Comments on: Who Took The Good Out Of Goodreads?

By: Jolana Malkston

Jolana Malkston — Sun, 01 Sep 2013 05:32:40 +0000

Thanks for commenting and for posting the petition link, Nancy. I hope everyone who sees it will click on it and sign the petition.

By: Jolana Malkston

Jolana Malkston — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 03:01:08 +0000

Thank you, Kristen. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you to go far in your writing career if you will do the same for me. 🙂

You may not be able to recognize covetous sociopaths because they can be sweet as pie to your face. It’s what they do behind your back that you have to look out for. Now that you know covetous sociopaths exist, you will be more alert and aware when something isn’t going the way it should. As I noted when I suggested reading Dr. Stout’s book, forewarned is forearmed.

By: Jolana Malkston

Jolana Malkston — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 02:46:52 +0000

It is sad that these vicious abusive reviewers can find nothing positive to do with their time, and that they are cowards hiding behind anonymous user names. They are truly pathetic.

By: Jolana Malkston

Jolana Malkston — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 02:40:28 +0000

I agree. I would throw envious into the mix also.

The videos you describe are malicious in nature and would certainly make a case for slander. Perhaps Goodreads would take notice if the site were named codefendant in libel and slander lawsuits. If just one author would take them on, it may very well let the air out of the trolls’ balloon. I remember when Carol Burnett took on the tabloids when they libeled her, falsely portraying her as a drunk. She took them to court and won big–$10 million, if memory serves–and from then on, the lawsuits proliferated, making it less profitable for the tabloids to print unsubstantiated articles. Writers may have to get tough, not only with the trolls but with Goodreads also.

By: Jolana Malkston

Jolana Malkston — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 02:28:28 +0000

You’re welcome, Margo. 🙂

I’m sure pity is the last reaction a covetous sociopath expects or wants to get. It would probably ruin her day.

It’s wonderful that you have such a positive attitude toward life. As the saying goes, “Living well is the best revenge.” 🙂

By: Jolana Malkston

Jolana Malkston — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 02:19:10 +0000

Not reading reviews of our books may be healthier for the psyche, but then the trolls get by with their abusive reviews. The thing to do may be to make a pact with our writing friends to band together to protect one another’s back. If we spot abusive reviews of our friends’ books, we notify Goodreads at once on their behalf. The best of all possible worlds would be for Goodreads to change its policy and prohibit anonymous reviews. If the trolls are forced out from under the bridge of anonymity, they will have to consider whether it is worth facing a libel suit before they post inaccurate and abusive reviews using their real names.

By: Patricia Kiyono

Patricia Kiyono — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 22:42:35 +0000

It’s very sad, and some of them are active on Amazon as well. Some of use names – but then we can’t be sure those are their true names. Most reputable reviewers will say that if they don’t like a book they won’t review it at all. Unfortunately, Miss SIR doesn’t fall in the reputable category.

By: Melissa Keir

Melissa Keir — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 22:36:43 +0000

I’ve seen this happen more than once on Goodreads. They are more than just a regular negative review. They put up video excerpts where people defame the book and author. I’d like to see those reviewers gone. They think they are funny but really are just sad and mean people.

By: Margo Hoornstra

Margo Hoornstra — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 16:09:56 +0000

It is unfortunate and very, very sad. The only thing I can think to do is to feel sorry for someone who is so sad and bitter that destruction of others is, as you say, their modus operandi. I’m just thankful for all of the good things and good friends it my life. That more than outweighs all of the negative. Thanks, Jolana. I am a forever fan!

By: Nancy Gideon

Nancy Gideon — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 13:35:51 +0000

Painfully on target! Having to fear a social media site because of its reputation for allowing bullying to run rampant is more than just a ruinous shame. I’ve had great experiences on GoodReads . . . and then there’s the ‘reviewer’ who tacks a 1-star onto the book you’re still writing in anticipation of not liking it. Miss Precognitive Sadistic Incompetent Reviewer. Here’s a link to a petition to GoodReads asking that they not allow such behavior to continue: http://www.change.org/petitions/goodreads-policy-on-abuse-to-authors-not-to-allow-comments-to-be-abusive-in-nature?share_id=XrSftWIrfK&utm_campaign=signature_receipt&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition