Sometimes, in September, when the royalty checks are being printed somewhere back east, and the smell of much-needed money is in my nostrils, I visit my page on Amazon.com, to look at the rankings that tell me whether my books are still selling. In this way I fill myself with hope that some cash will me coming my way in a few weeks.
Sometimes I look at the "reviews" of my books. Sometimes I like what I read. Sometimes I don't. Today is such a day; I read the following:
I could have remained aloof, but my inner Kanye broke free, prompting me to comment on the site:
“As Helen H. Moore, I am amused that you would be disappointed to find that the author of a book actually wrote most of the material in the book.
Strange.
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Laura Wilkerson
Kim Gamble
Brian Carter
Kerry Lauerman
Boomer Bob
Donegal Descendant
Salon.com
Comments
Sometimes I write something snarky and feel a little bad for the author, but then I remind myself that the book did in fact, suck.
Other times, I've really enjoyed a book but only given it four stars because I expect more from that particular author.
I even felt a twinge of guilt recently when David Foster Wallace killed himself, because I had totally panned Infinite Jest ...er, that's not why he killed himself, that's the reason I felt a twinge of guilt. But seriously, a prolific (if in my opinion completely overrated) author like DFW probably doesn't even read Amazon reviews of his book. And besides, that book was pretentious and suckey - and where was the editor when DFW was spending half a page describing a doorknob rolling around on the ground after it was sheared off?
...anyway, I digress. I also heap complements on some books.
But I agree that someone is a dolt if they buy YOUR book and are disapointed to find so many of YOUR poems inside.
High-larious!
Thanks, Helen. How's the love life?
R
Where have you been?