Dear book readers: I don't know if you have seen or heard about Amazon's new review policy and if you haven't, let me tell you- it sucks.
Basically says, your opinion as a reader is ridiculous and doesn't count.
If you were gifted a book, are a fan, family member, friend, follow or have previously reviewed a book by an author or any ghost of a chance have a virtual connection-- you can not share your opinion on the book.
Yeah, AMAZON may delete it, that's if they ALLOW you to post it. Unfair discrimination and here you are a paying customer.
Worse if you're an author because obviously you can't be a paying reader/customer with an opinion. They've taken review rights away from some, PERMANENTLY.
If you have read any of my books, please leave a review on their blog page. **I Value Your Opinions. Thank you.
In the world where both Indie and Traditional authors are using all tools available to try to get their latest books out to the reader, it's essential for the authors and their associates to use social media: IE: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
With that being said, a reader is therefore going to have cookies and data when they see that interaction and very likely would have LIKED and/or followed the authors pages, profiles and other avenues being a fan of the author's work. They are fans after all--they want to know what an author does and their current news and title releases.
Your current process of removing reviews that a reader has created to show their honest & sincere opinion on a book is not fair and cripples the review process more than assists.
In the days of the negative trend where those who wish an author harm are using reviews to hurt sales or the author's confidence, this policy makes zero sense, as the individuals that are instructed or wish to harm are most likely NOT a fan and or follower and therefore would most likely NOT to have as many cookies, data tracks as a good, loyal fan would.
We the authors, fans, reviews, bloggers and other individuals in the industry ask that you please consider how the review process is done. By using a reader's other accessible history to determine if they are worthy of leaving a review by knowledge of an author, is not a fair one. A real fan of any person would, of course, have links to someone they respect and follow and therefore they should have the right to leave a review.
The review process has taken so much heat in the last few years, and while we appreciate Amazon trying to make it a respected tool for a buyer when deciding a purchase, this aspect of your system is not a fair or just part.
Therefore, we are asking that you consider all the above and review your internal policy on tracking a reviewers history. It is not fair nor is it just and we the readers, authors and all-around lovers of books ask that it be stopped.
Thank you.
If any signers have any additional input/info, I can be found and contacted via my Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJasTWard
