A RANT: Don't Tag Authors In Negative Reviews!

Today I'm ranting about something that's been bugging me for a while, and that impacts every author: reviewers who tag us in their negative reviews. DON'T DO IT!!!! It's rude and not fair to the author. Every author should have a choice whether or not to seek out critical reviews.

A note on Instagram hashtags. I failed to say this in the video, but I feel that book hashtags on Instagram "belong" to the readers. The issue there I think is that following them is new and the readers don't realize the authors are following them and the authors don't realize that hashtags are fair game for honest reviews. Ultimately I think authors are going to have to stop following those hashtags unless they're fine coming across negative comments.

I'm not saying reviewers shouldn't have critical thoughts on books. I made a video on this from the opposite perspective:

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[JordanHarveybooks]

I agree with everything EXCEPT your point on hashtags. As a writer, I totally get wanting to be in control of what you're seeing, but as a reviewer and someone who actively seeks reviews on books I want to read, I think hashtags are an important tool on instagram. On YouTube, you have tags and titles for people to search, but on instagram, readers only have hashtags to discover photos and reviews, so it's kind of the only the way for them to find the review unless they are already following the account. I think in that case, it's on the author to make sure they're being responsible (only reading the notes if they're comfortable with it being negative). I don't think it's cool to tag the author directly, but I think it's totally fair game to hashtag the book's name or author's name.

[jimkaragkounis]

As a writer who wants to one be a full time author, I would have zero problem to be tagged in a constructive review even if it's one star. We grow through our mistakes and I like to see them pointed out.

As for hashtags on Instagram, your book is a product and I as a consumer want to know as much as I can before I invest money in it. I want to know what people liked and more importantly what they didn't. Without the hashtags, how am I supposed to come across their reviews on Instagram?

[blakeearth]

I love the word "tacky" to describe this. Often this kind of thing is veiled as trying to be helpful. It's completely rude and uncalled for, and it doesn't just happen to authors. To come at any creator specifically on their platform (or ANYWHERE they're guaranteed to see it) and tear apart their hard work is unhelpful, hurtful, and quickly makes their opinion unavoidable. Maybe that's what some of them are after. Either way, I hope this video helps people.

[withcindy]

i think this is a gray area. i totally agree that it's rude and tacky to go out of your way to leave hurtful comments on an author's video. but i think that people should be able to tag the books they're reading on their personal account, because these works are intended for public consumption and interpretation. when i finish a book, movie, or show, i like looking up their tags so i can see what other people thought of it, and i want to see both the positive and negative (even when i really enjoy the book!). all that being in said, i think the line you've drawn makes sense - people can film critical reviews, but should not directly engage with the author because.... that's just rude af lol.

i am curious what you think about people who post reviews and put the author's name in the youtube tag, or mention the author on twitter/instagram but not actually directly engage them (example: "i just read #brightlyburning by #alexadonne and thought it sucked", because this is more passive rather than direct towards the author). i'm also curious what you think about people who directly criticize creators if their work is harmful and problematic. if an author publishes a book that has racial stereotypes and other harmful elements, is it OK for people to go out of their way to directly tell them off? where does the line get drawn from here?

i still see these scenarios as fair because people are discussing a public form of media, and when your name is attached to it, negative reviews will come with the territory. but i'm open to think differently since this is such a gray area. for me, i make my bookstagram completely neutral by just putting a quote from the book as my caption, even if i dislike the book, since my IG is only intended to show what books i've been reading. goodreads is obviously different as it encourages reviews and ratings. now that i'm dipping into booktube though, this is making me consider the type of content and level of criticism i should make public. especially if the author in question is active on booktube. thanks for the thoughtful video - it's certainly given us a lot to think about!

[SpottedBananaPeel]

The best comeback is "You paid for it so I got your money." Haha

[alexandraroselyn]

It's kind of like... thinking in your head "boy I don't like that girls skirt" versus telling a girl straight to her face "you have gross taste in clothes." Everyone views fashion differently (or books) but you don't have to be rude about your opinions. That's so sad I'm sorry this happened to you. You're a great youtuber and it sounds like an incredible author. Hopefully this video will help guide others on how to express their opinions and book reviews in a more constructive way (and less negative).

[Chronocrits]

I’ll be honest, the comment on your channel about how they didn’t like your book... your reaction sounds like hyper sensitivity to me. If you are proud of your book, and I’m assuming you are, then it shouldn’t matter if someone says they didn’t like your book. It shouldn’t make you angry. People who want to say they didn’t like your book where you can see it are inevitable, and it’s not even that mean. It’s not like they said they hated you or wanted you to never write again. This is just overly sensitive from where I’m sitting. And as for the ‘never force authors to see negative reviews’... well that’s just about the silliest thing I’ve heard this year. What we have here is a case of ‘everybody loves me and thinks I’m great in my safe space’.

[queendsheena]

Anyway I know I left a long thought below this. But in short, authors have the right to enjoy their work just as much as readers. Writing is hard work. No need to make it tougher. As a writer and reader, I want the balance to stay so that authors continue to keep an open line with us. One if my fave authors stopped using Twitter for this very reason.

[kristenbooks]

I agree with so much of this video-- it's super tacky to tag an author and remove their choice of whether they do or do not see the negative review of a book. I think where I personally draw the line is dealing with the hashtaging of posts-- yes, authors might follow that, but hashtags are a way for readers and reviewers to see what others are saying about the same topic. They're posting that review *for other readers*, not for the author. It totally makes sense for authors to follow the hashtag of their own book, but I think that's a situation where an author has to make a choice, because in following the hashtag of your book, you're automatically opening yourself up to seeing any and all opinions posted about the book. To suggest that reviewers not hashtag a book with its title seems, to me, to be removing a space for readers to discuss a book. There are other platforms for book reviews, of course, but if someone's main bookish platform is Instagram, it seems like removing certain tags would remove a lot of their ability to connect with other people about the books they're reading and reviewing. I know that was just a small addendum to the overall conversation but that was what really jumped out at me. But then again, I have yet to publish a book and maybe I would feel differently after doing so. But overall, great discussion on negative reviews.

[CloudKitten]

Great video! I've been planning to do one of these for a while and keep forgetting. Some people honestly don't realize tagging authors in negative reviews is harmful and getting this info out there is good for the community. Thanks for doing this!

[internetself]

What is your opinion then about “negative reviews” in terms of constructive criticism? For instance, if someone doesn’t like a book due to perceived (not referring to your book, just in general) issues such as ‘problematic’ representation or content that they may want to bring up as a point of discussion or to bring it to your attention? Do you think there’s an in between space where a negative, yet respectful review may open authors up to consider potential blind spots in their writing ect? But I do agree that’s it’s incredibly inappropriate to link an author to a post that says nothing else but ‘I hated this’, in regards to hashtags, that’s really the only way for instagrammers to get their content seen so I don’t agree with your thoughts on that specific point 🙂

[missmadyreads]

It is SO tacky. Every once in a while, I do negative reviews but I would never tag the author in it. I don't even tag authors when my reviews are positive because some authors chose not to look at reviews overall. I cringe whenever I see this happen.

[Sarah-nrrm]

I agree. Why tag an author when you're being negative about their book? It's one thing to have an opinion, but another to choose to be rude.

[hnz]

Guys. Constructive criticism is fine. But when somebody just plainly says it’s badly written or it’s just bad, then that is annoying. I could absolutely love a book that you despise. It’s completely subjective. Back your negative reviews with reasons that help the author, rather than shooting them down.

[nickij]

I didn't know that authors follow their hashtags. While I've not reviewed a book online, I hadn't even considered that an author might follow their book's hashtag. Perhaps those who give out negative reviews via a hashtag didn't realise either?

Not sure if this was a slip, but there was a moment in this around 3:48 where you were talking about bookstagram (pretty photos but sucky reviews) and you said 'you're being mean to me'. Remember, you are not your book. While it must suck for people to not like your book, try not to let it get under your skin. There's way more positive reviews and lovely posts than negative ones and you can't please everyone. Chin up and press on.

[TheWordNrd]

I absolutely agree with you about it being bad form. A question did occur to me and I was wondering if you might clear it up. Even with books I absolutely love, sometimes there will be things that I didn't necessarily like and I might mention that in a review that is, for the most part positive. In your opinion, how much negative tips the balance? I always shy away from tagging authors directly unless the post is 100% positive. (If it ever falls into your filming schedule, I would love a video on best practices for Thank you! Your videos are always so thought-provoking and educational!

[ResidentEvilBiohazard]

Ummm. So, if it is positive, tagging someone is fine? You put yourself out there, for better or worse. Social media is not a safe space.

[fable]

I think unless it's hateful and mean then I wouldn't mind being tagged in a bad review. Because I'd want critical feed back so I can grow as an author.

[mckenziestaley]

I totally agree with this! Reviews are NOT for the authors and reviewers need to keep it to themselves.

[elfstonesify]

This might be a really stupid question but do authors like those personal tags on good reviews? Id assume yes?