It’s an honor to introduce my lovely friend Naomi Blackburn, co-moderator of the Goodreads group Sisterhood of the Traveling Books, as well as the Nordic Noir group, dedicated to discussing Scandinavian mysteries. This year, Goodreads ranked her at # 11 on their top reviewer list, in both the U.S. and in the world. As a reviewer, Naomi is brilliant, insightful, and, as she puts it, “brutally honest.” This post introduces her new column, “Authors Gone Wild.” Bad behavior spreads throughout the Internet on reader/reviewer threads, Naomi warns. In Authors Gone Wild, she’ll discuss author etiquette, bad behaviors that rankle both readers and reviewers, and she’ll offer some positive alternative behaviors to get your books noticed.
Please feel free to leave questions for Naomi, as well as any suggestions you may have for future posts. I hope you enjoy the column!
Naomi Blackburn
Authors Gone Wild: Book Review Ethics
by Naomi Blackburn
How do you decide what to read next? Do you keep to-be-read (TBR) lists you’d like to accomplish? Do you have stacks of books by your nightstand? Or do you go to several of the larger booksellers, such as Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, etc., to see what looks good and purchase those with the highest ratings?
I must admit, one of the big ways I make my decisions is by using the last option. Once I purchased my Kindle and Nook, a whole new world of literature opened up to me. Mornings before work, with coffee cup in hand, I screen the freebies, which has opened up a whole new world of authors to me. Being an avid cook, I now have access to new cookbooks, some which have turned out to be real gems.
We no longer live in a world where the top publishing houses play judge and jury and spoon-feed consumers what they are going to read. As a result, in the world of self-publishers, Indie publishers (small presses), and even big publishing houses, competition for book reviews has reached a new level of fierceness.
One of the whispers going around Goodreads and Amazon has to do with the fabrication of reviews by friends or family of the author to prop up a book’s ratings, thus increasing its visibility. I had questioned this practice, but never put much thought into it. Until: I read and reviewed a book for the publisher through Netgalley.
The book had been released one day prior to my placing my review on Amazon. I was floored when I found that 8 reviews had already been written: all 5 stars, of course: calling it the best written book the reviewers had read. I could go on with the reviewers’ praise, but I won’t. None had identified as Netgalley reviewers, which is proper etiquette for reviewing a book through them, meaning 8 people had read the book the day it was released, thought it was greater than sliced bread, AND professed their love for the book on Amazon.
Needless to say, I was confused. In my typical inquisitive way, I investigated each reviewer’s history on Amazon. My mouth dropped. None of the reviewers had reviewed ANY other books for Amazon. I couldn’t believe that the reviewers had NO other books which had moved them enough to write a brief review. Recently, for the purpose of this article, I went back and reread the book’s reviews. Since I left my review, no one has added a review for the book and 90 percent of the reviewers have not written another review on Amazon. Things that make you go hmmm:
Anyway, my innocence gone, I started to search for other books and found that this type of review is prevalent on Amazon. I can say that I have come across this more often than not and, at this point, the old adage of ‘where there’s smoke, there is fire’ keeps coming to mind. It is very disconcerting.
My question is this: in the age of greater competition in the literary world, do ethics fly out the window?
It appears so. I have never been a fan of professional reviews from literary critics, who, for the most part, I consider to be blowhards and legends in their own mind. I prefer to get my reviews from hobby readers like myself. But, if authors are faking their reviews, is this possible anymore??
My Goodreads group, Sisterhood of the Traveling Book, does book reviews for authors and publishing houses to assist them in getting reviews for their books. I must note that we do not guarantee positive reviews. We do guarantee professional reviews-i.e. no abusive, attacking reviews allowed and if one is published, the reviewer is immediately ejected from traveling book rotation, or, as happened in one case, from the group. Luckily, both of these offenses were done only once, and by the same person.
Before a book is accepted into rotation, I have an ‘ethical review’ discussion with the author. I explain that periodic critical reviews of their works look more authentic than reviews that all state ‘best book I ever read.’ I can’t believe how many times I have run into issues with authors. I find myself constantly repeating that not everyone is going to love your book and that is okay. The example I give is wine. I must admit that I like wine. I compare wine to books with their complexities. I was once at a wine tasting and people were RAVING about the wine. I tried the wine and loathed it. I couldn’t figure out how multiple people could love a wine while the same wine made me want to gag. I was perplexed. I finally asked the vintner why this would happen. He looked at me and simply said, ‘Everyone has their own taste, what ‘tickles’ their taste buds; it is okay not to like the wine.’ The same rule applies with books.
I am not sure why authors are afraid of critical reviews. (Make note, I am not condoning abusive reviews. There is no place for abuse in literary reviews.) Uncle Tom’s Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe, currently has a 3.68 rating on Goodreads and a 4-star average on Amazon. This book is identified as ‘the little book which started the Civil War.’ Does a contemporary author really believe that his or her work is better than a book that has survived over 150 years? Just givin’ some food for thought!
About Naomi Blackburn
Naomi is a book reviewer and co-moderator of the Goodreads group Sisterhood of the Traveling Book, as well as the Nordic Noir group, dedicated to discussing Scandinavian mystery writers. Goodreads ranks her #29 on their top reviewer list for the U.S. and #35 globally of all time. This year, she topped the list at #11 for both U.S. and global reviewers. She is also on the Goodreads list as the #46 top reader in the United States.
When she’s not reading, she loves to cook and bake for her family and friends and to all around entertain! Although she loves wine, she loves to play with various liquors and considers herself to be quite the mixologist! She loves to putter around her house and play with things in it, as well. She recently started a food blog called The Pub and Grub Forum, dedicated to making and reviewing food and drink recipes, and she even throws in a couple of her own concoctions! Finally, she loves to scuba dive, play golf, travel and hike/bike. She’d love to relocate to an area where she could do all this stuff 24/7/365!!!
She holds an MBA and has 12 years of experience in healthcare business development. Currently, she works as a healthcare consultant/independent contractor in the areas of business development and marketing.
Awe, thanks so much, Pav! {HUGS}
It's true – you are so centered and you have such a strong, clear voice, yet you're also compassionate and kind. I watched & admired you for a long time before we finally met. :)
In addition to the remarkable number of 5 star reviews that seem to be present on many books, there is also the case of authors and individuals who have written these 5 star reviews, engaging readers who gave the books 3, 2 and 1 stars. I even saw a negative conflict over a 4 star review.
There is a long-running thread on Amazon in the romance forum called Authors Behaving Badly where various authors have been documented by various readers – with fake 5-star reviews, review rings (where authors review each others books in exchange for other 5 star reviews) and negative exchanges on low rating books. Our one request is that all allegations are accompanied by proof of said behavior. This thread has since spawned a group on goodreads named the same.
Naomi, thank you so much for this. I’m horrified by this practice, as well as it’s sister practice of creating fake accounts to write negative reviews about competing books. Personally, when my book released last week it had 5 reviews posted. Not all 5 stars. This was because I had solicited honest reviews from bloggers and reviewers who I felt would enjoy the book. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with having a number of reviews up on release day, but when you look at the reviews are they in depth? critical? honest? Personally I’d rather have a 3 star review from someone who really delves into the issues and themes of my work that a 5 star “I loved it!” Maybe that’s not the best for rankings and all the advertising sites that require a certain number of stars to participate with them (another thing I have issue with and would love to hear your thoughts on), but to me, that’s a real reflection of the piece I’ve written and as a reader, something to make my decision based on!
Thanks, Pavarti, your compliments mean alot!
I actually am planning a blog on authors writing negative reviews of fellow authors works. The stories I could tell you!
As for the gentleman I gave as the example, I agree with you. There is nothing wrong with having a large number of reviews on a release day, but when they are not involved reviews and/or it is the only book that the reviewer has reviewed on Amazon EVER…it is a things that make you go hmmm moment. I have recieved several books prior to their release. Like me, most bloggers like to go into detail re: the intricacies of the book. I always laugh because it is easy to spot a blogger review of a book on Amazon or Goodreads.
You bring an interesting point as to the advertising number of stars. In thinking that they are doing their readers/customers a service, could they actually be doing them a disservice by having “stacked” reviews/ratings? I can tell you if I was a customer of the site, I would be ticked and feel cheated.
Yeah, I get you. :)
The advertising thing bugs me because I have some great, awesome 3 star reviews that I think tell the readers more about the qualities of the book than some of the 5 star reviews. But because I'm ranked 4.3 out of 5 (pretty damn good I think!) I'm locked out of some sites. Sorry, you obviously picked a topic that bothers me and is in the front of my mind. I just don't understand the cheating and the foul play. For me Indie Art is about Collaboration not Competition. That's why I try to surround myself with people like Terri and other professionals who wouldn't stoop to these tactics.
Pav
I don't blame you. As a reader, it bothers me. I am tough on my book reviews. Terri can confirm that. She calls me brutally honest (actually, I am a pussy cat!), but, back to my original point, if I am going to spend money on a book or if an author has asked me to review something that they have put blood, sweat and tears into, I think they expect me to be honest and not blow smoke up their rear ends. As a consumer, I expect whoever is monitoring the site that they have done due dilligence to ensure that reviews are authentic. Put a limit on number of stars to say only 4/5 star books will be accepted and the process is automatically set up for manipulation whether it was intentional or not. My whole thing is let the reader decide. Poorly written books are going to be weeded out.
You are a pussy cat, Naomi – for sure! I do admire your honestly, though. Readers know they can trust you. That's a hugely big deal, in my book. And, as we see here, you have wonderful insight and you're not afraid to say the things that need to be said. This is good for all of us – and it's a service to the industry (readers and writers). Thank you for this!!
Thank you so much, Pav! You are – and have been all along – a role model for me. I've watched and taken cues from you since day one!
Great point about the ad sites. I've also wondered why they do that. I understand that the goal is to bring quality books to their audience, but, as Naomi points out, the policy only encourages people to pad reviews. You also make an excellent point about collaboration! Art truly is about community!
Thank you so much for sharing your insights!
t
I'm a role model for you?? You're totally my inspiration! GROUP HUG!
“I am not sure why authors are afraid of critical reviews.”
I believe it’s because authors know they didn’t give it their best. They simply wanted to make a fast buck and didn’t do what is necessary to write a good novel. And they know they didn’t do what is necessary. If a writer wants critical acclaim, then they mustn’t take shortcuts. Telling a good story involves rewriting, and rewriting, and more rewriting. And after that, even more rewriting.
The worst mistake an indie author can make is releasing a book before it’s ready.
But all the elements of good fiction also have to be in place: exposition, rising action/conflict/tension, climax, falling action, and resolution. A good writer is constantly asking ‘where is the reader at in this story?’ If everything is in place, then the writer probably has a page turner on her/his hands, and this should really be the goal of every writer–to write a page turner that will meet the standards of all reviewers. What could be more simple?
Naomi,
What you're saying is quite disturbing to authors, like myself, who have worked long and hard to produce quality work and who are proud of our 4 and 5 star Amazon reviews which have been gotten "the old way."
It's one thing to say something nice about a friend's book, especially in a cover comment, but quite another to fluff up a review which is deceiving to the reader.
I don't see this going away anytime soon so I guess the only defense is to teach readers to be more discerning when reading reviews, looking to social comments from friends and the like and, more importantly, learning who the "real" reviewers are and following them in whatever genre one is interested in.
I appreciate your making us aware of this.
Jim
I completely agree Jim! Every author knows how hard it is to build up genuine reviews – but we NEED them. They're not just a sales tool but invaluable feedback for our development going forward. Playing the system like that is just damaging to everyone in the long term.
Thank you so much for visiting and commenting on Naomi's wonderful post!
Ummmm, Good lord..I was supposed to be getting notices when new posts came in!
Any way..I think you just nailed it on the head, Jim..you worked it the appropriate way to get the 4/5 star reviews, but know this, REVIEWERS ARE SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!! There was just a post on the BBA thread about new tricks authors are playing and they are being called on the carpet. Readers and purchasers of books are demanding ethical behaviors by their authors. But authors, esp. Indie authors with all of the changes coming to the Indie industry, want this. It will make the cream of the crop authors float to the top and unethical or “misbehaving” authors either fall into line or “disappear”.
Dee, above, is one very smart cookie! I have known Dee for about a year or more and she belongs to many forums and groups who are on top of these authors taking the short route. She is actually the one who turned me onto the practice. I thought she was exaggerating until I delved in!
[…] Writing & Publishing | 0 commentsIn a terrific post, the first in her new series, \’Authors Gone Wild,” blogger/reviewer Naomi Blackburn discusses book review ethics and the practice of inflating […]
Wonderful article. I have just recently heard about this and am amazed that it is happening. The funny thing is that I sometimes ask friends who have read one of my books and told me how much he/she enjoyed it to post a review and if they don't regularly review books they are reticient about doing it – AND THOSE ARE LEGITMATE REVIEWS, so go figure. Another thing to take into account is that people rate books differently – I have had any number of four star ratings where the reviewer had nothing but glowing remarks about how much they enjoyed the book. Everyone has a different rating system and while we would like to see all five star reviews, it is much more important to look into what the reviewer is saying about the book. And, lastly – I totally agree with Michael, some of the poorly written work that is out there is shameful, but unfortunately the venue that allows us to bring our work to this universe of readers, has no real quality control. I would like to believe that well-done-work like cream will rise to the top…but then I am the eternal optimist.
Kudos to Naomi Blackburn for this wonderful article and thanks to Teri for hosting her.
Thank you so much for your comment Bette! I think your points are so valid, particularly about listening to what reviewers are saying and not just checking the number of stars. Taking such feedback in board is so helpful to every writer, and we must use it, not abuse it!
Hi all,
What a great post and excellent comments.
I’d say that there’s more than just a whisper going around regarding poor review practices. I’ve read quite a few blogs recently about this issue, all with a slightly different take, but all coming down, in one way or another, to quality and perceived value.
I was genuinely surprised when I entered into the indie-market and came across the impossibly high number of 5* reviews and nasty 1*s left by “anonymous”. Such leavings are so obviously manufactured that it cannot be anything but detrimental, to the author and industry in general. Friends of mine — cruisers like myself, who are HUGE recreational readers — were initially excited by their new Nooks and Kindles and are now feeling jaded. It does not say much for the bright, shiny, independent publishing revolution when reader trust is so quickly undermined.
As Jim mentioned above, this is not going away any time soon. The only real answer that I can see is to try and create a sort of ‘best practice’ code — as you’ve outlined here — provide honest and excellent reviews that help both readers and writers find each other amongst all the white noise. I remain hopeful! :-)
As an aside, I had a rant about this very subject last month on my blog. If anyone’s interested, here’s the link: http://sleepingdragon.info/2012/crises-of-confidence-the-de-valuing-of-reviews/).
Cheers, Lyn.
Michael..
I just came across this saying on Scott Nicholson's twitter page..I loved it so much I "favorited" it.
"the only happy writers I know are bad writers who think they are great. The good writers are miserable because they will never be perfect."
I simply love that!
I just found this article via a tweet, and have to say thanks. The dishonest practices of some have tarnished all publishing, not just indie or SP, and it can never be condoned. Like many other indie/sp authors, I refuse to solicit reviews in ANY way. The only valid review is the one left by an honest reader with no prompting.
Sadly, the majority of reviewers follow your third method of choosing a book to read, resulting in the reviewing community inadvertently rewarding fraudulent behavior. As I see it, the reviewing community can help stop this practice if they stop reviewing those fraudulently reviewed books, good OR bad. Instead, find the good books by honest authors, the ones with few or no reviews, by authors who keep pushing out book after book over years and years, striving to produce the best product they can. They do this with little encouragement or reward. They are the true writers and have produced many amazing books. Yes, there is rubbish, as at all levels of publishing. Be sensible and intelligent in your selection, and you will not be disappointed.
The majority of blog reviewers etc refuse to look at these “low ranking” books. Reviewers need to stop encouraging and justifying fraudulent activities by doing things this way. Both for their own sake, and that of readers who are being shown an inadequate representation of the indie and self published library available to them.
Thanks for your post.
I do encourage writers to seek out reviewers. Reviewers and authors can have a great relationship if it is one based on honesty and RESPECT! The other thing that I encourage writers to do is not only look at the reviewers who are incredibly popular, but also new or less established reviewers. Like indie authors, new bloggers are eager to get establish their readership and often have found creative ways to get the word out there re: reviews they have done. Christine Nolfi has written a wonderful blog post that I have frequently referred to in later posts that talks about developing a database. Unfortunately, I don't have the link at my disposal right now.
I’ve made a policy of not reviewing books for my friends. One friend bluntly told me I was not a very good friend. I can live with that – and with a clear conscience. Thank you for your article.
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