Harlequin Imprint Carina

[erastes]

Harlequin Imprint Carina – a new epub but taking GLBT fiction among the other genres. This is SUCH good news for GLBT fiction. Yes, another imprint, but it’s HARLEQUIN and they are going to take GLBT titles.  I’ve been predicting this for the last couple of years – once one publisher tries something then they all will eventually.

I’m sure they’ll be DELUGED with submissions (poor editors, going into nervous breakdowns) but I’m going to try them with Mere Mortals I think.  I’d much rather have it put into print, but as they have no plans to go into print, perhaps the rights are only for epubbing. We’ll have to see.

Otherwise, I do with authors wouldn’t get so pissy in public about reviews they don’t like. Sheesh we all get them, I’ve had loads.  I might whine in private – and i’ve even linked to them in public just to show that i DO get them, but I don’t go on a rampage whining all over the place, and I’d never attack the reviewer on the blog. Don’t do it! It doesn’t endear you to anyone, it makes you look incredibly stupid and unprofessional.

Rule for reviews. The best response to a good review is No Response.  The best response to a bad review IS NO RESPONSE.

Reviews are subjective. Just because one person doesn’t like your book, it means NOTHING. NO-THING. DON’T WHINE.

 

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Comments

[joannesopercook.livejournal.com]

I've recently stopped reading reviews, good or bad. The good ones just fill your head with unrealistic expectations re: sales &tc., and the bad ones just make you mad...

[erastes.livejournal.com]

Sensible

[vashtan.livejournal.com]

I tend to thank the reviewer, if I can (and the review wasn't horrible). That OK?

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I might do it offline, but tend not even to do that now. You don't see the big authors trawling for reviews - but that's all.

[dcjuris.livejournal.com]

I agree... just read it and keep your lil mouth shut. I mean... complain about it to friends and family, *maybe* another author... but to the actual reviewer? That's classless. You just end up sounding whiny and sad. I've actually bought books after reading a bad review and thinking "It can't be THAT bad!". Sometimes it is... sometimes, it's really not. It's all subjective to opinion. Personally, I'm looking forward to the day I get reviews - good OR bad. I think it means you've "arrived".

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

I tend to give brief thanks for a review, unless it's so horrible that I can't face acknowledging it. In which case I say nothing. Surely complaining about it and linking to it is just a way of letting everyone know that someone thought your book was really bad. If you hadn't said anything, they might not even have noticed. So that's a bit counterproductive.

I've been thinking over my first reaction re Carina and decided it was a bit negative. Print or not, it's still fantastic that they're testing the waters. If it does well for them, then who knows where it could end :)

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I used to, and sometimes I will personally, not on the site, because I think that looks just as silly as complaining (but that's just me, probably, I mean you don't see GRRM or whoever trawling the net for reviews...) And yes, i do agree, advertising the bad review is rather daft, and I shouldn't do it, but sometimes I just have to share, although not whine!

Yes, anything a step forward is a good thing. It's harlequin after all!

[shiawmeimei.livejournal.com]

I usually thank the reviewer unless the review was so bad thanking them would seem highly sarcastic or just plain ludicrous.

Of course, bad reviews require special treatment. Usually involving candy, cookies, ice cream or chocolate. If the review is bad enough, all of the above. LOL

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I used to, but I don't now and I do agree about the bad review treatment! alcohol works well for me, too.

[crawling-angel.livejournal.com]

I'll try and get Carina in my bin too, lol.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

i was going to send them Mere Mortals but I don't think I will now, but I think I'll write something aimed for them, and then if they don't want it, try elsewhere.