Did you know that Amazon denies reviewers the ability to post a book review? Has it happened to you? I had no idea that this happens, but apparently one of their famous logarithms will do just that. I learned this because someone tried repeatedly to post a 5-star review of Mastering the Craft of Compelling Storytelling and couldn’t because Amazon decided it was a bogus review.
It's not like I need fake reviews for my book. To the left is the graphic from Amazon on the status of the reviews for Mastering the Craft, and they're all quite legitimate, not a friend among them. They are averaging 4.8 stars.
The first time her review was blocked, she called Amazon and talked to a representative who couldn’t understand why but seemed to get it posted. Then it disappeared.
The reader tried again, and was again denied although she has since been able to post a review for different book on Amazon. So it's not her.
I know all this because this reader is a design client of mine, Cristina White. Independently of our working relationship, she bought my book and thought it was pretty good. Her review is below. Ours is by no means anything other than a professional relationship. Yet her wish to express her professional thoughts about my book were denied.
She told me about all this and has now shared with me the review she tried to post. It’s below, and then I’ll tell you what I think caused this kerfuffle.
WRITE. READ THIS BOOK. REWRITE.
Ray Rhamey delivers a wealth of writing know-how and editing experience in this smart, funny book about crafting a compelling story. Ray’s style is direct, entertaining, and pragmatic. His chapters on wordcraft, including “Adverbs: Good? Bad? Yes.” And “Don’t get me started” are in themselves worth the price of the book. Ray shines a flashlight on all the verbiage you don’t need, and he covers the essentials you do need to write a novel or memoir that hooks your readers on page one and keeps them turning pages to the end. Whether you’re writing your first or your tenth book, you need Mastering the Craft of Compelling Storytelling.
Thank you, Cristina, for the kind words. And I believe that it was my words in appreciation of the writing talent that she shows in her memoir, Sex and Soul, that banned her from posting a review. Yes, I think it was me posting this shout-out for her book on FtQ when she published it.
Keep in mind that my only involvement with Cristina was for book design, not editing. There was no quid pro quo for a positive review at either end. My views on her writing were my personal take. Is that illegitimate? I don’t think so.
If you know anyone at Amazon, please pass this along. I understand that they are trying to keep bogus reviews off their site, but they should know that legitimate reviews are also being denied.
Try a review?
If you have read Mastering the Craft and would care to try posting a review, let me know what happens.
For what it’s worth.
Ray
© 2015 Ray Rhamey