Patricia Stoltey

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That Goodreads Thing That’s Going On

September 25, 2013 By: Patricia

As you know, I don’t discuss controversial issues such as politics and religion on this site. I’m a lot more interested in books and authors. So when controversy and books/authors come together with a big bang, I’m conflicted.

It’s the Goodreads thing. I’m sure you know all about it.

If not, check out these posts:

“Goodreads’ growing pains: Attempt to curtail author bullying angers many users“

And for a little history, check out The Blog That Shall Not Be Named: Taking a Stand Against Bullies, Not Against Reviews

Although I have an author page on Goodreads, I haven’t been very active over there, mostly because I haven’t had time. I’ve heard the rumors about the mean kids who play there. That’s the kind of craziness I try to avoid.

Now it appears Goodreads wants to raise the author/reader experience to a more professional level by allowing all honest book reviews but disallowing attacks on author character or behavior not related to the author’s book. That seems like a good thing.

About the freedom of speech issue: My parents taught me that my freedoms extended only to the boundaries of my space, and were never to intrude upon another individual’s space. To me, space includes privacy and peace of mind. Verbal and written attacks on individuals or groups are attacks on both–and that’s bullying.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this issue?

More from my site

  • I Won’t Write a Negative Review  …  by Brian KaufmanI Won’t Write a Negative Review … by Brian Kaufman
  • On Finding My Words … by Shelley WidhalmOn Finding My Words … by Shelley Widhalm
  • A Few Things I’ve Learned Over the Last Couple of YearsA Few Things I’ve Learned Over the Last Couple of Years
  • Quotes to Prepare You for ThanksgivingQuotes to Prepare You for Thanksgiving
  • Living in the Past (for an hour or so)Living in the Past (for an hour or so)
  • Five Things I’ve Learned from Working That Make My Writing Life EasierFive Things I’ve Learned from Working That Make My Writing Life Easier

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Comments

  1. Arlee Bird says

    September 27, 2013 at 6:11 pm

    I don’t go to Goodreads very much. I’ve heard stuff about the bullying that’s been going on. Not at all appropriate from what I know about it.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

  2. Hilary Melton-Butcher says

    September 26, 2013 at 2:56 am

    Hi Patricia .. I’ve noticed the Goodreads thing going on – but not having a page there .. it sort of washes over me – though people wasting others’ time always irritates me …

    Respect is due at all times … and by not commenting or reviewing often says far more than bully words ..

    Well said post – Hilary

  3. Prashant C. Trikannad says

    September 25, 2013 at 10:56 pm

    I rarely visit Goodreads but I think it is doing the right thing. But then any publicity is good publicity and I wonder how the “bullied” authors feel about the whole thing. Thanks for the links.

  4. Julie Luek says

    September 25, 2013 at 1:30 pm

    I’ve read these articles with surprise and sadness. I’ve used Goodreads strictly as a way to list the books I’ve read and keep a record of them, but after all this negative hoopla, I’m considering going back to my pen n’ notebook method of tracking my books.

  5. Susan Vittitow Mark says

    September 25, 2013 at 8:43 am

    Mixed feelings. The general nastiness that erupts, I can live without. The Internet seems to foster it sometimes. But there are times when an author’s behavior might influence my decision whether or not to buy a book. I think GoodReads is trying to chart a middle path here so that its users aren’t subjected to vitriol all the time. We’ll see how it goes.

  6. Margot Kinberg says

    September 25, 2013 at 6:06 am

    Pat – You raise a really important issue. I’ve never had much respect for people who bully others, and that includes cyber-bullying. Speaking for myself I’ve never had any trouble on Goodreads, but I know it happens.

  7. Alex J. Cavanaugh says

    September 25, 2013 at 6:05 am

    Agree with you there!
    Fortunately I’ve avoided the Goodreads drama.

Meet Patricia

I read, I write, I blog, and sometimes I do the laundry and cook. My 2014 novel, Dead Wrong, was a finalist in the thriller category of the 2015 Colorado Book Awards. Wishing Caswell Dead (Five Star/Cengage, December 20, 2017) is a historical mystery set in 1830s Illinois in the fictitious Village of Sangamon. The novel was a finalist for the 2018 Colorado Book Awards for General Fiction. Read More…

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