Camy Tang/Camille Elliot discussion

I wrote a blog post on the Love Inspired blog and wondered what you guys might think:

http://loveinspiredauthors.blogspot.com/2011/09/some-random-thoughts-on-free-ebooks.html

posted there I think it was a great post which made me do some investigating myself.

I saw that! Your observations were really interesting.

Thanks I just find it so annoying that people get a free book and slam it.

Me too, that's why I kind of went on a rant. :)

Great post, Camy, and NOT a rant. I don't know why some commenters have to purposely be mean about books they don't like AND get for free. I think they should keep nasty comments to themselves and only offer constructive criticism. It's discouraging for writers to read mean spirited things about their books.

it's like going to the local bowling alley on free bowl night... only to turn around and complain that there wasn't anything to do there but... BOWL!

I don't get it. I've picked up some books, outside my "box" that were free... and even those I found extremely offensive, unless I could properly explain why it was a no go for ME, personally... I can't warrant the time it takes to post a review/response.
What few times I have taken the time, have lead to decent conversations with others, or the author themselves, as to my own struggle with the content/perspective/approach, or what have you.

For me it's about helping others make an informed decision. Anyone with half a brain knows not to even account for the "rage" reviews... they don't even factor in. But purposed, explanatory, notes sharing struggles (as mentioned) can weigh heavily, no matter how much we sympathize with the reviewer.

(this is why I love PluggedIn... it's a great way to get a clear, exhaustive, review of a movie... bringing up any and everything, in perspective... and allowing me to take in what matters to me, to choose whether or not the mentioned are deal-breakers.)

Cara wrote: "Great post, Camy, and NOT a rant. I don't know why some commenters have to purposely be mean about books they don't like AND get for free. I think they should keep nasty comments to themselves and ..."

I try really hard not to take the comments personally, but I just can't help it! They seem very personal.

Amancay wrote: "it's like going to the local bowling alley on free bowl night... only to turn around and complain that there wasn't anything to do there but... BOWL!

I don't get it. I've picked up some books, out..."

I'm the same way, if a book doesn't really appeal to me, I don't bother with the time or energy to even post a review most of the time! It's a good point. It makes me wonder if people post negative reviews for other, deeper reasons, like the spiritual thread pricked them or they have such low self-esteem that they need to put someone down to feel better.

I do occasional reviews when I find a real gem amongst the Indy or small press authors. If a book doesn't appear interesting to me, I won't review it. Hey, I'm not everyone's cup of tea either. That said, big publisher books are fair game.
Here are two outstanding books I recently reviewed:
Little Elvises
An Uncertain Refuge
and one I reviewed for a review site that got only 3 stars from me (of course it's only my opinion):
The Little Women Letters

I think that most authors don't mind a lukewarm or negative review, as long as the reviewer's words aren't derisive and insulting. I totally understand that not everyone is going to like my books. It's a fact of life. It's fine if a reviewer doesn't like my book, but I don't like it if they put me down in their review. That isn't professional, in my opinion.