Shannon > Status Update

He said it wasn't him who spammed you? :/

Call the Winchester brothers, tell them Cas needs to exorcise a demon.

This is someone new. I shelved his book as "I hate random recs" and "shitlist" because someone sent me a spammy recommendation. He wanted to know why, I told him, and now he thinks I should remove his book from my shelf because it wasn't his fault.

I feel like he's deliberately trolling me because right now nobody even knows his book exists.

Ah, a rec. Hmm... maybe he was just trolling his page and saw how you shelved his book and decided to confront you about it?

Lisa wrote: "Ah, a rec. Hmm... maybe he was just trolling his page and saw how you shelved his book and decided to confront you about it?"

That's exactly what happened.

Cillian wrote: "Fuck it, he should know better not to tell people how to shelve books, and if he had a cared to convince you that none of this was his doing, he should have been more humble about it."

It's all very backhanded, the way he's approached things. I'm not sure if he's trying to provoke me or if he really has no idea what he's started here.

Benefit of the doubt? Maybe he's just clueless?

Fuck that. He could have been nice and not set up a person to spam everyone.

Sandra wrote: "Benefit of the doubt? Maybe he's just clueless?"

I'm trying, I really am, and I believe so too. But every time I read this:

"I think you further created the drama by then sticking my novel, something I've spent a lot of time on, in a list called "SHITLIST", which pops up first cab on the rank on my Goodreads listing for the book. I mean, come on - you can imagine what prospective readers might think if they see that.

Fair enough if you read it. Tell you what, we have a few options here - (a) I can send you a promo PDF of the book and you can decide if it remains in the SHITLIST, (b) you could just be nice and remove it since you haven't read it and it wasn't me who spammed you, anyway (c) we could just be civil to one another and agree to work out things to our mutual happiness."

It makes me see red every time. What's funny is he thinks I'm trying to create drama. Bitch, please. If I wanted to create drama I wouldn't have shelved his book so quietly and I would tell you guys (and my 500+ followers) who it is. I was doing the OPPOSITE of creating drama until he felt the need to PM me.

The Holy Terror wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Benefit of the doubt? Maybe he's just clueless?"

I'm trying, I really am, and I believe so too. But every time I read this:

"I think you further created the drama by then sticking ..."

He forgot D. - put on your big girl panties and shut up. It is a shelf. It is a freaking shelf. We are not a free promotional website.
Damn.

Lyn wrote: "Fuck that. He could have been nice and not set up a person to spam everyone."

He claims he doesn't know the person. This person doesn't seem like a sock puppet, but really just an overzealous fan. It doesn't matter to me though, because I hate random recs from non-friends. Hate them!

What drama? There was no drama. lol.

Methinks he doesn't know what he's done by riling you up.

Lyn wrote: "He forgot D. - put on your big girl panties and shut up. It is a shelf. It is a freaking shelf. We are not a free promotional website.
Damn."

XD That's already in my PM I'm writing up:

You forgot option (d) I won't move your book off my shelves and you'll have to live with it.

Lisa wrote: "What drama? There was no drama. lol.

Methinks he doesn't know what he's done by riling you up."

Lol, it was in reference to what I said to him, that he was creating drama where there was none before.

And yes, I believe you're right :D

Ever notice how an author always comments on how s/he's worked hard and long (that's what she said) on his/her book? It's never "I wrote this shiz on my lunch break! Hahahaha don't even care HEY are you still reading this blurb, dude?!"

I don't care how long it took someone to write something, research, blerg. Crap is crap, art is art. And I am magic.

Ashleigh Paige wrote: "Seeing "be nice" made me twitch a little, as did the rest of the message."

That's the thing I can't get over. Part of me just wants to let this go because I don't think he realizes how insulting most of his message was, but then I'm so fucking sick of authors thinking they can tell people what to do on here.

Sigh ... you would think with my name people would be less inclined to fuck with me. Maybe I should change it to "The Holy If You're An Author Promoting Your Book Don't Fucking Talk to Me Terror"

The Holy Terror wrote: "Ashleigh Paige wrote: "Seeing "be nice" made me twitch a little, as did the rest of the message."

That's the thing I can't get over. Part of me just wants to let this go because I don't think he r..."

Arg. What happened that caused this whole "your opinion is null unless it is overwhelming positive".

Christina wrote: "In all honesty, if I saw something put in a Shitlist category, I would click on it, but then again I'm a curious cat."

Which is totally fine, and I explained my reasons for it. Everyone has different reasons for why they shelve their books a certain way - my shitlist isn't for just one type of book. Apparently my explanation wasn't good enough for him.

Christina wrote: "So...if you read it and thought it was shit, THEN you could mark it as Shitlist and everything would be peachy? :/ "

I guess?

June wrote: "Ever notice how an author always comments on how s/he's worked hard and long (that's what she said) on his/her book? It's never "I wrote this shiz on my lunch break! Hahahaha don't even care HEY are you still reading this blurb, dude?!"

XD

That would make my day.

June wrote: "Arg. What happened that caused this whole "your opinion is null unless it is overwhelming positive"."

Speshul snowflake syndrome.

Aaaaah, what is up with the trend of authors wanting to control what shelves their books are put on? That guy, in my opinion, was acting like a douche. Just, wow. I can't believe he even thought that PM was a good idea. 0____o

Christina wrote: "I'd hate to ask this, really, but...

(winces)

...is this a self-published writer?"

Not ... exactly. I looked up the "publisher" and they claim they aim to be somewhere in between the big publishers and self-publishing. This author's book is their first work they're publishing though.

John wrote: "Aaaaah, what is up with the trend of authors wanting to control what shelves their books are put on? That guy, in my opinion, was acting like a douche. Just, wow. I can't believe he even thought that PM was a good idea. 0____o"

The first PM started off well, which is the only reason I replied. It's only when I told him my reasons that he thought he could bully me into changing my mind. Um, no. Good luck with that.

Here's the last line of the PM I'm sending off to him:

I will say this: you have succeeded in getting me to move your book off of my "shitlist" shelf. It's now on my "will never read" shelf. Congrats, mate.

Here's our WHOLE conversation, with identifiable info removed, because I still don't want this guy getting traffic because of me.

Author said to you:
I hope you don't mind me contacting you directly, but I was wondering on what basis you placed my upcoming novel, (XXX), in your "SHITLIST"?

It's not being publishing until (XXX), and I don't recall sending you the promo arc. I could be wrong, however. Did you read it and hate it, or just think it will be bad?

Or am I misreading the intention of "SHITLIST"... and it means books you're excited about...? ;)

Love to hear back from you, if you have the time/inclination. Just curious.

All the best,
Author

you said to Author:
It has nothing to do with you, unfortunately you have annoying fans who recommend your books randomly to people they don't know. It's on my "i-hate-random-recs" shelf for that reason as well. My "shitlist" shelf is for books I might read in the future but probably won't due to extenuating circumstances - reviews, word of mouth, scandals, or even just the content, and in this case because of someone spamming me with a recommendation.

Author said to you:
Thanks for letting me know. Nice to know also that I actually do have fans, but no one I know would be hassling you, especially (XXX) prior to publication! ;)
It's just sad to see it on a "SHITLIST" since your entry is the first one beneath my novel...
Anyway, I'll attach some of your response to the annotation, just so people get the gist. Hope you don't mind.

(He then posted my PM on my OWN review as a comment, um ... wut)

you said to Author:
Someone did hassle me though, as you can see from this recommendation. It felt like spam to me since I didn't know the person and didn't ask for a recommendation that would have anything to do with your book.

I DO mind if you attach any part of this private message somewhere, in fact. I feel like you're creating drama where there was none before.

(I said that before I realized he was a n00b and was planning on commenting in my own review space, I thought he was going to post a blog or some shit)

Author said to you:
Mate, that's one person. I thought you said fanS (plural).

I'm sorry you felt hassled by her(?) recommendation, although I don't know the person - but fair enough.

Still, I think you further created the drama by then sticking my novel, something I've spent a lot of time on, in a list called "SHITLIST", which pops up first cab on the rank on my Goodreads listing for the book. I mean, come on - you can imagine what prospective readers might think if they see that.

Fair enough if you read it. Tell you what, we have a few options here - (a) I can send you a promo PDF of the book and you can decide if it remains in the SHITLIST, (b) you could just be nice and remove it since you haven't read it and it wasn't me who spammed you, anyway (c) we could just be civil to one another and agree to work out things to our mutual happiness.

Up to you.

Author said to you:
By the way, I don't want to kick up a fuss or annoy you in any way whatsoever. I'm sorry to have to contact you to see in what way this can be sorted out - and I apologize again for your having felt like you were spammed about the book. But it was not me, and it's sad to see my novel suffer as a result.

you said to Author:
You forgot option (d) I won't move your book off my shelves and you'll have to live with it.

Here's the thing. This isn't a site for authors, it's not a site for promoting your book, it's a not a site for selling your book. It's a site for readers. My shelves are my own personal way of organizing my collection. I make shelves for the colors that appear on the covers, I make shelves for whether the character was stupid, I even have shelves for authors who attack reviewers. I can do whatever I want with my shelves and nobody can tell me otherwise. There are some users with shelves like "vomit in a hat" and "shoot me if you see me reading this." Nobody can make anyone change their shelves. Sure, you can ask nicely, but to be honest it just makes me want to keep it there even more.

Another thing, my "review" of your book is NOT first. (And I say "review" because it isn't one, I have no text or rating for your book, I've only shelved it.) What you're looking at is probably the author module which is different from what a regular user sees. I'm actually 5th on the list in default view. And yes, my shelves show up under Popular Shelves, but as soon as more people shelve your book they'll disappear because that's supposed to be a place for the genres of the book. Unfortunately, when a book hasn't been shelved enough times you see all sorts of shelves that normally wouldn't be there - obviously "library" isn't a genre, but someone shelved it as such so it shows up on the list. They WILL eventually disappear.

And trust me, if I WANTED to create drama, I could. I shelved your book quietly and I didn't even add it to my feed. I called absolutely no attention to it and I still haven't. Also, telling me to "be nice" makes me want to throw things. Google "be nice" and "goodreads" and you'll see why. Part of me thinks you're trying to provoke me into raging about this so more people know your book exists, while another part makes me think you really have no idea the can of worms you're opening up.

I will say this: you have succeeded in getting me to move your book off of my "shitlist" shelf. It's now on my "will never read" shelf. Congrats, mate.

Christina wrote: "Hrm. I ask because I plan to SP and unfortunately, there seem to be many people who are giving the business a bad name.

Although, to be fair, there are authors who are agented and represented by big publishing companies who have also behaved poorly in relation to reviews and reviewers.

Thankfully there are those like Hannah Moskowitz who remind us all how to be awesome. Authors, take note. "

There are a few self-published authors who don't throw hissy fits, I try really hard not to lump them all together. It's difficult though, especially when I've been personally attacked by a few of them. I think the issue is pretty much anyone can publish a book these days, so people who would have been turned down by big publishers end up with books on the market. They also don't have agents or editors or PR people to filter through.

But then, we've seen big time published authors throw hissy fits as well, (and agents too), so really, assholes will be assholes no matter who publishes them.

Christina wrote: "Anyway, I'll attach some of your response to the annotation, just so people get the gist. Hope you don't mind.

Uhhh...WHAT?!"

Lol, I know, right? WTF.

If the author is not mature enough to handle what people think of his writing and has to resort to bullying, maybe they weren't ready to be published in the first place. Also, if this author only has like 5 people reviewing this book, it sounds like he did not go with a good publisher that would help distribute it. It's called research.

I just got THREE PMs from him.

THREE.

This is ridiculous. Apparently my shelves are "offensive" but he doesn't understand why I'm angry.

Christina wrote: "Do any of them say "Sorry"?"

Yes, but again, in a backhanded way.

"Sorry, but ..."

Author said to you:
I'm not sure why I have continually apologized for simply asking (not demanded) for you to consider removal of my novel from an offensive collection named SHITLIST, given the simple fact you have not read the book.

I also don't understand why you're angry, but it's really is not worth friction - for either of us. I'm grateful you've removed me from the SHITLIST. I can live much better with WILL NEVER READ, even if I think that's an unusual philosophy. The sad point is we seem to share a few of the same interests (Japan, video games, art, sci-fi).

By the way, it was never my intention to "provoke [you] into raging about this so more people know [my] book exists", and there's no need for warnings about cans of worms or potential drama.

You've made your point, I understand, and it's time for us both to step back, shake hands, agree to disagree, and move on. So, once more, I'm sorry you felt hassled by that other Goodreads reader who recommended the book, and thanks for the discussion.

All the very best,
Author

2nd PM:

Author said to you:
I'm not sure why I have continually apologized for simply asking (not demanding) that you consider removal of my novel from an offensive collection named SHITLIST, given the fact you have not read the book.

I also don't understand why you're angry, but it's really not worth friction - for either of us. I'm grateful you've removed me from the SHITLIST. I can live much better with WILL NEVER READ, even if I think that's an unusual philosophy. The sad point is we seem to share a few of the same interests (Japan, video games, art, sci-fi). With an open perspective you may have found something to enjoy. Or not.

By the way, it was never my intention to "provoke [you] into raging about this so more people know [my] book exists", and there's no need for warnings about cans of worms or potential drama.

You've made your point, I understand, and it's time for us both to step back, shake hands, agree to disagree, and move on.

So, once more, I'm sorry you felt hassled by that other Goodreads reader who recommended the book, and thanks for the discussion.

All the very best,
Author

3rd PM:

Author said to you:
H.T (sorry, I don't know your real name, and I hope you don't mind the initials), I have continually apologized while simply asking (not demanding) for you to consider removal of my novel from an offensive collection named SHITLIST, given the fact you have not read the book.

I don't understand why you're angry, but it's really not worth the friction, is it? - for either of us.

I'm grateful you've removed me from the SHITLIST. I can live much better with WILL NEVER READ, even if I think that's an unusual philosophy. The sad point is we seem to share a few of the same interests (Japan, video games, art, sci-fi). You might have enjoyed the book. Or not. I guess this is something we'll never know, and fair enough. ;)

By the way, it was never my intention to "provoke [you] into raging about this so more people know [my] book exists", and there's no need for warnings about cans of worms or potential drama.

You've made your point, I understand, and it's time for us both to step back, shake hands, agree to disagree, and move on.

So, once more, I'm sorry you felt hassled by that other Goodreads reader who recommended the book, and thanks for the discussion.

All the very best,
Author

What. The. Fuck.

Christina wrote: "Anyway, I don't like the color peach, so I'mma be painting your house neon green, like an iguana or somethin'. Hope you don't mind."

But ... I ... my house! Noooo.

Christina wrote: "Charlie Sheen-itis is spreading."

It does seem a bit sad though, doesn't it? Meltdown in progress ...

In my personal opinion, your shelves stay and he can go fuck himself. Even his original email sounds controlling and condescending to me. He can live with it.

Kara wrote: "In my personal opinion, your shelves stay and he can go fuck himself. Even his original email sounds controlling and condescending to me. He can live with it."

Yeah, after his last replies (3! all pretty much the same!) and finding out how much it bugs him, I probably will move it back. XD

Good for you. This is a site for readers. It isn't an author promotion site. He can use Amazon for that.

Kara wrote: "Good for you. This is a site for readers. It isn't an author promotion site. He can use Amazon for that."

The thing is, his book IS right up my alley. If he had approached me differently, I might have read his book and quite possibly garnered him some new readers. Instead he thought he could bully me. Yeah, fuck off, dude.

Yup, I would do the same thing if it were me.

And now, he's read through this update ...

Author said to you:
Hi again,

I just read through your Status Update about our little tussle, and I actually burst out laughing (never a good idea in the middle of drinking coffee).

I was so wrapped up in my reaction to the situation that I couldn't see yours, but it's pretty clear there, and I suddenly realized the whole situation is downright silly.

It doesn't matter how long a worked on the book, or what list you decide to stick the book into; which publisher I'm with or how many follows I have. Whether people think I'm doing a Charlie Sheen, or I worry about how my book is perceived when someone sticks it in a "Shitlist" without reading it.

It's actually really funny because who really cares about any of this? I'm so sorry we almost came to PM fisticuffs. Thanks for reminding me of a touch of reality and the way different people perceive the same situation in a completely different light.

I'll push off now, leave you in peace, and say thanks again.

BTW, before I go - the reason I sent 3 of the same PMs before was because I'd just woken up (it was 5:00 am then, now right before six here in Tokyo) and my mind was a wee bit mushy - so I kept finding spelling/grammar errors, deleting, and then resending. Sorry about that.

Best,
Author


Thoughts?

He's killing my rage hard-on, that's for sure.

I feel embarrassed for all of the authors out there that cannot prevent themselves from wading into the killing fields and taunting reviewers, if even in a kind manner like this author, really you should step away and reexamine your own motives dear author.

I know that you dear authors are human and every human (well mostly, in an ideal world) deserves humane treatment, but you, dear author, need to know that you cannot control what people think of your work. You have to let your work speak for itself and yes I feel badly for you if you have pyscho followers that spam your book and ruin the reputation of your beloved work, but that is the life of an artist.

Chefs don't get to cuss out their dining patrons (without losing major face) or even chide their dining patrons for not appreciating the food etc, writers need to keep that in mind.

SubterraneanCatalyst wrote: "I know that you dear authors are human and every human (well mostly, in an ideal world) deserves humane treatment, but you, dear author, need to know that you cannot control what people think of your work. You have to let your work speak for itself and yes I feel badly for you if you have pyscho followers that spam your book and ruin the reputation of your beloved work, but that is the life of an artist."

And this is over a SHELF. Good lord, what will a negative review do?

Dear lord...I hate it when this sort of shit happens. Probably the best thing at this point would be not to respond to his messages at least. If you are going to respond, I would do it publically since he has no problem with airing his dirty laundry in public. I might even make a special category just form him on my shelves. But then again, I'm feeling especially mean today.

Ah, YAL, I don't think you know who this person is. Nobody I know has his books shelved, and all of my conversation with him has been via PM.

Christina wrote: "Oh god. I misread that as "He's killing my raging hard-on" and I almost spilled my root beer.

Now that could be a shelf! Kills-Raging-Hard-Ons."

OMG I'M STEALING THAT SHELF NAME.

Ahahahahaha! Best shelf name ever!

Christina wrote: "Thou-art-an-erection-assassin.

Dude, it's like picking band names."

It IS super fun.

Cillian has the best names though, I'll admit.

Sigh ... now he's apparently sending out review requests to my friends in this thread. So I'm back to thinking this was a publicity stunt.

RAGING RAGE HARD-ON IS BACK ON.

Yes, and now you aren't the only one with a rage hard-on. I need some wine just so I can give myself whiskey dick.