review and then Amazon tells me they have "policies" and no other reason, it peeves me. My books have shot to #1 on more than one occasion, but the people who have paid the money to read them do not get the opportunity to voice their opinion of the book.
To people who have other jobs they attend during the day, good for you, but for people who are deemed by the country they live in as "unemployable" because they are Deaf/blind, it is an issue.
I will be withdrawing from this thread, as I don't need people calling the issue "a load of rubbish." Peace out.
I think buyers complaining to you might be a clue to why Amazon won't post them, as typical consumers would not contact a product seller to complain about such a thing.Sounds like Amazon is considering them in the "Friends or Family" category. Not saying they're right, but I'm guessing that's what they're thinking.
Alexandra aka Auntie J wrote: "I think buyers complaining to you might be a clue to why Amazon won't post them, as typical consumers would not contact a product seller to complain about such a thing."That would be my suspicion also. The fact they email about it, seems to denote they feel under some obligation to leave a review.
Personally I wouldn't have a clue if Amazon has removed reviews from any of my titles. I don't stalk the book page tracking numbers etc which seems to be what some authors do (how do they even have the time? lol) Nor have I ever had people contact me saying their reviews won't go through.
Rosie wrote: "To people who have other jobs they attend during the day, good for you..."
Perhaps you shouldn't make assumptions about other people. Due to medical circumstances, writing is my full time job. As such I don't waste energy fretting about review numbers, I spend my time writing.
Suzette wrote: "... But, heh, my Mom's review of my book was deleted, and, believe me, it was one of the few nice things she has said to me in 56 years. I can assure you, if my mother ha..."Did she disclose she was related to you? If not, Amazon didn't have a choice (or even a policy) behind the removal. U.S. federal law considers failure to disclose that connection consumer fraud if posted in with consumer reviews. That's not something U.S. based customer/consumer/reader review sites get to set a policy on -- payments/incentives (including free review copy and services) and connections/bias/income-impact have to be disclosed.
Whether or not -- once disclosed -- if such reviews are allowed is up to individual site policies. Amazon is taking "connection" to a whole new level that myself, other readers and many authors find ridiculous. Sure, yes, we want the fake and paid reviews pretending to be from readers gone. But, no, we don't see anything odd about someone who enjoyed an author's writing or social media posts liking, following, fanning, friending or subscribing to them -- why wouldn't we read and review more from an author we are a fan of? Amazon should need more than something like following an author's Facebook page as a reason to remove a review.
Unless something has changed, I think you can quote Mom'sreview in the "editorial description" area of Amazon.
None of the public-can-join consumer review sites are judging qualifications of reviewers where it would matter if she was qualified to review your topic or not.
Other U.S. based consumer review sites like goodreads will allow if relationship disclosed but none of them can allow if not disclosed without risking fines and legal actions.
Suzette wrote: "...If the reviewer is a troll who is personally attacking the author and not making a single point about the book's content, the review will stay. ..."Luckily both goodreads and Amazon (and most remotely well known consumer review sites) prohibit personal attacks and harassments.
On whatever site is still allowing those personal attacks, look for a flag or report option. If not found, look for a "Contact Us" (or "Help" menu that would lead to) link to manually send the details to site staff. If not found, try emailing "support@..." "info@..." "help@..." or "abuse@...". If still no action taken, report the site to their website hosting service if the hosting service has policies against harassing or malicious content.
I am not sure the reviews are being removed...i still seem to see mine...or at least i think i still can. The problem people have had recently is that they download the kindle version of the book and then they can't open it...is there a problem there?
I agree A. W., well said.