Authors beware: Just a heads-up to fellow authors: sometimes offering ARCs brings out opportunists. Got hit with a 1-star rating from someone who pitched me editing services without reading the free copy—then didn’t leave a review, just the rating. I won’t name names, but I will say this—when someone’s first move is to sell you something, and their second is to sabotage you when you say no, that’s not professional critique. That’s manipulation.
Just a heads-up to fellow authors: sometimes offering ARCs brings out opportunists. Got hit with a 1-star rating from someone who pitched me editing services without reading the free copy—then didn’t leave a review, just the rating. I won’t name names, but I will say this—when someone’s first move is to sell you something, and their second is to sabotage you when you say no, that’s not professional critique. That’s manipulation.