The ramblings part of the journal

[reviews_and_ramblings]

I 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?!?!

Comments

[nichem.livejournal.com]

Elisa, I love your LJ. I have it bookmarked in my favorites and check it every day for new m/m recommendations. I agree with Chrissie-- you should get royalties from all the m/m books I've bought after reading about them on your site. So don't change a thing, please.

Hope you're feeling better.

[sydmcginley.livejournal.com]

Aw Elisa, I send you a big virtual hug and some tea to sip.
You are a beacon of m/m.
Love
Syd

[amandayoungsays.livejournal.com]

Don't let this one person get you down, Elisa. I love your blog just as it is, and judging by the comments, a ton of other people do as well. It would so sad if you changed because of one bad apple.

[angelabenedetti.livejournal.com]

Oh, good grief.

my review had not so much space or visibility ... I'm not enough M/M focused ... 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

I'm sorry, this person is an idiot. The only productive way to deal with this sort of garbage is to consider the source and ignore them. There's no reason to stress yourself out over what idiots think. There you go -- discard and move on.

Angie

[kitzheng.livejournal.com]

Honestly I agree! You're definitely m/m focused, and that author must not have been paying attention if s/he thought you weren't.

I don't think you should let one bad apple put you off doing what you enjoy. I for one think it's wonderful and admirable, what you do, and that you review books from authors new and old, and publishers new and old :)

[darkmarguerite.livejournal.com]

Elisa,

I'm so very sorry you went through this. I love your site and everything it has to offer above and beyond the reviews.

You've amazed me in the past over how clearly you see the stories, and have even given me insights into my own characters that I've missed. Your criticisms are gently given.

If this lady doesn't feel your site is worth her time, it's her loss. It's a wonderful outreach opportunity. Thank you for everything you have done.

Marguerite

[zamaxfield.livejournal.com]

Oh, my gosh, doesn't it just want to make you HURL? I feel so grateful to get a mention from you, and I just rec'd your site as the 'single best place to go for an m/m reviewer who will:
1. let you know enough about a book to decide whether you will like it without spoilers. and
2. review books you've never even heard of anywhere else.

You reviewed Crossing Borders what? Two days or so after it came out, and it was the thrill of a lifetime. It also put me at ease at a time when I was a nervous wreck.

But even more important, I think, is the fact that as a reader fully 75% of the books I buy are directly from the links on your site. Films too. I have that amazon one click two day free ship, and I just go directly from your site three-fourths of the time, and purchase a book that way. That has to count for something. Books I would never even LOOK at have been some of the best choices, and I wouldn't have heard of either the book or the publisher or tracked it down without your site.

Thank you again for everything. Don't change a thing, sweetie!

[jay-lygon.livejournal.com]

No wonder you have a headache.

I love your site. It's one of the few on my Live Journal friends page. I can't tell you how many books I'd never heard of before your review, and bought after rading what you said about it.

[shiawmeimei.livejournal.com]

Big hugs, Elisa! I'm sorry you have to deal with this. You were one of my first reviewers when my first book came out. I love your Man Candy and romance history posts. Please don't change a thing because of one person's words.

I hope your migraine goes away and you feel better soon!

[(Anonymous)]

Elisa, you are the first place I send my books and the books of all the authors I publish. We always know that we will receive a fair, thorough discussion of our work. Many of my authors beg to have me ask you for a quote for the print covers. A good, solid review of a book from you is considered to be the ultimate compliment and an acknowledgment that the author was indeed on the right track with their work.
I claim the right of one of your first M/M authors that you read and I have remained a loyal follower of yours just as you have been a trusted, fair and loyal supporter of mine and the genre I write and publish in. No one is more dedicated, more informed, more supportive and more invested in this genre as a reader, reviewer and fan than you are, IMO.

It is a sure sign of an inexperienced author in this genre that doesn't recognize that. Don't lose any sleep over this slight. I'm sure 99% of the authors out there appreciate your expertise and your promotions of their work. I know I do.
You have become a part of the foundation of this genre as much as any of us 'old-timers'. I value you, your dedication to us and your site.

Three cheers for Elisa!

Laura Baumbach, author, promoter and publisher

[rosiet.livejournal.com]

Elisa, I have never commented on your blog before, because I'm too shy to, but in this instance I simply must!

My reading of choice is ONLY m/m romance ...and I can't tell you how important your reviews have become to me. I can't tell you how many books I have bought BECAUSE of your reviews.

Since I discovered you, I have never not read a book review of yours either. I value your thoughts highly. And I read ALL your reviews, because I know if you like it, then probably so will I, and I am totally m/m focused!!

[tamara-allen.livejournal.com]

You are the sweetheart of all time for doing so much for us, to promote our work. I don't know how anyone could be less than grateful to you. This unkind person is not worth losing sleep over. :hugs:

[jadebuchanan.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Elisa! It's quite obvious by all the love and support you've gotten here that you're a wonderful asset to the m/m community and I for one wouldn't know what to do without you!! I love your reviews, you are always very honest and I know when you read my stuff that you're giving me a truthful review. Don't let this author get you down, you're an amazing person!!

Jade

[dakotaflint.livejournal.com]

So many people have said it already, but I love your reviews! Your support and enthusiasm for the m/m genre is evident in every heartfelt review you write, and you are so very kind and gracious. We're all so very lucky to have you!

And when I think of all the books I've bought, the movies I've watched, the art I've enjoyed, and the models I've learned about...I don't think anyone has as much influence on my entertainment and spare time than you, the lovely Elisa. :)

the ungrateful diva

[vjbanis.livejournal.com]

Elisa, I adore you and treasure your reviews - in fact, I just love reading your comments, I learn so much about a book and about writing. Just keep right on doing everything your way - the rest of us are very happy with it (and I'd love to know who that writer is)

Big Hugs,

Victor

[kiernankelly.livejournal.com]

"if I was more M/M focused I would be a man!"

I do so love you, Elisa! :)

I think this is a case of an author's ignorance showing.

Your reviews are thoughtful, insightful, and not just a rehashed synopsis of the plot -- this is why people love your blog, read your reviews, and often buy a book based on your recommendation. You're honest without being snarky, something I know that I, as an author, greatly appreciate.

To say you aren't m/m focussed only makes it obvious to me that the author never read past your review of his/her own book.

Don't continue to let it get you down. Judging from the number of comments to this post, you have a lot of friends out there, both readers and writers, who know the truth and who support you, me included.

Kiernan

Chin Up

[erotichorizon.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

Hi Elisa, I am a lurker for not only months but years and i have seen some silly things over my time with Elisa Rolle - but this is just unbelievable. While we have different approach to reviews, i respect your objectivity and the fact that you are so sweet in everything you do. You genuinely love what you do and your blog is clearly a labour of love "Not M/M focus" - indeed. know that you will continue as always to have my stance support. Erotic Horizon.

[julesjones]

What everyone else said.

It's very obvious this author wasn't familiar with your blog, but simply sent the book to you because they had heard you would review m/m. Now they look very silly.

There are a lot of review blogs out there, and I'm not going to suggest that authors try to keep up with them all. I only read around half a dozen reasonably regularly. But it's as well to check out a week or two's worth of posts before sending a reviewer a review copy, just so you have some idea of the blog's style. Doesn't look as if that happened with this one.

[valkovalin.livejournal.com]

Hi, Elisa. I'm so sorry that this author didn't appreciate your efforts to help her! I'm not sure why people sometimes behave the way they do online.

I definitely see some bizarre behavior sometimes like writers insulting editors for rejecting their work, and that sort of thing.

Lots of people commit career suicide online, and this thing that you described fits that category. How very stupid of this writer to go out of her way to antagonize THE premier reviewer in the m/m field! I mean, other reviewers like me look to you as our ideal! :)

Maybe one excuse for this writer's behavior may be that she is at the very beginning of her career or is very young and has no idea what she's doing.

So definitely go on doing all the things you like to do: reviewing the new authors, giving your honest opinion, taking review requests. There are plenty of new writers out there who are decent people and could use the help that you're in a position to give them.

By the way, I love your sense of humor through all this: "If U was more M/M focused I would be a man!" That's very funny! :)

[cathalin.livejournal.com]

Oh, dear. Normally I wouldn't comment so soon after friending your journal, but I just have to say, your name and reviews pop up *everywhere* in references to m/m! That is how I found you, and once I started reading your journal, I was so impressed with your classy and kind yet insightful criticism of fiction, plus other things m/m, that I had to stay. I think being a good reviewer is very difficult, and for you to do it book after book after book is amazing. Also, it's very impressive that you're willing to read stuff from new authors, but I suspect that's one of the reasons so many people read you, because they can count on you to find new things.:) - Cath

[catkane.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

Just adding my two cents to the pile to say I hope you don't change all the great things you do just because of one person.

Your LJ is such a fantastic resource and you're such a great advocate of M/M and its writers -- don't let anyone tell you different! It was wonderful meeting you at Yaoicon last year, and anyone else who did can vouch that you definitely know your stuff when it comes to the genre, and it's always a delight to read your views!

[granamyr.livejournal.com]

Not enough m/m focused?!?! What crack are these people smoking?!

Ignore the assholes, Elisa. All your LJ friends love what you do.

[mallorypath.livejournal.com]

Hi, Elisa.

You already have a lot of comments on the m/m-focus, so I won't belabor that. I just want to say that I hope this experience has not put you off of new authors, because as a reader who likes to try new things and as a new author myself (though I don't think I've written anything long enough for you to review yet), I really appreciate your generosity and the chances you give to new writers.

~ Mal.

[jaye-valentine.livejournal.com]

I don't know about any other writers, but after you post reviews of our work we immediately see our titles going chugga-chugga-chugga upward on the distributor lists. Your reviews, at least for us, have consistently impacted sales, and I doubt we're alone in that. You're one of the few people that I personally would go out my way not to piss off. :-)

Don't change what you're doing it or how you're doing it just because of one person. Thank you for everything you do to promote this genre we all love so much.

[leebenoit.livejournal.com]

Elisa, I can only heartily second what others have said - you are one of the brightest lights of our genre and of new-form publishing. You bring your distinctive, principled and authentic voice to bear on all kinds of material. As far as I'm concerned, you haven't *been* reviewed until you've earned an "Elisa" review!!

You were the first person to review my first published story, back when I knew nothing at all about marketing. I didn't know of you, hadn't sent my story on my own behalf to ANY reviewers, and still you found it and gave it a lovely, generous review. I was so touched and encouraged by your words. Even on days when I'm too busy to read other blogs, I read yours and learn of new books and artists that enrich and entertain me.

You are a gem, and much appreciated, believe me.

Hugs,
Lee