Every social media platform has anti-social trolls who enjoy hurting other people’s feelings by acting vicious and cruel. Even Goodreads.
Goodreads is a platform that allows readers to rate and review books, share their opinions, and connect with other readers.
While many authors find Goodreads to be a valuable platform for engaging with readers and promoting their books, some authors have experienced negativity or hostility.
There are a few reasons why Goodreads might sometimes be perceived as a hostile environment for authors:
- Subjectivity: Reading preferences are highly subjective, and what one person loves, another might dislike. Some readers might express their opinions in strong terms, which could be perceived as hostile by authors who have invested a lot of time and effort into their work.
- Anonymity: The anonymity of the internet can lead some users to express their opinions more freely, which might result in harsher or more negative comments.
- Negative Reviews: Authors are likely to encounter negative reviews along with positive ones. While constructive criticism can be helpful, overly negative or unfairly critical reviews can be disheartening for authors.
- Passionate Readers: Many readers on Goodreads are passionate about books and have strong opinions. This passion can sometimes lead to heated discussions or conflicting viewpoints.
- Author-Reader Interaction: Interactions between authors and readers can be both positive and negative. Misunderstandings, differing interpretations, or differing expectations can lead to friction.
- High Stakes: Authors often invest significant time, effort, and emotion into their books. When they encounter negative feedback, it can feel personal and provoke strong reactions.
- Online Culture: Online platforms can sometimes foster a culture of criticism and negativity, which might be exacerbated when discussing creative works like books.
- Some People Are Assholes: Trolls are people who enjoy hurting others online. Being creative makes you vulnerable. Some psychos like to exploit that vulnerability to hurt you for fun.
Not all authors have negative experiences on Goodreads, and many authors successfully engage with readers in a positive and constructive manner. Authors can connect with their readers, gain insights from reviews, and participate in discussions about their books. Building a strong author-reader relationship requires open-mindedness, respect for differing opinions, and a willingness to engage in meaningful conversations.
Authors who find Goodreads challenging can choose how much they want to engage with the platform. Some authors focus on the positive interactions and use the platform as a valuable tool for connecting with readers, while others might opt to minimize their presence to avoid negativity.
