How Things Can Spin Out of Control Review-wise.

Here's a perfect example of how things spin out of control due to over-zealous reviewers.

I received this review on I've Been Deader.

From BookLover33
(4 stars)
"I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Was it the greatest book I ever read? No. But a fun read.  Highly recommend!"


Okay.  So my biggest fan.  But I didn't want her to feel ignored, so I left the following comment:

"At first I wasn't going to respond to this, but it is obvious to me that you read too much. Many people only read less than one or two books a year and if they read mine, it is very possible that "I've Been Deader" would be the greatest book they ever read. Please try to think before you post next time.  Thank you."

I figured that would be the end of it. But two hours later, the same reviewer responded:

"Excuse me??"

I was going to let it go, but it gnawed at me all day.  So after dinner I logged back on:

[Splinker]
'I was surprised that your reply was a one word bit of snark rather than an apology. I have to question whether you actually read my book or if perhaps you have some other agenda. Either way, please take your Negative Nancy attitude somewhere else. I did not spend several hours of my long weekend writing a novel just so you could shit all over it!
Thank you."

Now, I know you're thinking: 'That's a reasonable request. I'm sure that was the end of it."  Unfortunately, you'd be wrong. Ten minutes later "another" reviewer posted a comment.

[PJ Bottoms]
You are an author, not God. You don't get to give a thumbs up or thumbs down to a reviewer's comment. Your job is to shut up and write. I haven't read your book and now I never will. You are going on my "Would rather poke myself in the eye" shelf. Shame on you."

Well, this gave me pause. I certainly never intended to alienate anyone while expressing my opinion and I thought maybe I just wasn't making myself clear to the reviewer or this new person. It was probably time for some damage control.

[Splinker]
"Fuck off. If you were a real reader, you wouldn't be trolling my book page looking for an excuse to trash my novel. Maybe you need to step back, take a breath, and ask yourself why you are behaving like such a jerk. I understand that my book, no matter how well-written, won't be for everyone. But the reviewer did not have to say it wasn't the greatest thing she had ever read. I mean, how does that help anyone? Do we know what else she's read? Or if she has trouble understanding more detailed stories like mine?  Or maybe she's just a liar.  I wonder what she tells her husband when she goes out at night!

I am not trying to insult either of you idiots. All I ask is that next time you take a minute and think before you post."

That's where we left it. I'll let you know when I get an apology.