The ramblings part of the journal
Mar. 26th, 2009 09:24 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
reviews_and_ramblingsI really should let not the spur of the moment drives me, but it's the second time that I slept very bad since I had a not nice conversation soon before going sleep. Since I was careless enough to start this thing online, even if then continued in private, if there are people who witnessed to that, please don't make name, I really am not writing this to bring damage to another person, but only since, if I take it inside, it will burst later in a bigger way.
More or less 2 months ago I received a nice review request, and a lot of you know that I really appreciate those. It was from a new author and new publisher, so I was even more glad. Have you notice that I give priority to new authors and publishers? It would easy enough to raise comments on famous authors, but I really think that even the newest author deserves a first chance. I'm not sure but I think that I'm quite alone in doing so, and I believe so since many authors wrote to me telling that I was their "first". And most of the time I already bought the book when they ask a review, it happened only yesterday with two requests, I already had the book.
Anyway when that request arrived I was pretty clear with that author, I said that I didn't buy the book by myself since I believed it was a menages with a woman on the side, and you all know that I don't really like them. The author assured me that it was not and so I accepted the book. I even read it as soon as possible, to give the author as much more visibility near the release date as possible. I started the post giving a warning to the content of the book, specifying that it was not a menages, and received comments, even from the author, saying that many people didn't understand it and was grateful for the warning.
Then nothing for a month; after a month another review site reviewed the same book, starting the post in the same way as me, warning the readers on the content of the book; at that point the author (or the publisher) realized that they were losing readers and took the right measures. All right, two voices are better than one, but now the author is thanking that second review site saying that all started on it. I gently made notice that it was not exactly like that and the author in different comments replied to me that:
1) maybe my review had not so much space or visibility... yes right, that month my LJ had 13.300 single visits when the average for a review site is 3.000/4.000 (those are the standard to be considered "review site"), and the review remained in the front page for a week, I always try to not let them shift on second page for a reason, you know?
2) maybe people didn't read the review since I'm not enough M/M focused (on the contrary of the other review site) and so people didn't understand that it was not a polyamour book... yes, right, if I was more M/M focused I would be a man! I reviewed 1057 books at yesterday and only 20 are M/F and only 73 are menages, and among the menages only 9 with a woman, so 29 books with a woman in 1057 means a 2% of all my reviews.
3) maybe on the other review site the post received more response from people... yes, right, my review received 22 comments from 6 different people, 4 of them not involved directly with me or the author, on the other site it received 16 comments all from reviewers of that site other than 1. 22 comments... yesterday the post in which I featured Allan Hollinghurst, winner of a booker prize, received 17 comments...
So am I taking all this wrong? Should I stick with Man Candy Posts, Gay Romance Movies, and reviews of books that will be read anyway? Should I write reviews in which I say that every book is terrific? Should I ignore a review request from an unknown author and publisher till some other review site spend its time to "taste" it in advance? I know that the answers to all these questions is NO, but authors please, when you send me a book to review could at least take a look at my LJ? NOT ENOUGH M/M FOCUSED?!?!
More or less 2 months ago I received a nice review request, and a lot of you know that I really appreciate those. It was from a new author and new publisher, so I was even more glad. Have you notice that I give priority to new authors and publishers? It would easy enough to raise comments on famous authors, but I really think that even the newest author deserves a first chance. I'm not sure but I think that I'm quite alone in doing so, and I believe so since many authors wrote to me telling that I was their "first". And most of the time I already bought the book when they ask a review, it happened only yesterday with two requests, I already had the book.
Anyway when that request arrived I was pretty clear with that author, I said that I didn't buy the book by myself since I believed it was a menages with a woman on the side, and you all know that I don't really like them. The author assured me that it was not and so I accepted the book. I even read it as soon as possible, to give the author as much more visibility near the release date as possible. I started the post giving a warning to the content of the book, specifying that it was not a menages, and received comments, even from the author, saying that many people didn't understand it and was grateful for the warning.
Then nothing for a month; after a month another review site reviewed the same book, starting the post in the same way as me, warning the readers on the content of the book; at that point the author (or the publisher) realized that they were losing readers and took the right measures. All right, two voices are better than one, but now the author is thanking that second review site saying that all started on it. I gently made notice that it was not exactly like that and the author in different comments replied to me that:
1) maybe my review had not so much space or visibility... yes right, that month my LJ had 13.300 single visits when the average for a review site is 3.000/4.000 (those are the standard to be considered "review site"), and the review remained in the front page for a week, I always try to not let them shift on second page for a reason, you know?
2) maybe people didn't read the review since I'm not enough M/M focused (on the contrary of the other review site) and so people didn't understand that it was not a polyamour book... yes, right, if I was more M/M focused I would be a man! I reviewed 1057 books at yesterday and only 20 are M/F and only 73 are menages, and among the menages only 9 with a woman, so 29 books with a woman in 1057 means a 2% of all my reviews.
3) maybe on the other review site the post received more response from people... yes, right, my review received 22 comments from 6 different people, 4 of them not involved directly with me or the author, on the other site it received 16 comments all from reviewers of that site other than 1. 22 comments... yesterday the post in which I featured Allan Hollinghurst, winner of a booker prize, received 17 comments...
So am I taking all this wrong? Should I stick with Man Candy Posts, Gay Romance Movies, and reviews of books that will be read anyway? Should I write reviews in which I say that every book is terrific? Should I ignore a review request from an unknown author and publisher till some other review site spend its time to "taste" it in advance? I know that the answers to all these questions is NO, but authors please, when you send me a book to review could at least take a look at my LJ? NOT ENOUGH M/M FOCUSED?!?!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 09:57 am (UTC)that's what baffled me the most! O.o
no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 10:03 am (UTC)(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 10:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 10:21 am (UTC)(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:Reviews
Date: 2009-03-26 10:26 am (UTC)Re: Reviews
Date: 2009-03-26 10:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 11:00 am (UTC)This is always the first review site I read and I love to read your reviews. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding, or something. But I would be very sorry to see you stop posting reviews, or change the way that you organize your reading. I've discovered several authors through your LJ and really, this one and one other are the only two I read often, and trust most.
Don't allow this to shake you up so badly.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 11:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 11:04 am (UTC)I'm sorry, I'm still sitting here with my mouth hanging open in shock. What the hell was she thinking???? At best she's ignorant, at worst she's damned ungrateful. Maybe she has links with the 'other' site that we know nothing about that make her think she has to pander to them first, but it's certainly NOT about you, because Elisa Rolle's blog is THE place to be.
That's because it's not just about your reviews - what you bring to the whole industry is the intelligent and thoughtful *content* and *style* of your reviews, also your fabulous support and encouragement to the whole genre itself. There are still only a handful of universally respected review sources, and yours is always on that list.
I think this will reflect on the author rather than you, and how foolish of them to upset someone who offered help and support for their early career steps.
Please remember all of us who read and love your reviews and love you as an honest and generous person as well.
:p to anyone who says different. Send them over here. I have 3 tough guys in the house will sort them out *lol*.
*hugs*
no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 11:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 11:23 am (UTC)My advice is to ignore this ninny and should more items appear on offer from her...politely delete them.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 11:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 11:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 11:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 11:45 am (UTC)And though this new author didn't appreciate you taking time to read and review their book so many other feel differently.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 11:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 12:04 pm (UTC)I love your reviews - and I know I'm not the only one - I read all of them even when I don't comment, and I've bought quite a few books because of discovering them here that I wouldn't have found, probably, otherwise. I don't hang out at any other review sites. So.
Keep reading and writing your reviews. Keep giving us newbies a chance (although I guess I don't count quite as much as I used to). And keep giving your readers insights into the wonderful world of m/m books.
Hugs,
Ariel
no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 12:09 pm (UTC)(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:you`re the best
Love from Norway
Re: you`re the best
Date: 2009-03-26 12:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 12:30 pm (UTC)I'd say carry on doing what you believe in, ie, just what you have been doing. I rate your LJ highly, everyone I talk to does the same. Don't take to heart what this person has said (why does m/m romance sometimes make fanfic look like a civilised place?)
Be yourself and do what you do because it's unique and wonderful.
Charlie
no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 12:32 pm (UTC)(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 01:05 pm (UTC)That's hilarious. Practically the first thing I do every day is log on to see what new male/male treat you have to offer!
I wouldn't worry about ungrateful people. It might be petty, but if she comes out with any other books, just don't buy them or review them. There are plenty of other new authors who'd be insanely grateful for exposure like this!
no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 01:12 pm (UTC)I really believe it wasn't malicious, but it is the clueless that made me so upset, and the careless of reply... you can say a lot of thing of me, but that I'm not M/M focused, please not! I even lost friends due to my "focus".
Elisa
(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 01:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 01:18 pm (UTC)(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 01:12 pm (UTC)I hope your migraine is gone, Elisa, and that you feel better soon. You're doing a great job here.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 01:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 02:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 01:55 pm (UTC)I'm sorry that author doesn't appreciate what you're doing or how much you offer the m/m reading and writing community. Your dedication to the community is something that we all benefit from. If she doesn't understand that, then it's her loss.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 02:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 01:56 pm (UTC)As for whether or not you're m/m-oriented enough, that's a laugh! You are very dedicated to the genre both in writing and film and art. Your reviews of everything from eye-candy to novels are always classy and gracious and honest. We're lucky to have you.
(Also, I'm sorry you have a migraine. <3 I know how much worse they make everything. It's so hard to be tough about being disrespected when you're already down with that pain. I hope you feel better today.)
no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 02:04 pm (UTC)(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 02:11 pm (UTC)Feel better, sweetheart.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 02:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 02:29 pm (UTC)First and foremost, you write for yourself and what you want to write about. Don't let anybody else dictate that!
And don't let the bastards keep you down!
no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 02:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 02:33 pm (UTC)They are nuts right? Not M/M focused????!!! Sorry, Elisa. People on the internet are sometimes very strange. I love your live journal the way it is and look forward to it every day.
Shawn Lane
no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 02:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 02:35 pm (UTC)I hope you get over your migraine soon *hugs*
no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 02:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 02:37 pm (UTC)Don't change a thing, please. I look to your posts to see what's new and exciting in m/m.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 02:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 02:45 pm (UTC)I for one have made your LJ a regular stop because I know I will find information about new m/m releases and authors here. Heck, when I started reading the genre, I used your archived reviews to find books that might interest me and discovered many authors that are now auto-buy for me.
If you ask me, you deserve royalty payments for all the m/m books that I alone bought because you introduced them here on your LJ.
Obviously this author/publisher does not have the best of grasp of his/her job and target audience – first placing a woman on the cover of an m/m and second not knowing enough about the online m/m community to know that your LJ is like an online reference site for many, many people interested in the genre.
Chrissie
no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 02:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 02:51 pm (UTC)I cherish each of your reviews. I don't read other review site...I read yours, and you have, from before you started this LJ been a supporter of the genre. Sorry you had to go through that love.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 02:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 03:09 pm (UTC)It's incredibly unfortunate they spoke without having a clue about the HUGE impact you have on authors, publishers and readers. Your reviews are some of the most quoted and used that I've seen. Please do not let this stop you or even let you doubt your impact and contribution.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 03:23 pm (UTC)