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These days more and more books are bought, sold, and recommended on-line, and the health of this exciting new ecosystem depends entirely on free and honest conversation among readers. But some writers are misusing these new channels in ways that are fraudulent and damaging to publishing at large. British author Stephen Leather recently admitted that he used fake identities online to promote his work. The American bestseller John Locke has revealed he has paid for reviews of his books. The British author RJ Ellory has now confessed to posting flattering reviews of his own work and to using assumed names to attack other authors perceived to be his rivals.
These are just three cases of abuse we know about. Few in publishing believe they are unique. It is likely that other authors are pursuing these underhand tactics as well.
We the undersigned unreservedly condemn this behaviour, and commit never to use such tactics.
But the only lasting solution is for readers to take possession of the process. The internet belongs to us all. Your honest and heartfelt reviews, good or bad, enthusiastic or disapproving, can drown out the phoney voices, and the underhanded tactics will be marginalized to the point of irrelevance. No single author, however devious, can compete with the whole community. Will you use your voice to help us clean up this mess?
Signed:
Linwood Barclay, Tom Bale, Mark Billingham, Christopher Brookmyre, Declan Burke, Ramsey Campbell, Tania Carver, Lee Child, John Connolly, Michael Connelly, N.J. Cooper, David Corbett, Ruth Dudley Edwards, Stella Duffy, Jeremy Duns, Mark Edwards, Chris Ewan, Helen FitzGerald, Meg Gardiner, Lee Goldberg, Gordon Harries, Joanne Harris, Mo Hayder, David Hewson, Charlie Higson, Susan Hill, Peter James, Paul Johnston, Graham Joyce, Laura Lippman, Stuart MacBride, Val McDermid, Roger McGough, Denise Mina, Steve Mosby, Stuart Neville, Jo Nesbo, Ayo Onatade, SJ Parris, Tony Parsons, Sarah Pinborough, Ian Rankin, Shoo Rayner, John Rickards, Peter Robinson, Stav Sherez, Karin Slaughter, Andrew Taylor, Luca Veste, Louise Voss, Martyn Waites, Tim Weaver, Neil White, Laura Wilson.
It’s just sad that they have to resort to such measures.
Fully agree,
Signed.
Of course! The internet runs on trust and transparency. Mysti Berry
Totally agree. No more sockpuppets.
Agreed 10000%
SF Author M R Mortimer, signing this important statement.
Thank you for this response to an appaling behaviour.
Agree. False name touting your own book is craven, false name attacking the work of another is pure evil.
Agree. Fake reviews should be stamped out.
I agree! I just selfpublished the end of June. I have never nor will I ever pay for a review. The very first review I got that wasn’t very obviously from one of my family members or friends (no matter how clever they thought they were in their handle, it was easy to tell, lol) that review thrilled me to no end, and frankly I deeply appreciated the constructive criticism within!
I totally agree. It seems that when I was finally ready for reviews and twitter etc the doors were closing on indies. I review, write, and try my best to help others. I don’t get paid. I don’t lie. I don’t make up identities to sell myself. I find some of the best works are from independent and self published and I would hate for the credibility to drop more. You can’t judge a book by its cover nor can you judge a book by its publisher!
Add me to the list. I often lament that I need a publicist, but I will NOT stoop to sock-puppeteering in an effort to get my name out there.
I agree!
Seems like astonishingly sad-little-man behaviour from those named and anyone else doing it. Hard to believe a statement like this would be necessary among adult professionals – but it clearly is.
I’m in.
Richard Morgan
Agreed. Susan Hall-Balduf is my real name, and I also can be found on the Web as PicardyRose. If I review your book on any site, including my beloved LibraryThing, you are getting my honest and unpaid opinion
Absolutely. A sad day when authors have to resort to tactics like this instead of focusing on good writing.
Our fiction should and must be limited to our novels and stories. I wholeheartedly sign on to the war against sock puppetry, and encourage every writer in every genre to join the cause. Don’t sell your soul for your Amazon numbers!