# If you can't take critisism, don't go requesting reviews **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 19, 2019, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181 "2019-05-19T14:43:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181/21 "2019-05-19T18:43:18Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > All my future plays will be published under my new nom de plume, William Shekespeare. Cool! Your books will be right next to mine then, I’m publishing under Billy Shakes-Pear. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181/22 "2019-05-19T18:52:03Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Yes, I was unfair. The recent self-published bestsellers range from _The Martian_🆒 to _Fifth Shades of Gray_ :eek: . When Fifty Shades of Gray got published big time I looked it up on Goodreads and found it very interesting how practically every rating was two stars or five. Now Fifty Shades, terrible though it may be, is so much better than this, but unfortunately it only has one review before this viral kerfuffle, a five star review from 2013. The same applies to his other books. A smattering of five or four star reviews. ---
**Author:** ![Royal\_Nonesutch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecb155/32.png) [@Royal\_Nonesutch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Royal_Nonesutch)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181/23 "2019-05-19T18:55:58Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > It’s quite clear the reason why his prose is so bad is his arrogance. He falls in love with his own prose and sees no reason to think about making it better. Yeah, people hate that, all right. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181/24 "2019-05-19T19:09:53Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > There are GOOD self-published authors? I mean, even I’m not egotistical enough to try. Do you mean “good” in a literary sense or in a “financially successful” sense? There are two authors on the Dope who are self-published (I think - at least they started that way) who I enjoy and I even wrote some positive reviews for one of them. The _Wool/Dust/Shift_ series was self-published to start. I believe _Fifity Shades of Gray_ started as a fanfic, even lower than self-published, and went on to financial success and becoming a movie. _The Martian_ started as a podcast - not sure if that counts - then was published in print form and later turned into a movie starring Matt Damon. If it does count, it counts both ways. In other words - yes, it’s possible to have good, self-published authors. They are, however, extremely rare. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181/25 "2019-05-19T19:12:57Z")
It’s always a swift move to claim that your writing is so clever and nuanced that it clearly _went way over the head of the reviewer._ ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181/26 "2019-05-19T19:21:45Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I believe _Fifity Shades of Gray_ started as a fanfic, even lower than self-published, and went on to financial success and becoming a movie. Twilight fanfic, which is even lower than regular fanfic. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181/27 "2019-05-19T19:39:48Z")
I’ve never had the hubris to submit any of my writing. I had the impression most publishing companies typically demand a lot of rewrites or they completely reject it? Self-publishers side-step that process to their detriment. It must be hard finding reviewers that provide reliable critiques for rewrites. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181/28 "2019-05-19T19:55:40Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > All my future plays will be published under my new nom de plume, William Shekespeare. > [@naita](#): > > Cool! Your books will be right next to mine then, I’m publishing under Billy Shakes-Pear. If either of you decide to write erotica, I’ve got dibs on Big Billy Quivering-rod ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181/29 "2019-05-19T20:19:53Z")
The most jaw-dropping part was when he got only a four-star review and browbeat the magazine to give him five. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181/30 "2019-05-19T20:32:37Z")
I don’t believe he’s some random arrogant guy. He’s either a good troll pretending to be a bad author (that’s what I suspect), or mentally very disturbed. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181/31 "2019-05-19T21:17:44Z")
Certainly not a troll. The book existed, was online, and was reviewed in online magazines. He makes it clear when he got the four-star review that someone else was reviewing it. It’s also a pretty complicated way to troll. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181/32 "2019-05-19T22:09:16Z")
The notion that you should only review something if you’re going to say it’s good is asinine. It negates the whole point of reviews. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181/33 "2019-05-19T22:22:05Z")
Any person who shows anything the “I made it myself” category, had better be prepared to accept any response they get. As we used to say in P.R., if you want to make sure the story says exactly what you want it to say, buy an ad. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181/34 "2019-05-19T22:24:51Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > More: > > That sentence should be taken out and shot… Don’t worry. It will die from self-asphyxiation. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181/35 "2019-05-19T22:25:58Z")
Want to bet this guy never participated in a critique group? Or if he did, they are all buried in his lawn? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181/36 "2019-05-19T22:32:01Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’ve never had the hubris to submit any of my writing. I have. You need a thick skin to do it, there’s a _lot_ of rejection - and I say that as someone who has actually been published. Acceptance once is no guarantee of further acceptance down the line. > [@](#): > > I had the impression most publishing companies typically demand a lot of rewrites or they completely reject it? My experience is they mostly just reject it. Most of them are at least polite about it, something along the lines of “Thanks for the submission but it does not meet our needs at this time.” > [@](#): > > Self-publishers side-step that process to their detriment. It must be hard finding reviewers that provide reliable critiques for rewrites. These days there are on-line communities/groups that will help you with editing, rewrites, and constructive criticism IF you are adult enough, and ego-secure enough, to deal with it. Those who throw spoiled-brat tantrums tend to be just as rejected as their poor writing. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181/37 "2019-05-19T22:47:02Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I had the impression most publishing companies typically demand a lot of rewrites or they completely reject it?. No. A book publisher will make suggestions after they buy your book, and most of them are things you realize will definitely improve the book. You aren’t even required to accept them, but it’s best to be able to articulate why, at least. It’ll only be a couple of chapters at most. Usually, you just turn in the changes and they take them. You are always part of the editing process. ---
**Author:** ![Dobbs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Dobbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dobbs)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181/38 "2019-05-19T22:57:15Z")
Checking the reviewers on Amazon who gave him 5 stars shows several whose profiles make me think ‘astroturfing’ is involved. In particular ‘Angel Love’ submitted about 70 or 80 reviews on one day (I stopped counting at 40), all 5 star. All the book reviews ‘Angel’ wrote were mostly the same, ‘enjoyed the book with all the twists and turns’. I wonder what that job pays? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181/39 "2019-05-19T23:07:27Z")
> [@Dobbs](#): > > Checking the reviewers on Amazon who gave him 5 stars shows several whose profiles make me think ‘astroturfing’ is involved. In particular ‘Angel Love’ submitted about 70 or 80 reviews on one day (I stopped counting at 40), all 5 star. All the book reviews ‘Angel’ wrote were mostly the same, ‘enjoyed the book with all the twists and turns’. > > I wonder what that job pays? Free books. 😃 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181/40 "2019-05-19T23:55:18Z")
> [@](#): > > Quoth **RealityChuck** : > > It’s quite clear the reason why his prose is so bad is his arrogance. He falls in love with his own prose and sees no reason to think about making it better. No, that’d explain why he’s publishing the first draft, but it still doesn’t account for why the first draft is so bad. And with how complicated those sentences are, I’d actually suspect the reverse: That he started simpler, and then went back with a thesaurus to embellish everything. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-take-critisism-dont-go-requesting-reviews/834181.md?page=3)