::::::::::::::::::long, long, long sigh::::::::::::::::::
I have the deep down sinking feeling that this whole thing is going to waken the monsters that have been silent for a while.
Needless to say, I can't post on GR. As an author, I can't post a negative review on AMZ and therefore I won't post any reviews at all, or even comments. Is it time, therefore, to start posting reviews to BL just to draw her attention to some of these issues? Like reviews aren't for the writers, and writers should never attack reviewers? Or do we just let it go with the confidence that these books are not going to make any kind of mark in the reading world?
I would certainly report Ms. Lewis if she has posted anything on GR. Even if the above screed is off-GR, if she has taken any action **on** GR, it might be worth reporting her.
I have to admit I'm not quite clear on what the threats actually involve because I didn't read all the documents closely enough. Are you, Ms. M., affiliated with the same institution as the other prof? Has Ms. Vidal/Rusell contacted your mutual institution, or has she gone after two different schools, or what? I would think that stalking someone's professional place of business over a negative book review is completely over the line and worthy of a call to the police, or a C&D letter from a lawyer.
One of my Twitter followees has just been subjected to the 1-star rating bomb on GR and she's rather upset about it. I'm trying to prepare a short "stop reading your damn reviews!" note to her, but I know tht in 99% of cases, it does no good.
Remind her even the 1-star ratings improve her book's position lots of places in goodreads (goodreads counts number of ratings towards popularity not what the rating was), that it's possible each 1-star rating posted her book to the goodreads updates feed thereby increasing book visibility, that not everyone on goodreads uses the star ratings to even rate a book (could be just how they were organizing their catalog or recommendations), typos happen particularly if fat fingered on the app, could be a response to some activity on social media ...
Looks like Ms. M. hasn't gotten to this yet, Linda. I can tell you she is not affiliated with this school. That is simply an assumption Ms. Vidal has made that is in error.
Ms.Vidal has contacted his employers once. And is suggesting she may do so again.
Her books may not be much, or worth much bother. My concern, with this escalating, is the potential harm this may cause the other reviewer with his employers. And that is a big reason I'm still speaking out about it.
I would very much regret this person being placed in a position of feeling he needed to delete his reviews, or worse, be fired.
Hah! How hypocritical for them to say "...An individual professor may or may not like an author's work...." when clearly not true for them (else why contact reviewer's employer about it?)
The school's amusement is at the author's reaction to a negative review of her book, not to a fellow Catholic academic being attacked which they clearly do not believe is happening. If school personnel have any experience at all with the book industry and online reviews, they're likely thinking that a negative review isn't that unusual.
With all the school and priest and other Catholic/Christian support of BBA chiming in, I'm starting to wonder if there's a review circle or writer's group gone wrong -- in the past, behind BBA rants there have been review circles or groups expected to blindly jump,in and support or if one broke ranks and dared rate below ★★★★★ all hell would break lose with lots of accusations.
I was an adjunct professor teaching history until I retired three years ago, but at a different institution from my friend. Happily, I'm now a certified paralegal at a highly respected defense law firm. If needed, C&D letters will be immediately available.
Thanks much for the input. Even though I'm a big girl and full of snark, sometimes I' feel a bit lonely when things like this happen.
I have the deep down sinking feeling that this whole thing is going to waken the monsters that have been silent for a while.
Needless to say, I can't post on GR. As an author, I can't post a negative review on AMZ and therefore I won't post any reviews at all, or even comments. Is it time, therefore, to start posting reviews to BL just to draw her attention to some of these issues? Like reviews aren't for the writers, and writers should never attack reviewers? Or do we just let it go with the confidence that these books are not going to make any kind of mark in the reading world?
I would certainly report Ms. Lewis if she has posted anything on GR. Even if the above screed is off-GR, if she has taken any action **on** GR, it might be worth reporting her.
I have to admit I'm not quite clear on what the threats actually involve because I didn't read all the documents closely enough. Are you, Ms. M., affiliated with the same institution as the other prof? Has Ms. Vidal/Rusell contacted your mutual institution, or has she gone after two different schools, or what? I would think that stalking someone's professional place of business over a negative book review is completely over the line and worthy of a call to the police, or a C&D letter from a lawyer.
One of my Twitter followees has just been subjected to the 1-star rating bomb on GR and she's rather upset about it. I'm trying to prepare a short "stop reading your damn reviews!" note to her, but I know tht in 99% of cases, it does no good.
Ms.Vidal has contacted his employers once. And is suggesting she may do so again.
Her books may not be much, or worth much bother. My concern, with this escalating, is the potential harm this may cause the other reviewer with his employers. And that is a big reason I'm still speaking out about it.
I would very much regret this person being placed in a position of feeling he needed to delete his reviews, or worse, be fired.
The school's amusement is at the author's reaction to a negative review of her book, not to a fellow Catholic academic being attacked which they clearly do not believe is happening. If school personnel have any experience at all with the book industry and online reviews, they're likely thinking that a negative review isn't that unusual.
With all the school and priest and other Catholic/Christian support of BBA chiming in, I'm starting to wonder if there's a review circle or writer's group gone wrong -- in the past, behind BBA rants there have been review circles or groups expected to blindly jump,in and support or if one broke ranks and dared rate below ★★★★★ all hell would break lose with lots of accusations.
I'm beyond disgusted. I'm working on a very detailed email to Amazon about this harassment of two reviewers by two authors.
Thanks much for the input. Even though I'm a big girl and full of snark, sometimes I' feel a bit lonely when things like this happen.