DON’T BUY ANY OF MY BOOKS! Not the novellas, the novels, the children’s books, or the e-book only books. Why? Because they must be really, really bad. How do I know? The trolls…ah… certain librarians and reviewers on Goodreads say so.
Disregard all the great reviews that have been written in very professional style by those I don’t know, but who have become fans, in praise of the books. These folks have an agenda. And it ain’t pretty.
They are maligning A Price for Love/Ariel’s Cottage especially, which has happened before causing me to leave the GRs site. But they have made a promise, in writing, that there will be a lot of 1-star and no-star reviews. “Don’t say you haven’t been warned.” Well, it’s happening. If they want to hurt you there are no holes barred and no management on any site can help you. This group, who stick together like snot on tissue, obviously meant it for more than the one book . The ratings on all my books on Goodreads have now decreased significantly. Without even checking I can confidently say there are a lot of new 1-star reviews without comments posted. Well, that’s Goodreads. It does have this reputation against authors, especially Indie authors. Too bad the general public doesn’t understand.
I just read a man’s very nice statement to one of their comments in the Goodreads Author Feedback Group discussion Writer’s Circle>REVIEWS. He said when exchanging reads for a review he opted not to do a review because the book was so bad. The author was agreeable and welcomed his feedback. That is a very polite and normal human way to do things. The responses he got were encouraging him to give bad reviews or the poor public will be duped into buying bad books. Notwithstanding the fact that authors, especially Indie authors, struggle to sell even one book, this is their ploy to expand their negative behavior. I hope he doesn’t succumb.
So, what’s a troll? According the this article, Internet Trolls are Horrible People, they are not only not-nice people, but really dangerous. To quote: “…the behaviors are intrinsically motivating for sadists…” Read it for yourself: http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/climate_desk/2014/02/internet_troll_personality_study_machiavellianism_narcissism_psychopathy.html
This is an article that addresses the research findings of those who thrill at trolling. I’m sure there are other articles you can look up. In fact, try this one – http://en.wordpress.com/tag/trolls/ However, if you want a real picture of their damage check out the site where victims of their abuse report: http://www.stopthegrbullies.com You are welcome to report to them on my behalf, if you so choose. They are very good with confidentiality.
Sadism is the tendency to derive pleasure, especially sexual gratification, from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others. In general use, it’s deliberate cruelty. Having worked in the psychological field, having a Master’s in Counseling Psychology, I am well acquainted with the other terms used in the article – narcissistic, Machiavellian and psychopathic. Each category includes very dangerous people. To help you understand here are the definitions.
Narcissism is the excessive or erotic interest in oneself and one’s physical appearance. Psychologists define it as a personality type, a disorder if enough diagnostic traits are revealed. Its characterized by a grandiose view of one’s own talents and a craving for admiration. Also, be aware, this personality disorder is grouped with antisocial and borderline disorders as the most dangerous. Psychoanalyists have found the individual’s self-centeredness arising from a failure to distinguish the self from external objects, as in very young babies or as a feature of a mental disorder.
Machiavellian, name after Niccolò Machiavelli, refers to a person who is cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous, especially in politics or in advancing one’s career. I would clarify it as advancing one’s agenda.
Everyone uses the term psychopath at some point in reference to behavior, but few really understand the implications. Basically, it’s an unstable and aggressive person, but in mental health evaluations the disorder is shown to be chronic, that is, ongoing with abnormal and violent social behavior.
Well, this is more than I planned to say. I haven’t referred to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual because it really is for professionals only…and maybe professional writers. It may even be on line if you’re researching for a deviant character or psychological thriller. Now, back to the topic.
There is no defense against derogatory. Most of us who have encountered such low life individuals already know this. However, since it’s part of their tactics to put you off, hoping avoidance will save you from more abuse, it’s time to act when the abuse doesn’t end. And…I could use a little help. I’m experiencing one of James Kirk’s no-win scenerios. I, too, am trying not to believe in it.
Like I said in the beginning…don’t buy my books. Of course, if you are curious enough to want to see for yourself, then by all means, go ahead. Add an honest review if you like, showing you have actually read the book and can make comments about elements within. I can tell the difference. Can’t you? What I am meaning by the statement, don’t buy, is that purchase isn’t necessary if you want to help. It’s a very simple gesture I request…in fact, I beg for.
Amazon says that comments can be made about negative reviews. Fine, that’s an option, but it’s predictable that they will come back with something you’ll have to answer to and you’ll get drawn in. If a comment for a positive review seems appropriate to you, and you’re brave, give it a try. If a comment against it follows, I’d advise you to remain unresponsive, or report it to Amazon. I know, steam will come out of your ears, but when in a cage of hungry carnivorous creatures, you must be careful.
The biggest help, according to Amazon, (yes, I have communicated to them about this) is to vote Yes on the positive reviews and No on the negative reviews. Don’t vote more than once because it won’t count anyway. And it’s considered ballot stuffing. If you do this the one million drop in this one book’s ranking, A Price for Love (Kindle; Ariel’s Cottage is the book) might return closer to what it was.
Be aware of the number of votes when you check. In one day the negative review got 8 Yes votes, so they are ahead of the No votes. In almost two years none of the other reviews have gotten more than 6, and most only 4. And No votes were obviously added to the positive reviews.
I have a few from another of my sites who added the 5 No votes yesterday, which makes it a total of 13 in one day. We should all be so lucky to have this everyday…in a more positive way, of course.
If you’re not into doing this sort of thing for anyone, but want to offer encouragement I will approve your comment. The troll comments, of course, will not be approved. And I have no doubt this will appear on GRs for them to fan the flames because it posts on my Facebook page.
I’m back to seeing trolls everywhere. It’s a victim response, but I’ve backed off to think about this. I have cut-throat abilities with words, but choose not to use them outside of fiction, and rarely there. However, in light of this, I am seriously considering the characters for another book. This one I may send to a publisher, one that likes hot topics and controversial situations. Or, hot situations and controversial topics. Anyway… Several titles come to mind – Troll Heaven, The Day of the Trolls, Walk like a Troll, Sing the Troll Song, Being Troll…it could be fun. And all the characters have such cute names…BubblesintheBath, TinManHardStanding, BacadabusBob, Sexy24-7. I made these up and hope no real person uses them, but you get the picture.
Thank you for understanding my need for this posting, and I hope there is some help out there. I don’t want it to turn out like promised reviews that never appear. Good people need to stick together and support among Indie authors is usually strong. So, thank you for all your support in advance. I think I need some ice cream now, chocolate, of course.
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