Anyone who knows me, knows that this is how I feel about drama. Especially drama surrounding the Blogosphere....
However, there are times when something like this happens and staying quiet is more difficult. For the record, I read this post on Friday night and did not publicly comment on it until Sunday.
Yes, I was irritated. I had a right to be for myself and on behalf of the majority of my fellow Bloggers who were at BEA14.
The post is full of assumptions, not to mention contradictions and it's rude. But if you're going to post something like that and tweet about the pending backlash DAYS IN ADVANCE, you need to be prepared for people to [respectfully] disagree with you.
If you can't handle that, then you shouldn't have said it in the first place.
It's common sense.
Why am I even bothering to post my response at all? Because the comments were deleted/blocked last night (yet the post itself remains) and I have been flooded with questions regarding what I said.
So here you go.
Did I mention I was called names for sharing my opinion? Fun times all around.
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Like I said, people trump books. Always! :)
*applauds*
ReplyDeleteNicely done.
Always.
ReplyDeleteWell said. I don't see where you were bitchy at all. People are just defensive when they get opinions they don't like.
ReplyDeleteI think you voiced your opinions very well. I could tell you were disappointed by the post, but your reaction was very polite given the circumstances. The thoughts going on in my head were a lot less polite ;)
ReplyDeleteAlways! I love your comments. It makes me sad to hear this blogger deleted your well worded, intelligent, and respectful comments. Thank you for sticking up for BEA bloggers, and know we're behind you!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Jen
~ Jen @ A Book and a Latte & JenHalliganPR.com
Hugs
ReplyDeleteBRAVO! I agree with Hannah *applauds all around*
ReplyDeleteClearly the blogger is jealous, which makes me a little sad. It's hard to feel left out, and I'm sure we've all been there. (I know I have.) Of course, that doesn't excuse name calling, so I'm sorry that happened to you and that she decided to take down the comments. It bums me out to see someone painting a large group of (mostly) good intentioned people with one brush stroke, but that's the world we live in, I guess.
ReplyDeleteYou gave an excellent response and I would gladly contribute to your book fort. As long as I get to hang out there, too.
It's BEA, which is NOT cheap, and we have a right to grab any and all books that interest us. That's kind of the point, and why the books are there in the first place. I don't think publishers expect us to review every single one, but even just us posting pictures on twitter is the kind of buzz they want to generate. But ultimately it's our blog to do with as we wish, as well as our books in the end.
ReplyDeleteGreat response - I'm sorry you got backlash for it. I'm not sure who could disagree with your point - meeting the bloggers is truly the heart of this convention for us. :)
I think your response was really well-stated, Jen! It's sad the blogger is taking down comments that disagree with her. I read the post in question and although I won't comment on it specifically, I will agree that if a blogger pays to go to a con, what they get there is their business alone. But again, I respect and agree with what you said.
ReplyDeleteBasically THIS. Exactly THIS.
ReplyDeleteTerrific post and reply. You are right. Our blogs and our ARCs are our business. Yes, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but rumors are not always correct. Of course, some people grab, but it's not just bloggers. I can't tell you how many men in business suits cut in front of me!
ReplyDelete(ps-Kate & Kim from Midnight Book Girl and On the Wings of Books told me about you, so I had to follow you.)
This was the perfect reply to the post! I agree with everything that you said and your response was really well-thought out.
ReplyDeleteI read what you and Hannah said before comments were taken down and agree with both of you. I'm sorry that mean things were said to you, you are one of the nicest bloggers I know!
ReplyDeleteCyber hugs, Jen. Yes, BEA isn't cheap. You are filled with awesomeness and so sorry you had to deal with this!
ReplyDeleteI really, really, really wanted to attend BEA this year. I could not. I am so excited whenever I see a post regarding BEA - especially posts where bloggers met other bloggers! This is why I am doing a roundup of BEA posts on my blog. I admire your polite communication with this obviously jealous blogger. :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't even go to BEA but I go to the ALA conferences as often as I can, and her post was offensive to all conference goers not just you all who went to BEA. I applaud you and Hannah for saying something!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Jaime
Applause! And thank you for sharing your books with my students.
ReplyDeleteI can't see the original post, but I can guess what it says based on your reply. You are right and you are right. I don't find it bitchy..at all.
ReplyDeleteVidya @ Books Are Magic
Thank you everyone for your kind words! :)
ReplyDeleteI only just heard about this drama, normally I stay out of things, but while visiting blogs this morning I've seen people apologising for posting their BEA hauls and this saddens me because we should all be happy for each other when it comes to books, books should always = happiness!
ReplyDeleteI went to read the original post but it seems it's now been taken now, so Ill just say great comment!
Mands @ The Bookish Manicurist
*Standing Ovation*
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this. By the time I saw the drama, the comments and the post were down. I've only heard things secondhand. It's nice to read your comment because it helps me understand what was originally said.
I attended BEA. It was my second year. I spend a lot of time and money to go. I had a blast and met a lot of great bloggers, authors and PR peeps. Yes, I brought home more books than I can read. I will give a lot of them away. I will read or promote many of the ones I love. But this isn't a situation where every blogger gets a participation ribbon. If you weren't in the right place at the right time, you missed out. And it did feel like a race at times.
No one can say that I don't share books but that's not really the point. Why not be happy about the books and the love we all commonly share. The same way I would be jealous but happy if you went on a cruise and had an awesome time.
Great post.