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Author interactions. Have you ever emailed an author to tell them you loved/disliked their book? As a book reviewer, do you think we should cross that line? Do you mind when authors re-tweet or comment on reviews? Does that intimidate you in any way in regards to review writing, knowing that they may be reading it?Do author interactions - both pro or con - change how you view their work?
Yup, I have! I wrote to authors when I was younger. I have reached out to authors before I started Love.Life.Read to share my love for their title, ask questions or work on assignments during graduate school.
As a librarian, I have reached out to see if they would be willing to do an author talk at my library. I have only done that with two thus far, and both have said yes.
I have received emails from authors, thanking me for posting reviews. The first that time that happen I almost fell out of my chair LOL. :) I maintain that anything I post up here are my thoughts, and my thoughts alone. I am never paid to do a review and I would not post a fake review either.
Retweets/commenting on reviews: it is crazy how social media has changed our interactions between author/reader and author/blogger relationships. I think that has blurred the lines that I think sometimes think that we forget to check ourselves before putting out that comment or tweet. I truly believe it has its positive--to be able to make a connection with an author is much easier than ever before. Of course, the same goes that readers can decide to write a horrible email/tweet/post to an author or an author can respond negatively. I think it also can make me reluctant to post a negative review.
Knowing that an author could see and comment on your review, does it make you think twice about what you say? Have you ever regretted posting a review before?
I've had authors contact me after posting a positive review for one of their books, asking me to review another upcoming book.
ReplyDeleteIf I accept, I always remind them that my reviews are "honest reviews" as it says in my review policy. I want to be sure that they don't think this interaction or me loving one book = all positive reviews for every book.
Definitely need to put that disclaimer up and to the forefront but I would hope most would understand and respect that. Happy Reading!
DeleteKnowing that an author may read my review doesn't change what I say...it may change how I say it. Not that I'm prone to saying mean things, but I just make sure it is conveying what I mean without being rude about it.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you about social media. I think it's a wonderful thing, but also it's kind of weird. I love having access to authors, but sometimes I want it to be like it was b4 internet -- then you wouldn't know when they had a meltdown, lol.
It is all about how you say it. :-) I know what you mean--it is crazy to think how much it has changed since social media has taken off. We were discussing it at ALA this weekend. Thanks for stopping by and Happy Reading!
DeleteHaha I have a lot of opinions on today's topic!I won't bombard you by listing them here! That is so wonderful that you received letters about your reviews! that must have made you feel really good!
ReplyDeleteBut no I keep it professional and I don't let interacting with them or their behavior come into play when I write my reviews.
I will pop over and read your post this week, I promise! I think that is the only way to do--keep it professional, otherwise it just gets mean and hurtful. Thanks for stopping by and Happy Reading!
DeleteLOL I have never sent a letter to a beloved author as a child. Now I regret it. But I do send emails and messages to authors telling them of how much I love or am anticipating their next book. And yes, it does make me think twice about what I have to say on my review but then again it's my opinion and once I start my opinion takes over. But don't worry, they're always good and honest; not bashing hateful.
ReplyDeleteI think there is a way to write a review that is not positive without it being bashful or hateful, which I believe all reviewers should learn.
DeleteThanks for stopping by today and Happy Reading!
I've always wanted to work in a library or bookstore, so I'm slightly jealous of that aspect. Working face to face with authors would be awesome, although I do get intimidated just from meeting them in person at signings.
ReplyDeleteI've done beta reading in the past, but it is so much work. It took me a couple weeks to do one manuscript, while I can often read a book in a night. Also, when I read books while beta reading, I always wanted to break out the "red pen" to fix things that didn't make sense.