Authors Society discussion

I've got a question about professional ethics, and want to pick you all's brains to help answer it. I've always refrained from rating or reviewing my own novel here on Goodreads, since I obviously don't have the most objective perspective. For the same reason, I've always refrained from voting that I like the favorable reviews it's gotten from some of my friends on this site.

Lately, though, I've been wondering if I'm being too strict on the latter point. Just saying that I like what someone else freely said isn't the same as saying it myself; I appreciate people going to the trouble of posting a review, and when I like what they say, I certainly won't be lying in saying so! Some of you have no doubt dealt with this question yourselves; what do you all think about it?

Well, I went back and double-checked, and found out that in a couple of cases, I did vote that I liked those reviews. (I can't blame my forgetfulness on middle age; I was already absent-minded in my 20s!) Anyway, the question has always been an issue in my mind; but since I now know I already set a precedent, I went back and voted for all the others, too. :-) But I think the question still might be a worthwhile one to kick around here, if anyone is so inclined.

I don't see why an author shouldn't vote for a review they like. After all, the main objective of GoodReads may be to provide avid readers with a means of discovering and discussing books they enjoy, but surely it's a bonus when writer and reader can discuss a book? It's a shared but different experience!

I don't know about you, but I write because I love books and stories, just as readers read because they love books and stories. I hope I've written a book people like, and when readers confirm this, I want to tell more people to take a look. Why should writers apologise for asking readers to take a look and make up their own minds? No-one's being forced at gunpoint to read a book they don't like or don't rate, just being asked not to dismiss a new offering because it's the author themselves telling them about it.

The real trouble is that none of us are really comfortable promoting our own work, but what option do we have?

Hmm. I see no reason not to rate a REVIEW of your book. But I refrain from rating my own books. That seems really unseemly. I also get tired on some authors who always, in all their correspondence make a conscious effort to plead with the recipient to "read my book." Limits, taste; whining ought not to be a part of ones promotional activity. Besides, I think whining is counter-productive.

Hi, Carl,

Rating a review of a book you wrote is much different than rating your own book. In rating the reviews you are making the reviewers feel good, letting them know you appreciate their effort on your behalf.

I have many author friends and whenever we read reviews of our own works (whether on GR, Amazon or other sites), we try to leave a thank-you comment for the reviewer.

It may be too blatant (as in Blatant Self Promotion) to ask people to read your books, but, IMO, it's permissible and in good taste to ask them to place your books on their To-Read List (especially if you have their books on your list). And WHINING is definitely a NO-NO! I haven't seen anyone whine yet!

Carl, in today's publishing world we have to "strum our own guitar" to a degree; no one else is going to do it for us. With that in mind, might I ask you to vote for my "The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley" as Best YA in GR's listopia? It's no. 20 (last time I looked). If you don't think this is in bad taste, go to this link, scroll down to no. 20 and push the vote button: http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/43...

Respectfully,
Betty Dravis
Author & Amazon Top 1000 Reviewer and Vine Voice
http://bettydravisauthor.googlepages....

Hi Betty,
I take your point. I don't disagree. I guess I'm reacting more to tone and frequency than anything else. Although I was brought up in the Midwest where tooting your own horn was really frowned upon.

be well

Carl, I agree completely. I get a number of emails from writers wanting me to 'please please please' read their book. A little web site link in the email signature is perfectly acceptable, but actual pleading is so counterproductive.

I agree Carl. I have put my books up on my Goodreads, but have not mentioned what i think of them. (cough, cough, sputter, sputter LOL) Truth is I'd probably be more critical of my work than some others (or not)

I think Goodreads has as many authors as readers, if not more. I believe that so many of us were hoping we'd be a minority among so many readers eager to read our work. Wouldn't that be nice?
I've found this true on other sites ie. Shelfari

One thing we need to keep in mind is that we all have limited time. If we spend all our time reading everyone's books, we'll have no time to write, research and work on our craft.

Good point SA. It's true. I'm not comfortable about promoting my own work. I find myself apologizing more than I should. Let's face it, the skills of marketing and sales are so DIFFERENT from
the skills needed in writing. One is driven and public oriented, the other is driven and reclusive oriented. (at least for me) Being the person I am,
I have difficulty in promoting one book and writing another. It's just part of my personality.

Oh well. We all have things we have to overcome. I guess this is just mine.

Patricia A. Guthrie
Waterlilies over My Grave (2008) the book with the collie.
In the Arms of the Enemy (2007) the book with the horses.

That's a different approach. LOL