It is with sadness and disgust that I am writing this post today. I have heard examples of authors doing this to other authors, but I never expected it to happen to me. Last week a fellow YA author gave Sophie’s Secret a so-so, three star review on Amazon. She did list some positives, but complained that my book didn’t deliver. Fair enough. She’s got a right to her opinion, and I totally respect that.
What I don’t respect is the fact that she then listed her author name and purchase links to her YA series at the bottom of the review.
This in the author world is known as trolling or spamming, and it is frowned upon by many of my fellow writers, because it gives the appearance that she is trying to drive sales away from my books to hers. It is also against Amazon reviewing rules for a reason–it’s unethical!!! Read their terms and conditions.
After scrolling through this author’s reviews, I noted that she left her purchase links in several other book reviews as well. I then notified Amazon. Her links were removed earlier this week, and a few days later, so were her reviews.I also took a chance and went public with this on FB. I received a lot of positive feedback and support from fellow authors on this, but of course, I also ran the risk of alerting this author that it was me who reported her. I certainly don’t want any enemies in this business, but what’s done is done, and I do not regret my decision.
Then, today, all of her reviews are back up. Her links are not there, but information about her books is still at the bottom of each review. And, yes, that’s also against Amazon’s ToC.
Will this author ever learn?
Oh, and Sophie’s Secret has a brand new one star review, titled BOOOOOO!, from someone who joined Amazon yesterday. The review is not a verified purchase, it tells nothing about the book, and it’s written using British slang, yet it’s on my Amazon US page. Did I mention the troll author is from England and her review is also on my Amazon US page? So I guess my coming out against author trolls is now having negative consequences against my book. This is a shame. Like I said before, I do not mind honest negative reviews, but giving authors false reviews out of spite is a new low.
Authors, if you want to promote yourself, try making friends with other authors. This will take you much further in selling your books. I’m happy to welcome other YA authors on this site, and promote their book releases, etc. You can also see me promoting other authors regularly on FB and twitter, and other authors do the same for me. THIS is the ethical way to increase your reader base.
If you are a new author, I hope you can learn something from this lesson. I just hope that troll author doesn’t sink any lower. Troll author, if you are out there reading this, please know that I will not write bad reviews (or any reviews) of your books. I will also not ask my friends to write your books negative reviews. I am kindly asking you to please find a way to make that spiteful one-star review disappear. I wish you all the best in your writing career. I hope that in the future, your business decisions are made with better moral judgment.
November 3, 2012 at 3:05 pm
I appreciate people struggling in a tough industry but agree with your view, this person as behaved reprehensibly.
November 3, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Thanks, ignellect. You are right, this is a tough industry. I’ve worked every day to boost sales and increase my reader base. It can be done through hard work and positive networking. I’m still trying to understand why she had to stoop this low.
November 3, 2012 at 10:01 pm
It does indicate a lack of moral rectitude.
November 3, 2012 at 6:17 pm
Authors who engage in this sort of behavior don’t deserve the title.
If your work can’t rise on its own merit and you feel the need to put other authors down just to get ahead, then you deserve exactly what you get.
You might see some short term gain from being a selfish little bitch, but trust me when I tell you that doing these things will just demean you and your work.
Writing is art. Every piece of art is unique. Trashing someone else’s art does not make yours look better. Ever.
You got me?
November 3, 2012 at 6:27 pm
I got you, Mike and you are AWESOME!
November 4, 2012 at 8:48 pm
Authors simply should not trash other authors. Period, full stop, nada. Anyone stooping to such low behaviour should be avoided. Sad to say there are some very sick people in this world, dont let them upset you, rile you, get you down, some even get a kick out of seeing you react to their provocation. If you must react you could try the old “dont get mad get even” line. I wonder how many people know that Charles Dickens used to base many of his characters on real life people. If he didnt like someone he would write about them, and that even included his wife. Now lets really try to turn this to your advantage. You have a plot line here and even a name you can use in a future novel, why not write about this with all the usual disclaimers.After all only the writer knows exactly what they mean and exactly who they are writing about. Chin up, pen down, editorial licence and history are on your side…….
November 6, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Well, clearly this author is trying to increase her own sales. There are many better ways to do this. If she wanted to reach my readers, she could have asked to come on my blog. I always welcome other YA writers here.
November 7, 2012 at 3:52 pm
Wasnt a criticism of you Tara – more the other party…..