A question for self-published authors: Do you normally bite the hand that feeds you?
Most people would answer, “Of course not” and, for most, this answer would be truthful. For most, but not all.
While conducting extensive research for potential reviewers for my latest novel, Nero’s Fiddle, I found quite a number of them no longer worked with self-published authors. After further research, I can’t say I blame them.
I was appalled to find that some self-published authors turned nasty upon receiving a bad book review, sending abusive emails to the reviewers.
There is a word in the English language; a most important word for every writer’s vocabulary: professionalism.
During a writing class some years ago, the instructor told us: “You can write in your pajamas at home as long as your manuscript wears a three-piece suit.”
This holds true for a bad book review as well. You can rant and rave, knock holes in the wall, curse your cat, your dog, your plants, take it out on your sofa, cry on your pillows, whatever, as long as you politely thank the reviewer for his or her time and let it go after getting a less-than-glowing book review.
By turning your nastiness on the reviewer you’re not only hurting yourself you are also punishing your colleagues. By turning reviewers “off” to working with self-published authors you diminish the already limited opportunities self-published authors have to be heard. Even though opportunities for self-published authors grow on a daily basis, the opportunities are still limited when compared to those offered by traditional publishing houses.
Why on earth would a self-published author want to do such a thing as bash a reviewer?
I suspect it may have something to do with the “instant gratification” mindset people seem to have. Many people learn at a very young age that throwing a tantrum gets them what they want. Pitch a big enough fit at the store and Mom will buy you that candy bar or toy just to calm you. Raging at a reviewer is nothing more than throwing a tantrum at not getting what is wanted.
It also has to do with this self-publishing technology.
Self-publishing is a wonderful thing and definitely the wave of the future. But there is a downside: it opens the door for anyone – and I do mean anyone – to get published. In and of itself not a bad thing except there are some people who simply do not need to be published.
The sad truth of the matter is that many people look at self-publishing as a get-rich-quick avenue. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Every Joe Bloe and Suzy Que thinks he or she will become rich as a self-published author. Bloe and Que think he or she has the next best-selling book all bottled up inside and all that is required is writing the thing and getting it out there.
Yes, because writing is so easy. Sure. So is wrestling alligators.
If one has not wrangled with character development, dialogue, plot and then with promotion and marketing, one has no idea what is entailed in writing and selling a novel.
Bloe and Que fall into that category.
And when Bloe and Que get bad book reviews, he and she rail against the reviewer.
The sad fact of the matter is that Bloe and Que cannot handle the truth.
I know it brings to mind the scene from A Few Good Men where Jack Nicholson literally shouts in the courtroom “YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!” But the statement itself is true.
Writers have egos, there is no denying that. Those egos oftentimes get in the way of a writer’s chance to improve, not only her or himself, but the writing as well.
Writers must develop a sense of objectivity, about themselves and their writing.
There is always room for improvement, even in traditionally published works. Those bad book reviews may be pointing out places in your novel that need work. Instead of hating the reviewer, pay attention to what the reviewer tells you. It could help you be a better writer. Weak plot – improve it. No character development – take a closer look at that. Lame dialogue – work on it.
Those of us who choose to pursue a writing career are committed to doing the work involved. We know up front that not every word printed about our work is going to be glowing. We take the good with the bad and keep moving because there is always another writing project waiting in the wings.
We know and acknowledge that people willing to review our books are doing us a favor, and a rather huge favor at that. Book reviews are bread and butter for any author. Treating reviewers with kindness and respect is the very least we can do in return.
Even if the reviewer attacks you on a personal level, keep your end of the communication professional. Politely ask if the review, or at least the offensive matter, be removed. If the reviewer refuses the request, let it go. Sending them abusive emails at this point will get you nowhere.
Pardon my directness but my advice to self-published authors is this: grow a backbone; grow a thicker skin; take a class on professionalism; cry in your pillow if it makes you feel better. Whatever you do keep your professionalism intact when dealing with reviewers and a bad book review.
Keep biting the hand that feeds you and you’ll eventually go hungry.
And, unfortunately, so may the rest of us.
Pen has self-published twenty titles, both in print and e-book format. Her latest endeavor, Nero’s Fiddle, can be found here: http://bit.ly/1rsEQFX Follow her on Twitter @penspen.
Most people would answer, “Of course not” and, for most, this answer would be truthful. For most, but not all.
While conducting extensive research for potential reviewers for my latest novel, Nero’s Fiddle, I found quite a number of them no longer worked with self-published authors. After further research, I can’t say I blame them.
I was appalled to find that some self-published authors turned nasty upon receiving a bad book review, sending abusive emails to the reviewers.
There is a word in the English language; a most important word for every writer’s vocabulary: professionalism.
During a writing class some years ago, the instructor told us: “You can write in your pajamas at home as long as your manuscript wears a three-piece suit.”
This holds true for a bad book review as well. You can rant and rave, knock holes in the wall, curse your cat, your dog, your plants, take it out on your sofa, cry on your pillows, whatever, as long as you politely thank the reviewer for his or her time and let it go after getting a less-than-glowing book review.
By turning your nastiness on the reviewer you’re not only hurting yourself you are also punishing your colleagues. By turning reviewers “off” to working with self-published authors you diminish the already limited opportunities self-published authors have to be heard. Even though opportunities for self-published authors grow on a daily basis, the opportunities are still limited when compared to those offered by traditional publishing houses.
Why on earth would a self-published author want to do such a thing as bash a reviewer?
I suspect it may have something to do with the “instant gratification” mindset people seem to have. Many people learn at a very young age that throwing a tantrum gets them what they want. Pitch a big enough fit at the store and Mom will buy you that candy bar or toy just to calm you. Raging at a reviewer is nothing more than throwing a tantrum at not getting what is wanted.
It also has to do with this self-publishing technology.
Self-publishing is a wonderful thing and definitely the wave of the future. But there is a downside: it opens the door for anyone – and I do mean anyone – to get published. In and of itself not a bad thing except there are some people who simply do not need to be published.
The sad truth of the matter is that many people look at self-publishing as a get-rich-quick avenue. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Every Joe Bloe and Suzy Que thinks he or she will become rich as a self-published author. Bloe and Que think he or she has the next best-selling book all bottled up inside and all that is required is writing the thing and getting it out there.
Yes, because writing is so easy. Sure. So is wrestling alligators.
If one has not wrangled with character development, dialogue, plot and then with promotion and marketing, one has no idea what is entailed in writing and selling a novel.
Bloe and Que fall into that category.
And when Bloe and Que get bad book reviews, he and she rail against the reviewer.
The sad fact of the matter is that Bloe and Que cannot handle the truth.
I know it brings to mind the scene from A Few Good Men where Jack Nicholson literally shouts in the courtroom “YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!” But the statement itself is true.
Writers have egos, there is no denying that. Those egos oftentimes get in the way of a writer’s chance to improve, not only her or himself, but the writing as well.
Writers must develop a sense of objectivity, about themselves and their writing.
There is always room for improvement, even in traditionally published works. Those bad book reviews may be pointing out places in your novel that need work. Instead of hating the reviewer, pay attention to what the reviewer tells you. It could help you be a better writer. Weak plot – improve it. No character development – take a closer look at that. Lame dialogue – work on it.
Those of us who choose to pursue a writing career are committed to doing the work involved. We know up front that not every word printed about our work is going to be glowing. We take the good with the bad and keep moving because there is always another writing project waiting in the wings.
We know and acknowledge that people willing to review our books are doing us a favor, and a rather huge favor at that. Book reviews are bread and butter for any author. Treating reviewers with kindness and respect is the very least we can do in return.
Even if the reviewer attacks you on a personal level, keep your end of the communication professional. Politely ask if the review, or at least the offensive matter, be removed. If the reviewer refuses the request, let it go. Sending them abusive emails at this point will get you nowhere.
Pardon my directness but my advice to self-published authors is this: grow a backbone; grow a thicker skin; take a class on professionalism; cry in your pillow if it makes you feel better. Whatever you do keep your professionalism intact when dealing with reviewers and a bad book review.
Keep biting the hand that feeds you and you’ll eventually go hungry.
And, unfortunately, so may the rest of us.
Pen has self-published twenty titles, both in print and e-book format. Her latest endeavor, Nero’s Fiddle, can be found here: http://bit.ly/1rsEQFX Follow her on Twitter @penspen.