Many of you know of Hugh Howey. He's a spectacularly successful indie author of the movie-optioned, dystopian series WOOL. He's also quite a trailblazer for indies, getting traditional deals with big publishers most people said would never happen.
Unfortunately, because he's also an incredibly nice person who's very connected with his readers, he has had to deal with quite a bit of internet bullying.
I find it disgusting how he's been treated by complete strangers, and I can tell you, I know exactly how he feels. I've also been attacked by trolls who down-star my reviews, leave fake 1- or 2-star reviews, and who talk bad about me online, just because I have the audacity to thank people for taking the time to review my books on Amazon.
Here's Hugh coming out against the haters who've accused him of buying reviews (which he's never done, nor have I.) He was bullied as a child and has decided he won't take bullying as an adult lying down. Instead of ignoring the haters, he's meeting them head-on, and I for one am fully behind him in that fight against lies, hate, and unfounded accusations designed to ruin careers.
I hope you'll take a moment to read it. http://www.hughhowey.com/very-small-rocks/
I'm also going to make the same Declaration that he did for my family, friends, and fans.
I, Elle Casey, have never paid and will never pay for a review. EVER. I swear this on my own life and on the love I have for my dear baby Monie. Here she is. And may the accusers and accused alike find peace in their hearts.
I Kat Praeuner have never faked a review. I have read many of Elle Casey’s books and loved every one of them. I do not review books I haven’t read. I usually only review books that move me to review them, good or bad. Love ya Elle! ps. I’ve never met Elle Casey either… but love her I do!
*super hugs* xoxo Thank you, Kat!
Completely agree with you Kat!!!
I actually bought Hugh Howey’s Wool Omnibus on your recommendation. I didn’t particularly like the first one and couldn’t even get through the second one but I chalked it up to just not being my kind of story and moved on. I just don’t tend to write reviews lower than three stars. Not every author is going to write what I’m interested in reading and that’s okay. I operate by the “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all mentality.
My little bit of revenge on the internet bullies as a reader and a fan is when I come upon a review where the reviewer has admitted to not reading the book, I always vote it down. I sometimes see reviews where a reader has read the first book and didn’t like it so decides to vote down the rest. Some of my favorite series get better with the sequels.
I am glad that Hugh Howey is taking a stand and I fully support him. I have not read any of his books so far, but I see that he shares a lot of his knowledge on the Kboards and I am one of the many people who are grateful to have him around.
Just imagine my shock to see H. M. Ward’s name on this very list to. She is my shero and I know she would never do something like this.
I hope this person spends some time behind bars because it is obvious they don’t know what to do with their life.
Cute dog! I believe you.
I missed this whole kerfuffle about authors and fake reviews. I’ll Google it. Sorry if someone slimed you. Not good! Take care.
PS – I’m enjoying Shine not Burn.
xo
Thank you, Pam. 🙂
Not me. I plan to buy as many reviews as I can with the $13.75 the wife has budgeted for my “promotion”.
🙂 Good luck with that, Fred.
Hey, great post, and I love all of the doggie pix! BTW, just finished Don’t Make me Beautiful, and it’s really good. Cheers, Catherine Stine
Thank you! Appreciate you stopping by. 🙂
Wow! I loved your Apocalypsis series (now reading Wrecked) and I also devoured Hugh Howey’s Wool series. It was neat to come to your blog (sharing your link and Howey’s with a new author friend as examples of successful self published authors) and see Hugh Howey’s name. Then I read it. I had not heard about this controversy. I think that’s horrible. Both you and Howey are excellent writers and storytellers. Anyone who would suggest that you or Howey bought reviews, obviously hasn’t read the books or they’d realize that the great reviews are well justified.
Thank you, Nancy! I really appreciate your support and you coming by to share with me how you felt about my work. And Hugh’s! He’s a great guy. 🙂
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