Reader Defense Force

You're reading Books, Beer and BLOGshit! It's the only blog that sticks up for the rights of readers everywhere. I am your blogger, Mr. Frank!

This round of Books, Beer and BLOGshit deals with sticking up for the readers. Recently, I saw a post on Facebook by a writer regarding a book review he took exception to. It was a review for the book Predator X. It is a sci-fi book that seems to lie somewhere in the short story/novella spectrum that some may refer to as a novelette (I hate that word personally and refuse to use it, but that's another blog post entirely.) What struck me was, after reading the review, I didn't think it was as bad as all the vitriol I saw being spewed over it.

Let's take a look first at the Facebook post. The names of been redacted, it's not the who but the what that is at issue here:

Mr. Facebook Man: How can Amazon allow a review like this? This is fucking ridiculous!

http://www.amazon.com/review/R3NMZJTHPNSD7X/ref=cm_cr_pr_cmt?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00JI3N1H4#wasThisHelpful

"First of all I haven't read the story so 3..." a review of: Predator X
www.amazon.com


Comment 1: By the spelling errors, you can tell that he doesn't read much.... Jerk-off...

Comment 2: In a world where social media, blogs and forums don't exist, what other choice does he have but to sound off in an Amazon review? Personally, I salute Commander Dumbshit for making his voice heard in the face of tyranny. Many don't know that the Arab Spring took flight thanks to an irrelevant review of "Beethoven's 5th" entitled "I give oppression one star only because I cannot give a zero"

Comment 3: Wow. Should only be allowed to review what you purchase. He is a ballbag

Comment 4: I was under the impression that you can not review anything unless you purchase it.

Comment 5: Ridiculous. Not sure exactly how Amazon approves reviews during the delay before they're posted, but wouldn't it be easy enough to flag this kind of nonsense? Sheesh.

Comment 6: That is ridiculous! How can they even state a review when their first statement reads: "I haven't read this?"

Comment 7: I reported the review for abuse!! Everyone should do the same and have this taken down.

Comment 8: Reviews like that are just stupid.

Comment 10: What the...?

Comment 11: I reported it for abuse

 Comment 12: On the other hand, the reviewers words speak for themselves...and tell readers more about his education, intellect, and trustworthiness that perhaps he knows.

 Damn. They are all in a tizzy. It must be awful what this reviewer wrote. How dare he have the cajones to speak his mind. How dare he have an opinion! Shame on Amazon for allowing customers to give feedback. Something must be done! Torches and pitchforks, now!

Wait. Let's take a look at exactly what this awful reviewer said before we go maiming people:

This review is from: Predator X (Kindle Edition)
The story maybe great I haven't read it, that being said I wanted to give feedback to the author....I hate buying short stories especially if I have to pay for one story because there are plenty of novels out there to read, I generally van read a 300 page novel in one sitting and that is while taking time to do other things. I want a meal not a snack something to sink my teeth in to, my suggestion is if your going to write short stories (and really that's all a novella is) then publish a series in one volume. I very seldom purchase a novel under 300 pages. When I read an exert and think this could be cool then see it's between 75 to 150 pages it's extremely disappointing. After all there are a ton of new writers to discover where there first novels are the same or cheaper than a short story. As I said this is feedback for the authors I apologize to the readers.

Well, lets see here... The reviewer states that he or she did not actually read the story. Yeah, that's not so good. And he "van" read an "exert", so there is that. But let's put those two points aside. Let's take a look at the guts of this review.

The reader is saying they want a plumper story. Amazon lists this story as 154 pages. I am not familiar with the author but she feels like a self published indie writer. She's asking $3.99 for a 154 page book and doesn't seem to have enough clout to be charging that much in this blogger's opinion. So maybe this reviewer is onto something here. A sparkle of validity in a sea of poor grammar.

The reviewer also states specifically that his/her review is meant for the writer specifically. They are trying to point out what they perceive to be a pricing disparity. The reviewer asks that potential readers disregard the criticism as the review presents concerns for the writer.

Furthermore, despite the negative comments mostly dealing with a pricing issue, the reviewer still rates the book THREE STARS! Damn, I'd take it! A free three star review for a book they never read, what's the problem?

Look, the writers who complained are correct. You should never post a review of something you have not read. But, I think that is where their concerns should end. The poor grammar in the review should be overlooked, not everyone is a writer and readers shouldn't be expected to execute at that level. The grammar should demonstrate to those reading the reviews, the quality of the feedback.

 Next, you can't cry foul at Amazon for allowing reviews like this. The system needs to be open. Indie writers especially should understand this. When they give out review copies of their work it is with the hope that the free review copies will lead to reviews being posted on outlets such as Amazon. If limit that ability to only people who have purchased the book you will defeat you publicity and marketing campaigns. Not only that, but it will not stop someone who actually does pay $3.99 for this book to still post valid complaints about the pricing.

Lastly, and I think it's a point everyone who got upset with this review missed, it was a three star review. That's pretty damn good even for a good review. So the reviewer had a problem with the price of the book in relation to its length, noted that the feedback was directed at the author not the reader and STILL gave it a three star review. Do you see what they did there? They did not upset the fair balance of the star average by blasting it for 1 star. It seems a completely fair exchange to me.

In the end, the big point is this: Don't ever shit on a reviewer. I watch writers beg and plead for reviews all day long, day in and day out. Then when I see writers get angry about some of the reviews they get, I get upset. I am a reader and a reviewer. What is the motivation to continue reviewing your work or any other writers if this is how I see my honest opinion being received?

Think about that.

I Left My Heart In San Francisco; Tony Baker Came Along And Ate It

You're reading Books, Beer and BLOGshit! It's the only blog that is getting too old for this shit. I am your blogging pal, Mr. Frank.

Zombies. I can't help it. I'm sick of them and yet I keep going back to the well. It's a sickness. This time the virus that's infected me is author Tony Baker. I got to know Tony through the intertubes early on in his freshman writing venture. He was nothing short of a real nice guy and he had a passion to write his first book, SURVIVORS OF THE DEAD. Though he was proudly displaying book covers and advertising book trailers for the book, he had still to complete writing at the time.

Ballsy to say the least. If he failed to get it done he would have looked the fool who invested in a passing dream. If he succeeded he would have pulled off one of the most innovative pre-marketing campaigns I've ever watched conducted on social media.

Well, the later was the case and Tony Baker produced as promised. I was so impressed I invited Tony Baker to be interviewed here on The Blogshit. He was only too happy to take part.  So here is Mr. Get-It-Done himself, Tony Baker:

The Blogshi:  Welcome to Books, Beer and BLOGshit, author Tony Baker. How does it feel to have the moniker of author?

Tony Baker:  Thanks, Frank. I’m still not use to the title, but I guess I have claimed it. Hard to get my head around the fact that I have finished, let alone published, my very first book, and certainly hard to believe how well it seems to have been received in the genre.

The Blogshit:  Your first book, the zombie thriller, SURVIVORS OF THE DEAD, follows retired San Francisco police officer Harold Lancaster as he struggles to find a foothold of a safe haven for himself and those he finds still struggling for life at the start of a zombie outbreak. What sets your story apart from other zombie apocalypse stories?

Tony Baker:  I consider my series to be another installment in a genre that has been written about many times. I do not think there is anything specific or dramatic that sets Survivors of the Dead apart from the rest of the amazing work that has already been published. My work is just a different take, or perspective, on that same story. Like a different episode of a TV series, featuring different characters, and a slightly different story line. The end of the world as we know it, humanity brought to its knees, and survival. Good versus evil. The same story told through the experiences of a different group of characters and circumstances.

The Blogshit:  As stated before, the main character is a retired police officer, did you write this character from experience?

Tony Baker:  The best, and most common, advice I received prior to starting on my writing journey was ‘write what you know’. The short answer to your question, is yes, I developed the character of Harry Lancaster from direct experience

The Blogshit:  Have you learned anything about your first writing experience based on reader’s reaction to the book do far?

Tony Baker:  As of this interview I have received eighty-two reviews on Amazon. Mostly high praise for a first attempt at writing, but many of the reviews have offered insights that I will take into account going forward. I will not change my style, my voice, but there have been suggestions and observations that make sense to me. My goal is to produce the most enjoyable experience for a reader as possible, and to that end I am thankful for the input from those who have read the book, and shared their thoughts.

The Blogshit:  Will you be focusing exclusively on this series going forward or do you have plans to expand the scope of your writing as you continue the story of Harold Lancaster?

Tony Baker:  Harry’s journey has only just begun, and with at least three more books in the series I am not certain where I will go afterward. I have some ideas, but it is too early in my career to spend a lot of time dwelling on that right now. THE ROAD UNKNOWN, book two in the series, is on track to publish this Fall so that is what I am currently concentrating on. I certainly plan to keep writing as long as readers are interested in reading my work.

The Blogshit:  What was the toughest moment from the first word you wrote to the publication of SURVIVORS OF THE DEAD?

Tony Baker:  That could be an entire interview by itself, but I think the toughest was the learning curve. Not only writing, but learning how to market myself, the book, and how not to step on too many toes in the process. I can honestly say, however, that the past year has been one of the most exciting experiences of my life.

The Blogshit:  You had a very unique marketing technique leading up to the release of this book. Basically you had the cover, several book trailers and tons of social media hype before the book was even remotely complete. Did that technique serve as a personal motivator for you in addition to creating a lot of buzz and did doing things that way bring a lot of naysayers?

Tony Baker:  Oh yes, there were certainly naysayers. Some quite vocal, while others simply stood back, I’m convinced, and watched. I really did not have a specific strategy in mind other than to allow folks to get to know me as a person, and share the experiences I had while writing. I truly enjoy connecting with people, and what happened over the past year allowed for that. I certainly talked about this project I was working on, but I also shared, supported and promoted other folks work along the way. I was privileged to meet some incredible people who have shown a huge amount of support since the book published. 

The Blogshit:  Do you plan on a similar campaign leading into the next book in the series?

Tony Baker: Yes, but I suspect it will be slightly different. I am thinking that folks will take me a bit more seriously? I am well into book two, and there is a video book trailer planned for release sometime this summer. I plan to continue to do what I always have; have fun writing, share other writers successes, and promote my friends work whenever possible.

The Blogshit:  I'm sure you've accomplished a great many of your goals upon completion of SURVIVORS OF THE DEAD, are there still some goals that have eluded you however?

Tony Baker:  From the Ashes is the first book in the Survivors of the Dead series, and with at least three more books planned this series remains my primary goal. The biggest accomplishment with this first book is very simple; I finished it.

The Blogshit:  In three sentences or less, tell us why we need to read SURVIVORS OF THE DEAD.

Tony Baker:  Harold Lancaster, a retired San Francisco police officer, as he witnesses the devastation of humanity after a worldwide viral terrorist attack that will change the course of history forever.

Harry learns that he and his family, as well as a portion of what remains of the population, is immune to the mutated virus that has been unleashed. During forced relocation, his young nephew is separated from his parents and left in a world now ruled by anarchy and filled with horrors beyond comprehension. Harry's unshakable resolve, his only reason to exist, is to reach his nephew and reunite with the rest of his family. Along with a small band of friends who refuse to leave his side, and after assisting in establishing a safe haven on Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay, Harry embarks on an arduous twenty-three hundred mile trek across a ravaged country.

Although Harry faces the infected and unspeakable horrors, he also discovers incredible acts of courage and resolve by those who remain among the Survivors of the Dead...

Well, that wasn't three sentences, but we've all learned by now that Tony Baker is a rule breaker. That is why he's here. 

SURVIVORS OF THE DEAD is available on Kindle for only $2.99 as well as paperback. Please take a moment to check out Tony Baker's web site and add him as a friend on Facebook. He is about the most modest, humble writer you could ever meet. Don't let that fool you though, his zombies are anything but friendly...

Website www.tonybakerauthor.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/tonyb415

FB Author Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tony-Baker-Author/394853683936399

Twitter https://twitter.com/Tony415SF

LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/pub/tony-baker/84/a7/59b

Friday Night Special

You're reading Books, Beer and Blogshit! It's the only blog that rocks out with it's cock out! I am your lifeless blogger, Mr. Frank!

This time out on the Blogshit we want to appeal to those with no social life on Friday nights. You know who you are, responsibility (most likely family responsibility) has got in the way. No more impromptu excursions out to the local bar scene at 11pm at night. Long gone are the days your can pick up and hit the strip clubs with you buds at the drop of a dime. It's a chore for you to plan a ladies night out at the local male review with your girls.

Books, Beer and Blogshit is here to offer you up an alternative to your 'How Did It Become This Mundane?' Friday nights! Anyone who is a dedicated listener to the Books, Beer and Bullshit podcast are all too familiar with the proverbial Mayor, Armand Rosamilia. Constant Listeners of the more recent podcasts also know mystery/thriller writer Tim Baker (Episode 20). You may also recall those two are part of a broader threesome of writers that include writer Becky Pourchot.

In addition to working together at various local appearancse in the Palm Coast, Florida area, the threesome have recently teamed up to created a talk radio show on their local Flagler Beach radio station, Surf 17. Collectively the three are known as The Castaways. They can be heard Friday nights from 8pm until 10pm having fun discussions ranging from their writing experiences to more broader pop culture topics and all stops in between. They pepper their discussions with themed music picks like memorable songs from their high school years.

The result is a talk radio show that is both harmonious and eclectic at the same time. The three writers come from different times and experiences. The music they plays is a different as their personalities and genres in which they write. Tim Baker talks detective thrillers and classic rock. Becky Pourchot is all about the YA Paranormal Romance while playing 80's and 90's pop rock  and everything from the Greece Soundtrack. Armand Rosamilia brings the edge with horror and zombie fare mixed with a wide array of hard rock and heavy metal sensibilities.

For two hours every Friday night, The Castaways regale us with thoughtful discussions of the writing process and personal stories from their past that inspire their musical choices. In short, it is a great radio program for anyone stuck in on a Friday night. The Castaways  are the centerpiece to what would have been a boring Friday night at home had you not had Books, Beer and Blogshit to lead you to where the excitement is happening in the internet world.

That is not all there is to offer however. Oh no. Books, Beer and Blogshit is going to show you that down in Flagler Beach there is five hours of awesome being broadcast to the entire internet. Originally The Castaways aired for three hours from 7pm until 10pm. That was until Tim Baker's B-Sides and Deep Tracks took over the first hour time slot of The Castaways recently.

Tim Baker's B-Sides and Deep Tracks is a one hour music program that airs on Flager Beach Radio Friday nights from 7pm until 8pm. It serves as the pre-show to The Castaways. If you come from the Classic Rock era this show is right up your alley. If you come from somewhere outside that era, there is still a lot here for you to love! The meat and potatoes of the show is presenting B-Side tracks and less heard fare from artists like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. Tim Baker has great knowledge of these songs and you will be surprised at both the amount of very popular songs there were actually B-sides and how good a deep track can be. Give it a try, it's the perfect show to set the mood for an otherwise mellow Friday night.

After The Castaways, the nasty comes out to play. Mando's Manic Melodies started right after The Castaways, Friday night at 10 pm and assaults your ears until midnight.Though the title of the show maybe a bit uninspired, don't let it fool you. Mando's Manic Melodies, hosted by Books, Beer and Bullshit's own Armand Rosamilia is a two hour tour de force of head banging classics your loved and never knew you loved until you've heard them for the first time again in twenty years. A relentless barrage of Anthrax, Megadeth, Metallica, Judas Priest, Sex Pistols, Dream Theater and Iron Maiden just to name a few, blast out your ear drums just the way they used to when Rikki Rachtman hosted the headbangers ball and you forced your eyes open for all three hours to get your metal fix.

The three shows work together to form the perfect storm for an otherwise ho-hum Friday evening you thought you would be subject to. So, if you have nothing going down this Friday night for one reason or another we STRONGLY encourage you to tune in to Flagler Beach Radio starting at 7pm and hang in for the whole five hour affair at least once. FlaglerBeachRadio.com streams all their radio show live on their web site and you can also download the TuneIn app for your mobile device to listen live.

There shows are currently listen or die format. If you miss it, you miss out. The gang assure me podcast versions of the show are forthcoming. At the moment though, if you miss a moment you miss everything. Let that serve as a bit of extra incentive to listen in so you don't miss a moment.

Give The Castaways a try one Friday night. You won't be disappointed. If' you enjoyed Armand or Tim on Books, Beer and Bullshit podcast you will get more of their great spirit on their own radio show and get introduced to another spirited writer in Becky Pourchot. Tune in and turn it up!