You all remember that movie? The one with Lindsay Lohan before she was strangely blond, uber skinny, and the media was trying to convince all of us that made her ultra sexy? Uh, but I digress…
Mean Girls the movie was about a group of popular and yeah, mean, girls. They said and did bad things to others, but in general they tried to be sneaky about it–they didn’t as a rule tromp up to the PA system and announce all their issues with everyone else in the school. Manners of some twisted sort or fear of social suicide, I’m not sure, but generally when women have something snide, insulting, and catty to say about another we do it in our small private groups and let it “leak” out into the world. We’re fun that way.
Which brings me to the real topic today–reviews.
I am sure you have all noticed the growth of what have been termed “Mean Girl Review Sites” (and not just by me–remember those little groups that “leak” their real feelings). They vary by site and by reviewer and probably by mood from snarky to condescending to just plain ole obnoxious, and they attract big followings. This alone is interesting, but recently I noticed that the readers of said blogs/sites are joining in the fun with total abandon. Many trying to outdo the other in their ability to tear apart books and in some cases authors while gathering up the accolades for their wit from the rest of the pack.
So, here is my question for you. Is this rude? The Internet most certainly gives a sense of anonymity, but come on, we all know those authors Google themselves, or if they don’t they have a friend who will stumble upon the site and scurry back to said author with tales of their slaughter. So, knowing that, is chatting in the open, slicing and dicing a book and the author, rude? Or is it somehow part of what the author agreed to when she put that book out there for public consumption? Would you make these same comments to the author’s face? (Please know I am NOT recommending that.) Is there something about the Internet that makes us braver, ruder, what ever you would term it–and which is it? Brave? Honest? Rude? Good? Bad? What????
I’ll be honest, I’m a bit on the fence on this one. On the one hand I despise reading a review or a comment that is obviously nothing more than an attempt to show how smart and witty the writer of the review/comment is–especially since it is at the cost of someone else. But I have no problem with a rough review. It’s all about the tone for me. It’s the difference between a wolf hunting down and eating a hapless rabbit because he’s hungry, and my well-fed husky finding a nest of baby bunnies and tossing them in air with abandon. I guess it’s the abandon I object to.
And, I will also admit, that while reading a review of a book/author recently that was being tossed about, a deep sympathy pierced me. I have never read this author’s books, I don’t know this author, but much like I would feel if I saw a group of bullying girls picking on one with knock-knees and braces, I wanted to rush in and protect her. But say what? Naughty, naughty?
So there you have it. Back to the original–is this wrong or are we authors just way too thin skinned?
No related posts.
Blogging has brought out the would-be and wanna-be writer in many. A stab at being funny and a comedian is thrown in too. Some pull it off, others don’t and the mean spirited review, or what the writer calls a review is the result. My advice for many of these reviewers is, don’t quit your day job because frankly, you are not that funny but it’s nice to see that you have a following. A handful of loyal fans is better than none at all to make your efforts worthwhile.
What China said above.
I don’t think book reviews are a judgement of the author as a person. If anything personal gets dragged into it, it’s no longer a review. That’s my rule about reviewing: Tell it like it is, but keep it to the book.
I write. I totally understand when Lori says that we find it difficult to divorce ourselves from our work. Doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t or we can’t.
Ihave to agree on Jane with this one. If we as authors know we can’t take it, why not stay the hell off those sites and avoid Amazons.
But no, it’s the most sensitive googling their names and hanging out at the bitchiest sites.
As far as I’m concerned, bitch away about my book, my bunnies. I’m just thrilled you read the damned thing.
Authors may not be able to completely divorce themselves from the criticism but it is not the job of the reader to take into account an author’s feelings when discussing the book.
And maybe that even applies to tone or style, too?
[...] Whether to be upset with myself or proud of myself because I got sucked into another discussion of reviews. Well, there’s some comfort in the fact that it wasn’t really about the unresolvable issue I truly hate to get mired in - that being what are reviews, what makes up a good review, etc. At least, I don’t think it was initially, anyway. [...]
Keishon, To answer your question of which came first, the chicken or the egg. I was a reader first and foremost, who morphed into a would-be writer.:wink: I read a ton of books. Wish I could read faster, then I wouldn’t need to cull my TBR pile every six months. *wg* Evelyn Wood where are you when I need you?
I don’t understand the question of whether a writer is a reader or a writer foremost. that’s like asking a person whether they are an accountant or a moviegoer foremost. One is done for work (even if they love being an accountant) and one is done for entertainment. The idea that being a writer somehow disqualifies one from being a reader is silly.
As for the Mean Girls review sites: I respect the sites when they are actually reviews. Snarky or not, harsh or not, whatever. I read them and enjoy them. Sometimes i agree, sometimes I do not, same as other reviews. They are recognizable in that there is no personal agenda to the reviews. They may hate an author’s book, but then the next book by that author, they will like. They may appreciate an author’s opinion while flogging her book. They may love the book, but think the author is a bit of a loon.
What I don’t respect is sites that pass themselves off as being “review sites” but are really covers for groups of readers to gang up on writers. You recognize them because they NEVER like anything (except perhaps, for their pet best friends). they only post when they have a rant. And when they go after a writer. it’s personal. they call her names. it’s very much not about the book. I’ve seen blogs STARTED for the express purpose of tearing into various writers.
I think it tarnishes the reputation of fair-but-snarky bloggers.
Thank you Ms. Summers for answering my question despite the fact that it was slightly off topic there. I was just curious
However, I do think that readers and authors see things differently on many different levels and reviews is just one of them. Readers aren’t intentionally hurting the author’s feelings. We review just to share good reads and avoid the bad. That’s it. At least, that’s all I have on my agenda. Bottom line for me: I’m an avid reader looking for a good book to read. Period.
Who’s to say that these people won’t be the same offline? If I hate a book because it’s just about the stupidest thing I’ve ever read I say so, on and offline. Granted there is a line between a review and just talking bad about the author but some of the books I’ve read [as other have as well] are so unbelievably crappy you have to wonder how in god’s green earth the author, or the publisher thought it was any good.
Again, it’s a matter of opinion but I don’t see anything wrong in stating said opinion, even if you say it’s the worse book ever written, so long as you state why you hated it.
And it has nothing to do with, say, the color of the author’s hair or how much money they make. LOL.
I don’t really have a beef with bad reviews, even mean ones. I think I’ve gotten my fair share. If I can take something constructive out of it, I do. If not, I move on. Personally, I enjoy at least one ‘mean’ site and have just spent my hard-earned cash to send my book to Malaysia to be reviewed by her. Why? I value her opinion, and I know she won’t blow smoke up my butt. I’m truly interested in what EVERYONE, mean or otherwise thinks of my books. IMHO, reviews make me a better writer. Nothing motivates me like trying to do better the next time.
I don’t think you are alone, Roslyn. I certainly know authors who have queried that same “mean” reviewer.
I’ve sent to reviewers not exactly known for their niceness myself. I don’t think of the reviewers I sent to as mean though–just tough. But I have friends who still questioned my sanity.
Lori
I have bought a number of great books on the glowing recomendations of those “mean girl” sites. I have even purchased a book that got an extremely low review because I wondered why the reviewer hated it so much.
And I liked it! I could see the reviewer’s points, but I didn’t agree. The funny thing is, I never would have picked up the book if not for the bad review.
Perhaps the reason those sites have such a following is that, in addition to providing reliably honest reviews, they articulate the things readers think when they waste good money on bad books.
As a published writer, I have to say a few snarky reviews completely destroyed me. In fact, I have been having serious issues finishing my latest book because I am projecting what future reviews will say. I am not proud of this. I know if I can’t get over it I will not have a very long or prolific career. However, the busier I get, the less time I have to obsess. I was lucky enough that my first book was quite successful. One site that I dont’ care for is Jane’s “Dear Author” site. The way it’s set up is as if it’s a direct conversation with the author and yet, if the author replies, they are being unprofessional. I just don’t know. Frankly, I think I should just go offline and stay there and write my books the way I want to and not worry about all of this bullsh*t.
A Writer wrote:
One site that I dont’ care for is Jane’s “Dear Author” site.
Naming names without having the courage to use your own name is about as cowardly as you can get.
Just sayin’.
Dear Anonymous author,
I’m sorry that snarky reviews have caused problems for you, you probably should consider counseling as negative and snarky reviews will continue whether or not you handle them well.
As a reader Dear Author is one of my favorite sites, though the letters are addressed to authors, the reviews are for other readers. You don’t like the set up of the site, that’s your choice. Reviews are only one person’s opinion, one woman’s trash is another’s treasure.
If you visit Dear Author on a regular basis you know 1. authors are welcome, and 2. authors comment all the time.
I understand why you chose not to use your name, but I don’t understand why you would visit a site that upsets you.
Tara, you probably just sent her into a mental maelstrom, addressing her like that, although it did tickle the mean girl in me pink.(g)
Karen, all right that might have been kind of a mean girl thing–LOL.
But I was serious, if she’s got issues negative and snarky reviews that are causing her problems in her writing she should get help. And I honestly don’t understand why people visit sites that upset them. Why rub salt in your own wound??
To A writer, Just to let you know, I have noticed that most of the authors who get a low grade from Jane on their books don’t respond. I tend to think that they don’t read the blog or that her opinion doesn’t bother them. If I were you, I wouldn’t take it so personally.
A Writer wrote:
‘One site that I dont’ care for is Jane’s “Dear Author” site.
Naming names without having the courage to use your own name is about as cowardly as you can get.
Just sayin’. ‘
Comment by Karen Scott
A site – or a person – making personal, ad hominem comments about individual writers isn’t exactly encouraging personalised responses, considering the likely retaliation.
Just sayin’, lovey.
Wow, late to the game. We haven’t “retaliated” against any author for saying that they didn’t like our site by negatively reviewing their book or calling them names. I don’t think that would be fair. In fact, there are a few authors that we don’t review simply because we don’t think we can be unbiased.
I do know that the site is not for some because they don’t like the format. The best advice I can give is to not go there. I don’t really understand why an author who hates a site so much would go to said site.
Let me add that we do not make personal ad hominem attacks against authord in a review so I don’t know where you get that, MissC.
I’m thinking that Miss C is Anonymous, and no matter how much she denies it, I’ll still think she is, so no point even bothering to deny it.
And incidentally, I can guarantee that the review of yours that Dear Author wrote didn’t attack you personally, but I do believe that some authors do feel wholly abused after a negative review.
You really should stop visiting the site, after all, nobody’s forcing you to read what they write, right sweetie?
I am whatever you say I am, sweetie. (And if you’re accusing me of being a published author… ah, sweet life).
Sweetie, you should feel free (and clearly do) to express yourself freely. I’m sorry to disabuse you, but you can’t stop anyone from visiting an open, non-subscriber website, nor from expressing their opinions of it. Just like you. Damn!
Although you can try to tell them what they ‘ought’ to do, till the cows come home. It’s enforcing it that’s the prob.
Free speech, it works both ways. What a bitch that is, sweetie.
Just sayin’.
Wow. I love it. Under the cover of anonymity, super fearful author comes out bravely responds to her critics. In an astounding display of condescesion, she refers to contrary posters with nicknames used perjoratively: lovey, sweetie. Bravo. I can’t think of a better way for an author to express herself to put herself in a good light.
“Although you can try to tell them what they ‘ought’ to do, till the cows come home. It’s enforcing it that’s the prob.”
Eh? What you obviously fail to realise is that I have no interest in trying to enforce other people to do whatever, my point was, you can deny being the Anonymous Author with a gripe against DA, till the cows come home, but I aint buying it.
Free speech does indeed work both ways, and that’s a wonderful, wonderful thing.