I was asked...they asked me...to review a book...their book. They do not know me from anything. Yet, they contacted me to review their new children's book...Freddi the Dog. I love children's books...and it's a small commitment so I accepted the offer. They fulfilled their part and sent the book. So, I had to fulfill my part and read it and write a review. Here's where the cheese gets more binding.....I disliked the book...A LOT. In fact, the only positive thing I came up with was I didn't write it. Okay..it wasn't that bad....actually...it kinda was...but that's my opinion. I am a super harsh critic of children's books. Besides these people have published a book...I've never published a book so they have one over on me. But if that is the future of children's books we are all in trouble. Okay...so I wrote a fair review. I even mentioned in my review that the book garnered several positive reviews and one needs to decide for themselves. I also said it was simply my opinion and that my 12 year old thought it was clever and my 5 year old thought it was somewhat humorous. My con list included that I felt the book was poorly written and lacked in sentence structure. I also have a pet peeve with exclamation points...and this book used enough that I think they wore it out for everyone. but I didn't say it like that on my review. However, I did give my honest opinion. At any rate...the author emailed me to ask if the review was complete. So I submitted the link to my review and thanked him (them...husband and wife...which I find that even worse that it took 2 people to write that book.) for the opportunity. Well, this morning the author emailed me back with a snide comment..."I hope your 2 readers enjoy it." The smiley used indicated it was a snide comment...and the words as well. I had to laugh...what a poor insult. Geesh..can we be mature about this??? I mean you cannot solicit reviews from random people and expect them all to be positive. Sure that stings...I know it does...I've been there. It took me a while to write the review because I knew I had little positive to say. I made the review very short also. But I have to be honest. Geesh. I did reply. I apologized if my review hurt their feelings and told them that I hope they grow a thicker skin as not all reviews will be positive. I also gave them a piece of advice...never insult those who review your books...they may write for more than one site. Which I do. I have no interest in writing about this book again...lol...I just needed to vent. I really hated to write the review and I felt terrible thinking it may hurt someone's feelings...but that's life, right? Not everyone can like everything.
You'd think that any author who solicited a review "sight unseen" could at least take constructive criticism and use it to improve future efforts. If it had been my book that you didn't like, I surely would want to know whether and why. I'm glad you feel okay about the poor reception. I'm gonna risk saying they probably won't ask again... so they'll spare you the misery! ETA: I just read your review, and I think you did a great job with it! ETA: I just went to the Freddi the Dog promo page, where they let you read some of the story. I thought it was kinda dull, myself. I thought the premise was a little weak, too -- dogs may chew up a bunch of stuff, but I don't think it's because they thought it was something else, like a wig for spaghetti...
Let's see.. First- they asked for your review. They didn't ask you to lie and paint a glowing picture for them. Sounds to me like you were more than fair. From the pov of someone who writes, though, I can both see their side and.. not. Writers have a special.. connection to their work. In a way, it is like their children. WE think they are special, perfect, moving. And we want everyone else to feel that way as well. We know that isn't always the case, but for us (me anyway, and other people I know who write) it is nearly impossible to separate our feelings from what's written on the page, no matter how constructive the criticism is. This isn't to let this writer off the hook, though. I don't mean that at all, and if you write, you DO have to grow a thicker skin, or learn to put distance between yourself and the criticisms. You are absolutely right- there are some big name authors who's writing leaves me shaking my head in disbelief. Not everything published is good (or sometimes even readable), even when the 'official' scholars like it LOL. I read the blurb as well and I have to say.. if your child can read that, than there should be much more substance to the story. And if someone needs to read it to a child than.. there should ALSO be much more substance to the story. I think my dd (6) would find it funny, but my 9yo wouldn't at all.
I haven't read the review, but I just wanted to encourage you with the fact that we know your character and can attest to the fact that you are a fair person. If there was any positive to be said, I am sure you stated it along with the things that were lacking.
I read the promo also and thought that it had alot of fragmented sentences. If they don't like bad reviews than they need to work on their writing skills.
I completely understand having a special connection to your work. I write as well...I do know. After they sent me the response...I did apologize if I hurt feelings. However, a review is NOT personal. The work is personal...I know that. However, one needs to maintain some self restraint. You don't make a snide comment to the person who dislikes your work. It was just an opinion and really I am not important...its not like some famous person gave a bad review. lol. Okay...just venting...because it ticked me off. I just got blasted for giving a good review on something that another reader disagreed with and she accused me of lying. So I get it on all fronts. lol. My attempt at growing a thicker skin is to blow off the steam with friends...and the Spot really helps me get it back together. THANKS ladies!
Ava Rose- I apologize if my post seemed critical of you. It wasn't! Honestly, I think what I was saying is that I understand getting so wrapped up in our own writing that we expect everyone else to fall in love with it as well. And it can seem like a punch in the stomach if that doesn't happen. But there are two choices for that person: only give it to their own mothers :lol: or realize if they send their work out into the world, it IS going to get a bad review occasionally. That's just the way it works. Writers have to expect rejection. That's just part of the whole game. You gave a much fairer and better balanced review than they had any right to expect. And they should appreciate that, and attempt to see what they did wrong in their book. No one's writing gets better with a constant diet of 'Great Job!'s. I noticed after the fact that you write as well! I apologize for preaching to the choir there. I know very few people who REALLY write, and even fewer who write to publish, so it's great to rub elbows with someone facing the same struggles. When my brain cools off from my current college classes (say that 5x fast) we'll have to compare notes
OH Megan...NO..I did not think you were being critical at all! I thought you were conveying to me the perspective of the author which would explain a rash comment. Don't worry about it!!! My mom wrote a children's book and never got it published....she attempted to but the process made her cringe. She had lived with the characters for so many years...never thought about publishing until me. The book was so close to her heart and the characters so vivid in her mind that she couldn't change a thing. So we stopped even thinking about publishing. She hated the idea that someone would change something or heaven forbid draw her character after she knew exactly how the character looked in her head. her attachment was a surprise to me. However, she never cared about being published...she just told a Christmas story. It's a great story...but must remained untouched. lol. If her book was published and she received a negative review it would hurt her. Now me...I'd love to be published and I have a children's book that I would love to market. But...I suppose I can see how attached I am as well...not as much as my mom though...lol. Really..thanks for the perspective. I wrote them back as I think I mentioned in my first post. I explained I was not trying to hurt feelings...that it was just one person. I also explained that one negative review in the mix would not hurt anything. Anyway...I apologized for any negative or hurt feelings my review caused. Well...got an email today from Twitter...they are now following me on Twitter. Weird.
You know, when my dss was attending a Christian high school, I one day asked him who his favorite teacher was. I expected him to say Mr. M, who he talks about constantly. But Michael thought about it a minute and then said, "Mr. Z. And you know why? Because if I ask Mr. Z for advice about something, chances are I won't like what he tells me at all. But deep down I know he's gonna be right, and I better listen to him." Maybe it's something like that with these people. Hoping that after reflection they decided to listen to the criticism and act upon changing! (BTW, I did share that with Mr. Z. So many teachers don't hear the good things their students say about them, and felt that it would be an encouragement to him!)
