Grief over a review

[Kid Charlemagne]

I saw the review as well; its unfortunate that they've chosen to act in this manner. A Morrus has said, its not the first time. I think you acted reasonably, your review was very fair, and disclosed right up front your connection.

The company in question seems to get defensive about this kind of thing. I posted a few things on their boards when their previous product came, and made some suggestions for future improvement. I got seriously jumped on - although I note that all the things I suggested did get taken into consideration in this new product. That experience (and now this one reinforcing it) has made me reconsider buying their products. Which is too bad, 'cause they're pretty decent books.

 

[trancejeremy]

That's a fair point, but I'm not sure it justifies the behavior described by Gabapentin.

I'm not saying it justifies it ( I would agree, it doesn't), but I'm just trying to explain the behavior.

I know the person in question somewhat (at least I've talked to him a lot via email), and he really is a nice guy, but his products have not sold all that well, and I think it's caused him to be hypersensitive to bad reviews.

And apparently in this case, if this book doesn't sell well, then boom, no more company. So he's probably a bit on edge.


(But again, it doesn't really justify the behavorior. I know I've been on the receiving end of it from a few companies, and it's not much fun)

 

[Teneb]

Well, I read the review in question, and you seemed completely honest about your impressions of the product. That's all that can be asked of you, IMHO, from both review readers and the company.

But bear in mind, smaller publishers, like in this case, often depend on the success of their current book for their company to stay aloat and put out their next book. So they can be a bit touchy, because a whole lot is riding on their book.

Hi trancejeremy. I know you have special insight into what's going on here, and I appreciate your feedback. What you say is true regarding review keeping small publishers keeping afloat. That's part of the reason I wrote the review: to support a company who put out product I liked. The response would have been warranted if I had written a negative review, but I don't think I did.

Since everyone seems to be finding it, and the review is staying up I might as well post a link. I have the nagging impression this besmirches my name somewhat and my integrity is shot, but what's done is done.

http://www.enworld.org/reviews/index.php?sub=yes&where=active&reviewer=teneb&product=TLotNZ

 

[Arnwyn]

That type of conduct is appalling.

I know I'd steer clear if I knew a company conducted business in such a way.

 

[takyris]

Hey, I was right!

Uh, actually, I'd thought I was wrong, because that's not even remotely a negative review. Saying "they got a table wrong" and wishing that you could give 4.5 stars made me worry that you were a gushing playtester more than anything else. They should be on their knees thanking you for that review, and their behavior is entirely inappropriate.

 

[trancejeremy]

Hi trancejeremy. I know you have special insight into what's going on here, and I appreciate your feedback. What you say is true regarding review keeping small publishers keeping afloat. That's part of the reason I wrote the review: to support a company who put out product I liked. The response would have been warranted if I had written a negative review, but I don't think I did.

You did good, really. You tried to help the company by writing a nice review, but you didn't lie about it, you were 100% honest, so you were true to yourself. That's about as helpful as you can get.

Stuart might not realize that now, but when he thinks about it clearly, I imagine he'll apologize.

 

[Bottled Imp Games]

Reviews and Reviews

Why are we pussyfooting around here? Which publisher was this, and which product?

Actually, let's be honest here. It's Bottled Imp Games.

My company.

I'll set the record straight here, as it appears everything has been brought to a head here and all the cards are on the table.

Now everything's in the open, I feel much better about it all.

I may have overreacted about the review.

I was just trying to protect my company. That's all. Something I've spent tens of thousands of pounds on, and two hard years of my life...

In hindsight, it’s very easy to do.

I know I’m over sensitive, but I feel the need to set the record straight. And to actually write down what I’ve wanted to say since way before Liches was published.

But before I do that, let me set the record straight about Zombies…

I'd already had a 5* review from Gamewyrd. I was extremely happy about that (as Gamewyrd are a completely independent reviewer and it's nice to see your work get great reviews).

I knew the reviewer here was not going to give such a good review (he had previously informed me of such), so I suggested that he send it to me first. I guess I was guilty of judging him by my own standards, as although I didn’t expect a five star review, I know I would never post critically on the book of a friend or a colleague. Were I reviewing it, I would comment on the good (and indeed, I have done just that in several reviews)…

The LAST thing you want is to have someone close to you comment on your failings. There are three columns in the prestige classes in Zombies that have incorrect information in them. Believe me, no one is punishing themselves more than I am for that f*ck up. I absolutely hate getting stuff like that wrong.

I guess I led myself to believe (probably foolishly) that everything rested on this one single release. I’d said to myself ‘if it doesn’t manage to sell X copies, then it’s game over’.

And it *would* be foolish to keep on releasing books at a huge loss. And with the art and massive editing costs, BIG was making a huge loss on each book. 'Cut down on the art,' people say, but then Zombies wouldn’t be half the book it is today.

So I’m very close to my books. I’m just one person trying to do everything and, as you probably all know, that is just impossible.

I would like to say that I don’t feel I in any way badgered or pressured the reviewer to retract his review. I merely said that I felt that on top of the other review, pointing out the holes was less than favorable and that it would be best if he removed it. It’s nearly impossible to put yourself in that situation, because, well, hearing bad things about your books is so unbelievably hurtful. I suppose I never developed a skin thick enough to deflect it.

So I made a mistake, I was only trying to protect my company. Surely anyone can understand that.

I would like to say to the reviewer that I said that if it was a toss up between a 4 and a 5 on a review and there were no halfway marks, that I would always round up for a friend. I’m not entirely sure how that got misconstrued, but I think that would be only reasonable for anyone to expect that from a friend. I would expect a lower mark from a professional reviewer, but from a colleague or writing partner, I think I’m allowed to be disappointed.

Perhaps I’m not. Again, I’m only human and feelings are feelings…

Incidentally - I never expected to get such great reviews. I felt that Vampires didn’t in any way deserve the reviews it got. Rewriting it for the PDF edition found so many holes and errors.

But I’d like to clarify on my Liches comments. I think they were warranted (but no one was banned from my site – ever!) If a reviewer is going to review a product that a publisher has sent to them, they should at least read the book thoroughly enough to give it an accurate score, rather than slapping a rating on it after flipping through the pictures.

The sole reason Liches got so many great reviews is that Joe Kushner said ‘if anyone disagrees with my review – they should write their own reviews’ and they did – and to those people THANKS...

But actually, it’s with a surprisingly heavy heart that I am going to announce here that I will not be publishing any more books. It’s just far too difficult for me to take the criticism. It would be a lot easier if I wasn’t doing all of the work, but the emotional level involved in the creation process is just too intensive for me and I’m wrapped up in it far too much.

I’ve tried to take a step back, but hey, we all are what we are, and there’s very little we can do about it.

So to everyone I’ve pissed off – my sincere apologies!

I believe I am a good person who has only tried to do the right thing at all times. My only disgrace was that I’m way too emotional about it all…

I’d like to finish by saying that I think raising this issue here was extremely unfair, because this was a private issue and had nothing to do with anyone but the reviewer and myself.

But, like me, we're all only human.

That’s pretty much the sum of it. I really only wanted to tell a story. I guess it all got rather confused along the way...

Stuart

 

[BigFreekinGoblinoid]

...I have the nagging impression this besmirches my name somewhat and my integrity is shot, but what's done is done...

Well, you have gained my respect, anyway. That and $9 will get you into a movie.

 

[jaerdaph]

Normally i would agree with you, but... *points at hellhound's and Morrus's post* That's two hombres i believe, so i have more sides to a moreway story.

Yes, I *definitely* agree, and that's why I'm so shocked and confused. But I've also had personal correspondence with the publisher for rules clarifications and other matters, and I've always been treated with respect and in a timely, pleasant manner - I like the guy, and I like his stuff. I feel that needs to be said too.

Edit: Got a phone call while working on this. I see Stuart has piped in. Thank you - you've shown a lot of class. And your work has been great - the quality lets it stand on it's own.

 

[Mouseferatu]

But actually, it’s with a surprisingly heavy heart that I am going to announce here that I will not be publishing any more books. It’s just far too difficult for me to take the criticism. It would be a lot easier if I wasn’t doing all of the work, but the emotional level involved in the creation process is just too intensive for me and I’m wrapped up in it far too much.

I'm very sorry to hear this. I think that it shows class to acknowledge that you overreacted in the review situation. More to the point, I've loved all three LotN books so far--as you well know, since we talked about me possibly helping out on one of them at some point in the future. I understand this isn't a money-making proposition for you, and I understand if you can't keep Bottled Imp going. But I'd hate for you to throw in the towel over something like this. The truth is, be it 4 or 5, all three of your books have been worth the high reviews they've gotten.

I hope you'll reconsider, once the emotions have calmed down a bit. And if not, accept my virual handshake. You've done good.