*headdesk*.

[megwrites]

Unprofessional author is unprofessional. Or: there is a damn good reason that you don't respond to reviews and this is fucking well IT.

This is now the second professionally published author who has come to my journal and displayed their fail (the first being Lois McMaster Bujold who MammothFailed epically). Do I have a beacon out that says, "Welcome to the Fail Lounge. Feel free to take your pants off!"?

Let me just enumerate, for any one listening, the biggest reason that it is not a good idea to respond to reviews: you're not going to change their minds. Ms. Stein certainly did nothing to make me feel differently about her book.

Have you ever heard of an author going to a reviewer, arguing, and honestly changing someone's opinion? Has it ever helped that author look like a better person, improved their sales?

If it has, please throw me a link. Because all I can think of are the many authors (*coughcough* Alice Hoffman *coughcough*) who have done it to their detriment.

Comments

[queenoftheskies.livejournal.com]

I appreciate your reassurances. It's not that I don't feel safe on your journal. There are just so many oddballs out there, that I guess I fear them coming into MY space, you know? And, it's not so much a huge fear, but it does stir some anxiousness that I hope will recede shortly.

I do think your reviews are brave because it's not always easy to stand up to people who disagree.

I respect what you're doing and how you're learning as you review. As someone who grew up during all the violence of the 60's, I've tried to be mindful of the way I treat all people, especially PoC. I have a lot of wonderful non-white folks in my life and I try to be constantly mindful of the way I portray all people in my stories.

So, I respect what you're trying to do and I appreciate the opportunity to learn through your observations, too.

I would never want to disrespect anyone, their beliefs, or their ways of life.