Steph Sinclair > Status Update

I agree with Paige. Someone out there is obviously doing something to you, Stephanie, but we can't say for sure it's Leigh Fallon and not some over enthussiastic fan trying to help her -- or just a troll, as Paige said, taking advantage of a tense situation. I'm so angry that they're doing this to your review and I want to say a series of increasingly awful things, but Paige is right. We don't know who the jackass is, just that there is a jackass.

Oh my god. I'm so, SO sorry.

I really want to give the author the benefit of the doubt. Regardless of who wrote it, I'm both appalled and horrified and, frankly, speechless.

I'm in shock, Steph. You've never had anyone troll you on Goodreads because your reviews are so accurate and now this happens to you? Unbelievable. I'm so mad about it.

When will those immature authors - and I mean all sorts, traditionally published, vanity published, and self-published - figure out that some people will not like their books? Statistical probabilities, anyone?

I'm still really mad.

*hugs and chocolate and kittens*

I think the best thing for everyone here to do is to just keep doing what we do - review. Deep and analytical or snarky and funny, it's what we're good at and the vast majority of authors appreciate what we do, even when it's negative. Besides, we're consumers and we speak with our cash, which is the most powerful thing we can do.

*waving flags and inspirational music*

Fans do some really insane things sometimes to "help" an author.

Have you had any trolls on that review lately? Or perhaps I should qualify that with literate, since if this is a troll, they can actually spell.

Thank you everyone. I won't stop reviewing over this. It's just really disturbing. And you guys are right it could be a fan and I've got to say if it was, this has to be the most inventive way to troll someone.

I'm with Pam and Lucy on this. I will always come out on the side of the reviewer but until I see actual proof I don't want to jump to any conclusions.

Stephanie wrote: "Thank you everyone. I won't stop reviewing over this. It's just really disturbing. And you guys are right it could be a fan and I've got to say if it was, this has to be the most inventive way to t..."

And if it is a fan impersonating Leigh, then she is also being hurt by this. Have you tried to e-mail her?

I have NEVER had a single troll on any review.

Elizabeth,

I thought about emailing her, but what if it *was* her? That could be mighty awkward.

If you want, Stephanie, I can try to see if I can get anything out of her on Twitter. Not sure if I'll have much luck, though. If she did do this, she is the master of keeping quiet in public. Not even anything in her feed that hints at it.

Hm. Now I'm a little doubtful. There is clearly a trolly dipshit out there somewhere, but whether or not it's the author is unclear.

I agree with Paige, though. It's likely the email is real, but the chance it's a trolling fan is definitely there too. If you're willing to put your armor on, I'd agree with what Elizabeth said and try emailing the author about it. Don't let this slide.

Stephanie, for the record, I read your review on Amazon and it's fucking hilarious. High five, girl. Love it.

Just be polite about it. Say that you recieved a nasty email saying it was from her to her readers and wanted to be sure it wasn't a true email. And that you are a reader yourself and it hurt you.

It wouldn't be awkward. It would be clearing misunderstandings and if she was telling the truth and said 'no it wasn't me' and if she apologised for it, the air would be better. I mean that's what a gracious author would do.

By gracious... I mean her reply to your email. I think it's pretty easy to tell when someone is lying.

Stephanie wrote: "Elizabeth,

I thought about emailing her, but what if it *was* her? That could be mighty awkward."

Absolutely. But if it wasn't Leigh, she should know that one of her fans is sending around messages like this under her name.

Well she's online on her twitter right now. You could comment to her through that? http://twitter.com/#!/Leigh_Fallon

You should definitely share who this author is. I would never support an author that doesn't have class and obviously cannot handle criticism . The fact theft they called you names just proves their immature and pathetic.

Do you want me to email her for you, Steph?

I'm also with Pam and Lucy. It's too bad us reviewers have to go through these awful situations when we're just doing and talking about what we love. But like anything we love we need to make sure the source of the criticism is coming from the person we think it is. If it is, than in this situation you have every right to be upset and we will all support you. If in fact it turns out to be a HUGE scam then we need to address it as a community because it not only makes Leigh look bad, but reviewers as well.

As someone who has chatted with & known Leigh for some time I'd be shocked to find out it was her. And if it's not I feel bad that her name was used for such a negative campaign.

Let's hope for the best, keep positive as a community and continue to support each other & the great authors out there like we've best known for doing. *hugs*

I'd rather not do it on Twitter. I don't want to start a Twitter war over this. I don't mind emailing her, Kat. My only question is if it was her, would she really admitt that to me?

Stephanie wrote: "I'd rather not do it on Twitter. I don't want to start a Twitter war over this. I don't mind emailing her, Kat. My only question is if it was her, would she really admitt that to me?"

What if you pretended to be someone who received the e-mail and wanted to check with her before you went ahead and did what she asked? It's a bit sneaky, but if she did do it, she's more likely to tell you if she thinks you're a supporter.

That's true. I'll email her. I will report back team! Hopefully, with good news.

This is disgraceful behaviour from an author but it should not discourage you from writing honest reviews about your reading experiences. Authors, especially within the YA field need to grow a thicker skin and come to the realisation that not every single person who reads their book is going to love it. Pathetic is a bloody understatement.

I can't remember who on this thread said they don't know what a 'toe rag' is but as far as I'm aware it's a British insult. It's used a lot in the North of England where I'm from. Here is the link for urban dictionary and their definition:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define...

Good luck Steph.

Ugh. I sincerely hope it was not actually the author, but who knows? There's definitely been some author drama lately.

Either way, somebody out there certainly seems obsessed with your review, though I have no idea why. I didn't think it read as an attack on the author herself at all.

Skyla (Happy Go Lucky and Lost in Books) wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "I'd rather not do it on Twitter. I don't want to start a Twitter war over this. I don't mind emailing her, Kat. My only question is if it was her, would she really admitt that to ..."

That is exactly what I was thinking. And even still wouldn't it be a perfect opportunity to back peddle your way out of a mess? I'm sorry if I seem very skeptical about everything, but in recent turn of events with YA authors, it doesn't leave much room for faith. I'm going to try and remain positive about it all, hoping it was just an elaborate trolling attempt by a fan.

That is fair enough. I think you can only DM if they follow you.

I hope this all sorts out.

You don't know me (my first YA just released.) But the conversation popped up on my friends updates. I'm deeply sorry to see this sort of thing and if it turns out to be the author and not some hoax, then I want to apologize on behalf of authors everywhere and hope you will continue to post honest and thoughtful reviews.

Kaje Harper/Kira Harp

Adam 'Archer' wrote: "Angela wrote: "This is disgraceful behaviour from an author but it should not discourage you from writing honest reviews about your reading experiences. Authors, especially within the YA field need..."

We use the word pricks as well (and a hell of a lot worse). I think toe rag is more acceptable to use among older generations - I know my nana would never yell at me for using it in front of her but she would go mental if she heard me use stronger.

Am I really hearing this? To me it seems like you got an e-mail from an insecure kid rather than an author. I've followed your reviews for a great time, and I only read honesty in them even if they can seem harsh.

I just read your review on Amazon. That's no co-inky-dink. It really is "Twiligt 2.0".

Did Fallon "dream" the plot too? :P

Sorry about what's happening to you, Stephanie. Regardless of whether it's the author or a fan, it's still a douchey thing to do. I've never had any trouble like this before, but I write my reviews because I want to express my opinion of a book and share it with my friends here. I have no thoughts on the author themselves. I have no hidden agenda to hurt the authors feelings, or to create bad publicity. I wish people would see that reviewers don't have a hidden agenda. We just want to discuss books with other readers.

This is foul and very unprofessional on the Leigh's part.

I would send an email to HarperCollins and Leigh's agent if this is indeed her who sent that message.

Well, I've emailed Leigh. Hopefully, it was not her.

I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone. This is why I love GoodReads.

Stephanie wrote: "Well, I've emailed Leigh. Hopefully, it was not her.

I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone. This is why I love GoodReads."

I met Leigh at BEA this past year and she doesn't seem to be the type of person to do such a thing. Hopefully it all pans out for the best ((hugs))

Steph,
I am sorry to hear the some people can't handle other's opinions.

If this author was the one that wrote that to you then SHAME on them. Not everyone is going to love your stuff so just deal with it.

♥
Kelly

Here's hoping it is just a hoax. The last thing author-blogger relations needs right now is a Jets vs Sharks fight for dominance.

Ceilidh wrote: "Here's hoping it is just a hoax. The last thing author-blogger relations needs right now is a Jets vs Sharks fight for dominance."

Hear Hear.

Your status was somehow on my homepage, and I am so fucking shocked by your story. It's unbelievable, all these petty manipulations, the insults, the hate speech and the incitement to hatred. Unacceptable. I honestly hope you can take the woman down.

I just went and liked your review. And by the way, it's AWESOME.

What the freaking hell? Okay, it's bad enough that she's asking what she's asking but her freaking language? (And I didn't miss those grammar wonks.) What the actual hell? She's going off my list. Wow.

Click "yes" indeed. I'm so sickened by this.

The other shit (my favourite author) is still going down. I can't handle much more of this.

Katie(babs) wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Well, I've emailed Leigh. Hopefully, it was not her.

I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone. This is why I love GoodReads."

I met Leigh at BEA this past year and she doesn't..."

I know, she seems so nice. I really hope the email is not really from her.

Lissa wrote: "The other shit (my favourite author) is still going down. I can't handle much more of this."

Is Vanity back?!

The most frustrating thing? I can't say anything because I'll get more people sent after me to rate my book one star. It's holding me hostage.

Wow! I'm sorry about that...don't let this deter you. Be you and state your opinion. I guess she never heard of freedom of speech. I agree with Lucy...you need to let the word out so other readers are aware.

Lissa wrote: "The other shit (my favourite author) is still going down. I can't handle much more of this."

oh no! not she who won't be named? (Vanity, right?)

And did anyone find out if this is really Leigh, or just a troll?

Lissa wrote: "The most frustrating thing? I can't say anything because I'll get more people sent after me to rate my book one star. It's holding me hostage."

Can you not report her or something to GR admins and whatnot? Her behaviour is unbelievably childish anf needs to be highlighted to the powers that be.

Lissa wrote: "The most frustrating thing? I can't say anything because I'll get more people sent after me to rate my book one star. It's holding me hostage."

This really angers me.

Stephanie wrote: "Lissa wrote: "The most frustrating thing? I can't say anything because I'll get more people sent after me to rate my book one star. It's holding me hostage."

This really angers me."

Me as well, you shouldn't have to worry about minions rating your book a 1 star in retaliation.

I've got no proof that she's created sock puppet accounts and had her friends come after me. It's all politics.

But the latest is that in her latest review someone mentions that someone played a trick on us, the 'trolls of goodreads' and now we're taking it out on her book. And I'm so desperate to say something but I know that if I do, I can say hello to some more one star ratings.