Blogger Insights ~ When Did Bloggers Become The Enemy...

I was going to post a scathing rant about some unseemly bad author behaviour I had witnessed on facebook recently - but I've had a slight change of heart and decided to tone it down somewhat - take from it what you will...

I was horrified to read recently a number of authors having an open rant session about book bloggers on *facebook.

Apparently, the blogging community at large doesn't do enough for up and coming authors; ie: exposure, raising book sales, extra page likes, website visitors, comments etc. According to these disgruntled authors (and its something I'm hearing more often) blogging is a waste of time and only for the BIG names!



A couple of authors even had the audacity to say not-so-nice things about specific blogs in this rant session because the bloggers didn't make the authors book(s) into best sellers!


Now I do don't know about others book bloggers but I got into blogging because I simply love a good read. And blogging has exposed me to so many books that I would never have found out about otherwise - and by reading other blogs and getting involved in the community I have made some amazing friendships and I love the small part I play in spreading the word about all books... so when I hear or read about an author out-and-out blaming a blogger or bloggers for an authors lack of success, it riles me right up!



I have spent more money on books in the last five years since I started blogging than I ever did before! Because I like to help authors out I will buy a copy of a book even if I was lucky enough to read an ARC, often buying copies for friends, print copies for my keeper shelf, even running giveaways out of my own pocket because I want a great book to succeed.

To say that I, or any other book blogger doesn't do anything for you - farrk off!!

When did book bloggers become the enemy - because a book blogger by definition is someone who blogs about books merely for the joy of the books themselves!

Okay, there's going to be the odd blogger with their hand out looking for the freebies but the majority of the bloggers I know, are not like that at all.

So for all the angry authors out there - please don't whack all the great bloggers with the shit stick just because you didn't hit the best sellers list right off the bat... maybe your expectations of infamy and stardom need to be more realistic, humble yourself, take a look in the reality mirror...

... and if you are one of those grabby hands bloggers looking for your next freebie - shame on you, shame!

*Said rant on facebook was in a private group for authors and bloggers and has since been deleted after numerous complaints!

The Honest Review...IMO!

As a reader I'm looking for an honest review.

And as a reviewer/blogger its what I strive to provide.

I want to know what you didn't like about a book as much as I want to know why you loved it.

I started this blog because I was frustrated. 

Frustrated with all the raving reviews, the endless 5 star ratings and over the top exuberance that some people had for books that I didn't.

I'm not saying they were wrong, I'm just saying that my opinion often differed.

I'd hear about an absolute gem of a book, a must read with its numerous 5 star ratings and think..."Wow, it must be a fantastic book" and off to the shop I'd go.

Only to be despondent several days later and $20 poorer with the disappointingly boring* and/or over hyped* read.
Surely I couldnt be the only person on the planet that felt this way about that book...could I?

And so My Book Chatter was born. 

A place for me to voice my opinion.
 

After a little detective work on facebook, I discovered that there are a few authors out there who really hate a bad or so-so review and will sometimes even launch a campaign against a reviewer on Amazon or Goodreads to bombard the poor person in question with negative comments! 

In some cases I have even seen an author ask his/her supporters to write a flurry of 5 star reviews in order to get the rating back up.

I am by no means the review police, but its safe to say that this type of behaviour is a sure fire way to turn me off both the author and their book.

Its NOT honest, and in my opinion its NOT moral either.

It is okay to not like the same books as everyone else, it is okay to say you didn't and you shouldn't be afraid to voice that opinion.

Which brings me to another point: Respect

I will never go after an author personally, or in any way degrade the author for what they have written regardless of my opinion of their work.

And that goes for other reviewers and bloggers also.

I may not always agree with someone regarding a book, but I respect their right to that opinion.

Sadly, it has been my own experience that others do not feel the same way.

What the %@*#!!

I have received hate emails.
Spiteful comments on my reviews.
Personal attacks and aggressive PMs on facebook.

In my case it was because I didn't particularly like a book that they felt was the best thing since sliced bread.

Yes, some people love a book so much that when I disagree with their opinion, they react by calling me every name under the sun and spamming my inbox with hateful threats.

Its a tough world out here in the blogesphere.

I guess all I'm really trying to say is...

I write honest reviews based on my opinion only.

That doesn't mean I am right or wrong, its just my opinion.

Please respect mine and I'll respect yours :)

End of rant!!

*IMO

*IMO
 
*Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.