Because LJ's comment cap is ridiculously low...

[brihana25]

Mr. Collins, if you're still around, here's my answer to your comment on my last post. I tried putting it under that comment, but it's 1000+ characters over the limit, and there's no way I could find to shorten it.

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Comments

[anonymous]

A few points

P.S.

[anonymous]

The above should have been signed -- this is obviously Max Allan Collins writing.

By the way, Dumpster is capped because it's a trademark. I think it looks stupid that way, too, but that's an editing thing.

Re: P.S.

[nialla42]

Actually, no. Dumpster is a brand, but it's also used as a generic term.

Just like Band-Aid brand bandages. Even though we refer to similar products as "band-aids" they're not Band-Aid brand, thus not capitalized.

Re: P.S.

[anonymous]

I agree with you. This is a change imposed upon me.

M.A.C.

[khek]

But Bri's "for fuck's sake" wasn't a public review--it was a discussion post to her friends. That's how you talk to your friends--a lot of language is based on a shared past, and shared slang might not mean to us what an outsider sees it to mean. "For fuck's sake" just means extreme exasperation to me. It sounds like you see it as something much worse

M.A.C. again

[anonymous]

This isn't a private forum -- it's a public one.

I "found" it because I check my name on Google once a week, looking for reviews -- that's the only way I can know if a blog, newspaper or magazine has covered me. In the case of quotable favorable reviews, I forward the URL to my editors.

Similarly, anyone interested in me, or the shows I write tie-ins for, can do a search and easily come up with what you're saying is "private." And your friend's initial post was actually addressed to me -- an open letter to me.

If I am attacked in public, I have every right to respond.

Re: M.A.C. again

[nialla42]

It's a public post, but it's still her place to post her opinions.

Sure, you can disagree. You can even say so. But as was pointed out, you're doing the equivalent of walking in to a room full of friends and telling us we're wrong. Not really a nice intro.

If you think you were attacked, don't ever read any of the reviews over at the "Smart Bitches, Trashy Books" blog. They're rife with the f-word and hyper critical of author mistakes that should have been caught.

I think your response could cost you much more than it has gained. Fans talk. It's what we do. Bri's review gets read by her friends list, but you respond negatively and word-of-mouth will spread.

I know several authors (some personally, others just via online communication), and if any of them responded this way to a fannish blog, I'd feel the urge to give 'em a smack upside the head. But then they wouldn't do that, as they know better than to take it personally and do an "open mouth, insert foot" moment online.

Re: M.A.C. again

[anonymous]

The headline of Bri's original post is "TO 'AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR' MAX ALLAN COLLINS..."

And by replying, I am out of line, and now threatened with a bad-word of mouth campaign.

Nice.

Re: M.A.C. again

[nialla42]

Threatened? There was no threat there, just facts. There's no need for a campaign and I would have no desire to do so, because I'd rather be reading and you seem to be doing such a good job on your own.

As far as the "letter" being addressed to you, it's often used online as a form of review. It's not really intended to be directed to you personally. I see it in many blogs, especially those who talk books, but if you haven't, then I can understand your confusion.

Re: M.A.C. again

[khek]

Okay, so you overheard a private conversation in a public space...the comparison still holds.

I googled your name too, and didn't find any of Bri's entries at all...although I admit I only checked the first three pages that came up with each search. (And before you ask, I'm a librarian and well aware of how to search. I also know how people DO search, and tried both ways.)

Just because I'm curious...have you ever visited LiveJournal before? Did you have any idea how this site is normally used? Did you look around first to see what kind of posts normally go on around here?

I maintain that Bri's post was not an attack. A strongly-worded question, maybe, but not an attack. You do have the right to respond, of course. But so does everyone else. That's what this community is about.

edited to change a word. "write" does not equal "right". D'oh.

[ex_rachelca]

As it happens, I think we're both members of the media tie-in writers association, as well as fellow SFWA members (?), so I hope you will forgive me for cutting in here. I've been around the barn a time or two, and I have to say that I don't think you're doing yourself any favors

[littleheaven70]

Nicely put by the lady who wrote at least one book with a broken arm.

[chattycatsmeow]

Reasonable and well stated as always. :)