Me and Cousin 'IT'

[telracs]

While I'm glad you went back and looked at things, and I'd like to here more, I'm one of those people who doesn't click on links to people's blogs.  If you want to tell us about it, do so, but a post that seems like a teaser to direct people to your blog kind of rubs me the wrong way.

[BrianKittrell]

While I'm glad you went back and looked at things, and I'd like to here more, I'm one of those people who doesn't click on links to people's blogs.  If you want to tell us about it, do so, but a post that seems like a teaser to direct people to your blog kind of rubs me the wrong way.

It usually is just a door to the blog. You may have missed the other thread.

Although I do take these concerns seriously as a writer, why I did not bother to go back and immediately review my book were because of two reasons: (1) these accusations could be false and (2) part of my policy implicates that the customer needs to show where these errors occurred.

With your propensity for stating reviews and critiques cannot be wrong, I would have thought you would take them seriously every time. After all, your blog tends to be dedicated to speaking about authors unwilling to "accept the truth". As to requiring a reader/customer to show where these errors were found, is it your policy to pay your reader-editors for providing information to improve your for-sale product?

[telracs]

It usually is just a door to the blog. You may have missed the other thread.

Maybe I missed some other thread, but I guess I'd appreciate a thread like this being titled "link to my blog".  Then I won't waste my time reading a teaser.

[BrianKittrell]

Maybe I missed some other thread, but I guess I'd appreciate a thread like this being titled "link to my blog".  Then I won't waste my time reading a teaser.

lol Agreed.

[HAParker321]

While I'm glad you went back and looked at things, and I'd like to here more, I'm one of those people who doesn't click on links to people's blogs.  If you want to tell us about it, do so, but a post that seems like a teaser to direct people to your blog kind of rubs me the wrong way.

Well I like being a teaser to some degree and I would not mind telling you about it (if you want more details).

Parker

[HAParker321]

With your propensity for stating reviews and critiques cannot be wrong, I would have thought you would take them seriously every time.

What are you talking about? Who are they?

After all, your blog tends to be dedicated to speaking about authors unwilling to "accept the truth".

I'm geared toward exposing authors who fancy themselves as hotshots in the writing world. Granted, I may come off as such, but what I'm really getting at are these two concerns (1) authors who do not take up the time to study writing and (2) authors who cannot handle criticism.

As to requiring a reader/customer to show where these errors were found, is it your policy to pay your reader-editors for providing information to improve your for-sale product?

I do not pay them for information; the idea is absurd. However, I do accept criticism and suggestions, seeing that these as 'customer feedback.'

Parker

Merging this with another blog post...

HAP, since both your commentary and your reviews direct people to your blog, we're going to place them all in your Book Bazaar blog thread.  Note that the seven day rule applies; so if you are going to post entries about reviews and about commentary, you must either do them in the same post or wait seven days between unless someone else posts a reply.

Thanks.

Betsy

[BrianKittrell]

What are you talking about? Who are they?

I guess "they" would be the ones providing commentary since that was the subject of your post, and "them" would be the complaints/critiques/commentary which say you have errors in your document.
 

I'm geared toward exposing authors who fancy themselves as hotshots in the writing world. Granted, I may come off as such, but what I'm really getting at are these two concerns (1) authors who do not take up the time to study writing and (2) authors who cannot handle criticism.

M'kay. And how does one expose another for having a fanciful state of mind or attitude? Anyone with logic and intelligence can deduce for themselves that, without proof, claims are rather empty. Whistle-blowing also has little effect if the whistle-blower has no influence themselves.
 

I do not pay them for information; the idea is absurd. However, I do accept criticism and suggestions, seeing that these as 'customer feedback.'

Criticism/feedback is: "Fix the spelling and grammar in your book." or "The whole plot is ridiculous." Yes, that's free. Expecting readers (your words, "policy implicates") to tell you the location of every error is, in my opinion, billing readers to proof your book.

Let's consider it another way. Who edits and proofreads your books prior to publication?

[WHDean]

I have to ask: what difference does it make if someone thinks he's a hotshot writer? Even if you expose the conceit, what's ultimately gained from it?

Just curious.

[David Adams]

I do not pay them for information; the idea is absurd.

Actually, a number of textbook authors (and other mediums where accuracy is extremely important) do offer bounties (usually a mailed cheque for $5) per error discovered, as long as you're the first to discover it. For grammar, because the English language is so difficult get  perfect, because there is substantial disagreement even between language scholars about some grammar points and misconceptions are so very common even among native speakers, I'm disinclined to say that it would be wise for fiction (you'll get into a lot of arguments). For typos, though, I would think a bounty system would be a) great publicity b) a great way to improve your book.

After all, you want your books to be the best they can be, right?



To HAParker:


Merging this with another blog post...

HAP, since both your commentary and your reviews direct people to your blog, we're going to place them all in your Book Bazaar blog thread.  Note that the seven day rule applies; so if you are going to post entries about reviews and about commentary, you must either do them in the same post or wait seven days between unless someone else posts a reply.

Thanks.

Betsy

[HAParker321]

M'kay. And how does one expose another for having a fanciful state of mind or attitude? Anyone with logic and intelligence can deduce for themselves that, without proof, claims are rather empty. Whistle-blowing also has little effect if the whistle-blower has no influence themselves.

If I did not have any influence, there would be no reason for people to visiting my blog or commenting etc. (Assuming that you are referring to me.)

Criticism/feedback is: "Fix the spelling and grammar in your book." or "The whole plot is ridiculous." Yes, that's free. Expecting readers (your words, "policy implicates") to tell you the location of every error is, in my opinion, billing readers to proof your book.

The aim of that policy is to prevent fraud; hence, the reason why the burden of proof lies on the reader. If you want to talk about phony plot lines, perhaps I should suggest that you look elsewhere to label someone's work 'ridiculous.' I have read enough plots and story lines that are far worse than mine.

Let's consider it another way. Who edits and proofreads your books prior to publication?

Either myself or my editor.

Parker

[HAParker321]

Actually, a number of textbook authors (and other mediums where accuracy is extremely important) do offer bounties (usually a mailed cheque for $5) per error discovered, as long as you're the first to discover it.

I haven't heard of that kind of bounties, but there is a strong difference between claiming the book is filled with grammatical errors and (not) proving it and claiming the book is filled with grammatical errors and proving it. The criticism I receive is with the people from the former, not the latter.

For grammar, because the English language is so difficult get  perfect, because there is substantial disagreement even between language scholars about some grammar points and misconceptions are so very common even among native speakers, I'm disinclined to say that it would be wise for fiction (you'll get into a lot of arguments). For typos, though, I would think a bounty system would be a) great publicity b) a great way to improve your book.

Hence my policy.

Parker

[BrianKittrell]

The aim of that policy is to prevent fraud; hence, the reason why the burden of proof lies on the reader. If you want to talk about phony plot lines, perhaps I should suggest that you look elsewhere to label someone's work 'ridiculous.' I have read enough plots and story lines that are far worse than mine.

I'm not calling your plot ridiculous; I've never read the book. Fraud? Really?

I haven't heard of that kind of bounties, but there is a strong difference between claiming the book is filled with grammatical errors and (not) proving it and claiming the book is filled with grammatical errors and proving it. The criticism I receive is with the people from the former, not the latter.

So, it's basically a gripe over reviews and criticism? For that, there are numerous other threads which end up with basically the same finish: "Can't do anything about it but move on."

[deanfromaustralia]

I really wanted to keep my mouth shut here and refrain from any further comment but, since HA decided to publish his review of my book at it's Amazon entry in recent days, I thought I should clarify a couple of things.

Firstly, I never sent HA copy of my manuscript, nor did I ever solicit a review from him. I have detailed records of all my correspondence with potential reviewers and HA simply does not feature in that list. If HA is willing to show me evidence of our correspondence, I would happily recant.

Secondly, in order for a reviewer to be taken seriously, then it is incumbent on them to review the entire work, not just the first two or three chapters. That HAP put a great deal of effort into a review of just two chapters - which make a lot of non-specific statements - without reading the entire work renders the review significantly lacking in credibility.

There is a disturbing trend developing in which book bloggers gather free samples of ebooks and craft reviews based on those samples, in order to make a name for themselves. I highly suspect that HAP falls into that category.

It's disappointing because I am more than open to receiving reviews both good and bad - I encourage them - but they must be reviews that are based on the entire work and not wishy-washy assessments based on the free samples that are available of my work.

You've done me a disservice but, more importantly HAP - you've done yourself a disservice.

[HAParker321]

Firstly, I never sent HA copy of my manuscript, nor did I ever solicit a review from him.

And as previously mentioned; I have the email with your name attached to it. If you want, I can send you a copy of the email with an attachment on the book. I think I may have mentioned this one, two, three times already. Do you really think I would make this up?

I have detailed records of all my correspondence with potential reviewers and HA simply does not feature in that list. If HA is willing to show me evidence of our correspondence, I would happily recant.

I have forwarded a copy of the email you sent me to this address: banistersmind@internode.on.net
Let me know if you did not get the receipt.

Secondly, in order for a reviewer to be taken seriously, then it is incumbent on them to review the entire work, not just the first two or three chapters.

Who says that I need to read an entire book to tell you that the book ain't all that great?

That HAP put a great deal of effort into a review of just two chapters - which make a lot of non-specific statements - without reading the entire work renders the review significantly lacking in credibility.

The biggest issue I had with your work is the show vs. telling that came off the first two chapters. I understand your desire not to use dialogue, but the problem here is that your book makes too many blatant statements that I could easily figure our for myself (e.g. Denny's passion for the guitar = playing it for his girlfriend, playing certain pieces, etc.). 

There is a disturbing trend developing in which book bloggers gather free samples of ebooks and craft reviews based on those samples, in order to make a name for themselves. I highly suspect that HAP falls into that category.

I read people's books thoroughly if I find the book to be entirely interesting. There would no other reason for me to praise a book if I did not like them. Usually, I ask for the author's feedback from the book in case there may be issues he or she would like to touch upon prior to publishing. I gave you the same opportunity when I sent you a review of my book. I waited for quite some time and you know what I got? Nothing. So instead of waiting for a response, I assumed the author received the response and was pleased with the results.

It's disappointing because I am more than open to receiving reviews both good and bad - I encourage them - but they must be reviews that are based on the entire work and not wishy-washy assessments based on the free samples that are available of my work.

Nothing I said was wishy-washy; I said pointed out those problems because I thought there are a couple of issues.

Parker

[deanfromaustralia]

Email received.

Okay I stand corrected on that point - however at no time did I receive any correspondence with you regarding the review before you published it. The first time I even knew about the review was when it was flagged in a Google alert.

My point stands mate, you can't be taken seriously as a reviewer based upon a woefully inadequate reading of the material. If you'd read the entire novel and then reviewed it based on that, then your review in my mind, would have legitimacy. That you didn't speaks volumes about your vigour as a reviewer.

I'll leave this alone now.

[HAParker321]

Email received.

Great!

Okay I stand corrected on that point - however at no time did I receive any correspondence with you regarding the review before you published it. The first time I even knew about the review was when it was flagged in a Google alert.

I am probably going to have to send the reviews twice from now on. You are probably the first case that did not receive either the review or anything of the sort.

My point stands mate, you can't be taken seriously as a reviewer based upon a woefully inadequate reading of the material.

If the book did not burst into excessive melodrama, I would have definitely kept reading. That is the main point why I did not like the book within the first three chapters, not to mention the excessive 'telling' elements in the book.

Parker