Guestbook Slimers

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DaveKuzminski

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We've actually experienced some instances of what I'm warning about. About two years ago, one then-PA-author went onto several different forums to "duke" it out with PA critics and then went back to PA to post about it on their forum. We can only speculate on their reasons, though I suppose it was to impress PA and inspire PA to support that author.
 

VGrossack

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If you get a bad review from someone, is that sliming or an honest opinion? Depends on your ego, would be my guess...and remember your book won't appeal to everyone!

I think it depends. I've read many reviews at Amazon of PA books - most very positive, as they are so often written by other PA authors! But if you read them with a critical eye, you can see that they say little or nothing. Usually it's just generalities of praise (I couldn't put this down; you'll love this book; great characters; blah, blah) with nothing specific enough to convince me that the reviewer actually read the book - or merely glanced at the first and last pages without absorbing any content! However, a review which is genuine tends to contain comments on specific parts of the book. (There are always exceptions, of course; some people can read without being able to write.)

The same holds for negative reviews and comments. If they are overly general, it's possible that the reviewer never really read the work in question. If they contain specific points of criticism, well, then, the matter is different and the criticism should be taken seriously.
 
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Jersey Chick

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I should think a bad review could be seen as sliming only if it attacks the author instead of the book. If a reviewer says the plot has holes big enough to drive a truck through, that's a lot different from saying the author is an idiot...

But I also agree that a general review does little in the way of positive or negative feedback. I want to know details - not just "you won't be able to put it down." Well, why not?

Then again, I've only ever bought one book based on a review. I like to read the back of the book and decide from there...
 

Sparhawk

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<<Sigh>> Enigma... this is all pablam and you KNOW that. You know what the AW policy is pertaining to Guest Book slimers and you know that policy is enforced. Please go weep for your guestbook back on the PAvidian forum. We have better things to do with our time than slime you or your vanity press prose.

Delete the 'offensive' remark and get on with your life.
 

DaveKuzminski

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I went to look at the remark and the poster actually thought Jeff should find a publisher worthy of his work. How is that slamming?

Oh, and the only source for Xavier Lucky I could find was here:
http://www.themilitant.com/2000/6428/642858.shtml

Sounds to me like the poster found merit in Jeff's work and felt a better publisher was needed. Maybe Jeff just doesn't see yet how PA is holding him back.
 

MacAllister

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The thing about leaving guestbook comments -- especially when you know well and good that attacking PA on Alien Enigma's guestbook isn't going to do any good, and is going to fall on deaf ears -- is that it's one thing to do so, if you sign your name, but quite another when you hide your identity.

When you do something like that anonymously, you're behaving like a troll. It fast becomes clear that your motive is primarily to stir up muck and provoke hostility.

AW has a longstanding policy about trolling on PA authors' guestbooks and blogs, etc.: It's not tolerated. That's not open for discussion.

As it happens, the IP did conclusively match that of a member -- Zizban, who had every opportunity to own up, who knew very well about the policy, who instead attempted to obfuscate the issue -- and who is now banned.
 
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Rolling Thunder

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AW has a longstanding policy about trolling on PA authors' guestbooks and blogs, etc.: It's not tolerated. That's not open for discussion.

As it happens, the IP did conclusively match that of a member -- Zizban, who had every opportunity to own up, who knew very well about the policy, who instead attempted to obfuscate the issue -- and who is now banned.

Sounds like appropriate action to me. Ziz should have owned up to it when he had the chance.
 

irishidid

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What exactly did he say that was bad enough to get him banned? Which is the criminal offense? Saying it or just writing in the guestbook? How is this banned member a troll? If I leave an anonymous post am I a troll? Did he go back to the guestbook and keep egging it on?
Sorry, but this banning makes no sense.
 

MacAllister

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It's frankly not open for discussion. Zizban can easily email me, if s/he would care to discuss it -- but it's always been our policy that anonymous slamming of PA and authors on guestbooks and blogs isn't tolerated.
 

Popeyesays

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I think it's kind of like the old dog poo in the flaming bag trick . . . it's declasse even if the bag is not full of poo. It's the appearance of 'poo' in the eye of the beholder.

Regards,
Scott
 

irishidid

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Well ban away if you must, but why would you tell everyone who you banned? Now you've violated Zizban's right to privacy.
 

Stacia Kane

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Well ban away if you must, but why would you tell everyone who you banned? Now you've violated Zizban's right to privacy.

What right to privacy? This is a message board--a privately owned and operated one--not a government agency, a doctor or lawyer's office, or a workplace.
 
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Celia Cyanide

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Well ban away if you must, but why would you tell everyone who you banned? Now you've violated Zizban's right to privacy.

Right to privacy? If you get banned, why are the mods obligated to keep that reason private? When people are banned for any other reason, mods often post a reason why. Is this any different? It doesn't have to be kept a secret, and honestly, I think it's good that it isn't. I hope PA authors who might lurk here know that AW takes this issue very seriously. Guestbook sliming is and has always been a bannable offense, no exceptions. If you think you'll be embarassed when everyone finds out you did it, the simple solution is not to do it.
 

irishidid

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They shouldn't post why someone is banned PERIOD. It's low class, but as I've seen time and time again low class is AW's motto.
Please ban me. I don't want anything further to do with this place. It's too big and so are your heads.
 

Ken Schneider

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As it should be—Mac.

I'm still miffed about how people know the rules and still think they are oblivious to the consequences.

Why use a guestbook when you can say what was said in his guestbook right here?
 

Ken Schneider

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They shouldn't post why someone is banned PERIOD. It's low class, but as I've seen time and time again low class is AW's motto.
Please ban me. I don't want anything further to do with this place. It's too big and so are your heads.


Ban yourself, bye!
 

JimmyD1318

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I really don't think what was said on AE's guestbook was slimming, but I understand why the ban was done. You have to have rules and they have to be enforced.
 

Ken Schneider

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I can't see the logic in trying to lure a bunch of people to a site about a PA book that none of us would buy anyway.

I can buy three named author's books for the same price and be sure of a decent read.

Another quixotic PA marketing idea. Stay hot.
 

TwentyFour

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Me, as well as some other members here, had a very good idea of who did the sliming early on and sad to say-we were right.
 
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