Thursday, February 10, 2011

My first negative review

... is up at Spinetingler and it's on a Joyce Carol Oates story.

While you're there, check out a very interesting and honest interview with Nigel Bird on his experience with e-publishing.

12 comments:

  1. One of the beautiful things about reviewing for Spinetingler is that you have no say in what you get. Reviewing through choice gives the option of sticking with the nice stuff. There's nothing wrong with giving a negative opinion if it's honest and well put together. You've done a good job. Thanks.

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  2. I'm with Nigel - call em the way you see um..that is what your readership expects..

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  3. I've been back to read more. The collection has certainly received a range of opinions and you weren't alone, Chris. Honestly is the only policy.

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  4. I think it's a great, fair review. Of course, I wasn't overly thrilled with my selection either, so I suppose mine could be called "negative" as well.

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  5. I'm just happy that someone finally has the guts to give Joyce Carole Oates a bad review-- she's one of those writers who seem to have become sacred in some strange way with readers of horror and spec fic. I'm not a fan. In fact, I've gotten to the point where I skip over the (inevitable) Oates story when I read anthologies.

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  6. An honest, fair review, Chris. JCO has not ever been one of my favorite writers.

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  7. Wow, some interesting comments here.

    Heath--I totally agree that she's become kind of sacred, which is why, frankly, I dislike her in general.

    Nigel--You're on point about it being interesting with Spinetingler reviews. They randomly assign you one and then you gotta just go with it. For example, I liked the first story (Give Me Your Heart) much more than the one I reviewed.

    Off now to read Elizabeth's review!

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  8. JCO gets more negative reviews than any other major writer. With her output, how could it not be?

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  9. Patti--I didn't know that. I haven't read many reviews of her work. Though she does have crazy output.

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  10. To clarify, my comment about her being sacred is based on her status as someone who is read in many creative writing classes and generally respected by folks in MFA programs.

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  11. If you're wondering "how many pages do I have left?" I think it's fair to say the writer has failed. Even if the writer is mistook for a god in some places.

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