clacksee, 17 days ago

The answer is: you don’t respond to your reviews. You just … don’t.

Do not do it.

We all know this, right? Right?

#AuthorsBehavingBadly

Schitts Creek No GIF by CBC David says: Don’t do that

clacksee, 17 days ago

Okay, so… NetGalley. I signed up for an account. I applied for a few books. The first one I was approved for … I didn’t vibe with, so I didn’t finish. But the way that NG works is that your profile shows your review percentage. The higher the percentage, the more books you’ll get. As in, she’s had two books and reviewed one of them: 50%.

Stay with me; I’m going somewhere. I swear.

#AuthorsBehavingBadly

clacksee, 17 days ago

So, a few months ago I got an ARC. I started it and … it wasn’t for me. But, I didn’t want my reviewer percentage to drop even lower, so I persisted.

Now, if it were just a case of a book being a bad fit or needing another round of editing, I would’ve written a short bland review and all would’ve been fine.

#AuthorsBehavingBadly

Cat Trailer GIF by Rooster Teeth I sense a but approaching

clacksee, 17 days ago

But that wasn’t the case with this book. Or at least, not all there was to it.

This book was sexist, racist, classist … just all-around lazy stereotypes.

Now, I can’t let that slide. Nuh-uh. No, ma’am.

#AuthorsBehavingBadly

Season 8 No GIF by RuPaul's Drag Race Naomi Smalls says: No, ma’am

clacksee, 17 days ago

Pause for dog duties.

#AuthorsBehavingBadly

terminator GIF I’ll be back

clacksee, 17 days ago

Right, where was I?

So, I finished the book and wrote my review.

Did I pull any punches in the review? Yes, as a matter of fact, I did.

My review was far from glowing, but nor was it scathing. I even gave the book three stars.

I wrote ‘Honestly, I suspect this author doesn't think he hates women.’

#AuthorsBehavingBadly

clacksee, 17 days ago

Three months went by.

#AuthorsBehavingBadly

Save The Date Day GIF by SHEEPWORLD AG Days flying off a calendar

clacksee, 17 days ago

Reader, the author sought me out.

He didn’t just reply to my review, he read my entire website and then emailed me a SCREED.

#AuthorsBehavingBadly

clacksee, 17 days ago

His email is a passive-aggressive tirade. It’s a wall of ‘thank you so much’.

Here’s just a little snippet.

And yeah, anyone who puts cis in all caps… Totes no red flags here.

#AuthorsBehavingBadly

clacksee, 17 days ago

Also, he can’t be racist – he works with minorities!

#AuthorsBehavingBadly

Suburgatory GIF Dalia says k

clacksee, 17 days ago

This book is being published by one of the top 5 publishing houses. I’m just some indie author no one cares about. I bet it makes him feel really good getting all up on his soap box at me.

Whatever, my dude.

#AuthorsBehavingBadly

Season 8 Shrug GIF by Paramount+ Drag Race: Darienne Lake

clacksee, 17 days ago

Anyways, that’s all.

Sorry to get your hopes up. There’s not really any story here. This feels anticlimactic. Like, there should be more of a punchline. But there isn’t. Just some random guy being a bit twatty.

#AuthorsBehavingBadly

clacksee, 17 days ago

Also, this is the UK. You’re not Caucasian, mate. Not unless you’re from the Caucasus region.

You’re White. Just like me.

#AuthorsBehavingBadly

clacksee, 17 days ago

It's tomorrow now and I'm still thinking about this. This guy went through my entire website and critiqued it. He sought me out. He went off at me for having the audacity to give an honest review of his book.

Because I gave him 3 stars. I mean, how very dare I?

#AuthorsBehavingBadly

clacksee, 17 days ago

I'm not even going to get into why he, of all people, should know better. Based on what I know about him (from his email and from his public bio).

#AuthorsBehavingBadly

violet chachki seriously GIF by RuPaul's Drag Race

clacksee, 17 days ago

I’m not going to respond to him. Obviously.

#AuthorsBehavingBadly

angry scott pilgrim vs the world GIF Obviously