Anne Whitney's Blog
March 22, 2014
TOO CLOSE TO CALL: Free To Read NOW!
That's right, my new novella, one that at least two people have been dying to read, is finally available to the non-paying public! AND it's got a sexy new cover!
You like? Yeah, you do, don't deny it!
So it's available to download now on Smashwords!
I hope you like it. Or love it. Or hate it. Or are meh about it. Really, I'm just so happy to have it out there for people to read. I welcome all reviews, 1 star to 5.
You like? Yeah, you do, don't deny it!
So it's available to download now on Smashwords!
I hope you like it. Or love it. Or hate it. Or are meh about it. Really, I'm just so happy to have it out there for people to read. I welcome all reviews, 1 star to 5.
March 18, 2014
TOO CLOSE TO CALL: A New Novella Coming Soon!
Hi there.
Long time no see. How have you been? How was that thing you were talking about? Good, yes?
It's been a while, I know. I had a lot of plans to write and release more after my debut but real life got in the way. Curse you, real life. Writer's block hit hard and I just kept putting aside works in progress, saying I'd get back to them eventually and then all of a sudden months would pass and I'd be like "What the hell happened?!" So I got on with life and had this one story in my head I was keen to write, if only to get it out of my head.
And finally, I got it out of my head. And it's here! I'm very proud of it and have decided to give it away for free, at least for a little while.
So on Sunday, at whatever time Amazon decides is okay, I will be releasing my new novella "Too Close To Call" and you can read it free of charge. I hope you like it. Or hate it. Or don't really care. The story will be out there for all to judge it as they please and I couldn't be more excited!
Carrie Stewart is dedicated to truth, justice and embarrassing the guilty, and nowhere is she better suited to do that than as a journalist for the infamous liberal political magazine The List. While on assignment at City Hall, she finds herself sparring with the Mayor’s deputy press secretary and all round political golden boy Marcus Castro, a man known as much for his good looks and charm as his skills with the media.
Castro is everything she loathes in politics: cocky, over-polished, evasive with the facts and far too sure of himself. Yet despite herself, Carrie finds that she is drawn to him, and what starts as a little bit of fun turns into something far more serious. As the double crossing and dirty dealings of City Hall are revealed around her and the story of the century lands on her lap, Carrie wonders if she can ever truly keep personal and private separate.
It's under 50k words so it's a quick read but it's got everything: stubborn journalists, cocky but painfully sexy politicos, city hall conspiracies, tattoos, verbal sparring, back scratching sexy times, and so much more!
Even if everyone ends up hating it, it's good to be writing again. I can't wait to release this one into the wild and I hope you'll join me for the ride.
Side note: I don't consider 1 star reviews to be bullying and I never will. I'm not stupid.
Long time no see. How have you been? How was that thing you were talking about? Good, yes?
It's been a while, I know. I had a lot of plans to write and release more after my debut but real life got in the way. Curse you, real life. Writer's block hit hard and I just kept putting aside works in progress, saying I'd get back to them eventually and then all of a sudden months would pass and I'd be like "What the hell happened?!" So I got on with life and had this one story in my head I was keen to write, if only to get it out of my head.
And finally, I got it out of my head. And it's here! I'm very proud of it and have decided to give it away for free, at least for a little while.
So on Sunday, at whatever time Amazon decides is okay, I will be releasing my new novella "Too Close To Call" and you can read it free of charge. I hope you like it. Or hate it. Or don't really care. The story will be out there for all to judge it as they please and I couldn't be more excited!
Carrie Stewart is dedicated to truth, justice and embarrassing the guilty, and nowhere is she better suited to do that than as a journalist for the infamous liberal political magazine The List. While on assignment at City Hall, she finds herself sparring with the Mayor’s deputy press secretary and all round political golden boy Marcus Castro, a man known as much for his good looks and charm as his skills with the media.
Castro is everything she loathes in politics: cocky, over-polished, evasive with the facts and far too sure of himself. Yet despite herself, Carrie finds that she is drawn to him, and what starts as a little bit of fun turns into something far more serious. As the double crossing and dirty dealings of City Hall are revealed around her and the story of the century lands on her lap, Carrie wonders if she can ever truly keep personal and private separate.
It's under 50k words so it's a quick read but it's got everything: stubborn journalists, cocky but painfully sexy politicos, city hall conspiracies, tattoos, verbal sparring, back scratching sexy times, and so much more!
Even if everyone ends up hating it, it's good to be writing again. I can't wait to release this one into the wild and I hope you'll join me for the ride.
Side note: I don't consider 1 star reviews to be bullying and I never will. I'm not stupid.
September 2, 2013
99c Art of Love Fun Times!
Do you like a bargain? Of course you do!
I'm coming out of a serious bout of writer's block and hardcore overtime in the real world so to celebrate that all coming to an end and me being able to actually write again, I'm doing a special deal.
For a limited time only, "The Art of Love" is available on Amazon for 99 cents. That's right - 99 cents!
http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-of-Love...
It's the deal of the century! Or at least for the next few minutes until you click onto another window.
Either you like it or you'll hate it (side note but I got my first 1 star review recently and I was genuinely excited. Is that normal? Either way, it was so cool!) or you'll just go meh at it all, but you gotta admit, 99 cents is pretty cheap.
So pass on the word, tell your friends and maybe give it a go.
In book news, I'm almost done with Derek's novella so my pushed back deadlines are giving me the stink-eye a whole lot less. I say my deadlines, I mean my editor/best friend. She's a harsh mistress.
Anyway, 99 cents! Go!
http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-of-Love...
I'm coming out of a serious bout of writer's block and hardcore overtime in the real world so to celebrate that all coming to an end and me being able to actually write again, I'm doing a special deal.
For a limited time only, "The Art of Love" is available on Amazon for 99 cents. That's right - 99 cents!
http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-of-Love...
It's the deal of the century! Or at least for the next few minutes until you click onto another window.
Either you like it or you'll hate it (side note but I got my first 1 star review recently and I was genuinely excited. Is that normal? Either way, it was so cool!) or you'll just go meh at it all, but you gotta admit, 99 cents is pretty cheap.
So pass on the word, tell your friends and maybe give it a go.
In book news, I'm almost done with Derek's novella so my pushed back deadlines are giving me the stink-eye a whole lot less. I say my deadlines, I mean my editor/best friend. She's a harsh mistress.
Anyway, 99 cents! Go!
http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-of-Love...
June 17, 2013
Thoughts on the Eve of Release Day!
So technically I should have written this last night but the uploading process to Amazon took less time than expected so hey, here it is! Besides, Yeezus leaked early so I had to keep up with the competition.
In case you couldn’t tell from my constant tweeting, “The Art of Love” is officially a real thing out in the wild on Amazon and Smashwords (I’m working on uploading it to Nook, Kobo and a few other places right now so please be patient). It’s so weird to know that I actually wrote a book that people can buy, read and talk about! A few months ago, if you had told me I would be self-publishing a 75000 word new adult novel I would have had a few questions for you.
One, what the hell is a new adult novel?
Two, I have never written 75000 words in my whole life.
Three, who are you and why do you know so much about my future?
I knew self-publishing would be hard work. All good things are. It takes a village of kind, generous and extremely patient people to put up with me on the best of days, so having the amazing group of bloggers, tweeters and Goodreads users who offered support, advice and a helping blog tour hand have my infinite gratitude. I literally couldn’t have done it without them.
Special thanks must go to my darling Megan, a truly amazing friend. She basically kept me sane and moving forwards throughout this entire process. Most of the good ideas for promo were her ideas. Okay, pretty much all of them were her idea! I owe you a big one, Megan, and I know you won’t let me forget it! I promise you so many cakes!
Thank you to every reviewer who tolerated terribly formatted ARCs (I have no idea what happened there, honestly. Epub ate up all the dashes. I promise that’s fixed in the final book and I even removed the dreaded line about Marina letting out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding in!). Whether you loved the book or wanted it to melt under the fire of your hatred, I’m so happy you took the time to read it. I’ve had 5, 4, 3 and 2 star reviews (not had 1 star yet – part of me is relieved, the other part wants to complete the set!) and I love them all. I promise to never bug or interfere with reviewers for as long as I’m writing.
Thanks to all my inspirations, from Marina Abramovic to Tammara Webber to Gail Simone to RuPaul! I can’t even list all of the people and things that have inspired me from birth. They’re all present in this book somewhere and they’ve shaped me as a person. That’s good, I swear, although I know some who would disagree!
Thanks to everyone who has bought the book already and did so legally. I found out that someone bought the book, put it up on Mobilism, and then got a refund on their purchase. So far, 300 or so people have illegally downloaded my book. Quick work, right? It’s nice to know that you want to read my work, just not enough to pay $3 for it. I honestly thought that was quite reasonable. I’ve sent DMCA notifications to the sites in question to take down my book. To the 300 people who have already illegally downloaded it, I’m sorry that my book and your opinion of authors is worth so little to you.
And to you, the reader who loves the written word, who takes risks on weird little indie authors and books with covers that may or may not show a dead guy’s feet on a bed (a lot of people like the cover for that reason. Note to self: write book with some death in it), and who get so excited by a great new read that they must tell the world. Thank you. Even if you don’t read “The Art of Love”, thank you for just doing what you do.
In case you couldn’t tell from my constant tweeting, “The Art of Love” is officially a real thing out in the wild on Amazon and Smashwords (I’m working on uploading it to Nook, Kobo and a few other places right now so please be patient). It’s so weird to know that I actually wrote a book that people can buy, read and talk about! A few months ago, if you had told me I would be self-publishing a 75000 word new adult novel I would have had a few questions for you.
One, what the hell is a new adult novel?
Two, I have never written 75000 words in my whole life.
Three, who are you and why do you know so much about my future?
I knew self-publishing would be hard work. All good things are. It takes a village of kind, generous and extremely patient people to put up with me on the best of days, so having the amazing group of bloggers, tweeters and Goodreads users who offered support, advice and a helping blog tour hand have my infinite gratitude. I literally couldn’t have done it without them.
Special thanks must go to my darling Megan, a truly amazing friend. She basically kept me sane and moving forwards throughout this entire process. Most of the good ideas for promo were her ideas. Okay, pretty much all of them were her idea! I owe you a big one, Megan, and I know you won’t let me forget it! I promise you so many cakes!
Thank you to every reviewer who tolerated terribly formatted ARCs (I have no idea what happened there, honestly. Epub ate up all the dashes. I promise that’s fixed in the final book and I even removed the dreaded line about Marina letting out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding in!). Whether you loved the book or wanted it to melt under the fire of your hatred, I’m so happy you took the time to read it. I’ve had 5, 4, 3 and 2 star reviews (not had 1 star yet – part of me is relieved, the other part wants to complete the set!) and I love them all. I promise to never bug or interfere with reviewers for as long as I’m writing.
Thanks to all my inspirations, from Marina Abramovic to Tammara Webber to Gail Simone to RuPaul! I can’t even list all of the people and things that have inspired me from birth. They’re all present in this book somewhere and they’ve shaped me as a person. That’s good, I swear, although I know some who would disagree!
Thanks to everyone who has bought the book already and did so legally. I found out that someone bought the book, put it up on Mobilism, and then got a refund on their purchase. So far, 300 or so people have illegally downloaded my book. Quick work, right? It’s nice to know that you want to read my work, just not enough to pay $3 for it. I honestly thought that was quite reasonable. I’ve sent DMCA notifications to the sites in question to take down my book. To the 300 people who have already illegally downloaded it, I’m sorry that my book and your opinion of authors is worth so little to you.
And to you, the reader who loves the written word, who takes risks on weird little indie authors and books with covers that may or may not show a dead guy’s feet on a bed (a lot of people like the cover for that reason. Note to self: write book with some death in it), and who get so excited by a great new read that they must tell the world. Thank you. Even if you don’t read “The Art of Love”, thank you for just doing what you do.
June 9, 2013
"The Art of Love" blog tour!
Judgement day is upon us!
By that I mean release day is upon us. June 18th to be exact. So to celebrate the fact that I actually managed to write a book and survive the self-publishing process with the vestiges of my sanity intact, the blog tour for "The Art of Love" is happening!
My fabulous friend Megan from Book Brats, who has basically held my hand throughout this process and organised almost everything for me, has put together the blog tour and I cannot thank her enough. I've promised her some cakes as payment.
June 10th. On the Nightstand - Review.
June 11th. Into The Night - Excerpt, review and give-away.
If The Book Fits - Give-away and review.
June 12th. Bookish Babe - Review and give-away.
What Dani Did Next
June 13th. Bookmarks, Spoilers and Happily Ever After - "The Art of Love" playlist.
June 14th. Tiger Lily Reviews - Guest post.
Nikki Brandyberry
My Fiction Nook - Excerpt
LiteraryEtc - Review.
June 15th. Stephanie Parents - Review.
Ginger Read Reviews - Author Top 10.
June 16th. The Aeropapers - Review/give-away.
Literary Meanderings - Interview.
Devoured Words - Review.
June 17th. My Pathway to Books
June 18th - Release Day!
Book Brats
Literati Lit. Lovers - Interview.
Book Blogger Paradise - Review/excerpt.
SMI Book Club - Review.
Tiffany Talks Books - Excerpt.
June 19th. The Life of Fiction - Review.
The Book Barbies
June 20th. KT Grant
Waves of Fiction - Review.
June 21st. Tar Heel Bibliobabe - Review/interview.
I'll update this post with links to each stop on the blog tour as they happen. I'd like to extend my sincerest and most grateful thanks to every single blogger taking part in this. You've all been so generous and accommodating and I can't thank you enough. Bloggers really are the footsoldiers of the madcap adventure that is indie publishing.
Are you excited? I'm excited!
By that I mean release day is upon us. June 18th to be exact. So to celebrate the fact that I actually managed to write a book and survive the self-publishing process with the vestiges of my sanity intact, the blog tour for "The Art of Love" is happening!
My fabulous friend Megan from Book Brats, who has basically held my hand throughout this process and organised almost everything for me, has put together the blog tour and I cannot thank her enough. I've promised her some cakes as payment.
June 10th. On the Nightstand - Review.
June 11th. Into The Night - Excerpt, review and give-away.
If The Book Fits - Give-away and review.
June 12th. Bookish Babe - Review and give-away.
What Dani Did Next
June 13th. Bookmarks, Spoilers and Happily Ever After - "The Art of Love" playlist.
June 14th. Tiger Lily Reviews - Guest post.
Nikki Brandyberry
My Fiction Nook - Excerpt
LiteraryEtc - Review.
June 15th. Stephanie Parents - Review.
Ginger Read Reviews - Author Top 10.
June 16th. The Aeropapers - Review/give-away.
Literary Meanderings - Interview.
Devoured Words - Review.
June 17th. My Pathway to Books
June 18th - Release Day!
Book Brats
Literati Lit. Lovers - Interview.
Book Blogger Paradise - Review/excerpt.
SMI Book Club - Review.
Tiffany Talks Books - Excerpt.
June 19th. The Life of Fiction - Review.
The Book Barbies
June 20th. KT Grant
Waves of Fiction - Review.
June 21st. Tar Heel Bibliobabe - Review/interview.
I'll update this post with links to each stop on the blog tour as they happen. I'd like to extend my sincerest and most grateful thanks to every single blogger taking part in this. You've all been so generous and accommodating and I can't thank you enough. Bloggers really are the footsoldiers of the madcap adventure that is indie publishing.
Are you excited? I'm excited!
May 27, 2013
What is "Normal" Love?
“The Art of Love” is a romance. Well, obviously, with a title like that. Then again, it kind of isn’t at the same time. Sure, it’s got boy meets girl, boy and girl like each other and then some sweet and sexy times, but the course of true love definitely isn’t smooth for Fitz and Marina. That’s the fun part! What they have definitely isn’t a typical romance and it’s not what either of them expected.
While I was going through the ever joyful process of editing the book (imagine me saying that in the most sarcastic way possible), I realized that Marina talks a lot about wanting a “normal” relationship. The only thing is she has no idea what a normal relationship is supposed to be like. Without spoiling the story (I’d like you to read it, after all), Marina’s had a tough life pretty much void of love and affection, not to mention completely lacking her own identity. When she’s suddenly shoved in front of this gorgeous guy who everyone desires and who’s for some reason interested in her, she can’t process it properly. How do you react when you have no idea what you’re doing or who you even are? It doesn’t help that she’s going down this rabbit hole with a guy who’s hiding as many secrets as she is. Relationships are hard enough when you know what you’re doing!
Anyway, I ended up doing romance research while I was writing my book. Well, I say research but it was more like hardcore procrastination with movies, books and some embarrassing music choices. There are as many different kinds of love as there are lovers in the world, and they’re all “normal” and “weird” at the same time. One girl’s perfect romance is another’s must avoid. I must admit that the all-consuming obsessive romances where the couple’s love is the center of their existences are really not my thing. I know a lot of people who adore them, and that’s their choice. I think there are many problematic elements to these sorts of romances but I respect those who have these kinds of stories as their fantasies. Personally, I’m a sucker for the Beatrice & Benedick/Tracey & Hepburn style romances, with snappy retorts and biting wit. Julie James writes great contemporary romances that follow this sort of pattern. I can’t get enough of those (and bring on Joss Whedon’s “Much Ado About Nothing” movie) but I have a friend who finds them all too smug for her liking. We’ve had a lot of fun arguments over this but at the end of the day I’ll probably never change her mind, and that’s fine. I still intend on dragging her to see “Much Ado…”, of course.
The thing about saying that a relationship, or anything in life, is “normal” is that you immediately create a contrast. Anything that isn’t like that “normal” thing is “abnormal” or “weird”. Let’s be honest; love in itself is pretty darn weird. It screws with your mind, makes you giddy and confused and prone to ridiculous fantasies. Sometimes you end up listening to some truly terrible music because it seems like a good idea at the time! Sometimes you change your entire life for love. If that isn’t a bit odd then I don’t know what is. So what kind of love is and isn’t “normal” love?
(Actually, I have an answer for that. Abuse is not love and it’s not normal. If you or someone you know is in an emotionally, sexually and/or physically abusive relationship then you need to take steps to get out of that. There is support for you and there will always be people who truly care for you.)
Whatever love you have in your life, or whatever love you want in your fiction, I hope it brings you joy. In “The Art of Love”, Marina notes that she’ll never fit the definition of “normal” but she’s fine with that. If we all wanted the same things from romance then we’d have an assembly line pumping it out to the masses. That would make things a lot easier, but far less fun!
It seems only fitting to end this post with some good old Beatrice and Benedick. How excited are you for this movie!?
May 15, 2013
Blog Tour Fun!
Just over a month to go until The Art of Love is unleashed on the public!
We're putting together a blog tour for the book's release from June 10-21 and we would love as many blogs to get involved as possible. Are you interested? Are you sure? You should totally get involved because I'll provide you with an e-ARC of the book in whatever format you like.
You'd also be free to choose whatever kind of post you want to do as part of the tour. Interview? Guest post? Excerpt? Analysis? Character feature? A dramatic lip-sync to Shakira? Go nuts! Okay, I can't promise a lip-sync but believe me, none of you want to see that!
I'm also going to be giving a couple very lucky blogs the chance to host some deleted scenes from the book. Some are funny and some are sexy!
So if you're interested, sign up here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1HVwl...
It only takes a minute and I'm sure you won't regret it.
Happy Wednesday!
We're putting together a blog tour for the book's release from June 10-21 and we would love as many blogs to get involved as possible. Are you interested? Are you sure? You should totally get involved because I'll provide you with an e-ARC of the book in whatever format you like.
You'd also be free to choose whatever kind of post you want to do as part of the tour. Interview? Guest post? Excerpt? Analysis? Character feature? A dramatic lip-sync to Shakira? Go nuts! Okay, I can't promise a lip-sync but believe me, none of you want to see that!
I'm also going to be giving a couple very lucky blogs the chance to host some deleted scenes from the book. Some are funny and some are sexy!
So if you're interested, sign up here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1HVwl...
It only takes a minute and I'm sure you won't regret it.
Happy Wednesday!
May 3, 2013
Happy cover day!
Happy Friday to you all!
As you can now see, I have a face (partially obscured by a Jack Vettriano art book because cameras terrify me) and so does my book! I must admit, I love that cover. My fab friend Megan from Book Brats put it together and I think it looks great. Just the right mixture of mysterious and sexy.
I have to send out my thanks to all the bloggers who have been helping me out with today's cover reveal. I'm still pretty new to this world and everyone's been so kind and creative. You're all keeping me on my toes!
So here are a few links to blogs for cover reveal day to check out.
Book Brats (run by my fab friend Megan) has an exclusive introduction to the heroes of "The Art of Love" and their thoughts of what love is. Megan's also giving away 3 ARCs of the book so run over there to enter. It's open to everyone around the world!
KT Grant has exclusive rights to an excerpt from the book. How would you react if a gorgeous naked tattooed man walked up to you in the middle of a gallery? Would you be cooler than Marina about it?
Little Read Riding Hood has an interview with me. I'm a fascinating individual.
Stay tuned for more news on "The Art of Love!"
As you can now see, I have a face (partially obscured by a Jack Vettriano art book because cameras terrify me) and so does my book! I must admit, I love that cover. My fab friend Megan from Book Brats put it together and I think it looks great. Just the right mixture of mysterious and sexy.
I have to send out my thanks to all the bloggers who have been helping me out with today's cover reveal. I'm still pretty new to this world and everyone's been so kind and creative. You're all keeping me on my toes!
So here are a few links to blogs for cover reveal day to check out.
Book Brats (run by my fab friend Megan) has an exclusive introduction to the heroes of "The Art of Love" and their thoughts of what love is. Megan's also giving away 3 ARCs of the book so run over there to enter. It's open to everyone around the world!
KT Grant has exclusive rights to an excerpt from the book. How would you react if a gorgeous naked tattooed man walked up to you in the middle of a gallery? Would you be cooler than Marina about it?
Little Read Riding Hood has an interview with me. I'm a fascinating individual.
Stay tuned for more news on "The Art of Love!"
April 19, 2013
Reviewers – Why I Won’t Bother You.
First, good news everyone!
I announced it on Twitter already but the cover reveal for “The Art of Love” will be happening on May 3rd so prepare for the excitement! Admit it, you 25 people who have clicked on this blog are dying to see the cover. I have some super fab bloggers helping me out with the reveal so stay tuned for more details!
Second, I think it’s time for me to talk about reviews.
I’m not a book blogger, although I read a lot of review sites as well as Goodreads reviews. I’m also friends with a few book bloggers so I’ve been made aware of how difficult things have been lately regarding author-reviewer relations. I think it’s safe to say that things haven’t been too good for the past year and a half or so. There have been fights, backstabbing, bitching, a whole lot of overreacting and misunderstanding and even some extremely dangerous threats made by some despicable people I won’t bother to mention. A lot of people have been hurt in the process, and it’s just ridiculous.
So here’s my review policy.
If you want to review my book, you can write whatever the hell you want.
I will not interfere with the reviews or bloggers opinions in any way. Reviews are not for the authors. One of the reasons I really love Goodreads is because it provides a forum for varied opinions by the readers and for the readers. Readers want to know if something’s worth shelling out their hard earned cash for and they need opinions they can trust. Sometimes it’s just fun to read reviews as well. There are some reviews I can read over and over again because they’re beautifully written or just so damn entertaining.
You are not a ‘hater’ if you dislike my book. You’re not even a hater if you despise it with the red hot passion of a thousand suns.
A small side note here but does anyone else think the ‘hater culture’ is really stupid? I swear that slinging around the term ‘hater’ has just become a cheap way to get out of taking legitimate criticism.
Criticism isn’t a bad thing and book reviews aren’t written by people who hate books. Why would anyone bother to put so much time and energy into something they utterly despise? Roger Ebert didn’t hate films. Ben Brantley doesn’t hate theater. Michiko Kakutani doesn’t hate books, although I do think she may be from a different planet sometimes (if you want to review my book in character as the dog from ‘Family Guy’ like she did then I would also welcome that).
The argument over snarky reviews has been a long and varied one that’s caused some controversy. Some see it as unnecessarily mean or not properly reviewing the book. As for me, I’m all for it. Get those gifs out if that’s how you want to review my work! Special points for anyone who uses gifs from ‘Firefly’, ‘Fringe’ and ‘Doctor Who’.
I don’t think there’s a right or a wrong way to review a book, or to review anything. I would prefer it if you didn’t make things personal or directly insulting towards me as a person. Insult me as an author all you want, but please don’t use sexist slurs or crack jokes about things like personal appearance or question my mental state. I’m sure you’re all lovely people and enjoy doing what you do and are smart enough to do it without lowering the tone in such a way.
Okay, I said you could write whatever you want then made requests of things you shouldn’t write, but I do think those were important things to say.
Otherwise, you’re good to go. Don’t let anyone dictate how you should or shouldn’t review something. Reviews are entirely subjective, as are people’s reactions to them. Don’t ever feel afraid to voice your true opinion, even if it goes against the grain. It can be a little daunting sometimes to be the one person in the group who hates something that seems universally loved and vice versa, but your opinion isn’t worth less as a result.
That’s not to say I won’t read the reviews of “The Art of Love” because I probably will. I’m always on the lookout for honest feedback. I just won’t comment on your reviews or try and force my way into your space to ‘correct’ you. The idea of waltzing into a reviewer’s safe space and intimidating them just makes me want to puke. Besides, I’ve seen what happens when authors do that and I have no desire to replicate it (honestly, I don’t blame any of you for adding books or authors to your shit-lists when they do stuff like that because it annoys me too. Who the hell ever thinks it’s a good idea?)
So there’s my policy. Your reviews, your rules. Just please don’t get personal about it. Otherwise, run free and be you.
It only feels appropriate to end things with a gif!
I announced it on Twitter already but the cover reveal for “The Art of Love” will be happening on May 3rd so prepare for the excitement! Admit it, you 25 people who have clicked on this blog are dying to see the cover. I have some super fab bloggers helping me out with the reveal so stay tuned for more details!
Second, I think it’s time for me to talk about reviews.
I’m not a book blogger, although I read a lot of review sites as well as Goodreads reviews. I’m also friends with a few book bloggers so I’ve been made aware of how difficult things have been lately regarding author-reviewer relations. I think it’s safe to say that things haven’t been too good for the past year and a half or so. There have been fights, backstabbing, bitching, a whole lot of overreacting and misunderstanding and even some extremely dangerous threats made by some despicable people I won’t bother to mention. A lot of people have been hurt in the process, and it’s just ridiculous.
So here’s my review policy.
If you want to review my book, you can write whatever the hell you want.
I will not interfere with the reviews or bloggers opinions in any way. Reviews are not for the authors. One of the reasons I really love Goodreads is because it provides a forum for varied opinions by the readers and for the readers. Readers want to know if something’s worth shelling out their hard earned cash for and they need opinions they can trust. Sometimes it’s just fun to read reviews as well. There are some reviews I can read over and over again because they’re beautifully written or just so damn entertaining.
You are not a ‘hater’ if you dislike my book. You’re not even a hater if you despise it with the red hot passion of a thousand suns.
A small side note here but does anyone else think the ‘hater culture’ is really stupid? I swear that slinging around the term ‘hater’ has just become a cheap way to get out of taking legitimate criticism.
Criticism isn’t a bad thing and book reviews aren’t written by people who hate books. Why would anyone bother to put so much time and energy into something they utterly despise? Roger Ebert didn’t hate films. Ben Brantley doesn’t hate theater. Michiko Kakutani doesn’t hate books, although I do think she may be from a different planet sometimes (if you want to review my book in character as the dog from ‘Family Guy’ like she did then I would also welcome that).
The argument over snarky reviews has been a long and varied one that’s caused some controversy. Some see it as unnecessarily mean or not properly reviewing the book. As for me, I’m all for it. Get those gifs out if that’s how you want to review my work! Special points for anyone who uses gifs from ‘Firefly’, ‘Fringe’ and ‘Doctor Who’.
I don’t think there’s a right or a wrong way to review a book, or to review anything. I would prefer it if you didn’t make things personal or directly insulting towards me as a person. Insult me as an author all you want, but please don’t use sexist slurs or crack jokes about things like personal appearance or question my mental state. I’m sure you’re all lovely people and enjoy doing what you do and are smart enough to do it without lowering the tone in such a way.
Okay, I said you could write whatever you want then made requests of things you shouldn’t write, but I do think those were important things to say.
Otherwise, you’re good to go. Don’t let anyone dictate how you should or shouldn’t review something. Reviews are entirely subjective, as are people’s reactions to them. Don’t ever feel afraid to voice your true opinion, even if it goes against the grain. It can be a little daunting sometimes to be the one person in the group who hates something that seems universally loved and vice versa, but your opinion isn’t worth less as a result.
That’s not to say I won’t read the reviews of “The Art of Love” because I probably will. I’m always on the lookout for honest feedback. I just won’t comment on your reviews or try and force my way into your space to ‘correct’ you. The idea of waltzing into a reviewer’s safe space and intimidating them just makes me want to puke. Besides, I’ve seen what happens when authors do that and I have no desire to replicate it (honestly, I don’t blame any of you for adding books or authors to your shit-lists when they do stuff like that because it annoys me too. Who the hell ever thinks it’s a good idea?)
So there’s my policy. Your reviews, your rules. Just please don’t get personal about it. Otherwise, run free and be you.
It only feels appropriate to end things with a gif!
April 18, 2013
Reviewers – Why I Won’t Bother You.
First, good news everyone!
I announced it on Twitter already but the cover reveal for “The Art of Love” will be happening on May 3rd so prepare for the excitement! Admit it, you 25 people who have clicked on this blog are dying to see the cover. I have some super fab bloggers helping me out with the reveal so stay tuned for more details!
Second, I think it’s time for me to talk about reviews.
I’m not a book blogger, although I read a lot of review sites as well as Goodreads reviews. I’m also friends with a few book bloggers so I’ve been made aware of how difficult things have been lately regarding author-reviewer relations. I think it’s safe to say that things haven’t been too good for the past year and a half or so. There have been fights, backstabbing, bitching, a whole lot of overreacting and misunderstanding and even some extremely dangerous threats made by some despicable people I won’t bother to mention. A lot of people have been hurt in the process, and it’s just ridiculous.
So here’s my review policy.
If you want to review my book, you can write whatever the hell you want.
I will not interfere with the reviews or bloggers opinions in any way. Reviews are not for the authors. One of the reasons I really love Goodreads is because it provides a forum for varied opinions by the readers and for the readers. Readers want to know if something’s worth shelling out their hard earned cash for and they need opinions they can trust. Sometimes it’s just fun to read reviews as well. There are some reviews I can read over and over again because they’re beautifully written or just so damn entertaining.
You are not a ‘hater’ if you dislike my book. You’re not even a hater if you despise it with the red hot passion of a thousand suns.
A small side note here but does anyone else think the ‘hater culture’ is really stupid? I swear that slinging around the term ‘hater’ has just become a cheap way to get out of taking legitimate criticism.
Criticism isn’t a bad thing and book reviews aren’t written by people who hate books. Why would anyone bother to put so much time and energy into something they utterly despise? Roger Ebert didn’t hate films. Ben Brantley doesn’t hate theater. Michiko Kakutani doesn’t hate books, although I do think she may be from a different planet sometimes (if you want to review my book in character as the dog from ‘Family Guy’ like she did then I would also welcome that).
The argument over snarky reviews has been a long and varied one that’s caused some controversy. Some see it as unnecessarily mean or not properly reviewing the book. As for me, I’m all for it. Get those gifs out if that’s how you want to review my work! Special points for anyone who uses gifs from ‘Firefly’, ‘Fringe’ and ‘Doctor Who’.
I don’t think there’s a right or a wrong way to review a book, or to review anything. I would prefer it if you didn’t make things personal or directly insulting towards me as a person. Insult me as an author all you want, but please don’t use sexist slurs or crack jokes about things like personal appearance or question my mental state. I’m sure you’re all lovely people and enjoy doing what you do and are smart enough to do it without lowering the tone in such a way.
Okay, I said you could write whatever you want then made requests of things you shouldn’t write, but I do think those were important things to say.
Otherwise, you’re good to go. Don’t let anyone dictate how you should or shouldn’t review something. Reviews are entirely subjective, as are people’s reactions to them. Don’t ever feel afraid to voice your true opinion, even if it goes against the grain. It can be a little daunting sometimes to be the one person in the group who hates something that seems universally loved and vice versa, but your opinion isn’t worth less as a result.
That’s not to say I won’t read the reviews of “The Art of Love” because I probably will. I’m always on the lookout for honest feedback. I just won’t comment on your reviews or try and force my way into your space to ‘correct’ you. The idea of waltzing into a reviewer’s safe space and intimidating them just makes me want to puke. Besides, I’ve seen what happens when authors do that and I have no desire to replicate it (honestly, I don’t blame any of you for adding books or authors to your shit-lists when they do stuff like that because it annoys me too. Who the hell ever thinks it’s a good idea?)
So there’s my policy. Your reviews, your rules. Just please don’t get personal about it. Otherwise, run free and be you.
It only feels appropriate to end things with a gif!
I announced it on Twitter already but the cover reveal for “The Art of Love” will be happening on May 3rd so prepare for the excitement! Admit it, you 25 people who have clicked on this blog are dying to see the cover. I have some super fab bloggers helping me out with the reveal so stay tuned for more details!
Second, I think it’s time for me to talk about reviews.
I’m not a book blogger, although I read a lot of review sites as well as Goodreads reviews. I’m also friends with a few book bloggers so I’ve been made aware of how difficult things have been lately regarding author-reviewer relations. I think it’s safe to say that things haven’t been too good for the past year and a half or so. There have been fights, backstabbing, bitching, a whole lot of overreacting and misunderstanding and even some extremely dangerous threats made by some despicable people I won’t bother to mention. A lot of people have been hurt in the process, and it’s just ridiculous.
So here’s my review policy.
If you want to review my book, you can write whatever the hell you want.
I will not interfere with the reviews or bloggers opinions in any way. Reviews are not for the authors. One of the reasons I really love Goodreads is because it provides a forum for varied opinions by the readers and for the readers. Readers want to know if something’s worth shelling out their hard earned cash for and they need opinions they can trust. Sometimes it’s just fun to read reviews as well. There are some reviews I can read over and over again because they’re beautifully written or just so damn entertaining.
You are not a ‘hater’ if you dislike my book. You’re not even a hater if you despise it with the red hot passion of a thousand suns.
A small side note here but does anyone else think the ‘hater culture’ is really stupid? I swear that slinging around the term ‘hater’ has just become a cheap way to get out of taking legitimate criticism.
Criticism isn’t a bad thing and book reviews aren’t written by people who hate books. Why would anyone bother to put so much time and energy into something they utterly despise? Roger Ebert didn’t hate films. Ben Brantley doesn’t hate theater. Michiko Kakutani doesn’t hate books, although I do think she may be from a different planet sometimes (if you want to review my book in character as the dog from ‘Family Guy’ like she did then I would also welcome that).
The argument over snarky reviews has been a long and varied one that’s caused some controversy. Some see it as unnecessarily mean or not properly reviewing the book. As for me, I’m all for it. Get those gifs out if that’s how you want to review my work! Special points for anyone who uses gifs from ‘Firefly’, ‘Fringe’ and ‘Doctor Who’.
I don’t think there’s a right or a wrong way to review a book, or to review anything. I would prefer it if you didn’t make things personal or directly insulting towards me as a person. Insult me as an author all you want, but please don’t use sexist slurs or crack jokes about things like personal appearance or question my mental state. I’m sure you’re all lovely people and enjoy doing what you do and are smart enough to do it without lowering the tone in such a way.
Okay, I said you could write whatever you want then made requests of things you shouldn’t write, but I do think those were important things to say.
Otherwise, you’re good to go. Don’t let anyone dictate how you should or shouldn’t review something. Reviews are entirely subjective, as are people’s reactions to them. Don’t ever feel afraid to voice your true opinion, even if it goes against the grain. It can be a little daunting sometimes to be the one person in the group who hates something that seems universally loved and vice versa, but your opinion isn’t worth less as a result.
That’s not to say I won’t read the reviews of “The Art of Love” because I probably will. I’m always on the lookout for honest feedback. I just won’t comment on your reviews or try and force my way into your space to ‘correct’ you. The idea of waltzing into a reviewer’s safe space and intimidating them just makes me want to puke. Besides, I’ve seen what happens when authors do that and I have no desire to replicate it (honestly, I don’t blame any of you for adding books or authors to your shit-lists when they do stuff like that because it annoys me too. Who the hell ever thinks it’s a good idea?)
So there’s my policy. Your reviews, your rules. Just please don’t get personal about it. Otherwise, run free and be you.
It only feels appropriate to end things with a gif!
