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May 16, 2005
Responding to Amazon Reviews
From Marianne, May's Guest Literary Chick!
Don’t you wish you could, as an author (or reader) respond to people’s Amazon comments much like you can respond to eBay comments? When someone leaves you bad feedback on eBay, you can add a comment to defend yourself. For example:
NEGATIVE – Never sent item
SELLER RESPONSE – I never sent item because the jerk didn’t send me any money. Second the deadbeat pays me, item is in the mail. Jeesh!
This way the next buyer can see both sides to the story. Not so with Amazon. With Amazon anyone can rip you apart (including your ex-boyfriend) ---anonymously and without you able to defend your work.
Now as a professional writer, I’ve been told I need to ignore these comments. Not read them. Pretend they don’t exist. Well, this morning, I’m taking a little time off from being a professional writer to respond to some of the Amazon comments.
Watch out – it’s bound to get a little snarky! :-) My disclaimer is this: Everyone is entitled to their opinions and I respect them for posting them for the world to see. I’m just having a little fun.
Here’s one from Barnes and Noble:
Sherry from Ohio, A reviewer, April 29, 2005,
nothing new here
i read this because of the cool cover, but it's only the retelling of twain's book, except with a female protagonist doing silly things. i feel a bit cheated. what story will the author re-write for the next book? really disappointed.
--
Dear Sherry,
Wow, really? “A Connecticut Fashionista in King Arthur’s Court” is a retelling of “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” with a fashionista instead of a Yankee? Who would have thought – with a title like that?!
BTW I hate to break it to you, but I intentionally never read A CT Yankee by Mark Twain cause I didn’t want to be influenced. Actually, I read the first couple chapters and then put it aside. So to find out that I ripped off the book without having read it – well that must mean I’m somehow channeling the ghost of Mark Twain. Rock on! Hopefully he’ll stick around for future books as I hear he’s a pretty good writer.
PS Since you asked, I’m re-writing the Robin Hood story for the next book, just FYI.
PPS What’s with the no capital letters thing?
---
Disappointment in Camelot, May 15, 2005
Reviewer: J. Maxwell (Parker, CO)
This sounded like such a fun book but I became so annoyed with Kat that I couldn't finish it. This is a 29 year employee with La Style magazine who certainly knows her shoes but her language....do 29 year olds still "like" every other word? I thought only 14-16 year olds and basketball players still "like." Please tell me they grow out of it.
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Dear. J. Maxwell,
In my, like, experience, 29 year olds, like, definitely do, like, say “like” every other word. As do some 31 year olds. Sorry to disappoint you with the sad state of American vernacular, but it’s true. I noticed from your other reviews that you are a children’s librarian and perhaps you think I should set a better example with my writing. Problem is, I enjoy being a bad influence.
PS If you think Kat’s a sloppy speaker, wait ‘til my YA books come out!
---
Luckily so far the majority of my Amazon and Barnes and Noble comments have been wonderful. And I thank my reviewers profusely for being willing to take the time to go on Amazon and tell others about the book. I love you guys! :-)
And for those of you who hated the book – hey – you’re entitled to your opinion. I am fully aware my writing style is not for everyone and I’m all for the free speech thing. So thank you as well, for exercising your rights as readers. Hope you don’t mind I had a little fun exercising mine.
OK - back to being a professional writer and dishing about hot British men on my own blog site...
Marianne :-)
Posted by at 7:05 AM
