D Michelle Gent
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Those who can, do - those who can't...

8/1/2013

2 Comments

 
Picture
It seems that some of "those who can't" like to tear down others in order to elevate themselves.
This weekend I found another 'review' of Deadlier... - it was purely by chance and I was a little surprised by the whole thing to be honest.
I was surprised in a number of ways...
I was surprised that someone who hadn't even read the book could think that he was in a position to review it. I was surprised that he chose my book and I was surprised that I wasn't bothered in the slightest by his written vindictive bile - in fact, it had me giggling - a lot! I was so amused by it that I wrote a status on my Facebook about it.
When I first published Deadlier... than the Male in 2010, if asked at that time, I would have said that I was very precious about my book and that I wouldn't be prepared to take negative criticism. I think I would have been upset by hurtful remarks and though I'm usually a very strong person, it's my book, my creation - my baby - that is held up in full view of the world. I think that my 2010 self would perhaps have been a little upset by this and perhaps my 2010 self would have thought that I wouldn't change in that viewpoint - how wrong would I have been?
I'm not saying that my first effort is perfect, no, not at all but I wouldn't go back and change it now. It is what it is and except for the few typos and one piece of clarification that was added recently when I changed the cover, I won't alter it now. It's done, finished and complete.

Book reviewers and the reviews that they write are very useful things. They can give a potential reader the added prod needed to complete a sale, they can tell the reader if they would be wasting their time buying the book and they can tell a reader that the book is as good as, better/worse than or totally different from what they are expecting. I appreciate each and every review that appears on websites, blogs, Amazon, Smashwords, Goodreads, Shelfari and the like - not mine and not just just because they are all good reviews but because they are all honest (I believe).
A review can tell you whether you would probably like the book but it can't tell you whether you'd like the way the book was written - that is something you'd have to find out for yourself. Amazon and Smashwords go a little way to helping that sticky issue by giving a little preview, snippet or taster of the book you're looking at.
Between the reviews and the taster, the reader has a pretty good idea of what they can expect from the book so it's all good... isn't it?
Well, it is until you get a 'reviewer' who isn't actually reviewing the book. The site I found was quite nasty toward some of the books he was 'reviewing' - nasty, insulting and vicious and for no good reason except that apparently he didn't like the cover. The 'reviewer' ONLY reviews covers of books and lucky me, mine caught his eye. The review of Deadlier... wasn't all that bad compared with some others and the double standards between the 'reviews' does make me wonder whether he actually takes in what he's writing or not. Some of what is criticised on my book (cover) is replicated in reviews he wrote earlier... so what gives?

Anyway back to my point... (yes, this time, I have one).

Reviews, good or bad, middle or indifferent are ALL good - if someone is talking about your book, it's far better than no-one talking about your book and there will always be some who will buy a book with a bad review just to see what the hell the fuss is about - just look at Fifty Shades, it was slated for being a badly written, badly edited, terrible story and people started buying it in droves, just to see why someone was talking about it!

You don't like my book? OK, no worries but if I have inspired you to write about it, then that's good enough for me. Keep on talking about it - please!


2 Comments
Chris Eves
8/1/2013 06:17:07 am

I have read the idiot who reviewed the book and to be honest from what I read he is a jackass.

I came across your books thanks to Captain Smurf.
I have been an avid reader of Fantasy/Sci-Fi since reading the Discworld series by Sir Terry.

I used to buy the main stream books that friends would recommend and usually enjoyed them very much.

I picked up your DTTM of amazon and read it and enjoyed it very much. I then read your other works and have not been disappointed.

Now I bought DTTM which at the time had the old cover and compared to the new one, I think the old was better.

In the old days seeing the new cover would have put me off getting the book. But these days I have taken and adopted the saying....

Never judge a book by its cover.

I have read some awesome books where the cover is a disaster and then I have read books where the cover looks awesome but the book I did not like or enjoy.

If it was not for Capt Smurf commenting on your book I never would have seen your book. If I had never seen your books I never would have gone on a self published book hunt.

I have spoken to three self published authors including your self and found you happy to help your fans and readers.

I even was given the chance to proof read a book by John Charles Scott for his Nanowind Competition (I think that's what its called) and I really enjoyed the book.

I understand that your reviewer did not like the book or cover with out reading. What he should of done is read the book and gave a review stating why with out being the ass he was.

Anyway please please please carry on writing as I do enjoy your work.

Regards
Chris

Reply
Julie Catherine link
8/1/2013 09:01:44 am

Mmmmm ... yes, I read that diatribe as well - he smacks the author, illustrator and designer of the books in his so-called 'reviews'. He spews forth negative comments on book covers and the synopsis - but does not actually read any of the books he is 'reviewing' - so I guess rather than call himself a reviewer, he should be advertising himself as a book cover/synopsis hatemonger - because that seems to be his sole purpose of existing in the writing world.

Your post is very tame - er, diplomatic, lol. Very professional (which is more than my response to the A-hole was on his post, hehehe). IMHO, if he's going to tell the world everything that's wrong with book covers and synopsis, he should also give constructive ideas on how to improve them. However, from my investigations into his literary background (or lack of), I see no qualifications or standing whatsoever that would give his words power .......

As Chris mentioned in his comments, I also have all three books of this series, with their original covers - and I too prefer them to the new covers, which is just my own personal taste and does not indicate any negative connotation towards the new covers.

I agree with you, Michelle, that reviews of any kind mean people are discussing your books, and that's a good thing. However, the person who did the one you are talking about here could use taking down a peg (or ten), as he seems to think he's king of the shitpile, which is an insult to the shitpile itself ... if you get my drift ... lol.

I thoroughly enjoy your books, which are well-researched, well-written, with a strong female protagonist and filled with nail-biting suspense, action and excitement! I am so waiting for the next book in that series!

~ Julie :) xox

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