Steph Sinclair > Status Update

Stephanie wrote: "Wow, this kind of blew up outbid nowhere.

I would really appreciate it if everyone would stop talking about Leigh's personal appearance.

I think I'm going to go back and edit my first post to i..."

Except that I wasn't commenting on her personal appearance and rather was stating that "big nose" is an ethnic slur.

Amanda wrote: "Lucy wrote: "If you guys want to discuss linguistics and racial insults I suggest you private message one another or take it to another thread. You're detracting from the point here and using the a..."

Sorry, but I tend to call out slurs where I see them. Words mean things, etc. And in the context that I read her comment, I interpreted it that way. No, I'm not going to apologise for my interpretation.

Experiment wrote: "Amanda wrote: "My best friend is Jewish and she didn't take offense to the comment when I showed her this post...so? I would suggest stop being so sensitive."

Or you can always ask a Jewish person..."

I'm Jewish and I find it offensive, which is why I commented on it in the first place.

Amanda wrote: "Lolno wrote: "Amanda wrote: "Lolno wrote: "For those of you calling foul at me calling Fallon "a big nosed, vindictive bitch"....I'm not sorry. ..."

You do realise that "big nose" is a term that i..."

Oh, I see. The "But I have a gay/Jewish/black friend so I know all about what's anti-Semitic/racist and I can't possibly be anti-Semitic/racist because I have Jewish friends/friends who are POCs!" argument.

Stop being so sensitive? Oh, right. Tone argument. I guess when I find something offensive I should just shut up about it.

Amanda wrote: "Lolno wrote: "Amanda wrote: "Lucy wrote: "If you guys want to discuss linguistics and racial insults I suggest you private message one another or take it to another thread. You're detracting from t..."

So I'm a troll just because I disagree with you and am interpreting a statement to be anti-Semitic. Okay, then!

Lolno wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Wow, this kind of blew up outbid nowhere.

I would really appreciate it if everyone would stop talking about Leigh's personal appearance.

I think I'm going to go back and edit ..."

I understand that. Really, I do. I'm sorry you were offended. I don't condone any name calling, but can we please remain on topic or not comment at all? Otherwise, I'm gonna have to put on my "boss lady" hat and start deleting comments that are off topic and I really don't want to do that.

What they are trying to say is that this whole thread is not about racism, it's about an author behaving badly. You've said what you think of the insult. We have heard you. We do not need to hear you again.

Lolno wrote: "For those of you calling foul at me calling Fallon "a big nosed, vindictive bitch"....I'm not sorry. ..."

You do realise that "big nose" is a term that is generally used in a demeaning manner towa..."

It is not, and you are just trying to start shit with people. Stick to topic or move on to preach your crap elsewhere!

I'm going to make a quick suggestion - Lolno's comments are both off-topic and irrelevant and slightly slanderous for insinuating another member is anti-Semitic, so the flag button is useful for this type of situation. I would let GR deal with this person instead of going back and forth with them.

Or, just delete their comments, Stephanie, since they have no books, reviews, or friends and it looks like they've decided to use their brand new account to troll this thread.

Oh, really? No books or friends? I shall use the force then.

Edit: Okay...so this is awkward, but GRs is not allowing me to delete comments on my own thread. :/

Oh yeah, that's right. You can only delete comments on reviews.

Oh well, just flag them all. I did.

Wow, I can't believe how unprofessional and childish that this author is acting. I don't know you, but this popped up on my updates page, and after reading through everything I couldn't just not comment. I'm sorry that you were insulted for exercising your right to say you didn't like a book. A book does not make the person and the author should learn to take all forms of criticism in a professional manner and not personally. I will not be picking up any of her books because of the way this author so blatantly disrespects reviewers. Furthermore, I'll have to agree with the others when the say that she is "dicking" with the system. Reviews should earn their likes and dislikes should be given honestly. I wish more people would call out authors who may be doing this. A problem cannot be addressed until it is made public.

Serenity wrote: "Wow, I can't believe how unprofessional and childish that this author is acting. I don't know you, but this popped up on my updates page, and after reading through everything I couldn't just not co..."

I doubt that she altering the likes and dislikes successfully as much as I doubt Stephanie was ever "out to get her" as the writer claimed. She owes Stephanie a sincere apology for the name calling, and then everyone on both sides needs to take a deep breath, calm down, and reassess the situation going forward. Reviewers and authors need each other. We are in a symbiotic relationship. The writer has embarrassed herself before her peers with these comments, as well as with reviewers. But if the reviewers go after her like some sort of literary lynch mob, then they are missing an opportunity to take the high ground. You don't want writers seeing you in that way. Please think about the big picture before acting out. Give Leigh's people time to talk to her and help her see the line she's crossed so that she can grow from this opportunity and do the right thing.

Wow. Just wow. That's all I have to say. Well that, and I will never be reading this author's books.

Edward, those are wise words. I have no doubt that Leigh's actions were a direct emotional response from my review. On some level I can sympathize with her feelings. However, for now I can't trust myself to read any of her works with an unbiased mind. I do hope that later down the line when this situation is way behind us, I can comfortably pick up another book from her. Maybe. I'm not above forgiveness and I do believe we all make mistakes (even really, really bad ones).

But, she was screwing the system. Before this fiasco there were a mix of negative and positive reviews on the book's amazon page. I know this because I checked when I first posted the review. After the email was sent, all of the negative reviews were pushed to the last page (8) and all the positive, even the ones with only a few sentences, had a noticeable amount of YES votes. That is screwing with the system and she was pretty sucessful. Unfortunately, now all the positive reviews are pushed to the bottom. Almost all of the negative reviews have the most YES votes. Regardless of my opinion of the book, it's now still inaccurate.

I have no personal interest in this, and as I've stated before, Ms. Fallon's behaviour was unprofessional, among other things. But I was thinking the other day about how the whole thing has just gotten away from her. If I were her, I'd be curled up in bed in the fetal position with the covers pulled over my head. I'd be trying to forget, through sleep, about the very stupid thing I'd done. When I'd wake up, for a brief moment I'd have forgotten and then it would hit me and I'd get sick to my stomach all over again. at least, if I'd been caught doing something that incredibly stupid, that's where I'd be. I'd be suspicious if she weren't. Just thought I'd add another two cents. I'm not apologizing for her behaviour, but just saying ......

Well, any talk of what Fallon has done is pure speculation. Until you look at her Internet activity and that indicates a much different story to someone who is an emotional wreak and curled up in bed.

Still speculation but I can think of other authors, also under the spotlight for transgressions this week, who publicly apologized and spent a lot of time trying to earn back trust. I haven't seen that same level of commitment from Fallon.

Kat wrote: "Well, any talk of what Fallon has done is pure speculation. Until you look at her Internet activity and that indicates a much different story to someone who is an emotional wreak and curled up in ..."

This is true. While I appreciate the Email she sent apologizing, my review wasn't the only one effected. Not only that, but I'd wager her fans are owed an apology. I bet they were shocked. If I found out J.K. Rowling did something like this to a reader, I would be hurt as a fan.

Ah, yes. Sepeculation. I don't know. If I were the one found to have done something like this (note: I wouldn't do anything like this), I probably wouldn't associate myself with anything that made it look like I was not sincere. Just saying.

Okay, okay. I give. I'm speculating, and neither would I do anything like this. I'm just trying to be kind. Trying to present an alternative narrative. I'll stop now. I think all the points have been made. I was trying to make a different one after hundreds of comments belaboring Fallon's evilness. I don't minimize her betrayal of trust and I won't read her books (she sounds way too derivative for my taste in any case) but in the grand scheme of things, perhaps it is time to move on. Just saying..... Okay, now I'm done. Done, done, like dinner.

Sophie, your opinion is most welcome here! I hope you didn't feel ganged up on. It's just that some people are just seeing this discussion. So there are few new comments here and there. As for me, I've moved on to my next great read. :)

Stephanie wrote: "Sophie, your opinion is most welcome here! I hope you didn't feel ganged up on. It's just that some people are just seeing this discussion. So there are few new comments here and there. As for me, ..."

Stephanie, I think you did a great service by whistle blowing this scandal. No question. People need to know stuff like this. Good on ya! :). It's really important that we know that authors are people too, also capable of doing terrifically stupid things. Thanks.
Sophie.
p.s. Whatcha readin' now?

Sophie,

I certainly didn't mean to come across as combative or attacking you. I see no point in demonizing Fallon - I think she's done enough of that for herself and certainly doesn't need any help in that department.

But nor do I want to mix fantasy with reality in order to empathize with her. Her choice of behaviour after this incident certainly wasn't...advised.

"But if the reviewers go after her like some sort of literary lynch mob, then they are missing an opportunity to take the high ground. You don't want writers seeing you in that way. Please think about the big picture before acting out. Give Leigh's people time to talk to her and help her see the line she's crossed so that she can grow from this opportunity and do the right thing."

Thank you for your input, Edward. I certainly can't disagree with you on anything philosophically. But there is this. The reviewing community, from my perspective, is really hurting right now.

We've had attack, after attack, and then more drama thrown in for good measure. And all of it has been in the last eight days.

Let us have a cathartic release here to rant and rage a little without being lectured on decorum. Many, many Goodreaders have felt the need to take a break from the site, and many bloggers are still reeling. For the most part, we behave well but what we need is to let off some steam and, as a community, get back on our feet. Going a week without being attacked by an author would be a really great start.

My patience at being lectured on proper internet behaviour by an author is kind of thin at the moment.

Kat wrote: "Sophie,

I certainly didn't mean to come across as combative or attacking you. I see no point in demonizing Fallon - I think she's done enough of that for herself and certainly doesn't need any he..."

I don't feel I'm lecturing and my words are not limited to internet behavior. I know the benefit of cathartic release, especially because it improves the mindset for real world actions. My comments are mostly for Stephanie, and I feel I've conveyed support and sympathy for what she's gone through because of this writer's ill-executed, emotional response.
I'm sorry for the pain the reviewing community is feeling. Most writers are on your side in this.

As I said, I can't disagree with you philosophically. Steph's moving on, we're all trying to move on (aside from the new people that are only just learning of this now). Yet tempers are still a little frayed and relationships are still a strained.

I truly appreciate all the authors who have come out in support.

Wow. I mean...um...WOW. This is insane. I'm gone for a month and all sorts of interesting shit happens.

Stephanie, I hope you didn't let that author's words get to you. Bitch be crazy, amirite? She's clearly not in the right state of mind. I mean, who does she think she is? Jane Austen? William Shakespeare? Even if she were a Literary Genius of Epic Proportions, it wouldn't matter. Even the Greats get negative reviews.

She must think very highly of herself and her writing, though, which is just so sad. Her writing will never improve if she thinks it is above censure. I think we should just pity Crazy Pants Fallon. I know I do.

I also know I will never read her book Carrier of the Skid Mark out of principle. The principle being, I refuse to support crazy mean people (financially or otherwise) and their bad behavior.

Edited for content (but really not so much). I know, I know--I'm an adult and I should take the higher road. Thing is, I don't much feel like it. I'm tired of this sort of thing happening. Every other month there is another author pulling this sort of crap. I'm tired of it.

I get that they (authors) really love their work, pour a lot of time and energy into it, but that doesn't mean every little morsel they regurgitate is Printz-worthy or even, might I add, actually good at all.

But whatever, even Twilight rip-offs have an appreciative audience. I'm not one of those people. I'd like to know if a book is a Twilight rip-off right from the get go, before I take the time to read the book jacket. That way I can avoid it. If it weren't for Stephanie's honest and researched review, I might have picked up this mess, and even given it a shot; paid hard-earned money for a book I already read, except the names are different. (Okay, probably not, because I never added it to my TBR pile in the first place. But still.)

I don't know about anyone else but I actually buy all the books I read. I've got a library of my very own, really. Sure, every once in a while I get an ARC or egalley, but it doesn't really balance out the amount of cash I invest in books. Far from.

But whatever, that's beside the point. And honestly? I can't even remember what my point was anymore. I'm tired. I'm frustrated. I'm disappointed. I'm also logging off now.

Just one last thing: The GR community is great. Until unprofessional authors come along and try to ruin it for everyone. I'm sick of their bad behavior. I'm sick of their double standard of what actually qualifies as a real review (all negative reviews=unprofessional and irrelevant; all positive reviews, regardless of grammatical errors, endless fangirl squee-ing or use of 'text-speak'=Wonderful!)

Sophie wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Sophie, your opinion is most welcome here! I hope you didn't feel ganged up on. It's just that some people are just seeing this discussion. So there are few new comments here and ..."

Thanks, Sophie. I went back and forth with if it was a good idea to go public with it, but I figured if the email was getting passed around to a bunch of people, one of which wasn't very loyal to Fallon to inform me, then it was no longer a private email.

I'm reading Anna Dressed in Blood. I haven't gotten that far yet, but I've heard great things about it. :)

Penny, I was a little put out after reading the email. It actually made me go re-read my review twice because I was so surprised it would cause such a negative reaction from Fallon. Yeah, it's not the nicest review out there for her book, but it isn't the harshest one either. I don't think about an author's feelings when I'm writing a review. I can't. I don't know if that sounds mean, but I'm not trying to hurt someone's feelings. If it think too much about the author reading my review and how they will feel about it, I can't fully express my true feelings. I love how the blogger from Radiant Shadows put it: Reviews are all about me. After all, do authors consult their fans for their next plot twist, killing off a favorite character (why did you have to kill Sirius Black?????!!!! I'll never get over it!!!), or even messages portrayed...even controversial issues? No they don't. So I'll continue expressing my feelings.

What's up with these YA authors? Didn't they have enough with Kyra's review? It ended up in the guardian. Damn. Again, the wisdom of Impaled Nazarene :"How low can you go? Too low, too fu*king low."

Katalili wrote: "What's up with these YA authors? Didn't they have enough with Kyra's review? It ended up in the guardian. Damn. Again, the wisdom of Impaled Nazarene :"How low can you go? Too low, too fu*king low.""

It's the water or the koolaid. But more than likely both.

I'm trying to read the email that Leigh Fallon had sent but I can't read it because it all comes blurry. Being an member of inkpop, I am honestly sorry if anyone was attacked like that. If anyone can send me a much clearer image of the sent email, that would be great. I want to be able to make informed decision before I take any sides.

Please message me and I will be glad to give out my email.

Both emails are in this thread in text form. One of the first posts is the first email in text form.

Okay, thank you so much. I was trying to read the link that had the actual email as an image.

Stephanie, I think I just read your amazon review of the book. It's great!

Raven wrote: "Okay, thank you so much. I was trying to read the link that had the actual email as an image."

Yeah, sorry about that. I couldn't figure out how to work the screen grabs properly. Like Lucy said, it's in text form in the beginning of the thread.

Katalili wrote: "Stephanie, I think I just read your amazon review of the book. It's great!"

Thank you! :)

Just adding my 2 cents on an already heaping pile of change- way, way out of line. I can't imagine a scenario when any professional person should use this kind of language that in any way refers to their career. Crazy pants.

Also, I read the review just to see what the kerfuffle originated from : While harsh, there was no mudslinging or name calling or hurtful words. Sounded like you were just calling a spade a spade. There's nothing wrong with making the business decision to capitalize off of another popular series, but don't cry foul when someone points it out. Textual evidence abounds. Sounds like a case of wounded pride.

Solidarity, sister, and way to keep it classy during the crazy storm

Everyone:

Not all YA authors/writers behave irresponsibly and rudely. Blaming everyone who writes YA for one person's poor judgement helps no one. I know everyone has their opinions, I have mine, but please please don't paint all of us with the same brush. Thank you!

I am glad that Leigh Fallon eventually sent an apology letter. I feel that it was uncalled and out of line. Hopefully something like this won't happen again.

Cheryl M. wrote: "Not all YA authors/writers behave irresponsibly and rudely. Blaming everyone who writes YA for one person's poor judgement helps no one."

I don't think anyone here came to that conclusion or said anything like that.

Ceilidh wrote: "From Fallon's website:

There will always be the haters, rise above them.

Excuse me while I piss myself laughing."

hahhahaha this one made me snort so loud people had to look at me like ive grown two heads. *salutes* x

Cheryl M. wrote: "Everyone:

Not all YA authors/writers behave irresponsibly and rudely. Blaming everyone who writes YA for one person's poor judgement helps no one. I know everyone has their opinions, I have min..."

I can't believe I missed this, but as THT said, no one blames all YA authors for a few misbehaving ones.

I just posted a little mini-essay about the rights of reviewers. I previously had no idea how widespread this was. This ridiculously unprofessional behavior has to stop.

http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/2...

I'm quite disgusted by this! I cannot believe that an author would behave this way and still think themselves worthy of respect. Criticism is just part of the package when you put your work out there and if an author can't take it with good humour and grace then perhaps they shouldn't be in this industry. Either way to call somebody a "bitch" or a "cow" for giving honest feedback is entirely unacceptable and I sincerely hope that this nasty and unprofessional behaviour has consequences.

Its unfortunate that authors have lost sight of the purpose of reviews. What is even more unfortunate is the lack of maturity, considering the thread of wisdom that is so common in all YA. Its extremely petty and spiteful. Makes me lose respect for the author.

Elle wrote: "It sound mean of her to say that, but a part of me think it's also unfair of you to make it public. maybe she was just having a bad day and just did it on a rage or something.
I've also done someth..."

First off, if the email made its way to my inbox, then it is no longer private. You don't launch a down-vote campaign and expect that to remain silent.

Second, authors are selling products. I am a consumer. When you are receiving profits for a product you have produced, the luxury of bitching on the internet is no longer afforded to you (unless you want to lose customers). You do not get to attack or shame your customers and expect for that to be okay and written off as just "having a bad day." Nope. It doesn't work that way.

Steph wrote: "Elle wrote: "It sound mean of her to say that, but a part of me think it's also unfair of you to make it public. maybe she was just having a bad day and just did it on a rage or something.
I've als..."

I must agree. "Bad days" can only excuse so much, bitching about a reader of your book, as an author, is not one of them.

I am actually shocked. I was actually going to give that book a go, despite the reviews. But now I've seen this... the author will ruin the book for me... That is terrible behavior from an author! I mean, what..with the...and the...sjhnuyhnvihbuyhvhbyuguvniuvhuygvueg :0

Clearly Fallon's book is getting off my tbr list EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY and as for Steph... girl I am backing you up - even if I am a year late to see this thread! :D