Friday, 6 February 2015

Struggling with my Goodreads presence

I hadn't planned this post.

However, this week I checked the Goodreads page for my yet-to-be-released book The Stand-In (releases Feb. 9) and found a 1-star rating.

Now, I did offer ARC copies to a couple of trusted bloggers who have kindly written thoughtful reviews. I know for a fact who got those ARCs and this person did not. In my mind, this is clearly a case of Goodreads trolling.

I posted a couple of thoughts on Facebook and was met with tremendous support from the reader/author/blogger community.
I sent an email to Goodreads and was told they could do nothing. However, they said they had contacted the reviewer to see if he/she had posted the rating "in error." Of course, this is not the case. And now I sit, wondering if this reader will retaliate in some way.

Now don't get me wrong. Goodreads has been a helpful community in many ways. They have always answered my questions and helped me display my books. The readers I've met there have become devoted supporters and friends.

And then there are the other folks. The ones who really enjoy messing with an author's head.

I'm not saying a person can't give me a legitimate bad rating. If you don't like my book, you don't like my book. But when it's obvious a "reader" has based a rating or review on a blurb of an unreleased story, we have a problem.

In response to my Facebook posts, several fine authors told me they have deleted their author profiles at Goodreads. That they are happier without a presence there. I confess, I am tempted to do the same. It would sadden me because I love maintaining contact with my readers.

However, I cannot afford to use more expensive options like Netgalley and I don't have time to look into numerous other promotional venues. Will I leave Goodreads as an author? I'm still not sure, but my finger is hovering over the "cancel" button.

If this were a case of bullying in a school, the bully would be reprimanded. For some reason, on Goodreads, bullies are tolerated. We, as authors, are told to "develop a thick skin." Believe me. I've written close to 20 books. My skin is fine as it is. It's as thick as it will ever be. I have developed myself to the best of my ability.

Maybe it's time for Goodreads to develop. The bullies won't.
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10 comments:

  1. Liz6 February 2015 at 13:32

    I avoid Goodreads like the plague but I'm one of those authors who won't read any reviews anyway unless they are shoved under my nose with a "THIS IS A GREAT REVIEW READ IT NOW" caveat from my publisher/publicist. We all have our ways of coping, and my advice is not to leave goodreads but leave goodreads to itself and just make sure you "presence" is there (your books are current, your bio and social links are good). hang in

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rosanna Leo6 February 2015 at 13:37

      Thank you, Liz. That is my inclination. I don't feel I can afford to leave it altogether but I have definitely decreased my activity there. I appreciate you commenting.

      Delete
    2. Je refuse6 February 2015 at 13:38

      Good point, Liz. I am perhaps hasty to jump ship (not an author, mind you)... and just a quiet presence is best.

      And of course the always sage advice "don't read reviews." Fortunately for Rosanna, her books are stellar. And that troll with the 1-star for a not-yet-released book just stands out like the sore festering thumb it is.

      The real readers will know those others are trolls.

      Delete
    3. Rosanna Leo6 February 2015 at 13:39

      Thank you, LOVExtra. I appreciate that very much.

      Delete
  2. Je refuse6 February 2015 at 13:35

    Here here! The trolls. They are bullies and we should call them as such. I removed my GR account (although I am not an author). I was weary of the negativity and bullying. And frankly, there are other places to connect with readers and the real readers are probably looking at your blog, your Twitter feed, and FB page. I never EVER look to GR for author suggestions or reviews. It's a toxic environment.

    GoodReads is only as useful a tool as authors allow it to be. The more who leave and make their point heard (send them a note, let them know what you think), the more they will address these issues.

    Let's not let the bullies into the playground.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rosanna Leo6 February 2015 at 13:39

      Thank you, LOVExtra, for all your amazing support. Believe me when I say I'm so tempted to do the same. I'll probably mull it over and grumble a bit more and then follow your lead. :)

      Delete
  3. Hot Off the Shelves6 February 2015 at 14:33

    I am a reader and blogger and I do not really participate much on GoodReads. I use it to read book blurbs (authors tend to send links to their books that way), I use it to track my library, and I use it to find an author's website easily. There is too much drama in most of the discussion boards - but that is the case of most discussion boards. I think no matter what outlet you go to (even Amazon and B&N reviews) you will find people rating and reviewing books without having actually read them. It's an unfortunate part of today's online society where people feel they can treat others poorly because they are doing it from behind a computer screen.

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    Replies
    1. Rosanna Leo6 February 2015 at 14:40

      Thanks so much for your candid comment, Jasmyn. I'm thrilled to hear from readers. You are right- the trolling is everywhere and we won't stop it with our good intentions. In a way, I feel I've "arrived" with negative comments and reviews- after all, every author gets them. I'm glad to hear your condemnation of the drama, and I appreciate you sharing.

      Delete
  4. Tanya7 February 2015 at 14:38

    I'm speaking as a reader on GR here. I wouldn't think anything of a 1-star review, before or after publication. That alone would not in any way deter me from reading a book. I look at several good and bad reviews when deciding on a book, and I do most of that on GR. I also do "follow" announcements, reviews and author posts on GR. I get a lot of great recommendations and news that way, from friends and authors alike. I am frankly much less likely to follow blogs, newsletters and the like. It is just too much in my email, FB or wherever. When I'm ready to read to hear some book news, I go to GR. With those things in mind, I think dropping off GR for an author would be more of a detriment in terms of getting your message to your readers than ignoring/tolerating the 1-star review, which frankly isn't going to gain much notice from the typical reader unless someone else draws attention to it. Just my opinon. :)

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    1. Rosanna Leo7 February 2015 at 14:49

      Thanks for your frank response, Tanya. I am always happy to hear from readers, especially on this topic. This issue is a thorn in so many authors' sides. Most of the time, I grin and bear it. I think my readers would agree I prefer to celebrate my successes rather than bemoan the odd bad review. I think this bothered me because it wasn't the first time an unreleased book was panned, and we all have our limits. That being said, I appreciate the time it takes for any reviewer to review me. I would just love to think they read the book first. :)
      Thanks for visiting and sharing your thoughts here.

      Delete

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