Author Behaving Badly: Romance Edition

From what I gather from the article, Deborah MacGillivray (a romance writer) is admonishing a fan for giving her book a three star review on amazon.com.

I'm curious to see what people think of this, and I want to get some perspective before I go off on a rant, LOL...

Thanks! :lol:

Another link--what the writer wrote to the Amazon reviewer

Inappropriate, uncalled for, sleazy, etc. etc.

This author seems to have no sense of ethics.

:o Holy Intimidation, Batman!

She sounds like a certifiable nutjob to me. If I were a romance reader she would definitely be put on my "not interested" list. Thanks for the heads up.

Definitely staying clear of her stuff. :blink:

Writers get mad if you don't like their book. As a reviewer you have to just shrug it off.

However this writer has gone way over the top.

See, I don't really read romance, but I saw this article on galleycat today and it just made me mad.

I mean, as an author, I'm under the impression you should be happy that someone reads your book--even if they don't like it. Personally, I've written a few novels, most that will never see the light of day without some severe edits. And yes, I would be hurt if someone professed something less than adoration...

But at the same time, I realize that everyone's different and I think this author is going majorly overboard.

If it ever gets to a point where you have to describe is base details what is going on in the novel for someone who has read your book, and tell them how to interpret something, maybe that boils down to a style issue...

:2cents:

Surely if the reviewer is missing the emotion and intent that the autor wishes to portray, this could be down to the writing rather than the reader skimming the book :shrug:

( Waiting to feel the wrath of the author now :ph34r: )

That author is a nutter! That's just crazy.

I think I'll be avoiding her books. Don't think I've read one.. .might have but don't know that I have, and I don't think I'll be reading Ms. Pyscho-Stalker ever.

You know, that's why I don't read romance novels. Reading those reviews and comments, I'm thinking: 'who comes up with these names, for heaven's sake!!".

I read the entire page.

:blink:

I'm very tired now....

Kinda scary how over the top she is. Definitely will scratch her name off any of my lists

Wow... :blink:

Maybe the reviewer can take this experience and write a book about it herself. I can see the title now: "I Fear You Did Miss the Point: Getting The Most out of Your Amazon Experience."

*groan* Some authors are just very sensitive. Some people may not like their book as much as they would have liked, others will. Big deal. :shrug:

I don't think the issue has anything to do with the genre of the book. Reviews are one persons opinion of a book. Unless there is a blatant inaccuracy or libelous statement in the review, Amazon should not remove reviews at an author's request. I want to see different people's views on books. I've loved books that others have hated and hated books that others loved (Life of Pi anyone! YUCK!).

I'm with you Ann. I love seeing a book review that one person hates, yet another loves. Those make me more interested in reading them. Why.. no idea, just does. :shrug:

What a nutcase! That's like call-the-police kinda threatening! :o

I've seen some discussion about this nutter -- I mean, author! -- floating around lately. I'm glad her tactics are getting noticed, 'cos I'd hate to think she could get away with acting like this unnoticed! :ph34r:

She sure does have plenty of time to lurk around the 'net, doesn't she? Maybe if she spent more of that time on her writing she wouldn't have to trick people into reading her books!


I love reading different opinions about books. It's a hoot when all the readers either loved or hated a book with a passion. That often catches my attention more then when everyone felt the same way about a book -- especially if they can say why they loved it or hated it. At least you know the book was memorable! Well, OK, I'll admit it -- reader reviews where the person gets all emotional about hating a book tend to crack me up!

After reading what the author wrote to that reviewer, I'd have to say any errors in translation occurred on the writer's end...she was barely writing English! :shrug: did I miss the part that said English was not her first language? Perhaps it's just because I'm an English teacher, and by no means do I expect forum posts, chatting, etc, to be grammatically correct, but if your intent in writing is to defend yourself as a writer, you ought to at least re-read and spell check :rolleyes:

So yeah I could care less if she's mean; I won't be reading her books because she's a CRAP writer.

you know, I came across mention of this sometime last week over on Amazon. I was reading reviews for some paranormal book or other, and then hopped over to the discussion area where it was being talked about that the lower starred reviews these people saw before were no longer there. And yup, the name was Debbie something or other...

And now that I just read your post I realize it's the same bitch! What a f&#khead!! It's like....

Anyway, thanks for sharing so now I have confirmation and clarification of the crap I was reading earlier. :grin:

Glad I'm not the only one who got hung up on that! :giggle:

I agree, Ann...

I can see Amazon maybe getting rid of a review if it were spam or threatening, but for someone to just get rid of an 'unfair' review?
Ridiculous!
:duh:

I've had a couple nasty-grams emailed to me from reviews I've posted on my blog. Some authors just can't take anything but positive comments. LOL.

Am I the only one thinking "3 stars isn't bad for a first effort"? *heh*

Nutjob! I'm in a writers group with at least one published author, and the most she's ever done with a bad review is post a link to her blog and say "oh well". To berate a reviewer over a book review is beyond petty. I'm fine with an author writing to a reviewer to say that the author feels the reviewer missed a point or didn't understand a character, but to then attack the reviewer's intelligence or character is completely beyond reason.

People like this give working author's a bad name. :shedevil:

Authors have many different reactions to reviews. At Front Street Reviews we have seen it all- gracious responses and raving upset. I like to post the more unique responses with the reviews. The authors usually allow me to. Gives both sides of the opinions. We NEVER change the reviews, just add comments on the review page.
I am appalled, again, with Amazon's conduct. This coupled with their current action against non Book Surge publishers is totally unacceptable. I will not buy anything thru Amazon. It is a giant who is out of control.
I understand the authors frustration- no not condone it but understand it. I do not understand Amazon's actions on any level.

(Phew- this gets me worked up!) :pirate:

That author had better hope Mrs. Giggles never reviews one of her books. :P

:giggle: That was great!!!

Good info on this subject at
http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/04/13...-to-be-changed/
Even Nora Roberts and Shilo Walker have posted on the topic there.

Amazon thread where they have deleted reviewer's responses!
http://www.amazon.com/review/R3QAMUQP2POZ2...g=UTF8&cdPage=1

Actually no midwinter.....I was thinking the same thing.

If we are able to finish the book, then we only have 1-5 stars to pick from for rating.
The reader/reviewer stated she liked it, and gave it 3 stars. Sounds good to me.


1- yuck, didn't like it
2- it was okay, but fell short
3- liked it
4- really liked it
5- loved it / it was amazing.