After reading Faith & Fidelity (Faith, Love, & Devotion #1) by Tere Michaels which is highly rated by several reviewers I should have stopped there. Then I read The Heart of Texas by R.J. Scott and realized that ego maniac posing as a writer is not just writing bad books on a low rent ePulisher but these writers have a cluster of reviewers and readers flocking around them telling them how great they are and I can not stand to read a damn page of this crap without gagging. And that is being diplomatic about it all.
The point is I guess I have lost track of who is reading this genre as a reader or writing for this genre as a writer or a hope to be writer or a kinda sorta editor and I do not understand anymore where we lost track of the people who are reviewers and the folks that are real writers with class and style like say Josh Lanyon and Erastes and J.L. Langley and started promoting fake writer/reviewers that barely understand what Romance is and most certainly are not going on my keeper shelf any time soon by some reviewer turned writer friend of a friend of a friend who owns a cheap ass ePublisher.
Listen maybe I am rude and crude and have attitude but sweetie sweetie sweetie darling it’s really sad to get one of these books and realize how many people are getting ripped off and how obvious the hype is. La Croix, sweetie! It’s alright, isn’t it? A bit tight, but it’s alright, isn’t it? You know, people will think, “Wow, it’s a La Croix!”
I obviously need to take a break from the circus because everything is starting to look like an Ab Fab moment and I am tired of seeing reviewers promote their friends work when it has no merit. Darling. Darling, look at Mummy. Look at Mummy, sweetheart. Do I need surgery, darling?
Sorry, I may like Josh Lanyon and always buy Josh’s books but I do not give Josh an inch and I say so when I see something wrong. But obviously I am stepping on toes here and frankly it is not worth my while to keep acting like I care. Well they keep saying they don’t care either but then they keep telling me how they want my reviews to look too.
I have spambots who are nicer to me than some of the comments from writers I have had sent to me lately. That says something and I hate to be angry or bitter but I am tired of getting dizzy from shaking my head at the latest Grade A reviews being handed out to these ego maniacs and their reviewer buddy pals like they deserve a pat on the head shitting out that last over 400 page eBook extravaganza and I know for a fact that reviewer is sniffing up that author’s ass on Goodreads constantly. Because they did nothing to hide it from my view when they were doing it and it is obvious they do not care.
I think great writing and great editing takes talent and skill. I do not denigrate or shortchange such talent by saying any one can do it because it is so easy. I review eBooks and writing and editing and cover art as things that take time and effort and are worth my time to bother reading them. When that balance can be questioned then there is problems. Not everyone needs to be writing or editing or creating covers and that is a fact of life and some win and some lose and life is not fair. Once we are clear on that then we can talk like adults in a rational way. I for one have always believed in these fact’s of life it’s how I get up in the morning and go to work when I do not feel like it at all.
Sorry times up and writers seem to be getting more and more angry at petty stupid things that make no difference in the end and yet not doing a damn thing to learn their craft or making excuses for not doing so because they have more pressing problems like trying to be popular. I am stopping blogging for a while to find my reality. This week was a roller coaster ride health wise and personally I do not need to make the effort to take someone to task right now for trying to kick my ass at least since I am sure it will bite them anyway with all that attitude and I know I need a break from this freak show.
Please keep supporting those top ePublishers out there on my list because they deserve some love.
See it’s all about who ends up holding the football and I choose the other option because I did not sign up for all that abuse.
This is Lucy signing off Charlie Brown.
Tags: That's Not eBooks
Sunita wrote,
I love your reviews but if the blowback is getting that annoying, I don’t blame you for taking a break. Enjoy it and see you when you come back.
You will stay in my RSS feed though.
Link | April 15th, 2011 at 11:46 am
Juni wrote,
Sorry to hear you need a break – you’re my refreshing hit of sanity every day. Mwah, Mwah darling. Hope to see you back soon.
Link | April 15th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
Lucia wrote,
I love reading your reviews because I know I don’t get a review from someone who is such a big fan, he can’t see the flaws in a book. But I can understand why you want to take a break :)
Link | April 15th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Alex Beecroft wrote,
I’m sorry to hear you’ve been getting stick from writers recently. It does seem to have got to the stage where nobody can say anything even vaguely controversial in public without attracting wank. Honest reviewing has become quite a soul destroying task, which is no good to anyone because we need honest reviews.
Link | April 15th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Sadie wrote,
Teddy, Dammit, I hope you don’t stay gone for long…You will definitely be missed. I for one have a lot of respect for your thoughts/opinions b/c you tell it like it is. Not too many people are like that anymore. They don’t want to “hurt” people’s feelings. Ugh, please. Like everyone is too sensitive anymore. I don’t like how the tides are turning in the m/m genre. Maybe I never noticed it before b/c I was too busy reading. But, now that I’ve been paying attention, I am not impressed. I was just talking about this subject this morning. It seems like I can’t even get an honest review anymore b/c reviewers don’t want to talk unless it’s to say something nice about a book. What the hell is that?? Are authors that insecure that they cannot hear an honest opinion? So what if somebody didn’t like your book. I am sure there are others who do. We all have different tastes and what appeals to some, doesn’t to others. Live with it.. I’ve been using reviews and review sites for years to buy products, but it seems like I won’t get an honest one when it comes to books. Is it like this with other genres? I used to think that Goodreads was an awesome site to check reviews. Now it’s an author/reader/reviewer lovefest. The m/m group over there encourages author/reader communication and it is backfiring in a big way. I can think of one popular m/m writer who is nice as can be. Gets involved in many a conversation, talks about their personal life,etc. But, their books are terrible in my opinion. Yet, I see raving reviews for them. Is it b/c they are now a person to the readers? A nice one at that? Also, check out some of the more popular m/m(or gay romance-whatever you want to call it) review sites and see how many 4 and 5 star reviews you’ll find. It’s ridiculous!! It’s a rare thing to find something below a 4, which shows me that these reviews are more for the authors than they are for the readers. And I don’t like it at all. I’ve lost respect for a lot of these people. I have more respect for an asshole who is real/honest than I do a wishy washy person who tells me what they think I want to hear. Erastes is someone who comes to mind who gives an honest, well thought out review. And I’ve seen her “attacked” for those opinions. Just know that a lot of readers know who some of these authors are and no longer buy from them anymore. I really wish there was a blog of shame for these authors. Expose them for who they really are. I can only imagine the kind of drama that would cause. But, maybe it would make those authors stop and think. I’ve seen one too many who act nicey nice where it can be seen, but behind scenes sends threatening emails and harasses the readers/reviewers. This is a lot longer than I meant it to be, it’s just makes me so mad. And to find out what is happening to you? Well it’s not right. I hope you will be ok, healthwise. It’s tough when you’re not feeling up to par. Stuff gets to you when it normally wouldn’t. Just know there are many of us who will be thinking of you and waiting for your return. The web would not be the same without you. It’s hard to be strong and real, but know that you are a much better person for it. Hope you and Jason will enjoy this time off and leave the bullshit behind!!
Link | April 15th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
My health is fine Sadie I just need to pay attention to getting old at the moment and this week several last straws got broken and I have to handle it in my way and I just feel tired and unfocused. My brain looks at all this and it’s stressful and I do not need that.
Erastes blog attack was one of those moments that defined the problem and Josh’s post was the answer I and others are simply tired of hearing. Goodreads is becoming a huge problem and a scam that looks innocent on the outside till you see how it gets worked.
I need a break is all maybe I need a good eBook and a bubble bath and maybe some time to think about what I do this for because I am getting disheartened by the crowd mentality that is prevailing here.
If writers have become so angry they cannot accept their books have flaws because everything is on them to be perfect writers and sell themselves like J.K. Rowling on meth. Then any honesty no matter what is going to set them off and really I am getting tired of the us and them three moves out strategy I see going on with these little groups. Like you say, it is such a small community we all see it happening and they still deny they are doing it but we all know they are but they still think we don’t know they are.
It’s the bald face lying that is getting to me and the people constantly hiding things behind their back.
Link | April 15th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
Sadie wrote,
Crap, I didn’t want to imply that Goodreads was the only one doing this. Uniting readers/authors/reviewers into one big happy family. Many author,review and publisher blogs are also encouraging this type of behavior. Get yourselves out their and promote,promote,promote. I get alerts all the time to check out an author on a certain blog site. Interviews are given and discussions are encouraged. Is this really a good idea? half the time we aren’t even talking about the books. People want to know the personal details about the author. When an author becomes real to people, then said people are not going to want to be honest with their thoughts and opinions about their books. It’s like people think we are insulting the author if we did not like their book. I’ve heard more than one author say that their book was an extension of themselves(whatever that means). Or like a child to them. Well, put like that, who in the heck wants to insult someone’s child? I mean I’ve read enough about artists and their tempermental behavior. Their sensitive souls. Blah,blah,blah….. And yeah, those talented authors? I consider them artists. I sure as hell don’t have the talent to create a story and characters like they do. It is a form of art in my eyes. But see, artists of all types have to deal with criticism and praise. The ones I respect and admire? They keep their mouths shut about it. Not arguing with the readers who “supposedly” didn’t get it and not posting every 5 star review they received on their website. They handle it with grace and style. Not saying people are not human and make mistakes. But seriously,” I was an asshole, sorry about that”, goes a long way. I know people get upset and say things in the heat of the moment. But, don’t read the reviews if you don’t want to see the truth(as other people see it). And some reviewers? Well, I think they’ve gotten a little too big for their britches. Getting constant praise from the crowd can do that to some. A bit of humility goes a long way..
Oh, and we can lose the posse that seems to come with many well known authors and reviewers? Why doesn’t the moderator shut this type of behavior down? Don’t we think these people can stand up for themselves? Why do they need 50 people attacking the one person who disagrees with them. I totally blame the mods for this. If you didn’t allow the behavior, it wouldn’t happen. Encouraging drama to get traffic to your site is not cool at all.
Link | April 15th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
that Goodreads was the only one doing this
It’s pretty much where the Erastes attack started at and went to her blog only because that person felt entitled to take it there from Goodreads. Those are the facts and it is part of the climate I have seen going on.
The point is you cannot be honest on Goodreads and they feel you should not be honest on your blog either. It’s worse than the fan fiction stuff I saw going on with Live Journal and you do not see me visiting there much either. The fannish activism destroys communities and Goodreads seems to be playing a key role in that.
You just get tired of it or explaining how adults should not act like children. But more drama on Goodreads is what attracts them to do it.
Link | April 15th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
Jennifer Leeland wrote,
I lurk here. I don’t comment much.
I don’t understand the concept of having friends/family do reviews. But then, I always found the proverbial smoke up my ass a bit uncomfortable.
I really hope you come back soon despite the insanity.
Link | April 15th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Angelia Sparrow wrote,
Take a break. The internet will be here when you come back.
And if an author can’t take it on the chin when it’s deserved, they have no business in this business.
Link | April 15th, 2011 at 5:00 pm
Merzibelle wrote,
Definitely take a break and relax. I have actually had to pull away from writing because I’m being told all the time to ‘join x, y, or z site, promote all the time, and be accessible and friendly to everyone’. How is that going to sell books? How am I supposed to write if I’m spending all my time hopping from site to site promoting? The logic of it escapes me.
Link | April 15th, 2011 at 5:12 pm
Jess wrote,
Hi,
I have only just discovered Goodreads, I mainly use it to keep a track of what I have been reading, (my list of books is still growing).
I have noticed a variety of reviews, some very honest and some obvious suckup jobs. I dont add many reviews, its usually just a few thoughts (nothing professional).
My best advice is – take your break and ignore posts/reviews/people that you dont want to read.
Goodluck
Jess
Link | April 16th, 2011 at 3:38 am
TeddyPig wrote,
Jess the comments you have read here are not about how you might want to use Goodreads the tool itself is rather harmless and simply provides communication between “friends” these comments are about how writers are ending up using it and adversely effecting respectable review blogs outside of Goodreads with their fanboy attacks.
It’s basically creating yet another form of gang mentality based around authors promoting their books and reviewers trying to review and fans trying to make sure their authors get only good reviews promoting their books or they start trolling the reviewer or name calling them into submission to that writer’s sockpuppet fan mafia.
Think Amazon book reviews without the Visa and MasterCard symbols at the bottom and no moderation to speak of so fanboy attacks and trolling are becoming the normal way to promote one’s writing skillz. It’s the will of Landru and you are wearing a red shirt on Beta III.
It’s like West Side Story for books without the catchy Jazz influenced ballet, Puerto Rican gang bangers doing pirouettes or that song about Maria. When you’re a Jet you’re a Jet.
Yet another reason I need a fucking break. Today’s mental focus shall be gardening.
Link | April 16th, 2011 at 3:55 am
Erastes wrote,
don’t stay away too long! you are a breath of fresh air.
Link | April 16th, 2011 at 7:16 am
Amber Green wrote,
This morning…this afternoon…this weekend, we’re getting a nuc of honeybees delivered. I love having honeybees about. My annuals (except the tomatoes) are sulking. I think if we’d planted them after that last cold spell, they’d be twice as big now. Of course, if I’d known there’d be another cold spell, I wouldn’t have planted them out.
Maybe we’re calling things “reviews” because it’s a familiar word, easy to use, rather than because it accurately describes the intent and function of third-party blurbing, cross-promotion, and other activities designed to participate in the consensual counter-reality a work of fiction is intended to create. Maybe these non-reviews are intended to be the cock, not the dick, of the penis world.
Link | April 16th, 2011 at 11:34 am
Emilie wrote,
Do whatever you need to do for your mental and physical health. Enjoy your gardening.
Link | April 16th, 2011 at 7:36 pm
K. Z. Snow wrote,
Oh, how I envy you for having a viable garden, TeddyP! My beds are again covered with snow.
I hope you can still take delight in reading, even if you do so in private. Hell, that’s how people used to enjoy books before the Internet came along!
Link | April 16th, 2011 at 7:50 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
I have planted Impatients today.
It is how I feel. Oh and giant elephant ears for both sides of the front door to hide the chipping paint on the patio.
Link | April 17th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
fern wrote,
I love your honesty!
Your saying what many of us are silently thinking.
I tried the whole goodreads thing over a year ago, but it didn’t last.
I was really “creeped” out by the response I had received from an author who’s book I honestly reviewed as the shit it was….
Anyhow, Mr. Crazy ass author decided to publicly berate me for not liking his book….!
I couldn’t take the drama, so forget that noise!
Link | April 19th, 2011 at 11:57 am
Lyn Gala wrote,
I’m really sorry you feel this way. The idea that everyone has to like a book is absolutely ridiculous. You didn’t like one of mine, but it wasn’t like you were making shit up to make me look stupid… you just honestly didn’t like the plot. That’s fair. It really bothers me that someone who is giving honest opinions feels pushed out by what fanfiction used to call the “cult of nice.”
Link | April 23rd, 2011 at 9:08 am
Merrian wrote,
I saw you mention not reviewing any more in your comment on Jessica’s RRR blog and wanted to say I appreciate your style and intentions in your reviews and your blogging. I know you need to take a break but hope you will be back because you provide memory and context around the daily arrivals list of new m/m books that grounds them in reality and helps provide benchmarks for judging them.
All the best, Merrian
Link | April 26th, 2011 at 5:59 am
TeddyPig wrote,
Thanks Merrian,
I just feel like my reviews in particular are not appreciated I guess.
I do this task for free and I do it for other readers but to constantly be told that what I have to say is unimportant makes it less likely I want to even bother with it.
I did not see a lot of readers standing up and telling Josh the reviews were not for him and never were. I just feel that the readers now are even buying into the hype no matter how subpar the work is and making anything bad said about a particular book a personal attack.
Link | April 26th, 2011 at 7:48 am
Jessica wrote,
“I did not see a lot of readers standing up and telling Josh the reviews were not for him and never were. I just feel that the readers now are even buying into the hype no matter how subpar the work is and making anything bad said about a particular book a personal attack.”
When I saw that the Lanyon thread had 169 comments, I feared for him, because I was sure he was getting 99% negative responses. I was shocked that after your two posts, it was mostly agreement. Thanks for being honest there and here.
Link | April 26th, 2011 at 4:34 pm
Sunita wrote,
Teddy, I totally get why you are so fed up. And if you never come back to reviewing, I’ll still keep you in my highly selected Google Reader, if only for the Bear pics. :-)
But your reviews really do provide a unique contribution in the great online reviewing community, and without you, we lose a valuable perspective.
No pressure or anything, you understand. :-)
Link | April 26th, 2011 at 5:14 pm