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Steven Lake · 11-04-2010, 02:29 PM

Well, I've run into a real pickle and I must say that I'm a bit put off by the whole thing. But before I go further, let me explain. I've been following a variety of user powered review sites for books lately, and tracking how people are rating different new indie and small press books that are out on the market. Well, along the way I stumbled onto a rather disturbing phenomenon. Dirty reviewers.

These aren't the kind of dirty reviewers most think about, where their reviews are determinant on the amount of money you pay them. No, this is individual reviewers, just normal everyday joes who, from my best guess, have a completely elitist attitude, and go around knocking down other books and authors, giving them searing 1 star reviews across the board while ensuring that *their* favorite authors always get 5 star reviews.

I used to see it periodically with mainstream books, such as Harry Potter, where the haters would come in and give the book very nasty 1 star reviews, and the fans would turn around and give them glowing 5 star reviews, regardless of how good or bad the book was. Now I'm starting to see it even on indie and small press books. That irks me to no end. It's already hard enough for small press and indie authors to get known, or even considered by the vast majority of readers. But then to have idiots like this come in and start burning them on purpose for no other reason than to smash their hopes of success while propping up their favorite authors is ridiculous!

So far it's only happened to me on one book, and only by two people who apparently didn't like all the pro-Oort fuss I was making a few months back. So, from what I can best guess based on their previous reading lists (all Manga and Fantasy from what I could see, and not a drop of sci-fi except where they were burning the author) they wanted to burn me as best they could in order to "shut me up" and ensure that their "favorite author" got top honors while I got nothing.

Now that's not the only reason I'm ranting. I'm very much willing to come to the defense of any author out there, especially in the areas of fair and honest reviews. Regardless of how good someone's books is, be it the next monster hit, or ink covered, pre-composted, tree refuse, I still believe firmly in fair and honest reviews. What these dirty reviewers are doing is *NOT* fair and honest in any way, and is actually very spiteful and dishonest.

Alright, I've said my peace and got that off my chest. You're welcome to give your 2c if you like.

11-04-2010, 02:29 PM	#1
Steven Lake Sci-Fi Author Posts: 1,158 Karma: 14743509 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Michigan Device: PC (Calibre)	I hate dirty, dishonest reviewers! Well, I've run into a real pickle and I must say that I'm a bit put off by the whole thing. But before I go further, let me explain. I've been following a variety of user powered review sites for books lately, and tracking how people are rating different new indie and small press books that are out on the market. Well, along the way I stumbled onto a rather disturbing phenomenon. Dirty reviewers. These aren't the kind of dirty reviewers most think about, where their reviews are determinant on the amount of money you pay them. No, this is individual reviewers, just normal everyday joes who, from my best guess, have a completely elitist attitude, and go around knocking down other books and authors, giving them searing 1 star reviews across the board while ensuring that their favorite authors always get 5 star reviews. I used to see it periodically with mainstream books, such as Harry Potter, where the haters would come in and give the book very nasty 1 star reviews, and the fans would turn around and give them glowing 5 star reviews, regardless of how good or bad the book was. Now I'm starting to see it even on indie and small press books. That irks me to no end. It's already hard enough for small press and indie authors to get known, or even considered by the vast majority of readers. But then to have idiots like this come in and start burning them on purpose for no other reason than to smash their hopes of success while propping up their favorite authors is ridiculous! So far it's only happened to me on one book, and only by two people who apparently didn't like all the pro-Oort fuss I was making a few months back. So, from what I can best guess based on their previous reading lists (all Manga and Fantasy from what I could see, and not a drop of sci-fi except where they were burning the author) they wanted to burn me as best they could in order to "shut me up" and ensure that their "favorite author" got top honors while I got nothing. Now that's not the only reason I'm ranting. I'm very much willing to come to the defense of any author out there, especially in the areas of fair and honest reviews. Regardless of how good someone's books is, be it the next monster hit, or ink covered, pre-composted, tree refuse, I still believe firmly in fair and honest reviews. What these dirty reviewers are doing is *NOT* fair and honest in any way, and is actually very spiteful and dishonest. Alright, I've said my peace and got that off my chest. You're welcome to give your 2c if you like.