March 30, 2011

Kindle author responds to criticism of her spelling with “poisenous venom”

by

jacqueline Howett

What one blogger smartly calls a “deliciously entertaining but instructive controversy” — and what others might call a shitstorm — has broken out on a fan blog that reviews new ebooks for the Kindle called Big Al’s Books and Pals.

It started when Big Al himself posted a review of a self-published novel by British writer Jacqueline Howett called The Greek Seaman. He starts off with a friendly bio note of the author and offers a link to her own blog, and gives a short objective description of the book, before getting on to his review. He calls the book “compelling and interesting,” and says some other nice things. However, he says, there are so many “spelling and grammar errors” that “it’s difficult to get into the book,” and also lends to difficulty “unraveling what the author meant.”

“Reading shouldn’t be that hard,” Big Al concluded.

The first comment on the post came from none other than author Howett herself. She said it was “a very unfair review” and claimed she had posted an updated version Big Al should have read instead. “Maybe its just my style and being English is what you don’t get,” she said. She then posted a series of better reviews she’d gotten from some people on Amazon.

This, in turn, prompted Big Al to try and explain:

Here are a couple sample sentences from the first two chapters that gave me pause and are representative of what I found difficult while reading.

“She carried her stocky build carefully back down the stairs.”

“Don and Katy watched hypnotically Gino place more coffees out at another table with supreme balance.”

I understand what both are probably saying. I do question the sentence construction.

… I would encourage anyone who thinks the story sounds interesting to sample the book. Read the first few chapters and decide for yourself.

It wasn’t good enough for Howett.

Al was given the option of a free copy from smashwords the following day to download in any format he preffered.

Look AL, I’m not in the mood for playing snake with you, what I read above has no flaws. My writing is fine.

…This is not only discusting and unprofessional on your part, but you really don’t fool me AL.

… Your the target not me!
Now get this review off here!

Others began to chime in ….

Authors do NOT dictate to reviewers which copy to review. You send in one copy and stand by it. And then when it is all said and done, you do NOT attack the reviewer. It reeks of a lack of professionalism. You thank the reviewer for their time, which is unpaid, I might add. Then pitch a fit with your friends, not in a public forum such as this.

Said another: “Hopefully, reviewers like us can continue to weed out books like this to help readers make better informed choices.”

It was all “poisenous venom” replied Howett, gamely and angrily lashing back at commentator after commentator.

Things continue to escalate — there are over 300 comments at this writing — until one commentator couldn’t help pointing out to Howett, “It’s almost like you’re proving Al’s point for him just by your own writing in the comments.”

Replied Howett, “Fuck off!”

Meanwhile, a Salon report — which also labels the incident a “cautionary tale” — notes that the flame war has spilled over to Howett’s page on Amazon, where reader reviews have lowered her to a one-and-a-half star rating. “Commenters have taken to calling the book ‘vile,’ ‘trash’ and ‘not even a real book,’” observes Salon’s Drew Grant. “It’s doubtful any of these reviewers would have even found ‘Seaman’ had it not been for the author’s public blow-up on Big Al’s blog.”

Dennis Johnson is the founder of MobyLives, and the co-founder and co-publisher of Melville House.

  • http://www.kindlewriters.com Steven Lewis

    As one commentator on my own post about this delicious incident said, it’s like watching a truck heading for a load of cars on ice. You can’t help but watch, awful as it is!

    • http://www.brendanmcnallyauthor.com Brendan McNally

      Well, since we are all going to have to master the art of self-promotion, may the shit-storms erupt merrily, merrily across the blogosphere!

  • http://www.kindlewriters.com Steven Lewis

    As one commentator on my own post about this delicious incident said, it’s like watching a truck heading for a load of cars on ice. You can’t help but watch, awful as it is!

    • http://www.brendanmcnallyauthor.com Brendan McNally

      Well, since we are all going to have to master the art of self-promotion, may the shit-storms erupt merrily, merrily across the blogosphere!

  • Anonymous

    Its like when Kate Moss was caught snorting cocaine, she became more popular and trebbled her earnings. This author will become notorious and people who have never heard of her may read her work.

    • http://www.kindlewriters.com Steven Lewis

      You are definitely a glass half-full kind of person :-)

      • http://www.HelenHanson.com Helen Hanson

        Her name is Suzy Pie . . . of course she is :)

  • Anonymous

    Its like when Kate Moss was caught snorting cocaine, she became more popular and trebbled her earnings. This author will become notorious and people who have never heard of her may read her work.

    • http://www.kindlewriters.com Steven Lewis

      You are definitely a glass half-full kind of person :-)

      • http://www.HelenHanson.com Helen Hanson

        Her name is Suzy Pie . . . of course she is :)

  • Jools

    when she learns how to spell ‘poisonous’ and ‘disgusting’, I might read her book – nut then again, life is too short….

    • Juliefaber33

      Then again, when I learn how to type without typos, maybe I have a right to comment!

  • Jools

    when she learns how to spell ‘poisonous’ and ‘disgusting’, I might read her book – nut then again, life is too short….

    • Juliefaber33

      Then again, when I learn how to type without typos, maybe I have a right to comment!

  • Michael57

    Welcome to the brave new world of authors bringing their work directly to readers. Who needs publishers?? Cut out the middlemen!

    The slush pile: it’s what you’ll be reading.

  • Michael57

    Welcome to the brave new world of authors bringing their work directly to readers. Who needs publishers?? Cut out the middlemen!

    The slush pile: it’s what you’ll be reading.

  • http://twitter.com/janflora Janet Flora Corso

    I find it hard to read books when there are errors. Part of the pleasure of reading is allowing the eyes and mind to flow smoothly down the line of words. I agree with the reviewer who said it should not be so hard to read a book.
    I saw this through twitter on Monday, and read through the post, the comments and Ms. Howett’s blog. The errors she continuously makes show that she does not have a firm grasp of proper English grammar structure and rules, despite, as she says, being English. I have not read her fiction, but I probably would not have ever wanted to because I don’t read that genre. I do understand wanting to write a story and share it with the world. I almost felt sorry for her, but then she started getting mean and rude. The reviewer, meanwhile, maintained calm and integrity and allowed an open forum. Her attitude was a bigger turn off than her language issues.
    My lesson learned: Learn to take criticism. Do not overreact or take every comment personally. And use spell-check.

  • http://twitter.com/janflora Janet Flora Corso

    I find it hard to read books when there are errors. Part of the pleasure of reading is allowing the eyes and mind to flow smoothly down the line of words. I agree with the reviewer who said it should not be so hard to read a book.
    I saw this through twitter on Monday, and read through the post, the comments and Ms. Howett’s blog. The errors she continuously makes show that she does not have a firm grasp of proper English grammar structure and rules, despite, as she says, being English. I have not read her fiction, but I probably would not have ever wanted to because I don’t read that genre. I do understand wanting to write a story and share it with the world. I almost felt sorry for her, but then she started getting mean and rude. The reviewer, meanwhile, maintained calm and integrity and allowed an open forum. Her attitude was a bigger turn off than her language issues.
    My lesson learned: Learn to take criticism. Do not overreact or take every comment personally. And use spell-check.

  • http://www.HelenHanson.com Helen Hanson

    I admit it. I feel sorry for her. Yes, she brought it on herself, but I can’t revel in a public meltdown. It’s just sad.

    What amazes me is that the event happened over days. Her first post wasn’t until 2 days after the review. Maybe she didn’t see it right away, but then she came back the next day and the next.

    It reminds me of the lady astronaut that drove 1000 miles in diapers to commit a murder. After 1000 miles, or several days, it’s no longer a crime of passion.

  • http://www.HelenHanson.com Helen Hanson

    I admit it. I feel sorry for her. Yes, she brought it on herself, but I can’t revel in a public meltdown. It’s just sad.

    What amazes me is that the event happened over days. Her first post wasn’t until 2 days after the review. Maybe she didn’t see it right away, but then she came back the next day and the next.

    It reminds me of the lady astronaut that drove 1000 miles in diapers to commit a murder. After 1000 miles, or several days, it’s no longer a crime of passion.

  • http://twitter.com/Safficscribe Saffina Desforges

    Whilst I sympathise with how difficult it is to successfully format, edit and produce a perfect ebook without a large publishing house behind you, I also concede that if you put your work out there, you are exposing yourself to (justified) criticism from reviewers and readers alike. We had the same problem with Sugar & Spice. We have re-edited and formatted twice now and have thanked everyone who has pointed out errors and typos, but this is wildly different from bad writing.

    We shall be paying a proof-reader and formatting editor next time (now that we have a UK bestseller and can afford to), just to ensure that our next book is as perfect as possible. After all, we are asking people to pay for it.

    Saffi

  • http://twitter.com/Safficscribe Saffina Desforges

    Whilst I sympathise with how difficult it is to successfully format, edit and produce a perfect ebook without a large publishing house behind you, I also concede that if you put your work out there, you are exposing yourself to (justified) criticism from reviewers and readers alike. We had the same problem with Sugar & Spice. We have re-edited and formatted twice now and have thanked everyone who has pointed out errors and typos, but this is wildly different from bad writing.

    We shall be paying a proof-reader and formatting editor next time (now that we have a UK bestseller and can afford to), just to ensure that our next book is as perfect as possible. After all, we are asking people to pay for it.

    Saffi

  • Lennbob

    What’s striking about the 4- and 5-star reviews that Ms. Howett mentions is that, except for the ones that are obviously jokes, the reviewers tend to be named Howett…

  • Lennbob

    What’s striking about the 4- and 5-star reviews that Ms. Howett mentions is that, except for the ones that are obviously jokes, the reviewers tend to be named Howett…

  • Mike Dennis

    As an author, I know that you need a very thick skin to keep from going crazy. When Howett pops off like that at the slightest criticism, you just know she has no future in this business.

  • Mike Dennis

    As an author, I know that you need a very thick skin to keep from going crazy. When Howett pops off like that at the slightest criticism, you just know she has no future in this business.

  • Jim

    I’m a school librarian and was sent a copy (a final published copy, not a review copy) of a book on the profession which I dutifully read and reviewed. I loved it but also found more than a few small typos and errors and mentioned this in my review. The author thanked me for pointing this out and said he doesn’t trust any review that doesn’t have at least one negative comment in it!

  • Jim

    I’m a school librarian and was sent a copy (a final published copy, not a review copy) of a book on the profession which I dutifully read and reviewed. I loved it but also found more than a few small typos and errors and mentioned this in my review. The author thanked me for pointing this out and said he doesn’t trust any review that doesn’t have at least one negative comment in it!

  • Jack W Perry

    Too bad the author didn’t have a publisher to copy edit her original book. Too bad the author didnt have a publisher to help fight this and teach her how to respond.

    There are roles for publishers – this example shows it.

  • Jack W Perry

    Too bad the author didn’t have a publisher to copy edit her original book. Too bad the author didnt have a publisher to help fight this and teach her how to respond.

    There are roles for publishers – this example shows it.

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