I’ve been avoiding the Romancelandia blogs in favor of writing, so I almost missed the “Avon editors diss online romance reviewers” kerfluffle. But while it doesn’t surprise me that mainstream NY print publishing isn’t 100% caught up on the marvels of the online reading/reviewing community and how it can be used to further sales and build reader enthusiasm, I have to wonder at the vitriolic tone in response to what seem to be rather innocuous and well-intended — if possibly ill-informed — comments.
Yeah, it makes sense to say, “Dude, you might be a tad behind the curve on this,” and provide data to support your point. Less with the sense-making is the whole, “OMG, you took a piss in my Wheaties ON PURPOSE and I’m TOTALLY GOING TO CUT YOU,” thing.
I thought the intent was to educate the industry on the joys of the online community, not score Imaginary Intraweb points by launching attacks and fomenting bad feelings. Doesn’t look like those Avon editors will be standing in line for any “education” anytime soon. Counter-productive, much?
But what the hell do I know? I live in jeans and dirty sneakers, and my style-quotient is WAY below the norm. Maybe sporting a massive a chip on your shoulder is the new black?
Selah March 
That one was interesting, no? The thing is, that editors don’t just edit. They normally have to go to the table gunning for a book with numbers and stats and a marketing plan so that THEIR book gets picked. So to see some commentors screech, “They’re not in marketing!” kinda is not true. And misinformed.
This shrieking indignance is … funny, frankly.
Comment by Eva — May 26, 2009 @ 11:35 am |
To be fair, I think NY trad pub is a little in the dark when it comes to the power of online communities, but the way to make the point is…not like that.
Five’ll getcha ten we’re not the only ones pointing and giggling. 🙂
Comment by Selah March — May 26, 2009 @ 11:39 am |
I totally agree @ an online community-look at Joanna Bourne’s The Spymaster’s Lady-I may be wrong but I think that one hit the ground running on the web.
Comment by Eva — May 26, 2009 @ 1:25 pm |
The biggest problem for me was with who conducted the interview in the first place. I hold a lot of online review sites in high esteem– AAR is not one of them.
Comment by Barb Ferrer — May 26, 2009 @ 4:06 pm |
Agreed. I’m just amazed by how quickly the whole thing devolved into “OMG I’M SO OUTRAGED! DIE IN A FIRE, ALL THOSE WHO DO NOT RECOGNIZE MAH RELEVANCE AND AUTHORITAH!1!!
Comment by Selah March — May 26, 2009 @ 4:21 pm |
AAR has scared me since they eviscerated Lisa Valdez (before then, too, but that was a marker).
Comment by Eva — May 26, 2009 @ 5:07 pm |
I’m amazed that you’re amazed by how quickly the whole thing devolved into “OMG I’M SO OUTRAGED! DIE IN A FIRE, ALL THOSE WHO DO NOT RECOGNIZE MAH RELEVANCE AND AUTHORITAH!1!!”
Been on the romanternet long, sugar? =p
Comment by Kerry Allen — May 26, 2009 @ 6:39 pm |
What can I say? Each sunrise I awaken with fresh hope for the redemption of romancekind; each sunset sees those hopes dashed.
Hold me?
Comment by Selah March — May 26, 2009 @ 7:34 pm |
“OMG I’M SO OUTRAGED! DIE IN A FIRE, ALL THOSE WHO DO NOT RECOGNIZE MAH RELEVANCE AND AUTHORITAH!1!!”
Bwahahahahahahahaha! That’s so true. Who in the hell would risk the job she has by blogging all damned day to be famous as a – blogger. Yeesh. So pathetic.
Comment by Ferfe — June 3, 2009 @ 5:33 pm |