Awwww hugs. Wish I still lived in CA, we could have coffee or tea, work on our current knitting projects (though I prefer crocheting) and share stories about critters. I had a pregnant opossum on my balcony last winter. It was magical. So far no bobcats, though.
The saddest thing ever is that I am banned from writing Amazon reviews. The reason? I wrote a scathing review of Disney's 1940 "Pinocchio" in which I said it was a trash film about trash people because Gepetto just sends this wooden boy who JUST came into existence out walking down the street and says "go to school" like how would this puppet boy even know what or where a school is????? Like, walk the creature you wrought onto the world to school? Also why did he want a little boy so badly? Like maybe Gepetto is not mentally well enough to have this kind of responsibility. So, apparently someone reported my review and they banned me from all reviews and deleted like 18 years worth of product reviews I had made on there!
I stand by my review of that trash film. Even Jiminy Cricket just like wanders away leaving this wooden child to fend for himself.
Oh no! Em, I have so many issues with Amazon review processes. They're very unfair. Have you tried posting a review since this happened? Normally these kinds of incidents don't have permanent effect. I agree with you and think Disney animated films are very scary and way too violent for little children. Personally I couldn't even watch Finding Nemo because his entire family was devoured in the first three minutes. It was horrifying! Seriously I'm not joking. Please try to post another review and let us know what happens.
I've tried on many occasions but it doesn't even let me START a review on any product or purchase. I have sent messages to their "advisory board" or whatever but they only respond that their decision to ban my reviews and delete them is final. It's really sad because I like writing and sharing reviews! Oh well. I look at it like it absolves me from any feeling of obligation I may have to write reviews on Amazon! ;)
Amazon review board has so many irregularities it’s infuriating for us authors. But I do get it, at least you’re not getting annoying requests to write reviews about the Q-Tips you purchased. 😆
I just laugh so hard picturing the person reporting my review. Like, some person who is so very attached to that trash film that they took the time to report my review. Like, it's a review of a movie! We're all going to have differing opinions about movies!
Right? As I said, some take their reviews very seriously. That said, even we authors we have very little power to remove a negative review. There’s something else going on. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Amazon targeted me for this blog post. I’m more than willing to make it my cause celebre 💪🏻
Oh wow! I hope you saved them. I think your comments and perspective were quite interesting and valid. Any review system that can’t tolerate criticism as well as praise is not a true review system.
As predicted, Amazon emailed me this morning rejecting my review of Confessions of a Forty Year Old Fuck Up. At least they're giving me the chance to modify it. Usually they just reject it outright. Of course they never specify which "rules" were violated, so it's a guessing game at this point. I'm going to remove the selfie I included with the author taken at a book signing and see if that works. EYE ROLL.
Dang--I understand someone maybe not liking the review and disagreeing but banning it??? It's not like you said you wanted to kill Disney for making it. Meanwhile, they let reviews that trash the left on there all day long... and what was with erasing your others reviews as well? So dumb.
Yeah idk i think it might be because though I did not spell it out I implied that Gepetto may have been a paedo since he wanted a "living boy" so badly but not a wife. Like, I literally never said that word or even said it like I just said it, but I didn't try NOT to imply it either because I HAVE THOUGHT THAT ABOUT IT SINCE I WAS A CHILD.
I write and post book reviews regularly. I share on my IG, Goodreads and one of my publications on here showing all of my reviews and I tend to only post those I've rated 4 and 5 on Amazon. I don't tend to write a bad review but I will say if there was something I didn't like about it. In the time I've been completing reviews I think I've only read one book where it's been a low rating and did not like review.
Yay Tami! Thank you for taking the time to post thoughtful reviews and not being stingy with stars. I agree, if there is some glaring error, I'll point it out, but it won't give me a reason to knock off a whole star if over all the book is good.
Ngah!! Gloria! Ha ha! You're a champ for reading the whole book then. As I said, I only review books that keep me going to the end and thus merit a kind review. That said, my list of unfinished books is atrocious!
Same. It takes a really good writer to keep me engaged and feeling like it's safe to turn off the editor in myself. You know that feeling when a writer is so good that you can heave a big sigh of relief and just read? I love that.
Wow you really just tapped into something. Like when I watch a movie and can only see the continuity errors and director and production decisions. It's a joyful moment to really get into a book.
Oh yes! I live for those stories that allow me to let go and be completely in the setting with the characters. It's one of the reasons I include so many details when I write (though I often have to cut as well). I want to really bring my readers with me. Sooo satisfying.
I enjoy a variety of books. However, poorly written or senseless ones make me consider having a backyard bonfire. Not that I'm too passionate about it or anything! Ha!
Okay Gloria, you couldn't resist writing less than a 1,000-word essay and/or haiku about any subject (or book) that captured your interest. Admit it. You are the queen of eloquent wordsmithing, so you have no excuse for not reviewing - lol.
Because your magnificent, curious mind is always reviewing, just not in the traditional sense. And now that I am thinking about it, I’m not a fan of making statements about others’ work in the traditional review’s cut and dried format. I think I may join you - lol
Jena, that's why I'm always kind and generous, provided the book held my attention long enough to finish reading it. I know how it feels to get a bad review and reviewers seem so oblivious to the efforts behind the work and think they can do better. It's not as easy as it looks. But authors absolutely need reviews, so please don't give up. My little blog post was meant to encourage the practice!
Yes…you are right. I cherish thoughtful and kind reviews of my books. Maybe we should start exchanging lists of books we’d recommend with one another here so that we avoid Gloria’s growing pile of half-finished, yawn-worthy books by our beds (or in our Kindle libraries).
"Typically, it’s a malicious and coordinated effort by a group of people rather than a single individual. The goal is to damage the targeted entity’s reputation or prevent success.
Basically, it’s a tactic bad actors use to hurt a business or professional they don’t like.
Cases of review bombing seem to be popping up more often, but it’s not a new scheme.
This internet phenomenon has been around for years. In fact, the term first appeared in an Ars Technica article from 2008. Since then, it has become so widely used
that it has an entry in Merriam-Webster."
~ The Fussy Librarian"
I have seen this with movies esp on IMDB--particularly dude bros who assume a film is woke or female empowering. They tried that with I think it was Captain marvel because the lead was proudly feminist--and it back fired. People are hip to the game and are ignoring the whiners.
Yes! It causes a lot of damage. Today I was talking to my former client services person at First Republic who was forced to leave under Jamie Dimon's new Chase management team. They said that it wasn't really the interest rates that caused the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and forced First Republic's to restructure. It was that right-wing billionaire Peter Thiel who sent an alarming email to his Silicon Valley billionaire buddies, basically the equivalent of shouting "Fire" in a crowded cinema, which caused them all to withdraw their cash (which is really easy to do by wire) and dump their stock. IMO he should be sued for securities fraud. The fact that one person can cause that much damage in such short time is criminal.
I love the scarf! Ya done good!! Also, thank you for reminding me of the importance of reviews. P.S. the puppies are great - have a litter now from a rescue (again). Thanks for the warm fuzzy, it was definitely needed!
Oh thank you Neely! And thanks for reading and taking my reviews piece to heart. Authors really appreciate it! And thank you for rescuing puppies! Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help. You're amazing!😻
That is a gorgeous scarf, Lorraine.
And yes, I know what goes into writing a book and will review if I really like something.
I thoroughly enjoyed this LoLo Report. It was such a great reprieve from all the political nastiness, plus I got some new book recommendations. HUGS!
Thank you so much Jena. I appreciate you AND your writing so much! HUGS!
Awwww hugs. Wish I still lived in CA, we could have coffee or tea, work on our current knitting projects (though I prefer crocheting) and share stories about critters. I had a pregnant opossum on my balcony last winter. It was magical. So far no bobcats, though.
Me too! We'd be bffs. Last spring I had an opossum mommy with all the babies on her back. Magical! Where are you if I may ask?
I saw that! I found your Youtube! I LOVE opossums.
I am in North Carolina near Raleigh (the capitol) unfortunately. I love the nature here but the politics stinks!!
And yes to the BFFs. We will have to find a way to meet - at least virtually :-)
I swear we're shopping on the east coast to be closer to the kids including NC. Will keep you posted!🥰
Yay!
The saddest thing ever is that I am banned from writing Amazon reviews. The reason? I wrote a scathing review of Disney's 1940 "Pinocchio" in which I said it was a trash film about trash people because Gepetto just sends this wooden boy who JUST came into existence out walking down the street and says "go to school" like how would this puppet boy even know what or where a school is????? Like, walk the creature you wrought onto the world to school? Also why did he want a little boy so badly? Like maybe Gepetto is not mentally well enough to have this kind of responsibility. So, apparently someone reported my review and they banned me from all reviews and deleted like 18 years worth of product reviews I had made on there!
I stand by my review of that trash film. Even Jiminy Cricket just like wanders away leaving this wooden child to fend for himself.
Oh no! Em, I have so many issues with Amazon review processes. They're very unfair. Have you tried posting a review since this happened? Normally these kinds of incidents don't have permanent effect. I agree with you and think Disney animated films are very scary and way too violent for little children. Personally I couldn't even watch Finding Nemo because his entire family was devoured in the first three minutes. It was horrifying! Seriously I'm not joking. Please try to post another review and let us know what happens.
I've tried on many occasions but it doesn't even let me START a review on any product or purchase. I have sent messages to their "advisory board" or whatever but they only respond that their decision to ban my reviews and delete them is final. It's really sad because I like writing and sharing reviews! Oh well. I look at it like it absolves me from any feeling of obligation I may have to write reviews on Amazon! ;)
Amazon review board has so many irregularities it’s infuriating for us authors. But I do get it, at least you’re not getting annoying requests to write reviews about the Q-Tips you purchased. 😆
Do you know ho many reviews on film I see that are antisemitic and liberal hating--yet they do nothing about that the pricks! That is sick!
Oh is that right? Amazon reviews?
Hugs. That’s just wrong.
I just laugh so hard picturing the person reporting my review. Like, some person who is so very attached to that trash film that they took the time to report my review. Like, it's a review of a movie! We're all going to have differing opinions about movies!
Right? As I said, some take their reviews very seriously. That said, even we authors we have very little power to remove a negative review. There’s something else going on. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Amazon targeted me for this blog post. I’m more than willing to make it my cause celebre 💪🏻
https://youtu.be/mmo3HFa2vjg?si=ePZnGkiU8uCUTtz6
Oh shoot I’m in beddy bye will watch tomorrow!
Start the day with it and you will have a very powerful day!
Oh wow! I hope you saved them. I think your comments and perspective were quite interesting and valid. Any review system that can’t tolerate criticism as well as praise is not a true review system.
As predicted, Amazon emailed me this morning rejecting my review of Confessions of a Forty Year Old Fuck Up. At least they're giving me the chance to modify it. Usually they just reject it outright. Of course they never specify which "rules" were violated, so it's a guessing game at this point. I'm going to remove the selfie I included with the author taken at a book signing and see if that works. EYE ROLL.
Good lord :-(
Dang--I understand someone maybe not liking the review and disagreeing but banning it??? It's not like you said you wanted to kill Disney for making it. Meanwhile, they let reviews that trash the left on there all day long... and what was with erasing your others reviews as well? So dumb.
Something is definitely sketchy with that one.
Yeah idk i think it might be because though I did not spell it out I implied that Gepetto may have been a paedo since he wanted a "living boy" so badly but not a wife. Like, I literally never said that word or even said it like I just said it, but I didn't try NOT to imply it either because I HAVE THOUGHT THAT ABOUT IT SINCE I WAS A CHILD.
Very interesting point. I never thought of that!
I'm loving the scarf!
I write and post book reviews regularly. I share on my IG, Goodreads and one of my publications on here showing all of my reviews and I tend to only post those I've rated 4 and 5 on Amazon. I don't tend to write a bad review but I will say if there was something I didn't like about it. In the time I've been completing reviews I think I've only read one book where it's been a low rating and did not like review.
Yay Tami! Thank you for taking the time to post thoughtful reviews and not being stingy with stars. I agree, if there is some glaring error, I'll point it out, but it won't give me a reason to knock off a whole star if over all the book is good.
I am a voracious reader. Kindle is my sidekick. Never write reviews.
Nooo! Gloria, we need your reviews. No pressure, ha ha😅😅
Agree!
You are so funny. My reviews would be:
-I yawned.
-Terrific! Don’t write anything else let this stand as your masterpiece.
-imagine. I am on book 7. You say there’s going to be 10. I am 72. Will I live long enough for the completion of this series? Doubtful.
Ngah!! Gloria! Ha ha! You're a champ for reading the whole book then. As I said, I only review books that keep me going to the end and thus merit a kind review. That said, my list of unfinished books is atrocious!
Trust. I have a vast library of unfinished books.
Same. It takes a really good writer to keep me engaged and feeling like it's safe to turn off the editor in myself. You know that feeling when a writer is so good that you can heave a big sigh of relief and just read? I love that.
Wow you really just tapped into something. Like when I watch a movie and can only see the continuity errors and director and production decisions. It's a joyful moment to really get into a book.
Oh yes! I live for those stories that allow me to let go and be completely in the setting with the characters. It's one of the reasons I include so many details when I write (though I often have to cut as well). I want to really bring my readers with me. Sooo satisfying.
I enjoy a variety of books. However, poorly written or senseless ones make me consider having a backyard bonfire. Not that I'm too passionate about it or anything! Ha!
Ha ha, Gloria! I hope my books won't be in the flames🤣🔥🔥
Okay Gloria, you couldn't resist writing less than a 1,000-word essay and/or haiku about any subject (or book) that captured your interest. Admit it. You are the queen of eloquent wordsmithing, so you have no excuse for not reviewing - lol.
Bingo Jena! Gloria the world needs your reviews!
No. I’d rather discuss life, love, shameless hussies, underwear - all the good stuff with you guys.
I can't argue with that!
Hahahaha! She has a point Lorraine.
You got me! 😝
Looks at Gloria. I don't believe you.
🤣🤣🤣
Why ever not?
Because your magnificent, curious mind is always reviewing, just not in the traditional sense. And now that I am thinking about it, I’m not a fan of making statements about others’ work in the traditional review’s cut and dried format. I think I may join you - lol
Jena, that's why I'm always kind and generous, provided the book held my attention long enough to finish reading it. I know how it feels to get a bad review and reviewers seem so oblivious to the efforts behind the work and think they can do better. It's not as easy as it looks. But authors absolutely need reviews, so please don't give up. My little blog post was meant to encourage the practice!
Yes…you are right. I cherish thoughtful and kind reviews of my books. Maybe we should start exchanging lists of books we’d recommend with one another here so that we avoid Gloria’s growing pile of half-finished, yawn-worthy books by our beds (or in our Kindle libraries).
Do you have published books? Where can I get them?
A reader support group!
Convert!!
Heeeee!
"Typically, it’s a malicious and coordinated effort by a group of people rather than a single individual. The goal is to damage the targeted entity’s reputation or prevent success.
Basically, it’s a tactic bad actors use to hurt a business or professional they don’t like.
Cases of review bombing seem to be popping up more often, but it’s not a new scheme.
This internet phenomenon has been around for years. In fact, the term first appeared in an Ars Technica article from 2008. Since then, it has become so widely used
that it has an entry in Merriam-Webster."
~ The Fussy Librarian"
I have seen this with movies esp on IMDB--particularly dude bros who assume a film is woke or female empowering. They tried that with I think it was Captain marvel because the lead was proudly feminist--and it back fired. People are hip to the game and are ignoring the whiners.
Yes! It causes a lot of damage. Today I was talking to my former client services person at First Republic who was forced to leave under Jamie Dimon's new Chase management team. They said that it wasn't really the interest rates that caused the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and forced First Republic's to restructure. It was that right-wing billionaire Peter Thiel who sent an alarming email to his Silicon Valley billionaire buddies, basically the equivalent of shouting "Fire" in a crowded cinema, which caused them all to withdraw their cash (which is really easy to do by wire) and dump their stock. IMO he should be sued for securities fraud. The fact that one person can cause that much damage in such short time is criminal.
Definitely criminal and evil.
Yep.
Dayum that scarf looks comfy cozy--I just wanna wrap myself up in it!
Aww! I would give it to you! Not much use here in SoCal. But I'll probably use it this Christmas in NYC and DC. It's sooo soft, cashmere!
Dawwws thank you so much for the shout out on Honey Drop--you rock! :-)
I LOVE it!! Getting back to Book 2 soon!
I love the scarf! Ya done good!! Also, thank you for reminding me of the importance of reviews. P.S. the puppies are great - have a litter now from a rescue (again). Thanks for the warm fuzzy, it was definitely needed!
Oh thank you Neely! And thanks for reading and taking my reviews piece to heart. Authors really appreciate it! And thank you for rescuing puppies! Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help. You're amazing!😻
Wow your scarf is gorgeous! Is that brioche stitch? Love it! And I have almost exactly the same fuzzy white hat as yours 🙂🙂.
You make a good point re: posting positive reviews of books that I enjoyed reading. I need to do more of that.
Thanks Lorraine! It was a kind of rice stitch but I guess more like a rib stitch. I highly recommend!
And thanks for considering posting reviews. Especially for authors. We appreciate it!
I'm loving your Substack, Lorraine!
Your Substack is what got me here, E. Jean. Thank you!
Good heavens! I am so happy, Lorraine!!
I'm so grateful to you!