Self-Publishing Trolls

Tea 2021-02-17 18:31:02 UTC #1

I've read some writer experiences about their self-published book being trolled in the internet. Some leaves 1 star ratings while admitting they haven't read the book. Some read only two pages and leaves a bad rating. Other experiences were worst when the troll messaged the writer on all her social media sites telling how the writer's story is horrible. Others had a bad experience by being bombarded by trolls when they post their book on a review site to get reviews and all the reviews were how their story is so bad mostly even without reading their book. Their experiences are a night mare and because I'm a writer as well and thinking of self publishing my first novel, I'm honestly worried a troll would ruin my novel and shred it into pieces. Reviews are important and I know every writer like me wants an honest review whether good or bad but honest not by trolls. So I have a question. Will you self published your book and why or why not? Have you ever experience being a victim of trolls? Did you ever been worried of self publishing a book or being trolled? If ever this happen, how can you deal with trolls? Also is there a way to get real, genuine, and honest reviews by book reviewers?

Black_Conscious 2021-02-17 18:41:57 UTC #2

thinking of this to have the dedication to be able to do that is astonishing to me because I myself am not capable of doing that since I believe in Karma.

No, nope, never, If i do start uploading my novel continuously then maybe but as of right now no.

The first time of publishing my first novel no because I never thought of anything, yes I was a bit anxious but I felt like I was ready (which I was wasn't) but it was an experience.

Tbh I don't really know how to act toward this because 1. it has never happened to me and 2. I would maybe take in what they have said or just ignore them.

The only thing I know is to ask.

joannekwan 2021-02-17 18:51:34 UTC #3

That's the risk one takes when posting anything on the internet. Even a simple picture on insta runs the risk of assholes slamming it in the comments or it getting picked up by some 'cringe' reviewer.

I have yet to experience any real trolling on any platform, guess I'm not big enough for that at the moment. I am preparing for it on webtoon though when I start posting my mxm comic, since the site is notorious for rating bombs and commenters who are hostile toward lgbtq+ content. But it's another reason to only check comments/reviews once in a blue moon. I try to keep it out of sight, out of mind, unless I know I've got nice readers with decent to uplifting comments (like here on Tapas~).

I just self-pubbed a book this past December but I wasn't too worried about trolls. I figured if the rating does get bombed, I would try and spin it into some marketing angle. Like "This book is SO salacious, people can't even deal!" and show screengrabs of whatever low reviews it got. Sometimes a notoriously bad book can garner some modicum of fame as well, like Empress Theresa.

If you are exceptionally worried though, use a pen name! If something bombs, it bombs under your pen name. Then you can get a fresh start under another name!

As for where to get reviews, perhaps try ARC (advanced reader copy) programs? With a listing and processing fee, Hidden Gems Books will send out your story to their base of readers. They will read your book and hopefully leave a review upon your book launch. You can also find book bloggers and reach out to them if you think they will like your story. I feel these types of people will leave honest reviews since they are receiving your book for free and in the case of bloggers, they need continual content to post anyway.

cherrystark 2021-02-17 18:54:55 UTC #4

Kudos for trying your hand a self-publishing. I've never had much desire to self-publish my work. TBH, I wouldn't give a rat's pajamas about what the trolls have to say. Some people just like to hear themselves talk and revel in being mean. As long as you are trying to create your best work, readers will find you. It might take forever, but they'll come. My readership was garbage when I first started posting on Wattpad but it's drastically improved coming to Tapas.

With reviews - The best advice I can offer is patience. There are a lot of readers who are silent. 90% of my readership don't leave comments. I still appreciate their views even though I don't know their thoughts. If someone feels prompted to leave a good review, they'll leave it. My first good "real" review was completly unprompted by me.

chickknightgreenleaf 2021-02-17 19:12:14 UTC #5

I already self publish one of my book on Amazon kindle, and to be honest I rather have troll at this point, because at least it'll be publicity, at least the troll help me making a fuss on the internet rather than this "cold shoulder" i had.
It depend on how you react when being troll, if you kicking and screaming, that only make them want to troll more just politely addressing what they said and when they found that they can't get under your skin they'll bore and leave you alone, remember, troll are all either stupid brat who didn't know better or miserable people who hide behind a monitor and mess happy people's day to make themselves feel good about themselves, to vent their miserableness to the world, I know this because I was that asshole a few time before.
And in the scenario you said the fact that someone making a fuss out of something, and if your stuff actually decent to good then eventually it would peek people curiosity, and when genuine reader had checked out your book and saw the troll's bullshit they'll jump on your side.
The problem here is if you have enough willpower to endure and eventually steer the negative toward positive