Last week, Katiebabs wrote a post entitled Reviewer Beware! No More Books For You! This particular topic centers around a reviewer who received the following email from someone at the blog where she reviews at.
It reads:
“As I mentioned to you sometime ago, a number of authors have written me requesting that I do not send you their books to review since they didn’t appreciate your style of reviewing. Recently the publishers have gotten in on the action and several of them have written within the past couple of weeks requesting that I give their books to other reviewers. Basically what they have said is that they will not give their books to a reviewer who trashes them. Their main objection is the tone of your reviews and I’m paraphrasing here – your reviews come across as extremely snarky, not just in the reviews themselves but in the comments following the reviews …. they don’t have any issue with reviewers posting negative reviews of their books but they feel that your reviews are unprofessional.
The bottom line is they are not prepared to offer their books to a reviewer who calls stories she doesn’t like “craptastic” “suckage” and makes reference to gouging her eyes out, is disrespectful and cruel, especially following up on reviews she has posted of stories she doesn’t like. Some of us have problems writing reviews on books that we don’t like for whatever reason. As you know, I hate writing negative reviews but I do them more frequently now and I always have to find the right words to use and try to be helpful.
So we have a problem with few options. Since I’m rapidly running out of books for you to review I could do what I did originally when you agreed to post your reviews here – I could cherry pick your reviews from your Live Journal and suggest the ones to be posted here. Obviously I can’t select those from some publishers, which makes it difficult. Honestly, I’m at a loss here. I like you on a personal level, I enjoy our discussions, I think you’re funny and we have fun together and I don’t want this to affect our relationship. I don’t know if you have any other suggestions of how we can work around this.You’ll probably be angry when you receive this email but I have no option since basically I have been given ultimatums by several publishers who supply the books to be reviewed.”
I’ve read numerous posts on this topic and I’ve read countless comments on each of those posts. So far everything that I’ve read leaves me stumped on how exactly the publishers and authors are trying to blackmail this reviewer into changing her reviews?
First of all, this email was not sent to the reviewer from the publisher or any of the authors she’s reviewed, but by the folks at the blog that this reviewer reviews for.
So the way that I’m seeing this is:
Publisher sends free review copies to book blog. Admins of the book blog send review copies to different reviewers. Reviewer reads book, trashes author/book and now Publisher and Authors have requested that their books be sent to other reviewers. Book Blog emails reviewer and alerts her to the situation and then suggests other form of choosing reviews to post on their book blog.
Did I leave anything out?
Trish over at Hey Lady, Whatcha Reading wrote up a post about this whole fiasco. I thought it was a great post and completely agreed with a whole lot of what she had to say. You can read her post on this, here.
We’re fortunate to receive review copies from several different publishing houses. We’ve never felt compelled to give the books we’ve received glowing reviews nor were we asked by anyone at any publishing house to do so. Sometimes a book just doesn’t work for us and we don’t shy away from telling people that. Hello, when has anyone known Holly to shy away from anything (Casee: We all know that Holly has a problem speaking her mind at times)? What I’m failing to comprehend in this situation is where is the blackmail?
I don’t see where the publishers or the authors are telling this reviewer that if she doesn’t change her reviews, she won’t be getting any more free books review copies. What I see is the publishers and authors not wanting this reviewer to review their books because of reviews this reviewer has posted. Plain and simple.
Isn’t that how things work when you review books for publishing houses? I mean, Trish brings up a valid point in her post when she said that when reviewers accept free books for review, they’re entering into a business sort of relationship with that publishing house. When one part of the business deal is not happy, it makes sense that they’ll want to jump ship, right? That’s how I saw this whole thing pan out. It sucks but that’s the name of the game. The publishing houses and the authors don’t want to send free books to a reviewer that bashes their books, that’s their prerogative.
Comments came pouring in about how publishers should have done their research on this reviewer before sending her books to review so they would have known what they were getting into, but I don’t understand this comment since the publishing houses and authors weren’t dealing with this reviewer directly, at least that’s the way that I perceived it to be from the email she posted. They were working through the book blog. So if the authors and publishing houses were only having problems with one reviewer, odds are they did their research and were only dealing with one problem child instead of an entire blog.
So what do you think? Do you think the reviewer can say whatever she wants, in whatever way she wants to say it and screw the publisher? Or do you think the publisher is valid in saying they prefer she not review their books if she can’t do so in a professional manner?
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The most noteworthy point for me was that it WASN’T simply that the reviewer was giving negative reviews, it was the WAY the review was given – specifically, using language that the publisher/authors felt was unprofessional. The implication being that if the reviewer had stated the same opinion in a different way, they might not have objected.
In this case, where the publisher is providing the books AND objects to the TONE of the negative reviews, then, yes — I think they have a right to request that individual not review their books. Since they do have a choice, here, why not? To my mind, it’s like choosing who to hang out with — the person who knows how to be honest without cutting you to shreds, or the nasty, negative person who lives for the put-down. (And I’m speaking in general terms, since I have no clue who this reviewer/blog is.)
‘Course, in the real world publishers/authors have no control over what’s put out there about our books, especially if the reviewer’s bought the book on his/her own. And some pubs/authors don’t care, figuring having the book talked about — in whatever terms — is better than having it lost in the Great Void. Snarky, negative reviews aren’t fun for the object of the snark, but they can still garner sales. So while I empathize with the motive, here…actually I’m not sure there’s much point to the request. In the big scheme of things and all that.
How’s that for a definite opinion? 😉
IMO, you get what you give. If your attitude is “this is it, take it or shove off.” Just be prepare for some to walk away and not be offended by their choice to do so.
I though the blogger’s email is quite clear, open and honest, the publisher’s decision is completely in their rights.
And not to be brown-nosing or anything but though the reviews on Bookbinge can be harsh, I’ve always found you guys are fair and gives enough reasons and room for others to differ. Sure the language here can be very creative at times and personalities a little snappy*grin* but that’s what the fun part of blogs.
mph
oh and veering off the subject slightly, I don’t know azteclady personally, but that lady sure can shot a straight arrow straight to the heart of things.
mph
The thing is, these review copies cost someone money. If they are pre-release bound galleys, they can be quite expensive. But even if they are release copies, there is expense attached to them.
I’ve given out a number of copies of my books for possible review. It’s always a gamble, since plenty of reviewers accept books they never get around to reading, or read and choose not to review. Consider this: if an author’s book is published as a trade paperback, it may list for about $15. The author can probably get their own copies for around $7-8. If they order through a book store, they will get a royalty credit for the book, making its effective cost maybe a buck less or so. If the author mails the book to a reviewer, shipping costs could put the out-of-pocket expense at $10+. Multiply that by as many reviewers as the author can afford to supply and you are looking at some serious change. Depending on how publishers track costs, it might be somewhat less expensive for publisher direct copies, but not necessarily.
But it can certainly be worth it. I never expect a good review just because I’ve provided a free book. In fact, I often appreciate the bad reviews — if they are fair and well-reasoned — because they may open my eyes to issues in my work which I can endeavor to improve upon. Even a really bad review can be more than worth the $10.
But if a reviewer shows a tendency toward excessive meanness or personal attacks, I’d no longer provide them with free books. I’m not saying they can’t review in whatever style they want, but for my part, I don’t want to subsidize pettiness or nastiness. With that $10 I could go see a movie, or buy another author’s book. OR, send a book to a reviewer with more professional standards.
All that said, if a nasty reviewer wants to BUY my book and then trash it, well, that’s cool. I mean, hey, I’ll take the sale!
As a reviewer you have the right to not like a book. You have the right to voice said dislike. You DO NOT have the right to be unprofessional about it. Honesty is great but do it with style and class. Reviews are opinions and we all understand not everyone will like them.
There is a line between giving a bad review or bashing the book and/or author. I just reviewed a DNF book and think I was completely fair. I reviewed it the same way I review other books. I gave my opinion in a straight forward and honest way.
If you receive books from publishers, I believe that the review should be professional. Being professional doesn’t mean you have to like the book. All it means is don’t bash the effing thing.
I’m impressed at how well the blog owner handled this. It can be so hard when your words then show up on the internet for all to see, and this was well said.
Any reviewer is entitled to write a negative review, if that’s their fair and honest opinion. But, yeah, there are ways to be professional about it.
Abby
Most book bloggers are amateurs. Maybe some of them would like to talk to publishers about a professional relationship. But if you’re not getting paid for what you do, there aren’t any standards–which is why this has been such a hot topic.
I’m not counting a free book as pay. It reminds me of the depression-era comic “will work for food.”
off topic: mph, you just made my Monday–thank you so very much.
Jeanne, it’s not about equating a review copy with payment for reviewing it. It’s whether is makes any sense for a publisher/author to throw good money after bad.
And for the reviewer complaining about being asked to be professional is about being realistic and using that oh so scarce commodity, common sense.
As Ms Cameron said upthread, review copies are not free for either author or publisher. As Holly and Casee said before, publishing is a business.
When a company engages the public in promotion, they do so with the expectation of it promoting sales. If a promotion gimmick doesn’t translate into sales (which in turns means profit), the company will change marketing/promo strategies. Lather, rinse, repeat–until they find one that yields the most results per investment dollar.
In that sense, the publisher has every right to change their promotion strategy and concentrate their promo budget on reviewers who (they think) will yield them the most sales.
Since plenty of review sites which do give negative reviews continue receiving review copies from the same publishers/authors whose books they may have panned–in a professional manner and keeping it about the product (book) and not the author–it’s clear that this whole thing is not about targeting a poor, “brutally honest” reviewer.
It’s not about demanding “only positive reviews” from said poor reviewer.
It’s a business decision, period.
Great post Rowena!
I’ve seen this making the rounds in the blogsphere and could not understand where the blackmail idea was coming from. If you were a publisher or author and a reviewer wrote snarky/bashing reviews about your work, would you continue to send them books?
As you and others have stated, the objection was not to negative reviews but the snarky tone and trashing that went with them. A negative review doesn’t equal a snarkfest IMO regardless if you consider yourself a professional or amateur reviewer.
The publisher/authors can’t stop the reviewer from review the books they can only stop sending the free books. The reviewer can still buy their own copies to review however they choose. If you receive a product from the publisher or author you should give your honest opinion of the product but it can be done without trashing the product.
Very interesting post Rowena! My (short) response is ‘what azteclady said’ *grin*
The slightly longer response is that while a reviewer is completely entitled to his/her opinion, there are definitely a number of ways that opinion can be conveyed. It’s all a matter of degrees.
I have nothing really to add but just wanted to say it has been great reading comments for both sides of the issue.
Thanks ladies! 😀
To me this is very simple.
I think both sides are right.
I do think a reviewer can say what she wants. Free speech. As for being professional… well, there is a fine line, I think. What is professional to a reviewer may not be the same opinion of the publisher.
I’ll use BB as an example… You’ve had authors thank you for your reviews even when the review has been a negative one. From my point of view BB’s negative reviews are ALL nicely said, but you have had a very few authors who have bitched. (Big time bitched.)
I think that publishers/authors makes a huge mistake when they give books to reviewers who give good review for almost every book.
I don’t think that bad reviews hurt the sale of books. I’ve purchased several books after reading negative(even DNF) book reviews. I’ll admit that I have also stayed far away from some of those negative review books. It evens out, though.
I think both sides should stop complaining.
Publishers/authors: If you are sending out books for review then first take a look at the books the reviewers did NOT like. If you can handle what they say about other books, then you can handle what they would say about your book if it sucks.
Oh, and I agree %100 with azteclady
This sparked a lot of great discussion especially pertaining to the integrity of book bloggers. Last week, I learned that a lot of book bloggers DO in fact tone down their reviews for books received as review copies.
I think my reviews are fair but they would be that way no matter the source of the book. But when bloggers start saying that they alter how they review based on the source of the book, they are doing everyone who loves books a tremendous disservice. So for me that was the most important thing that came out of all of this.
Having said that, I’ve given a negative review to a book and have yet to hear from that publisher again. And I’m sorry that the blog who kicked Emmy out didn’t respect their original choice of choosing her in favor of getting more review books.
AL,
I started writing up a comment to add my thoughts to this discussion and then I read your comment and deleted everything I was about to say because you said it way better than I ever could.
So instead of another lengthy comment, I’ll just say Ditto to what Azteclady said.
Ro: Some have saide if you buy the book, it is okay for a free for all with your review. But if you get the book from a publisher or author, you have to be more restrained.
So why if you buy the book it is okay to say what you want? If I spend the money I can be more critical?
Sorry, whether I buy the book or I am given it, I will write the same type of review I feel is right.
Amy,
I’m curious as to why it matters that book bloggers tone down their reviews for books they received from publishers or authors?
Whether I say, “I HATE THIS F*CKING BOOK, IT SUCKED BIG DONKEY BALLS” or “This book just didn’t work for me. I couldn’t get into it because of this, this and this” The bottom line in both instances is, I didn’t like the book.
It’s one thing to tone down your reviews and another to flat out change your review or even lie.
Sorry, whether I buy the book or I am given it, I will write the same type of review I feel is right.I completely agree w/ you on this. Whether you buy the book or receive it as a review copy, have enough integrity to give it an honest review. I’ve given bad reviews to authors that have sent review copies and while it’s unfortunate, I refuse to “tone it down” just b/c it came directly from an author (or pub).
Still, I think that if you have a review site, it is necessary to be professional about any review you put up.
I won’t presume to speak for Rowena, but I believe she means that a reviewer can be as critical as s/he want in a review without using derogatory or insulting language.
A person can write whatever s/he wants about whatever s/he feels like, but s/he has to be realistic about the consequences attached to the choice of language used.
Many of the people whose reviews I choose to read have bought most if not all of the books they choose to review, and unless they tell me how they got their hands on the book, I have no way of knowing whether they plunked down hard earned cash or a publisher/author sent it to them–they are equally critical of whatever elements didn’t work for them, and equally enthusiastic about whatever elements did work for them.
And I confess that I am still confused by all the brouahaha here. From what I see, no one is telling Emmy she “can’t” or even “shouldn’t” write whatever she wants in whichever manner she likes.
What has been said is that publishers/authors won’t subsidize her.
What is wrong with that?
Katiebabs,
AL said exactly what I meant. I don’t think reviewers need to compromise their integrity just to make publishers and authors happy and if reviewers feel that strongly about staying true to their reviewing voice and they feel that this book review cannot be done without using that language then really, they can’t be mad when the publishers and authors refuse to work with them again.
I guess I’m like AL, I just don’t see what the big deal is. The reviewer doesn’t need to change anything but the publishers don’t need to supply her with books to review either.
As others have stated before me, I’m not sure what the big deal is. The publisher is well w/in their rights to deny review copies to anyone, no matter what the situation.
I think the blog owner in this case was doing trying to find a good compromise because s/he didn’t want to lose out on ALL review copies and the reviewer took it personally. I understand that.
What I don’t understand is the assumption that just b/c the blog owner said authors/publishers didn’t think the reviewers reviews were professional means she needs to tone them down or write only good reviews.
Honestly? Emmy the reviewer sounded bitter to me. Would I have felt the same way? Maybe. But regardless, the pubs/authors aren’t the bad guys here.
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Rowena,
Rowena,
LOL. I too wanted to delete my comment after reading AL’s but couldn’t. No need for redundancy when her’s is clear enough.
Also, since, I didn’t have a chance to read Emmy’s review, I didn’t want to assume or state that her’s was not professional. It’s enough to know that it was not in the style of which the publisher/author prefer to invest in.
End of story. end of relationship.
*testing out the delete button and LOVIN’ IT*
Well written post!
I’ve been surprised at the comments of people saying, They should have known her review style! As if a publisher can’t change their minds about who they’re going to send books to. Oh well. Just glad I’m not the lone voice in the wilderness. 🙂