My Version of The Dark Side of Blogging (but the comment was nicer)
Hey guys. As some of you would know, I was on vacation for the past few days. I was actually in Beijing, China with my folks seeing the sights. China doesn't give a lot of freedom on the internet, so I wasn't able to update my blog. Anyway, back to the point. When I checked my email, I was devastated to find that someone 'Anonymous' commented on my IMM post this week. This is what it said:
well this is new. you have had this blog, for what? thee months? and yet you have started asking for acs and signed copies from authors. you are not exactly leaving the most positive impression on yourself as a new blogger.
This was the exact same comment. It's true that I've been blogging for only three months. I've only just started requesting ARCs and books this month (September). The other times, those books were offered. You know Restoring Harmony, Sea, and Boys, Girls, and Other Hazardous Materials (I got them last week)? I didn't request them. Putnam asked if I wanted to review it, and I said yes because I wanted to. And whenever I request books or ARCs, I will always review them. No matter what. It's only if they're offered to me that there is a 1% chance I won't review them. But even then, 1% is really small...but that's because I almost always review the books I get. I NEVER started this blog just to get ARCs. I never even knew what ARCs were until my blog was about a week or two weeks old!
Another thing. I try to write all my reviews as honest, as objective, and as unbiased as I can.
THE BOTTOM LINE: I NEVER STARTED OR AM CONTINUING THIS BLOG JUST TO GET FREE BOOKS. Sure, it's an amazing plus, but I don't really mind if I don't get any ARCs.
Thanks for listening to my banter. I just wanted everyone to know what the purpose of this blog was: love of books, not free books.
Peace, love, and awesomeness,
PS The Story Siren had a post about a kind of similar thing over here. I sort of copied her...hehe...hope you don't mind Kristi! If you do, then just tell me :-)
About the Author
Reggie is the (not so genius) mind behind The Undercover Book Lover. She's currently a sarcastic college student trying to juggle school, blogging, and her (non-existent) social life. In her spare time, she enjoys writing her not-closed-to-finished novel, photography, reading, and blogging. She can't get enough of oreos (especially the golden ones!) and caramel macchiatos and she loves everything vanilla or cookies and cream.
Follow Her on Twitter at @ReggieWrites
Follow Her on Twitter at @ReggieWrites
19 comments:
Hi Reggie, unfortunately there are some nasty people out there, but I really don't think they are part of our blog community. The best thing to do is ignire them if you can and delete their comments.
Hi Reggie, I have never had anonymous comments available on my blog. I can't see why people have to hide like that, best thing is not give them a chance.
I'm really sorry, Reggie! I love your blog and you definitely deserve the books. That person was either really bored or really jealous! Like Alaine said, I would definitely delete their comment.
Reggie - you definitely deserve the books you get! Some people are just jealous!
That said, I never request books - mainly because I get enough offered to me but also because I think there's a lot of pressure put upon publicists and authors to send books to all the book bloggers that ask, and I don't want to add to that.
And your readership is about the same as mine, so keep on going! Request those ARCs! don't let someone's negative attitude get you down.
They're just jealous, don't pay them any mind. :)
I rarely request books, but I've been reviewing them for an online reviewing site for 2 years and counting. With that said, my book blog, TBL, is only about 3 months old. I'm slightly surprised but in a good way that I haven't gotten any nasty comments like you did.
In any case - if someone ever questions me or my reviewing that way, I'll tell 'em to suck it, lol. :)
Reggie, don't worry about cranky anonymous commenters! They're probably just jealous that your blog is all kinds of awesome, and it's racking up followers -- in a really really short amount of time. Keep it up!
Reggie, keep up the great work! Obviously I could say, "don't let it get to you", but that's not always possible. You know what they say about silly anon commenters who assume things...
Hope you had a great time in China!
Wow, people never cease to amaze me. Don't pay any attention, keep doing what you are doing, becuase you are doing it well.
People getting their panties in a wad over who gets what is really getting annoying. It's not a contest. It's all for the fun of reading. Sheesh.
When we first started our blog, within a week or two we had a few authors sending us stuff because we set up a Myspace and Facebook page. Who cares how long you've been blogging! Your blog is great and that's all that matters.
I wouldn't worry about it. I think it's fine to request ARCs as long as you're respectful (which you are) and gracious (which you also are). :)
Hope you had fun in China, sounds fascinating!!!
I hope you had a wonderful trip.
Don't let this nonsense get to you. Sounds to me that someone is jealous because you're such a wonderful blogger that publishers are offering you books to review.
You just keep doing the fantastic job that you've been doing for the past 3 months!
Wow Beijing! That is so cool Reggie.
I can't believe how petty minded some people can be. You have been so wonderful to me since I started blogging. You've welcomed me into the community and been so helpful and friendly. I honestly don't understand what the problem is with the ARC thing. You get a book, you review it honestly. Whether is is free, borrowed, paid for, quite frankly who cares? As long as you post an honest review, you will keep your trusty and appreciative band of followers. And how cowardly, to post something so mean and not have the gutts to stand up and admit that is their opinion.
I think you are such a great blogger!
That is a ludicrous comment. None of us maintain book blogs just to try to score free books -- because, let's face it, in the grand scheme of things, it would be less work to earn the money to buy those books. We all put a lot of work into our blogs -- as you have into your gorgeous and beautifully written blog -- and it's a labor of love. And if someone sends ARCS, it's because they've looked at your weblog and they realize it's a good investment in their business.
I agree with the commenter who said there are plenty of nasty people about there, but it's unlikely that any of them are among your circle of readers. (((HUGS)))
It's awesome that you and your family got to go to China. I visited Europe when I was about your age -- it was one of my best experiences EVER!
http://starkravingbibliophile.blogspot.com/
That's so rude and disrespectful. Don't ever feel bad for requesting ARCS, no matter how new you are to it. I haven't yet, though I only started last month, but that's just because I'm chicken. Authors don't really think about it as giving free books, they think about it as receiving publicity, which they probably appreciate.
Just ignore comments like that. I read your reviews, and it's clear your head is totally in it for the right reasons. Don't let stuff like that upset you, just roll your eyes and laugh at their idiocy.
:)
Don't worry about them. Really the bottome line is that we all love books, and that is why we do this. I can not believe that someone would post a public comment showing what horses butts people can be. Just know that hopefully they are reading all of your comments and the world does not hold you responsible for being a excellent blogger and reader. Maybe this commenter is just lacking, don't we all feel sorry for them;)
Omg, Reggie, that's so awful! I have no clue what I would do if I had to deal with a hurtful comment such as that one. Though, remember your blog is fabulous and a ton of people ( me included! =)) love it!!
Reggie,
I'm really very sorry this happened to you. Whoever posted that comment is really petty, small-minded, and yes, jealous. I sent you the galleys for SEA, RESTORING HARMONY, and BOYS, GIRLS AND OTHER HAZARDOUS MATERIALS because I was so impressed with your blog--the fair consideration you give the books and authors you feature on your site, not to mention how attractive and well laid out your blog is. You're also quite enterprising and professional; your blog has quickly become a favorite of mine, and I would be honored to see a review (whether good or bad) of one of my author's books on your site.
Do ignore the HATERS and remember Karma is real--what you put out in the universe, you will get back tenfold. This person who is putting out nasty, unwarranted comments into the universe will certainly reap no rewards.
My very best to you,
Stacey Barney
Editor, Penguin/Putnam Books for Young Readers
Well getting several high demand arcs when you're a new blogger is bound to tick off a few people. That being said, those comments were just plain rude. *hugs*
My posts piss people off too sometimes. I had to block anonymous commenters. I just hate that people don't have the guts to stand by their own words. It is just so cowardly!
Good luck, Sharon
People are really just ridiculous. Don't you dare let them get you down. They're just losers that want the books you have and obviously can't buy themselves. They must have started THEIR blog just to tear people down. Well, I've yet to get one, but I can't say it won't ever be unexpected. After all, humans can tend to be on the evil side just a bit.
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