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NeeCee
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 06:53 am: | 
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This may not apply to everyone, but if you write book reviews, do you have a policy to not review books written by authors in which you've formed a close friendship?
Or, if you do write the reviews, do you feel you can be fair, or do you feel uncomfortable like you cannot say all that you'd like to say?
I'm sure there are some interesting stories here on this topic...
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K
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 10:13 am: |
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I think it is impossible to say in complete honesty that one can write an unbiased review of work written by someone you have a close relationship with. It is hard at time to critize works written by those we don't have relationships with. If you are an artist yourself you know that it's really hard work. Therefore, you try to be kind.
I was once asked to review a manuscript written by a close friends husband. There is no polite way to say that it sucked. The storyline was choppy and he obviously slept through elementary grammar and comp in high school. If I had to write a published review things could have been complicated. I guess this is the long way to say no you shouldn't write reviews for/of friends work.
Technically, is it wrong ethically?
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Chris Hayden
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 10:36 am: |
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I used to do book reviews. There are no ethics in the literary game, save in the breach.
I did evolve a policy of only reviewing books that I liked. I figured any bum could rip a book that he didn't like, but that it was better to give some ink to one you do like.
I arrived at this policy when a woman told me that she used to run out and buy books just upon seeing a review. Then she discovered the book stank, went back and read the review which also stated the book stank.
Of course then she had issues. Would you buy things in the store without reading the labels? |
Susan
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 11:30 am: |
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Chris,
So true about the lack of ethnics, there are authors providing blurbs for books they haven't even read.
But don't which is worse, reviewers who only give glowing reviews or those who give high praises for a book but don't/can't give any critical analysis for why the book was so great. What's the point of rewording or rehashing of what's on the inside cover or the back of a book?
Susan |
NeeCee
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 11:37 am: |
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Susan,
Authors have provided blurbs for books they haven't read for a long while now. It's only the high profile, very successful, very busy authors that may endorse books they don't read. It's done as a favor, as support, and their high name recognition may bring attention to that work.
It works in that some people don't buy books based on the endorsements; but it doesn't work if the book sucks. |
Susan
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 11:53 am: |
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NeeCee,
I know but does that make in any less ethnical? This goes for very successful, very busy authors and very successful, very busy readers. Why not show support and do a favor and actually read another auhtors books? I am leary of friends providing reviews or blurbs for books even moreso if they haven't read them.
What do you think if reviewers, who can very busy and successful, providing positive and glowing reviews on books they haven't read?
Once you start down a slippery slope there's no stopping.
Susan |
NeeCee
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 12:16 pm: |
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Susan,
True. I think it's a Catch-22 situation. Maybe authentic blurbs could be written by those who are willing to take the time to read, and those writers would probably be inclined to be very selective when picking those books.
It's like you're damned if you do and damned if you don't (Blurb writers). |
Cynique
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 12:31 pm: |
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As the "American Idol" tv show has shown, everybody thinks they can sing. And this tends to be the case when it comes to writing. I guess because it is natural for people to want to put their thoughts down for posterity. I have found it very difficult to tactfully tell friends who ask me to read their work that what they have written is not very good. I don't do reviews, but when asked for an opinion I usually just cite errors in grammar and spelling and sentence structure and, if necessary, question points of plausibility. I will also compliment the writer if his story idea is original. |
Chris Hayden
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 01:10 pm: |
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Susan:
You might read the book and not like it. Besides, in this quid pro quo world, if the other author has already given you a good blurb or review then you owe them. The only thing to do is to opt out of the system, which doesn't make your agent or editor or publisher very happy.
Maybe I'm just jaded--in a world where people will fudge the evidence for starting a war, hide evidence of quarterly losses or lie about trying to get people hooked on tobacco I am not very surprised or upset that they will give fake reviews or blurbs.
I read each book three times before I wrote the review--not very cost effective and I quit after I had done enough of them to get some clippings and figure it out. There you have another reason why authors might not read books --they got other things to do--like write their own books.
Don't look for anything to change soon. Best advice--Don't believe the hype. |
Tee C. Royal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 01:14 pm: |
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NeeCee, I can normally say what I want to regarding a book whether I "know" the person or not. The only thing that may change is the delivery. If it's someone I feel I "know" I will pull them to the side and point out some things they may want to check out and tighten up (if the book hasn't been released yet, or things they should be on the look-out for in future books.) Some authors appreciate it, some don't, but I'm always honest in a review. What's the worst thing they can do? ROFL, not include me when they send out their next book? (It has happened, but that's on them.)
My review is my opinion and I try to be totally unbiased. I've only had one close friend (soon to be two) release a book and I enjoyed both books on different levels. I always try to be honest with them just as I do with other authors. One thing I do try to do is not review the same author if they come out with numerous books. Luckily I have a team of 16 reviewers, so we can easily switch the reviews around so that no one reviewer reviews no one author too many times.
And I wouldn't consider only reviewing books that I enjoyed because in my mind it makes one question my credibility. In my opinion, I've never written a negative review, but I will bring out pros and cons of a book, mainly those I do not give the highest rating possible.
I've heard some reviewers tell authors..."send your book to XXXXXXXX and we'll get if a 5 rating." WTH?
And we won't even start on blurbs. I hardly ever pay attention to a blurb given by an author because I've been told too many times that they don't read the books, they do it as a favor just as you said NeeCee. I can't get down with that.
And, I don't see why some authors would even subject themselves to that anyway. If you can't read the book...why lie about it?
-Tee |
Lois
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 02:25 pm: |
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Interesting discussion. How do you tell someone they can't write? Or they need to take time to learn the craft? I know someone who has "written" two books now and the books are _______________. I'll let you guys fill in the blank.
She is a nice person, but the first work I read lacks plot and character development, cohesiveness, fluency, and that marvelous characteristic of keeping me turning pages in the middle of the night. After reading chapter one of the second novel, I stopped. I refused to keep going.
Suggestions? |
NeeCee
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 02:31 pm: |
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Lois:
I think this is what happens. All writers are at different stages; the more they practice their craft, hopefully, the more skilled they'll become. Beginning writers are going to make tons of mistakes. Either they'll learn from constructive criticism, or from their own knowledge as they continue to write. If you don't feel comfy telling your friend, hopefully someone else will do so. It's a sticky situation, but everyone who writes can always do better, and it's just something that takes time and can improve if the writers work hard to do so. Now, on the other hand, if the writer thinks she's the bomb, and no one can't tell her she can't write, well, what can ya do? But back away, and pinch your nose... 
Everyone thinks they can write, until they read their stuff five years down the road and realize Oh my Gawd!!! LOL.
Great discussion here. |
NeeCee
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 02:49 pm: |
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Tee,
Great response. Now here's a question for you. What is a negative review? You said you've never written one. And even though you have not, it sounds like people still get upset by your truthful comments about their books. Is this true? We just sooooooo sensitive!! (trying to sound like Eddie Murphy) |
Chris Hayden
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 04:43 pm: |
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NeeCee:
I know that you directed this question to Tee, but regarding a negative review I'd define as one that not merely points out a book's shortcomings, goes over and above and beyond the call of duty to savage the book and the writer. It is nasty, brutish biting and sarcastic. I have written three as I recall, of Cornel West's RACE MATTERS, of a book about the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings put out by Regnery press, and of a book on Malcolm X by Michael Eric Dyson--(MAKING MALCOLM? somebody help me here. My pen fairly dripped with invective and vitriol--I took savage delight in insulting the writers and their work, I had some good points but I was mostlyon balance showing out and had to rethink my slam of RACE MATTERS after I did some research on Cornel and read some of his other work--I still had a lot of the same criticisms but saw that the flaws in the book were due more to his approach. |
akaivyleaf
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 12:10 am: |
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I'm not Tee either but if I might jump in with what I term a negative review. I believe them to be reviews that unnecessarily criticize, meaning that no good points were found, and or the reviewers opinion didn't include helpful pointers on what would have made the book better for the reviewer. All reviews are subjective and while I might view something as negative someone else may not see it that way. Thats the wonderful thing about opinion, everybody has their own and several to offer, but to be so forceful with it and not provide pointers to the contrary, constitutes negativity. I find reviews negative that personally attack the author or defame his/her character. Those are a total waste of reading and writing time. I don't recall having written a negative review but there are some books that I totally disagreed with their even being written, but praised the author for their attempt, the most notable for me was Dexter King's foray into the literary world, Growing Up King.
To the original intent of this thread... I don't personally "know" any authors, chances are I've met the author after I've written a review so for me its icing on the cake and I'm finally able to put a face with the name and a voice with some of the characters in the book. I do think that I would still be able to voice my opinion if I met the author or "knew" the author previous to reading their work. I just haven't been that fortunate yet.
I don't read blurbs...I've heard that they can be bought a dime a dozen so that doesn't influence my reading of a book. As such, I don't want my comments about a book, good or bad, to be used as a blurb. I want my comments or reviews to be read in the spirit for which I wrote them. I write reviews because I need an outlet to express my opinion about a passion that I love. I love reading and wish that everyone shared that same love with me. |
Thumper
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 11:43 am: |
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Hello All,
I have to say that if a reviewer had a close relationship with an author, he would tell the author the truth about his book -- good or bad. True friendship relies on honesty. A friend wouldn't let their good friend come out with something that sucks and not tell them about it. It's the equivalent of letting your friend walk around in public with snot hanging out of their nose and not saying anything.
Now as far as putting out a negative review, as you all know, I don't have a problem with doing that, but I used to. Whether the review is a nasty, cutthroat piece of work is subjective to the person reading it. I've written reviews that I didn't believe to be nasty, but I was accused of it nonetheless. Which goes to show that you can't please everyone. I'm of the mind that if I met any of you on the street and we start to talk about a book, why should I or anyone else have to clean up our language when it comes to me writing a review? We are all entitled and expected to disagree, which makes this whole thing fun. *big smile* |
Tee C. Royal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 01:12 pm: |
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Hey NeeCee, Hercules, Hercules!! ROFL. Not much more for me to add thanks to Chris & akaivyleaf. I see negative as first a direct attack on the author or on their writing. No, not all authors can write, but I do believe they all need encouragment. (Maybe to give it up or to take classes or to perfect their craft).
I love what I do (on most days), but to answer your question, yes some people have gotten upset and "can't handle the truth" no matter how it's delivered. (One author refused to "accept" a 4 review which was actually a compliment from the reviewer who gave it. She loved the review, but didn't want the rating attached. WTH?)
In spite of all that, I don't feel I'm putting forth 100% if I'm not honest with them. And in my position, I'm the middle man or bad guy because I'm the one who has to deliver a review that I may not have written, whether the reviewer loved the book or not. To close, I still think it's in the delivery and as Thumper said the person reading it.
Chris...why'd you write those reviews? Did you know the authors personally?
Thumper, I have read a few of your reviews and was left with an "OUCH" or two or three, just as I've read others and thought, "dang, I like the way he wrote that." From the few I've read, you have a distinct style and as long as you're cool with it, cool.
-Tee
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NeeCee
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 02:06 pm: |
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I am reading some of Thumper's reviews now. He definitely has an expressive way with words. Very lively, very honest, sometimes amazing. |
NeeCee
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 02:14 pm: |
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Ahh haa, now I love this opening sentence in Thumper's review of Baby Momma Drama...
Carl Weber's new book is loaded with the type of drama I love, -- unfiltered, full strength, wig snatching, "yo-momma's-a-ho!" drama. Weber's novel features two sides of the Baby Momma/Daddy coin, but with both sides coming from a woman's point of view. |
Susan
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 05:45 pm: |
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Chris: Maybe I'm just jaded--in a world where people will fudge the evidence for starting a war, hide evidence of quarterly losses or lie about trying to get people hooked on tobacco I am not very surprised or upset that they will give fake reviews or blurbs.
Me: I am jaded too but just because nearly everybody else is being dishonest doesn't mean you have to be the same way. And, I am not surprised either just don't give most reviews or all the blurbs any weight.
To his credit, Thumper just tells it like it is, the good, bad, and ugly, so I respect his opinion very much. Besides, I like reading Thumper reviews, even if I know I won't ever read the book he has reviewed. Or, if I felt differently. There are two black book publications, which I am sure most know their titles, and lately all of the book reviews have so bland and predictable. Every reviewer just luvs the book they read and highly recommends it. There is a lack of diversity of books reviewed so I will not be re-subscribing to one of them later this year.
Chris: I read each book three times before I wrote the review--not very cost effective and I quit after I had done enough of them to get some clippings and figure it out. There you have another reason why authors might not read books --they got other things to do--like write their own books.
Me: Which is a good excuse as any as to why one can't read every book that comes their way but just don't lie and say you read book when you know you didn't. I guess those traits, such as, character and integrity isn't worth much today regardless of one's profession.
What if these same people were giving "negative" reviews and not so glowing blurbs about books they didn't read then I bet everyone would be up in arms about that. To me it's the same coin...
Susan |
Susan
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 05:46 pm: |
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Lois: Interesting discussion. How do you tell someone they can't write? Or they need to take time to learn the craft? I know someone who has "written" two books now and the books are _______________. I'll let you guys fill in the
blank.
She is a nice person, but the first work I read lacks plot and character development, cohesiveness, fluency, and that marvelous characteristic of keeping me turning pages in the middle of the night. After reading chapter
one of the second novel, I stopped. I refused to keep going.
Suggestions?
Lois: Tell her the truth. I don't see what being nice had to do with anything ... I am nice too but I can't write.
Susan |
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