It is NEVER a good idea to snap back at a reviewer for a review of your book that you didn’t like. Hmm, perhaps I’m not getting my point across.
It is NEVER a good idea to snap back at a reviewer for a review of your book that you didn’t like.
Never.
If they are wrong, let it go. If they insulted you, let it go. If you think they had an agenda, or didn’t even read the book, or missed the point–Let. It. Go.
Rant in private, to friends. But for gods’ sakes do not email them an insulting letter, and do not start a public thread insulting and ridiculing them.
Because, are you listening? A review is an opinion. It may have weight, it may not. And it’s not because you might piss off the reviewer, it’s because you will expose your inner fucktard and like racist slurs and private porn tapes that inner fucktard is what people what people will recognize you for.
You will reveal that you have no ability to deal with opinions about the work you put up for public sale, and therefore public discourse, that aren’t positive. You will reveal that you have no real respect for the opinion of the reader and no drive to write and publish your best work. Instead it ALWAYS comes off as if the author is a spoiled brat throwing a fit because they didn’t get the praise they deserve, and it looks this way even if the reviewer is wrong. (Except, I refer you back to the above paragraph: A review is an opinion. “Wrong” is not an easy thing to assign to an opinion.)
P.S. Also, many many reviewers and review sites already have a no self published books policy. You’re giving more people a reason add one.
P.P.S. Oh yeah, and emailing me nasty emails means instead of reviewing your book and moving on, I’ll start warning people about you, your work and your nasty email.
