Why I don't do reviews.

[Vocenoctum]

My Non Reviewness is for a slightly different reason. If I buy a book and start reading it, but it's bad so I don't finish... I can't write a review saying "this book is so horrible, I can't even finish it" and I won't read the entire book just to write the review...

As for books I actually like, I'd have "YMMV" in the review so much, it'd be worthless.

Besides, if you give something a bad review that other people like, someone will start a topic on it and people will flame you.

 

[trancejeremy]

I don't have any specific problems with anyone. I've pretty much stopped sending any review copies after over 50 different PDFs sent to a few dozen reviewers -- in one month and at the request of the reviewers -- turned up less than a handful of reviews.

Well, at least with PDFs, you aren't really out of anything if you don't get a review. At most a lost sale.

After I managed to weasel my way onto Bastion Press's reviewers list (in exchange for posting them on RPG.net, which actually stopped giving out the review copies actually sent directly to it), the first email sent out by Steve mentioned that on average, companies send out about 30 copies of reviews, and generally only get reviews from about 1/3 of 1/2 they sent them to.

Actual physical copies. Plus the cost of shipping.

I don't think Bastion actually sends out that many, there were 15 email addresses on the list. But I don't think I've seen many reviews of their products. Some products, I've only seen my reviews of, plus the reviews at d20 Zines, which Steve also runs. (Like say, Into the Blue or Arena)

 

[Bagpuss]

Besides, if you give something a bad review that other people like, someone will start a topic on it and people will flame you.

If I thought that would happen I would be doing reviews every week.

 

[Crothian]

If I thought that would happen I would be doing reviews every week.

Well, then find a book and write a review. If I have to flame people to get review, I'm willing to do it!!!

 

[Psion]

Besides, if you give something a bad review that other people like, someone will start a topic on it and people will flame you.

Or for that matter, good reviews. I can think of many a product where I gave it a four and fans, friends, or authors come back with "how could you belittle the product so?" My favorite was when one fan told me that I "stabbed [the product] in the face."

 

[Mark]

Rant? Surely, you mean "valuable alternative opinion"?

Still stings, eh?

 

[Vocenoctum]

Or for that matter, good reviews. I can think of many a product where I gave it a four and fans, friends, or authors come back with "how could you belittle the product so?" My favorite was when one fan told me that I "stabbed [the product] in the face."

See, I thought Fan's flamed when you gave a low score, and Publishers threatened you when you gave a 4/5

 

[baseballfury]

Besides, if you give something a bad review that other people like, someone will start a topic on it and people will flame you.

If it's a well written and reasoned review, this isn't that likely. It's when reviews are unfair and poorly done that people say "WTF?"

 

[Prince of Happiness]

If it's a well written and reasoned review, this isn't that likely. It's when reviews are unfair and poorly done that people say "WTF?"

Off topic: Baseballfury, did you get your name from "The Warriors?"

 

[baseballfury]

Off topic: Baseballfury, did you get your name from "The Warriors?"

Hell yeah! "Warriors, come out and play..."