Authors Asking Authors **An interview by Penny Reid***
I’m curious.
This is a perpetual problem for me because sometimes I ask questions that make other people uncomfortable. Therefore, you can imagine how excited I was when I was asked by the ladies at Up All Night Book Blog to pointedly ask several of my author sister-wives a question that would—without a doubt—make them uncomfortable AND assuage my own curiosity about a sensitive topic.
The subject: 1 star reviews
The brave authors: Tina Reber, LH Cosway, Amy Harmon, Belle Aurora, Renee Carlino, and RS Grey
The question: If you were in a room with all people who gave you 1 star reviews on goodreads after admitting they didn’t finish your book or only read 3 pages of it, what superpower would you want?
Superfluous background (feel free to ignore or skim): My very first 1* review on Amazon was for my first book; it stated: “I gave this one about ten pages, which was a real stretch. The plot looked very predictable and based on the flow of the opening, it was going to be a long, tedious climb to the finish.” Now, it wasn’t the review that had me curious. What piqued my interest was the comments left under the review. Two authors debated whether the reader should have left the review at all given the fact that the reader read 10 pages (and therefore had no idea whether it was a long, tedious climb to the finish). OF NOTE: My first book is a long, tedious climb to the finish. Therefore, this person is clairvoyant and should be a professional soothsayer.
What this post isn’t: This post isn’t bashing reviewers who give 1* reviews. It isn’t insulting them. It isn’t talking trash. If you think that’s what this post is then you need help with reading comprehension. Please seek help.
What this post is: This post is AUTHORS ASKING AUTHORS how they wish they could deal with the reality of 1 star reviews given by reviewers who read 10 pages (or less) of their books. It’s also supposed to be funny; because my personal opinion is that when I’m faced with something incredibly frustrating and over which I have no control, the best thing to do is to find the funny in the situation. OF NOTE: If you don’t think it’s funny that is okay, because funny is subjective. My funny might not be your funny… and I’m not judging you. I’m not. I swear. Nope. Not. Judging.
The Conversations
Take home message: Renee Carlino might be freaky, but she’s a stylish, well-dressed freaky.
Take home message: If you’re a nudist, you have nothing to fear from Belle… In fact, if you’re a nudist you can literally and figuratively “hang out” with Belle
Take home message: NEVER NEVER NEVER let Amy Harmon hold your balloon. No, no, no. Don’t do it.
Take home message: Be glad LH Cosway does not have the power of Telekinesis.
Take home message: RS is definitely a foodie. Even her most sinister plans involve turning people into delicious, delicious treats.
Take home message: If you’re looking for words of wisdom, seek out Tina Reber.
So, if you’ve made it this far you might be wondering what I, Penny Reid—overlord, autocrat, Final Fantasy VII addict—would choose as my superpower if faced with all the people who gave me 1 star reviews on goodreads after admitting they didn’t finish my book or only read 3 pages of it.
Unlike my author compatriots, I was able to think about this question for an extended period of time rather than having it sprung on me like a diagnosis of herpes. Ultimately, after giving this matter a great deal of thought, I decided that I would exploit this opportunity to acquire the superpower I’ve always wanted rather than react to the awkwardness of being faced with people I don’t know, who I am sure are well-meaning, but who might not be thinking through the ramifications of leaving one star reviews for books they haven’t read. Or, maybe they have…
Anyway, I would chose the ability to transport where ever I’d like whenever I’d like, because I really despise commercial airline travel.
Yours in Omniscient World Domination, Penny Reid
BIG THANK YOU to:
Tina Reber: TINA REBER had her first library card at the age of four. The daughter of a small town librarian, books have always held a special place in her life. Her debut novel, Love Unscripted, has been a top contender on Amazon’s Best Sellers in Women’s Fiction, ranking in the list’s top 10 novels often.
She lives a quiet life in Pennsylvania with her husband and son, who allow her to slip away into ficticious worlds on a daily basis. Visit her at http://tinareber.com
Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Tina-Reber/e/B00439DPW4/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1409581086&sr=1-2-ent
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/authortinareber
LH Cosway: L.H. Cosway has a BA in English Literature and Greek and Roman Civilisation, and an MA in Postcolonial Literature. She lives in Dublin city. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.
She thinks that imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories. Her next book, Killer Queen (A Painted Faces Novella), will be released on October 20th, 2014.
Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/L.H.-Cosway/e/B0074HGY5M/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1409581423&sr=1-1
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LHCosway
Amy Harmon: Amy Harmon is a USA Today and New York Times Bestselling author. Amy knew at an early age that writing was something she wanted to do, and she divided her time between writing songs and stories as she grew. Having grown up in the middle of wheat fields without a television, with only her books and her siblings to entertain her, she developed a strong sense of what made a good story. Her books are now being published in several countries, truly a dream come true for a little country girl from Levan, Utah.
Amy Harmon has written six novels – the USA Today Bestsellers, Making Faces and Running Barefoot, as well as Slow Dance in Purgatory, Prom Night in Purgatory, and the New York Times Bestseller, A Different Blue. Her sixth novel, INFINITY + ONE, was released in June, 2014. For updates on upcoming book releases, author posts and more, join Amy at www.authoramyharmon.com
Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Amy-Harmon/e/B007V3HXUY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1409581492&sr=1-1
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/authoramyharmon
Belle Aurora: Belle Aurora is twenty six years old and was born in the land down under.
At an early age she fell in love with reading. Boredom one summer had her scouring the bookshelves at home. She stumbled across Sandra Brown’s Breath of Scandal and fell in love with romance.
Having been brought up in a loud and boisterous family of Croatian descent, she developed a natural love for dramatics and humor. Only some years ago had she discovered a new love.
Humorous romance novels.
Kristen Ashley and R.L. Mathewson had opened a brand new world where she could lose herself yet feel safe and at home in their stories. Belle has been known to become a screeching banshee while anxiously awaiting their newest titles.
Belle never thought she would write. It had never interested her until recently. Friend-Zoned began to form and in February 2013 Belle typed the words Chapter One. And she fell in love.
With words.
With writing.
With a creative imagination she never knew she harbored.
Friend-Zoned is the first in the Friend-Zoned series. Keep an eye out for this cheeky author.
Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Belle-Aurora/e/B00F3ATVY8/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1409581570&sr=1-2-ent
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Belle-Aurora
Renee Carlino: Renee’s first friends were the imaginary kind and even though her characters haven’t gone away, thankfully the delusions have. She admits she’s a wildly hopeless romantic and she blames 80’s movies staring Molly Ringwald for that. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and their sweet dog June. When she’s not at the beach with her boys or working on the next book, she likes to spend her time reading, going to concerts, and eating dark chocolate.
Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Renee-Carlino/e/B00CDXPNVI/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1409581662&sr=1-1
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorReneeCarlino
RS Grey: I am a lover of books, chocolate, reality TV, metaphors and similes, black labs, and cold weather. Seriously, if I had it my way I would be curled up on the couch with all of those things… everyday.
I live in Texas where I spend my free time writing and reading. My favorite authors are Mindy Kaling & Jonathan Safran Foer. I’m a comedy geek and love all things “funny”. Women like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling are definitely the biggest inspirations for my writing, though I think my work tends to skew a bit smuttier than theirs.
Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/R.S.-Grey/e/B00HK02B7S/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1409581707&sr=1-2-ent
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-RS-Grey
Check out Penny Reid and all of her awesomeness!
Penny Reid
REG Bio: SEX! It all started with sex, between my parents. Personally I don’t like thinking about it, but whatever works for you is a-ok with me. No judgment. The sex happened in California and much of my life also occurred in that state until I moved from the land of nuts (almonds), wine, silicon… boobs, and heavy traffic to the southeast US. Like most writers I like to write, but let’s get back to sex. Eventually I married and gave birth to 2 small people-children (boy-6, girl-4 as of this writing).
By day I’m a biomedical researcher with focus on rare diseases. By night I’m a knitter, sewer, lino block carver, fabric printer, soap maker, and general crafter. By the wee hours of the morning or when I’m intoxicated I love to listen to the voices in my head and let them tell me stories. I hope you enjoy their stories.
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Reviews From Up All Night Book Blog featuring Penny Reid
