Have you ever been faced with an issue while reading or blogging and thought: I wonder what other bloggers think about this? No matter what genre or audience you blog for, we all face the same problems. Are you a publisher or author wondering what goes on in a blogger's (and by extension a reader's) head?
Blogger confidential is a series of 12 questions asked to 11 bloggers about the nitty gritty details of blogging. Everything from what prompts a blogger to pick up a book, to what happens when a book doesn't live up to its hype. This series was inspired by
Wastepaper Prose's Author Insight series.
If you feel inspired by any of these questions, leave your answer in the comments, or create your own post!
This week's question:
There are bloggers who are aspiring authors. Do you feel like a blogger can also be actively pursuing a novel, or could it possibly burn bridges in the future by writing negative reviews?
"I think some bloggers can definitely write. They understand the market really well and from their critiquing understand what works in a narrative. I think there are issues in the professional relationship arena that could arise. But honesty should be appreciated. If their reviewing reflects a critical eye then why wouldn't a publisher want to sign them if their book is good?"
Adele from Persnickety Snark
"I'm one of those bloggers! Sure, there's always the risk of running, in the future, into someone whose book you gave a critical review to. But you can't go into blogging thinking that, otherwise you won't be able to learn. One of the most commonly given advice to aspiring writers is that they read whatever they can get their hands on, even stuff they end up not enjoying. There's merit in figuring out what didn't work for you in those books as well. And if I ever meet an author whose work I reviewed critically, well... there's always the duck-and-run."
Steph from Steph Su Reads
"I definitely think you could do both, if you can find the time that is. There are so many books to be reviewed that the occasional negative review won't hurt if done properly. There's no need to be rude in a review, even for a book you couldn't stand. If you offer constructive criticism and are honest in your reviews it's hard to believe you would be burning bridges. Besides, the amount of positive connections you make will far out-weigh the negative."
Danielle from There's a Book
"I think there are good ways to write negative reviews. I don't see how the
two can't be separated. I have read some bits from some of the books and a
lot are really good fiction."
Pam from Bookalicious
"That's an excellent question. It's possible that writing negative reviews might burn bridges. I know a lot of writers will only write about what they like and I think that's a fair way to do things."
Amy from My Friend Amy
"Absolutely. As long as they do it in a respectful and professional way. I think a lot of time bloggers do not consider what they say and how it can affect how others see them. Like I said earlier, I write negative reviews. It does not happen that often, but it does happen. I feel like as long as you are honest with your feelings, but respectful to the author / publisher then there should be no problem. However, I do not work in the publishing world, so I am not completely sure on their take on this."
Kate from The Neverending Shelf
"I guess a blogger who's an aspiring author could burn bridges by writing a negative review if they were a jerk about it, but the book industry, while being a small pond, is a big enough pond that this probably isn't an issue."
Trish from Hey Lady! Whatcha Reading?
"Why not? There are some authors whose blogs I read religiously, but whose books are not particularly for me. And vice versa. Then there are some who are screamingly good at both and who awe me with their mad ability to write so prolifically and with such wit and skill. I don’t think anyone should stay away from writing or blogging because they’re afraid. Perceptive readers are able to sort out the differences between the two and will return over and over again to those they love."
Angie from Angieville
"I think if I was an aspiring author, I would never write a negative review again. Thankfully I am not. It's hard enough as a blogger, knowing I may come face-to-face with an author, or just knowing that he/she might read my review and be hurt by it."
Andye from Reading Teen
"I know there are a lot of authors out there who will not write negative reviews at all because they recognize the "friend factor." I'm not pursuing a novel, so I don't know. My gut tells me though that it's possible."
Natasha from Maw Books
"I’m not one of those aspiring authors, but I feel like there is the potential for a negative impact. If your blog is relatively small, it probably won’t impact you. If you write negative reviews that are supported by valid points, it probably won’t impact you. If you write reviews that attack the author or publisher, you might have a problem."
Sara from The Hiding Spot
Like many things, I think it's a fine line to walk. On one hand, reading a lot of stuff from the genre you want to write gives you an idea of what's selling, and reviewing give you practice at knowing what appeals and what doesn't, and why. Bookblogging can also help you make some contacts within the publishing industry, so if/when the time comes, you may have an easier time getting something of your own published.
ReplyDeleteBut I suppose it could be easy to get on somebody's bad side by taking and not giving back, or constantly ragging on certain authors and publishers. Doing that could make sure the door is locked before you even try to open it.
Me, I plan to keep writing. I've been writing since before I started bookblogging, and I've no reason to stop so far. If anything, bookblogging has given me more inspiration to write, since I'm constantly exposed to the writing of others and am thus getting more ideas, learning styles, advice, all that stuff. For all I know, someday the friends I've made by reviewing might be the ones I'm relying on to help get word out about my own books!
i'm an author in the representation stage..and i NEVER post a negative review! i know the time and effort it takes to write a book and get it into print..and i don't think authors need to hear those negative reviews! they need all the positivity they can get!
ReplyDeleteDanielle is spot on :)
ReplyDeleteI've heard industry people from both sides on this. Some say negative reviews will absolutely impact your chances of getting published and can actually cite instances where an author was turned down because of that very fact (I did a post on this not too long ago). On the other hand it's not even a factor, just whether the author can write a damn good book.
ReplyDeleteI am an aspiring author and I review exactly the way I'd want people to review my own books. If you don't like something, tell me about it and tell me why. If you want to tell me my writing sucks donkey dongs for dinero, then by all means say it but substantiate it. If that's all you say then you won't be taken seriously in any venue.
If a publisher only put out one book a year and I criticized it and then tried to get published by them, okay. Fair enough. But they released how many dozens of titles per year, not including imprints. So it's going to be held against me that I critically reviewed one small facet of their products is ridiculous. Are all employees required to never speak out against any product that company makes? I certainly don't function like that even in my job now. I don't like everyone I work with and I certainly criticize but I make sure to have valid points to back up my criticism. That's only logical. But that doesn't hurt me. It bolsters me.
Great question to ask! I believe that nothing should ever stop bloggers, or anyone for that matter, from writing. Of course, there is a great deal of difference between "negative" reviews and unfair or rude reviews.
ReplyDeleteI loved this post so much I wrote a special response on my own blog! But to answer the question, I 100% think that bloggers can be reviewers and aspiring auhors - I used to think there wasn't enough time in the day to put in quality work on both but really the two can go hand in hand if you want them too; and I think there are classy and professional ways to write a "negative" review. What;s that saying: "Say it like you mean it, but don't say it mean" - the truth doesn't have to be hurtful - personally, I'd rather know the truth about my book than have a blogger gloss up their review about it because they were worried about how it would affect them.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to check out my post on it, check here: http://lipglossandliterature.blogspot.com/2011/03/putting-on-my-lip-gloss-can-book.html