This has been a tough decision. I’ve thought of it, toyed with the idea, tried to abstain from logging on, but I’ve always returned.

Until now.

It’s only been a few weeks since Goodreads unveiled their new site design, plugged their ears to the thousands of complaints and shouted over the noise ‘it’s a complete and total success!’. This is the major reason I’m leaving, but it is only one of several that have led to this decision.

I have five book records on the site. I only wanted four. Goodreads imported the information (incorrectly) for the box set of my trilogy off of Smashwords. I am unable to remove this record.

I have a new cover for my newest book, A Veil of Stars. I am unable to change the cover myself and instead have to wallow through groups to request a change.

I am unable to delete any of my books from the site, despite the books being imported without my consent. ‘Just like a library maintains a catalogue’ – wrong. Libraries frequently clean up their records to maintain an orderly  system.

I am unable to choose which books show up on my author dashboard – however, this is no longer relevant as the author dashboard has disappeared in the new update. In its place, we get enormous adverts for groups we won’t join.

*sigh* Goodreads, you used to be cool. When you gave people easy access to troves of creative writing, when groups were celebrated and encouraged, when your site didn’t look like a failed do-over of Facebook’s early templates. Not only have you destroyed all of these, you’ve ignored every. single. complaint. You do not take anything into consideration. You do not implement suggestions. It’s like you’re trying to sink your own boat.

I write this post with a certain degree of sadness, I’ll admit. I’ve been on the site since 2010, I’ve made a metric ton of friends – my self-publishing career was launched in the creative writing section. I’ve provided the site with over 100 reviews, 400 ratings and far too much of my time.

Currently seeking – a new site in which I’m not treated like a goddamn child. Where I’m allowed to maintain my own fucking books.

Goodreads will still steal every book ever launched on the internet, without asking for permission or granting authors access to their own records.

But I’m not going to be part of it anymore. In fact, the only reason my account hasn’t been deleted outright is that I want to keep what little control I have over my own books. But I will not be rating or reviewing books on Goodreads any longer.

Cheers Goodreads. It was a luke-warm six years.