tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post2880042920146190981..comments2024-03-19T04:14:57.476+00:00Comments on 'Do You Write Under Your Own Name?': Red BonesMartin Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082485795280777670noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-48437804990796633812009-04-07T08:32:00.000+01:002009-04-07T08:32:00.000+01:00The Amazon review news came via this blog link:htt...The Amazon review news came via this blog link:<BR/><BR/>http://writetype. blogspot. com/2009/ 04/amazon- deletes-authors- reviews-if- book.html<BR/><BR/>Basically you can't have any hint you're a writer in the review or you're banned.<BR/>Nik MortonNik Mortonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10060923673065456386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-51605342552299704222009-04-06T21:35:00.000+01:002009-04-06T21:35:00.000+01:00Interesting point about Amazon, thanks.Interesting point about Amazon, thanks.Martin Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16082485795280777670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-14223080370404560682009-04-06T15:15:00.000+01:002009-04-06T15:15:00.000+01:00Whether it's a friend or an associate, I feel that...Whether it's a friend or an associate, I feel that the honest review should flag the relationship. However, that can't necessarily be the case on Amazon. Recently, I put in a review of a book I'd edited and flagged that fact on Amazon; due to Amazon's new draconian rules, whereby they will cut out ALL reviews by someone who refers to their book, even if relevant, prudence dictates omitting such connections. <BR/>I agree, a thoroughly negative review is not helpful; it should be balanced, though I have made one exception out of 77... The Gaudi Key, sad to say, but blamed the publisher more than the authors!<BR/>Nik MortonNik Mortonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10060923673065456386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-70956340936761860682009-04-02T22:15:00.000+01:002009-04-02T22:15:00.000+01:00Thanks, everyone. As so often, I'm grateful for th...Thanks, everyone. As so often, I'm grateful for the generosity of those who comment.<BR/>There's a lot that can be said about reviews. But one thing that strikes me forcibly is that sometimes and in some respects, it's easier to review a book a long time after it was written than when it first came out. For instance, it can be easier to put a book in its historical context. But as an author, of course I'm very anxious to be reviewed now rather than posthumously!Martin Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16082485795280777670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-6486606853854319222009-04-02T12:56:00.000+01:002009-04-02T12:56:00.000+01:00I agree with you, Martin. I think it's best not to...I agree with you, Martin. I think it's best not to review a book you don't like - it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.BooksPleasehttp://www.booksplease.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-16825994248787692682009-04-02T11:46:00.000+01:002009-04-02T11:46:00.000+01:00You are always a gentleman.You are always a gentleman.pattinase (abbott)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02916037185235335846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-83197865333102810132009-04-02T11:10:00.000+01:002009-04-02T11:10:00.000+01:00Martin, you are raising some interesting points on...Martin, you are raising some interesting points on blogs and reviewing recently and I am thinking of doing some research and writing an article about it, following some comments exchanged with a publisher's PR last week.<BR/><BR/>I think there is a need felt to be very careful with one's words when you have become a friend of the author. And I agree with you that the converse of always mentioning a relationship has the effect of flagging up "relationship" and can be counterproductive. Back-scratching is what comes to mind and can become obvious to readers.<BR/><BR/>I recently had the dilemma of whether to mention that I was named in the acknowledgements in a novel and decided against it. Why? Because it had no impact on what I thought of the novel at the end of the day. The nature of my work is to objectively review and that carries through into my thoughts on books. Like you, I don't see value in trashing a book and find it wasteful in the MSM, where it has been happening quite a bit of late. I wish they'd use the limited space they have to indicate to readers what to buy and not what to avoid. When such reviews are written by authors they always smack of jealousy to the reader. I wish such space was given to supporting a new author of good work rather than an opportunity to be negative about a bestselling author.crimeficreaderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08666088342752346697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-23194377322492181712009-04-02T10:41:00.000+01:002009-04-02T10:41:00.000+01:00It would certainly be unfair if you had to stop re...It would certainly be unfair if you had to stop reviewing some of the best books just because as an author you meet more and more interesting writers. <BR/>It can hardly be difficult to come up with positive elements when it´s an Ann Cleeves book either - I am far behind, and have just read her second the other day, but I enjoyed it immensely. I finally got round to ordering your second Lake District novel the other day so I am in for another treat soon.Dorte Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14535044092722418173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-52630475167567893652009-04-02T09:23:00.000+01:002009-04-02T09:23:00.000+01:00Thanks, Uriah, you can gather this is an issue I'v...Thanks, Uriah, you can gather this is an issue I've been mulling over and wanted to share - and such feedback is very constructive.Martin Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16082485795280777670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-5133490496992288942009-04-02T08:41:00.000+01:002009-04-02T08:41:00.000+01:00I entirely agree with you Martin and as an ordinar...I entirely agree with you Martin and as an ordinary reader all I want from reviewers is honesty. The fact that you would allude to a weakness in a novel written by a friend is a sign that we can trust your opinions.Uriah Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02046023583067265187noreply@blogger.com