*snort* because she is personally convinced none of those ★☆☆☆☆ ratings could possibly be just a misclick on a cellphone screen, the quickest way on the goodreads cell phone app to add a book to your "to read" shelf and certainly none of the 20+ million goodreads members could possibly use the star ratings to organize which books to buy next since that's not how she feels star ratings have to be used.
It's a big world, ma'am. Not everyone does things your way and not every site does things your way, not even star ratings.
What sort of an ego makes her feel so persecuted? Good grief, I know more professional authors who are just happy to have books -- particularly pre-release -- getting some buzz.
I hadn't fully read your post when I commented. *eye rolls* "pre-rating" is a big issue right now to who? NetGalley? Edelweiss? Amazon VINE? Indie authors sending out ARCs to book bloggers themselves?
The only posts I see against pre-rating have come from authors whining because the ratings were bad or from both authors and readers vetching over both the "squee! I cannot wait" and the "I will not be reading this one" reviews (not rating) that basically aren't helpful to anyone for all the buzzing excitement smarter publishers love. Well, except for Patrick Rothfuss who found the 5-star reviews of his unreleased book hilarious and decided they must come from time-travelers--but, Rothfuss is in a class by himself when it comes to author pre-release rating complaints (most stay quiet over 5-star pre-ratings).
Pre-release reviews are opinions like any other review but very uninformed ones unless the person rating read or tried to read an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC). In addition to the big five publishers and a jillion indie authors wanting pre-release buzz, even amazon offers ARCs via VINE and Kindle Firsts. Goodreads repeatedly emphasizes that on their site pre-release reviews and ratings are allowed. Some are just from readers who put something like "review to follow; have pre-ordered" because that's how they choose to track or organize their book catalogs. Doesn't make them dishonest or bullying unless you are this whining author; just makes them a part of how a reader handles their reading needs regardless if of any use to anyone else.
Star ratings pre-release could mean anything. Maybe rating an ARC; maybe not. Every reader uses for reasons of their own, not necessarily even to rate the book. In fact, some one stars come from readers who think "1" means first place, A#1, top, prime best and five is the worst. I have a friend in goodreads who uses. "1" with no review to mean already pre-ordered (and never star rates her reviews)...the average star rating on goodreads is statistically invalid because not everyone is using same units or scale. Doesn't make them dishonest or bullying unless you are this whining author; just makes them a part of how a reader handles their reading needs regardless if of any use to anyone else.
Some sites (booklikes, Leafmarks, and goodreads) don't require a review to rate or a rating on the review. Other sites like amazon require a 20+ word review to rate ( which sometimes nets fun but nit useful reviews like "liked it as much as my star rating indicated. There is that enough words?" reviews. Doesn't make them dishonest or bullying unless you are this whining author; just makes them a part of how a reader handles their reading needs regardless if if any use to anyone else.
Most authors screaming about ratings on goodreads and other sites never checkout the guidelines or visit reviewer profile to see if they explained their scale. If reviewer does choose to use the suggested rating scale (not a requirement) some authors still are not happy. I have a long nasty tale of a stalking author who could not handle that according to goodreads rating scale I "liked the book" simply because the goodreads suggested rating scale is one star lower than the amazon suggested rating scale. At time, I was Bly reviewer and I assure you I very quickly removed my 4-star review on amazon. Yes, an author freaking out over a 4-star amazon review.
I know. 4-star on amazon and still complains. I'm waiting to see all the meltdowns over getting a ½ star rating as booklikes and Leafmarks show more in top search engine results.
It's a big world, ma'am. Not everyone does things your way and not every site does things your way, not even star ratings.
What sort of an ego makes her feel so persecuted? Good grief, I know more professional authors who are just happy to have books -- particularly pre-release -- getting some buzz.
Publishers who do everything including paid advertising to generate pre-release buzz? Who absolutely love pre-orders? Authors like here http://sethasfishman.tumblr.com/post/65251173881/what-you-can-do-to-help-an-author-or-reading-author ; http://clairelegrand.tumblr.com/post/79292592085/since-winterspell-is-available-for-pre-order-i-was ; http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2013/09/11/how-to-support-an-authors-new-book-11-ideas-for-you/ and even traditionally published authors openly ask fans to create pre-release buzz and hopefully to place pre-orders?
The only posts I see against pre-rating have come from authors whining because the ratings were bad or from both authors and readers vetching over both the "squee! I cannot wait" and the "I will not be reading this one" reviews (not rating) that basically aren't helpful to anyone for all the buzzing excitement smarter publishers love. Well, except for Patrick Rothfuss who found the 5-star reviews of his unreleased book hilarious and decided they must come from time-travelers--but, Rothfuss is in a class by himself when it comes to author pre-release rating complaints (most stay quiet over 5-star pre-ratings).
Star ratings pre-release could mean anything. Maybe rating an ARC; maybe not. Every reader uses for reasons of their own, not necessarily even to rate the book. In fact, some one stars come from readers who think "1" means first place, A#1, top, prime best and five is the worst. I have a friend in goodreads who uses. "1" with no review to mean already pre-ordered (and never star rates her reviews)...the average star rating on goodreads is statistically invalid because not everyone is using same units or scale. Doesn't make them dishonest or bullying unless you are this whining author; just makes them a part of how a reader handles their reading needs regardless if of any use to anyone else.
Some sites (booklikes, Leafmarks, and goodreads) don't require a review to rate or a rating on the review. Other sites like amazon require a 20+ word review to rate ( which sometimes nets fun but nit useful reviews like "liked it as much as my star rating indicated. There is that enough words?" reviews. Doesn't make them dishonest or bullying unless you are this whining author; just makes them a part of how a reader handles their reading needs regardless if if any use to anyone else.
Most authors screaming about ratings on goodreads and other sites never checkout the guidelines or visit reviewer profile to see if they explained their scale. If reviewer does choose to use the suggested rating scale (not a requirement) some authors still are not happy. I have a long nasty tale of a stalking author who could not handle that according to goodreads rating scale I "liked the book" simply because the goodreads suggested rating scale is one star lower than the amazon suggested rating scale. At time, I was Bly reviewer and I assure you I very quickly removed my 4-star review on amazon. Yes, an author freaking out over a 4-star amazon review.
I might just love you a little. In a non-creepy, platonic, you're brain is so smart kinda way.