I really dislike authors who behave like this–personally I will lock down anything more personal (although that doesn't stop people copying and pasting, I know–but if I have a major whine which isn't often, I don't want the world to see.

As for begging, it's enough to make me wipe them from my feed. I feel sorry for someone who feels they have to beg for people to buy their books for a medical complaint but I've come across too many scam agents for this to touch me. People who claim to be dying often are not–and this is very hard on people who are seriously ill.

I've seen authors beg and put donate buttons on their blogs because they can't afford to pay for their kid's medicine and the groceries – and then three weeks later they are rushing off to the Saint and Sinners con or RT con – and there's no mention of paying anyone BACK the money they've given. if you can't afford to pay for groceries, where did hundreds of dollars come from to go to a convention?

It makes me angry–and incredibly sad.

I have no words for that second author. I really and truly can understand an author selling a book to help raise money to pay for (insert whatever here), but there's a better way to go about it.

The other fiasco was just an author not knowing when to stop. I'm sure she didn't get the reaction she wanted with her first blog post and comments.

I personally was really surprised at the behavior of author one I read the post before it was changed and it was harsh. I admit I am an amateur never claimed I was more than that. I write and read for the love of it and to say we can't write (ok maybe I can't but its still our opinion.)It was very unprofessional I believe whether she thinks it will or not , she just lost a lot of sales and potiental fan as well as bloggers who could have boosted her career.

As for the second, Not sure what to say about her posts because she made them everywhere. First impression was this real? I hate to be jaded but you see so many scams, spam what not its hard to know whether to take this for face value. If this is true I hope she gets the help she needs but she really needed to go about it a different way.

I cannot believe some authors would act this way. I would never buy their book after reading this.

Oh lordy. The last one is just BAD. Dodgy spam is right!

Oops! And I forgot to say before…great post. Some things just need to be said. Then we can all go back to our regularly scheduled program with a better understanding of each other.

l actually can't believe that is really her. Is it really or some sort of spam? Without sounding terrible, the writing doesn't seem very professional for a writer.
2011 does look to be a crazy year…

There was a ton of spam coming out of the book blogs ning last week and I remember seeing the posts from the second individual (although there were others as well.) If anything it made me determined to never buy or read anything by that author. If that's the truth of the situation then it's sad, but if it's not then that's just wrong, and either way it's not something I want to be involved in.

The advice on writing an email in the heat of the moment and then not sending it is applicable here, I think. I n real life, not everyone will like you or your book. Let it go and move on. At least people are reading said books.

I, for one, never give or expect objective book reviews. The enjoyment of a book is dependent on the reader's mindset and how that reader feels that day and such. What do writers hope for anyway? Dissertations? It's a review, not a book report/graduate thesis. Otherwise, just give copies of books to Oxford dons and professors emeritus of Ivy Leagues or something.

As for trying to tug on the tear ducts to get a sale or donations, well, it's best to have a friend or someone else to plead your case than to do it yourself.

I blame the internet. In the olden days, no one knew or cared what an author was really like as a person.

First Reaction: Jaw Drop

Second Reaction: ROFLMFAO

Third Reaction: I must go read these posts.

Has, I love you for this WTFery…it just brightened my day

hahahahahahahaha

@ Emily – I didn't hear about the spamming of the blogs about this – OMG that's terrible but so glad this was highlighted now. There will be some who will fall for this and even if its true acting this way is not how you should ever ever sell a book. I really am now suspecting its a sham because a real author would actually try to write a coherant sentence and use freaking spellcheck. This author has probably just wrote a very half assed story.

@Has Seriously! But yeah, for a few days I was getting five and six emails a day about this from the different groups I belong to on the ning since each time the person would post, a notification would get sent out. There was a bunch of other spam at the same time and it all disappeared at once- let the conspiracy theories begin!

I agree though, even if this situation was totally legit, the writing and wording of the message makes me not want to read the book. Oh well.

I'm laughing and shaking my head and laughing some more. As an author, reviewer, and avid reader, I can sympathize with both sides. To some extent.

Then I start to think, 'if this was intentional, give the lady a round of applause'.

This is called viral marketing. I read an article on using negative feedback just as effectively–or more–than positive. I could be completely off base, but I suspect this author's gotten more hits posting this on her blog than any of us get busting our butts to provide good content. Nothing against readers or writers, that’s just how the world works.

I’m very curious to see if this will start a trend. Betcha the next author pulling this will go a step further with her/his insults.

Now I’m off to find ‘the damn review’ and see what all the fuss is about! 😉

I was supposed to be doing homework – damn you for your good gossipy entertainment here. I should have popped some popcorn and gotten comfortable.

Nothing like Grown Adults Behaving Badly. Geesh.

Funny part is – I was a blogger before I was a published author. So I feel offended and ashamed alllll at the same time.

And the second author – there is public assistance, community service boards, and a plethora of other organizations to help those in desperate need. There are ways in which you ask for help, and ways you just sound…well…to be nice here…sad.

Thanks for putting these posts on, now people that have missed the original posts know what's going on too.

As for a reaction to the authors.. It's just so sad. We book bloggers aren't stupid. And we will remember this. I won't be buying any of their books.

*sigh* thanks for this, i was able to read her original post. i cant believe she wrote that whole … idk i hope she wasnt well that time she wrote it. id like to think there's a reason a big reason for doing that in public. now i'm sure she's going to use pseudonym for her next books.

i love indie/new authors. a lot of them who approached me for a review they were very very nice. i didnt understand those bloggers who do not want to review books written by them now i see their reason. i read in one of the forums that one author attacked a blogger who wrote a negative review for her book, but the thing is, she attacked the blogger in mentioning bad spelling and wrong grammar in the review! tsk tsk… i hope these authors realize that bloggers help them in selling books and to think we are not getting paid for the reviews and exposure we're giving them.

Don't all book bloggers have a disclaimer that says they give an honest review and weren't paid etc?
Why go mad over someone giving an honest review, not everyone is going to like a book.
Very badly done on the authors part.