More About Book Bloggers
Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 8:11AM So, this is what I'm hearing, after the fact. I missed last week's YAlitchat, a Twitter chat for the book business. But it seems some feathers were ruffled. I confess I have not read the transcript, because I couldn't find one posted. I tried to access the Tweets, but, beyond a certain point in the chat, they were unavailable. So I'm going on blog wrap-ups of the issue by those who were there. If I get anything wrong, please feel free to let me know.
Apparently, a small handful of authors (I'm sure it was only a small handful, and I do not blame it on YAlitchat, which is generally awesome) expressed some unflattering thoughts about book bloggers, including, but not necessarily limited to:
1) Their reviews don't really sell books.
Really? Don't they? Then why, when I pass their requests along to my publicists, are my publicists always happy to send them review copies? The copies are not free, nor is the postage. Nor are publishers prone to putting money into promotional areas that don't pay back the investment. And, if bloggers don't sell books, why are authors lining up to send them ARCs (advance reader's copies)? Why are the bloggers drowning in books, rather than scratching for something to review? Book blogging is exploding onto the book scene because it's a workable model. That's the only reasonable explanation for its success.
2) They just want ARCs.
A very unfair statement unless you remove the word "just." I'm sure they do like receiving ARCs. And why shouldn't they? They work hard. There's a big investment of time in running a book blog, reading the books and posting thoughtful reviews. If the ARCs had price tags on them, I'm sure the bloggers would exceed the price by any measure with the work they invest. If I send (or my publisher sends) a review copy, and a blogger never reviews it, maybe that blogger "just" wanted the book (this is theoretical, as I don't recall it ever happening). Or maybe there's another explanation. But, come on writers. Don't we "just" want reviews? And isn't that what you call a win-win?
3) They shouldn't post bad reviews.
This is wrong on so many levels that my head might explode before I can fully counter it. Okay. Let's look at a world where bloggers don't say negative things about books. Now, in this weird new world, you're right about bloggers not selling books. Because a lack of negative comments makes positive comments meaningless. In our real world, bloggers sell books by telling the truth about how much they did or did not enjoy them. A simple system, not to be messed with. I've heard some rumblings lately about mean or attacking reviews, but they remain quite rare. Considering the lovely place we call the Internet, I think it's amazing and commendable that they are not more common. Internet civility is always an excellent goal, but it is not enforceable. There's a lot of free will built into the system of being human. Authors are welcome to read a blog before submitting a book for review. If they feel a blogger is too harsh, they need not submit. But let's all agree to leave the First Amendment in place. The most snarky, nasty review I ever got was from Time Magazine. Anybody want to go tell them it was unprofessional, and they should find something nice to say about the books they review? I'd do it myself, but I'm allergic to caustic laughter.
Though I realize the authors who criticize the book blogging community are, thankfully, few and far between, I have a bit of unsolicited advice for them. Most bloggers have more books than they can possibly review, so please do feel free to step out of the queue, leaving more of their time and space for the authors who truly appreciate their contribution to the book business.
Reader Comments (12)
Thanks for this. You provided great thoughts!!!
Not even speaking as a book blogger, but as a book buyer, I buy HUNDREDS (probably around 200) books a year based on book blogger recommendations alone. How is that NOT selling books?
I completely agree, especially about negative reviewing. I actually once saw an author defend his book in the comments of a negative blog review (the review was extremely articulate and kind, and it definitely didn't contain any personal attacks). I couldn't believe this author's behavior, how explosively he reacted to a reader not enjoying certain aspects of his book. I thought it was completely inappropriate.
All this stuff about authors not wanting their books negatively reviewed is so ludicrous--how did they become authors if they expected to never receive a negative review? And the message sent to book bloggers that "You write a negative review, don't expect to ever get published" reminds me of the mafia. It made me really upset when I first heard about it.
Wow, I completely missed the kerfuffle but what an awesome post. Thank you!
I haven't had a book blog for long, a little under a year but I certainly did word of mouth reviews for years beforehand. I still do, and I listen to them also, but book blogs are, at least for me as a reader, a wonderful way to discover new authors, new genres, etc. I have absolutely tried, and bought, books as a result of book blogs. While I aim to do mostly positive reviews, I rarley do a gushing one, and I've had to do ones that were primarily negative. But, I don't attack an author and I won't trash the book or the author. I state my opinion and I try to back it up.
As for free books, well, it's certainly hard to turn those down but I also review books in my own collection or that I get from my local library. If I think I won't be able to get to a book in a timely fashion I don't request it, or I decline it.
Anyway, thank you agin for this wonderful post.
Great post Catherine. The comments expressed during the #yalitchat on Wednesday were those of individuals and not #yalitchat as a whole organization. While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, it's a shame that a few negative comments bought on this slew of negativity towards the book blogger/author relationship.
I stand behind #YALITCHAT when I say we are in full support of bloggers, book bloggers and authors and will continue to do so.
Thanks for the post, I hope it makes 'those' who feel this way take note.
Hi Adrienne,
Thanks for your comment, and I hope I made it very clear that this should not reflect on #YAlitchat. Obviously you can't restrict the views of those who use the hashtag. And #YAlitchat does a great job. I never doubted that you folks support bloggers, and I hope no one else does, either.
I was going to write a reply here, but it became very long and now I am just going to do a post covering those same three statements that are under debate. I am new to book blogging, but I have learned a lot. Thank you for this post!
Bravo! Wonderful post. I'm glad to hear that authors are appreciative of book bloggers and all they do.
Awesome post! I have personally encountered an author's wrath after I gave them a bad review. I lost all respect for that author and her author friends. I am a book blogger and I write honest review, but!!! as an aspiring author myself, I never write anything I wouldn't be able to take as a writer. My negative reviews are always constructive, and I really hate authors getting their knickers in a twist. Anyway, thanks for the great post!
I was at the chat, and I'm mortified that bloggers came away feeling as though there were bad words spoken. The conversation was going so fast that I didn't catch any negatives - but I did state that Bloggers give of their time, energy and reading time to support authors - for free. I think it was just a matter of people saying things without realizing how it would make others feel. Thanks for showing your support of bloggers and I as an author appreciate their efforts 100%.
As per requested, here is the link to my blog!
I mentioned in my earlier comment that I meant to write a quick blurb in response to this post, but it ended up being hugely long *wh00ps* I covered the same three topics of this post, but from a brand-new bloggers perspective. Feel free to check it out and leave comments :0)
http://jkbooklover.wordpress.com/2011/02/05/the-truth-about-book-bloggers/
Thanks, Jaime. I like the way you covered the same points but differently, and more from the blogger's perspective. I hope others will read your post as well.