After reading what agent and attorney, Eric Ruben, had to say about bloggers and ethics in this post from Armchair BEA http://networkedblogs.com/LJyVY I have a few thoughts of my own to add.
I think Mr. Ruben has a very accurate take on the state of on-line publicity via blogs. I've always said it was short-sighted of authors, agents, editors, anyone in the book business of (2010-ish - )2013 to not look at bloggers as the holy grail of getting the word out about a book.
The idea that bloggers should disclose whether they are friends with the author is an interesting concept. The problem comes in the definition of the word friend. I think most authors and bloggers would consider themselves friends with one another if they've done blog tours together, been at signings together or simply tweet on Twitter and comment on Facebook together. A good blogger gets to know authors, for love of their books, for exclusives, for giveaways, for cross-promotion--just as a good author gets to know bloggers. Plus, these two groups share a passion for books, so it's a natural friendship that forms.
However--there's always a however--it's not unheard of (as of very recently in fact) for bloggers to express fear in giving a low rating to a popular author's book. Fear of what? That she won't like them anymore, that her hoards of loyal fans and other bloggers will "come after them" and dispute their honest review like some kind of street team gone street gang, that they won't be included in her future blog tours...the fears are countless really. Is this ethical? Are these fears unfounded?
I don't know about unfounded... I mean, ^^ that's pretty scary. But it is unfair if they aren't using a consistent basis or method for reviewing all books and let personal relationships or fear tactics guide their ratings and reviews. Human nature - yes. Ethical - probably not. I would have to question reviewing and rating an author's books if I feared to be honest. I'd take a pass. There are a lot of authors out there who would love honest reviews and won't bully you into them.
xoxo Kelli
