So normally I don't really make posts about all the drama/newsworthy news that happens in the book blogging community... but I thought I'd make an exception just this once because I really wanted to talk about this particular happening.
If you're on goodreads, then you may or may not know about a certain author who made a post promising a list of "bad blogs and bloggers" who accepted a novel and promised a review, but reneged on that promise.
If you haven't read the post, you can read it HERE. (I highly highly recommend that you read it).
Basically, this particular indie author (Carroll Bryant) was approached by some bloggers who wanted a copy of his book for review. However, some never actually posted reviews while others said they probably weren't going to and now Bryant is pretty much saying he's going to put all these bloggers (the gist I'm getting is that most are teen bloggers) on a black list of sorts for Indie authors to avoid.
And I'm just like...
This whole blacklist thing is just such a bad idea for so many reasons...
For one, it doesn't do the author's reputation any favors. Sure I'm sorry he got cheated by a couple of bloggers who never gave reviews, but threatening to blacklist them is only going to stir up SO much more drama in the book blog community! Already there are probably hundreds of replies on GR by bloggers voicing WHY this is not a good idea. In fact, this doesn't even do Indie authors very much good in the long run because it's actions like this that's going to make bloggers refuse to accept indie books for review!
"Now I know that I was being humored by these liars and thieves. By these children who don’t realize the impact that their blogs can sometimes have on an independent author."
As a teen book blogger, it's also a little insulting and demeaning that Bryant basically said that we blog just to "swindle" free books! This is not a job. I blog because I genuinely love books and reading and I want to share that with other people. Let me be clear about one thing: I am not getting paid for this.
Do I wish that I was? Heck yeah, I do. But I do it everyday because I enjoy it! And I take it seriously.
"Look at it like this, it’s a lesson in business ethics for these young people. Something that they can learn that when you make a promise and then break it for no reason, that there can be consequences behind that."
Also, I'm sorry dude, but, contrary to popular belief, I do NOT spend all day glued to my laptop or a book. I have a life and, unfortunately, sometimes that makes for a slow reading pace. Sometimes bloggers just don't have the time to get to your book. That doesn't mean they're not going to read/review it. It just means that it will take them TIME. In fact, this is mentioned in countless bloggers' review policy. Sometimes they can't guarantee a timely review. Like I said, we have lives. From fall to spring, I have school and (God forbid) HOMEWORK. However, me personally as well as many other bloggers I know, if we've made you a promise to read and review a book, we're gonna do it! It might take us a while because there are other things we have to do, obligations we have to fulfill, but we will do it!
"a promise is a promise, business is business and since these people chose to do bad business with me, I am going to do bad business in return and “out” them for their unethical behavior. Trust me, it is not a game. You want to play grown up? Welcome to the grown up world of taking responsibility for your actions and choices. Maybe if people feared ending up on somebody’s bad list made public, many of these people would cease their unethical practices."
The fact is, as an author, you also took a business gamble sending ARCs to people. Sometimes, business doesn't necessarily pay off in the way you dreamed of. A review isn't always guaranteed! And I cannot stress enough that blacklisting teenage bloggers is NOT going to do you and your books any favors in the long run. I mean, just look at the already present drama on goodreads! These people are essentially your target audience! The people you need on your side. Targeting them is not good for book sales. Regardless of the intention of such a post, a lot of other bloggers are going to take great offense to this because Bryant has basically lumped a lot of bloggers together when it's only a handful of individuals who may have broken some promises.
I normally don't like to rant on my blog, but Carroll Bryant's post just rubbed me the wrong way--possibly because of the way he phrased his post, in a way that was damaging to people who weren't even involved. Bryant has stated that he's no longer posting The List on goodreads, but instead only on his blog, but I have a feeling the damage has already been done on goodreads.
OK. Rant over. Let me ask you: what do you think of this incident? Any thoughts?
