Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

I agree with your assessment. It's annoying. If only there was a way to regulate such things from occurring.

Wow! Not really surprised just truly saddened by the whole affair. I've received a couple of 1-star ratings, but the giver never took the time to write a review, so I don't hold much weight to their 1 star, especially since there are so many 5 and 4 stars with reviews! Thank you for making us aware of this being out there!

Steve wrote: "I'm calling you out, Goodreads. This is a fake account. If anyone in authority is seeing this, take some action right now. I worked hard on my book. This person has been allowed to damage it long e..."

Steve, I would agree with you that persons using fake accounts of GR and using those accounts to give 1-star reviews is a real, long-standing problem. However, I would sympathize a lot more with you if not for the fact that I went and reviewed the list of books you published (most of them with 2-3 ratings each) and saw that all but two of your books were given 5-stars ratings by yourself, including the one you complained was given a 1-star rating (2 ratings: 1-star from suspected fake account+ 5-star from yourself). I don't rate my own books myself and most authors avoid doing it because it is considered intellectualy dishonest.

Something that you have to learn as a writer is to grit and ignore bad reviews. Just eat it and move on. You cannot prevent it, no matter how good your book is, its going to get bad reviews. That's just the nature of the business: someone just won't like it for some reason even if its a silly one ("I hated the name of the mailman! ONE STAR!") or personal preference ("I hate first person!").

Sometimes you just get someone who follows you around on the internet and attacks you because they don't like you or something you said or your personal politics. Its going to happen. Let it roll off your back and move on.

In the end, people ignore two kinds of reviews: one star with no explanation (or a stupid one), and 5 star raves from obvious supporters who are trying to push your product but are giving you a rating only for that, not the book's excellence.

Steve wrote: "The ratings stars are very important..."

Is that why you are manipulating ratings by giving your book 5 stars, even though that goes against GR best practice, and readers see that as inappropriate/unethical? Which, by the way, will make some readers 1-star a book to “balance” the author’s attempt to game the system. The more you double down on your belief that you should be allowed to artificially inflate ratings, the worse it’s going to get for you.

I disagree on the message reading as a threat. The message Mellie typed out tells me she understands that even if your book is good the way you react to critics whether real or fake will be what some people will judge you on. It is also very important to remember reviews are not for the author, they are for readers. Just because someone didn't like your book doesn't mean someone else won't.

Have a happy and wonderful day.
P.

I wouldn't want you to think your books do deserve to be trashed. I think if people gave up on their passions we would live in a very dull world. I also think that it is common practice for authors to rate their own books but it is always going to be a fuzzy topic, but we can agree to disagree on this topic. I think a better thing to do with lowly rated reviews is to read the feedback (if there is any) and grow from it. If there isn't feedback, comment and ask what they specifically didn't like and what they did.

But if you truly believe the review/rating was fake then obviously report it but openly bashing someone isn't a good look for someone that provides art in such an open forum. But I do hope your books take off and I do hope you get more higher ratings.

I was making it as a general statement. Let me clarify, when an author reacts badly to a negative review or low rating it reflects badly on them as an author and tends to deter others from wanting to read their work. I don’t have anything backwards, I also read the sample of your book linked above, it isn’t my cup of tea but I won’t leave a review because I read the sample which some people will base their reviews on. I’ve seen it for many books.

I’m not trying to have an argument with you, I am trying to offer insight on what some readers do and how bad reactions from authors will incite bad ratings.

Steve wrote: "Let me get this straight. You think I'm bashing someone? I think you have a few things backwards."

Steve, calm down and stop playing the paranoid type. Your tone and choice of words are only going to repel the readers away from your books. This is not meant as a threat but rather as a friendly advice.

Steve wrote: "Nobody likes their books bashed for Christmas."

Here’s a tip - stay out of the review space.

Firstly it’s not for you, it’s where readers express their personal opinions. And secondly, it obviously upsets you to read varied opinions from readers. The extent you have gone to, to “ prove” that a review is possibly AI written and the lengths you are going to, to call out readers is bordering on obsessive/hysterical. Readers are put off from ever trying a book when authors act unprofessionally and harass readers.

You might also want to read GR author guidelines, which you agreed to when you created an author account. They clearly mention not harassing or stalking readers - which can get your account banned if readers lodge a complaint about your behaviour.

NOWHERE did I threaten you. I’ve been on GR for over 10 years. I seen authors like you hover over the review space, stalk readers, and issue demands on how readers should review your books. I’ve seen how it ends - badly. I’m merely advising you to check your behaviour, but you are obviously free to ignore me. I have plenty of books to read…written by authors who act professionally.

Mods, please delete this thread. It's time to move on.