Setting the record straight: Response to an author’s criticisms of my review

When I first started reviewing books on Goodreads, I wasn’t aware of the trouble indie authors have finding good editors, and I blamed the authors for publishing badly edited books. I reviewed a book and gave it a low rating partly on the basis of its slipshod editing. Afterward, in the course of interacting on threads in various groups, I found out that it’s not necessarily that indies don’t care. They face unscrupulous “editors” and tight budgets, and many of them are therefore rightfully leery about hiring someone to edit their work. The book I’d given a low rating to was one of the first indie books I’d reviewed since joining Goodreads. On the basis of what I’d discovered after posting the review, and in the spirit of trying to be fair to the author, I decided to upgrade my rating and included my reasoning in the revised version, clearly stating why I’d done it.

Other people whose books I’ve reviewed have appreciated my honesty and asked me to recommend editors. I didn’t know any and have no interest in freelancing for indies, so I decided to offer a test. No applicants passed, and I received an abusive response from one respondent; I’m no longer offering the test as a result. I did find one editor I’m planning to promote on my website when she’s ready so that when people ask me to recommend a good editor, I actually can. It doesn’t help authors if I fault their books for bad grammar and can’t refer them to an editor if they ask. (Notice that they have to ask me and that they must then take the initiative and contact the editor. Any dealings after that are strictly between the author and editor; I assure you that I won’t be receiving any kickbacks.)

I’m not out to get your business, indie authors, nor will I ever solicit it, conspire to solicit it, or sic anyone on you to solicit it for themselves. If you don’t ask me for a recommendation for an editor, you won’t get one, period. Any editors who have approached you and tried to sell their services are not affiliated with me, nor have they ever been, nor will they ever be. Clear enough?

My reviews are for books’ potential readers, not for their authors, who are free to use what I point out or ignore it. Some people find it irritating to read books that are riddled with mistakes, and I happen to be one of them; any grammatical criticisms I make are in the interest of those readers.