The Genre Underground discussion

It is with a heavy heart that I’ve decided to remove my novel The Shifting from circulation until further notice. This decision has followed a particularly malicious review by a fellow author – not somebody I’m associated with I hasten to add - who will remain nameless. I’ve no wish to get involved in a game of mud slinging.

Originally I made a fatal error and posted the wrong version of the book, but quickly corrected this, therefore there two versions currently residing on Kindles throughout the UK and USA. The first was no more than an early draft. I’ve no way of knowing which version the reviewer used to base their caustic attack, but let us make no mistake I may not have fired the gun, yet I supplied the ammunition. And although I don’t have it in my nature to be so cruel clearly some readers do.

So despite my best efforts there are still errors in The Shifting manuscript and the book is presently with my excellent proof reader. I therefore intend to relaunch the book once the errors have been removed and the text is as perfect as we can make it.

I only write this piece to warn prospective writers not to fall into the same trap I did. Very few of us can spot missing words, grammatical errors etc. in our own work, therefore I urge you to pay to have your work proof read before publication. Then you cannot be criticised for anything other than your story itself.

In future I will never release a new work unless it has been proof read, hence the reason I’ve delayed the release of my next book ‘Lost Boys’. A work that has been completed but isn’t yet ready for the eyes of our discerning public and a minority of over zealous reviewers.

That's a difficult place to be, and I definitely sympathize. I wish that I had taken more time to go over my first book before releasing it... it's not quite up to the point where I would do it, knowing what I know now. I'm lucky now to be working with a great editor (who's also a friend and not afraid to lay it out for me straight) but it can definitely be a very dangerous world out there when it comes to readers and reviews.

It sounds like taking it down was the safest option here. It also underscores the importance of properly versioning your files and revisions to make sure that draft versions never make it out into the world.

Good luck with your editing and relaunch. Here's hoping that your story might save someone else some headaches and heartaches down the road.

I'm sorry to hear this happened to you. It is a hazard we face when self-publishing. I think that's why I push my titles that have gone through my e-publishers more than the ones I self publish. I know the publishers have gone through them with a fine tooth comb and have edited those books from here to eternity.

We live and learn, and unfortunately it sometimes takes oversights and mistakes to do that. I know I've made my share. So don't feel bad. We all stumble through this process at some point!

Best of luck to you!

Thank you Christopher. Your words are very kind. I'm certain it won't be the last lesson I learn in this life. We learn and move on.

Thank you Sherri,

You are very kind and very wise. It does still smart a little, but it is only a temporary set back.

All the very best for 2013 to you.

I am sorry you fell victim to such a spiteful reviewer. The reviewer should have contacted you that they would not post any review because of all the spelling and typo problems. If the reviewer had been a good person, he or she would have tried to help you by sending you a list of errors found on one page as an example of the problem. Then you could have withdrawn the book with no harm to your public name, hired the proofer for a relaunch as you are doing now. Best of luck with your new proofer and your relaunch.