Comments on: In Harriet Klausner We Trust? http://rewrittenreality.com/2007/12/10/in-harriet-klausner-we-trust/ Literature, language, and life rewritten. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:17:38 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: A Writer http://rewrittenreality.com/2007/12/10/in-harriet-klausner-we-trust/comment-page-1/#comment-5117 A Writer Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:29:56 +0000 http://rewrittenreality.com/2007/12/10/in-harriet-klausner-we-trust/#comment-5117 True enough, Bobsly...the Amazon review system leaves a whole lot to be desired! Thanks for the comment! A.W. True enough, Bobsly…the Amazon review system leaves a whole lot to be desired!

Thanks for the comment!

A.W.

]]> By: Bobsly http://rewrittenreality.com/2007/12/10/in-harriet-klausner-we-trust/comment-page-1/#comment-5116 Bobsly Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:54:21 +0000 http://rewrittenreality.com/2007/12/10/in-harriet-klausner-we-trust/#comment-5116 Midwest Book Reviews is every bit as bad as Harriet: they even demand publisher's info kit with every book they "accept" for reviewing (because, as they put it, there's "no need to reinvent the wheel" you see). Check out their site, it's all there, quite in th eopen... but they admit of being a group and therefore they're not ranked on Amazon. Not that it matters, considering the ever-positive, one-paragraph fake crap they post. Amazon is full of shills, it's just that Harriet is the most amazing of them all. Midwest Book Reviews is every bit as bad as Harriet: they even demand publisher’s info kit with every book they “accept” for reviewing (because, as they put it, there’s “no need to reinvent the wheel” you see). Check out their site, it’s all there, quite in th eopen… but they admit of being a group and therefore they’re not ranked on Amazon. Not that it matters, considering the ever-positive, one-paragraph fake crap they post. Amazon is full of shills, it’s just that Harriet is the most amazing of them all.

]]> By: Self Esteem — A La Internet | Renegade Mind http://rewrittenreality.com/2007/12/10/in-harriet-klausner-we-trust/comment-page-1/#comment-901 Self Esteem — A La Internet | Renegade Mind Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:20:35 +0000 http://rewrittenreality.com/2007/12/10/in-harriet-klausner-we-trust/#comment-901 [...] Rewritten Reality [...] [...] Rewritten Reality [...]

]]> By: A Writer http://rewrittenreality.com/2007/12/10/in-harriet-klausner-we-trust/comment-page-1/#comment-374 A Writer Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:53:15 +0000 http://rewrittenreality.com/2007/12/10/in-harriet-klausner-we-trust/#comment-374 Yep, I've heard of these folks...they also get contacted by legitimate publishers for reviews, which is just as puzzling as the infatuation with HK. I'm not sure they're quite as bad as her, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least. Thanks for the comment, and please stick around! A.W. Yep, I’ve heard of these folks…they also get contacted by legitimate publishers for reviews, which is just as puzzling as the infatuation with HK. I’m not sure they’re quite as bad as her, but it wouldn’t surprise me in the least.

Thanks for the comment, and please stick around!

A.W.

]]> By: David Ross http://rewrittenreality.com/2007/12/10/in-harriet-klausner-we-trust/comment-page-1/#comment-373 David Ross Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:09:13 +0000 http://rewrittenreality.com/2007/12/10/in-harriet-klausner-we-trust/#comment-373 There is a reviewers collective called Midwest Book Review which at least doesn't claim to be a single person. http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A14OJS0VWMOSWO/ref=cm_psrch_profile They seem to write similar, positive book synopis reviews showing minimal insight with the reviews themselves of low quality like Harriet's. There may well be conflict of interest issues in this case as well. There is a reviewers collective called Midwest Book Review which at least doesn’t claim to be a single person.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A14OJS0VWMOSWO/ref=cm_psrch_profile

They seem to write similar, positive book synopis reviews showing minimal insight with the reviews themselves of low quality like Harriet’s. There may well be conflict of interest issues in this case as well.

]]> By: A Writer http://rewrittenreality.com/2007/12/10/in-harriet-klausner-we-trust/comment-page-1/#comment-213 A Writer Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:23:41 +0000 http://rewrittenreality.com/2007/12/10/in-harriet-klausner-we-trust/#comment-213 But the point remains that no one should have time to do 6,666 reviews, or 5,555 or 4,444. In the relatively brief period of time in which Amazon has permitted reviews, six thousand plus reviews is a staggering number. You, for example, have reviewed 1,489 items by my last count--impressive but not ridiculous, since as you say you enjoy doing reviews. I believe that someone can do that number of reviews while still giving each of them the attention it deserves. 6,666? Sorry, not buying it. As for whether amateur reviews are more helpful than professional ones, that depends: if I see hundreds of generally positive or negative amateur reviews on a given book, film or product, that's helpful. But if those numbers aren't forthcoming, I'll generally prefer someone I know understands what he/she is talking about--a professional in his/her field--than someone random whose only skill, like HK's, is in the numbers of reviews written. I doubt that the Amazon review system is going anywhere--both Amazon and its reviewers have too much invested in it--but I stand by my belief that it needs a serious overhaul to be taken seriously by people outside the system. As always, thanks for the comments! A.W. But the point remains that no one should have time to do 6,666 reviews, or 5,555 or 4,444. In the relatively brief period of time in which Amazon has permitted reviews, six thousand plus reviews is a staggering number. You, for example, have reviewed 1,489 items by my last count–impressive but not ridiculous, since as you say you enjoy doing reviews. I believe that someone can do that number of reviews while still giving each of them the attention it deserves. 6,666? Sorry, not buying it. As for whether amateur reviews are more helpful than professional ones, that depends: if I see hundreds of generally positive or negative amateur reviews on a given book, film or product, that’s helpful. But if those numbers aren’t forthcoming, I’ll generally prefer someone I know understands what he/she is talking about–a professional in his/her field–than someone random whose only skill, like HK’s, is in the numbers of reviews written.

I doubt that the Amazon review system is going anywhere–both Amazon and its reviewers have too much invested in it–but I stand by my belief that it needs a serious overhaul to be taken seriously by people outside the system.

As always, thanks for the comments!

A.W.

]]> By: Lonnie E. Holder http://rewrittenreality.com/2007/12/10/in-harriet-klausner-we-trust/comment-page-1/#comment-212 Lonnie E. Holder Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:24:46 +0000 http://rewrittenreality.com/2007/12/10/in-harriet-klausner-we-trust/#comment-212 A.W.: Lawrance decided to freeze his reviews at 6,666 to protest Amazon's decision to permit comments. He thought that the kind of fighting that goes on in Harriet and Grady Harp's reviews would happen. For now, he plans on keeping his total at 6,666 by deleting older reviews that had no votes. I respectfully disagree with Lawrance's position. I am dismayed by some comments, but most of the comments I have received on my reviews have been positive and have pointed out errors that I have corrected. I love getting any comment that is helpful. In general, while I am not in agreement with some of the things that have been said, had I not encountered the folks at the Harriet Klausner Appreciation Society I would not have known about the hanky panky going on in the top 100 reviewers. I was blissfully ignorant, doing my best to write helpful reviews, unaware of the bizarre antics of a small handful of reviewers. I have a handful of reviewers that I read and trust. I am almost absolutely certain that their reviews are reliable, regardless of their motivations for writing them. I will always reat their reviews first when buying an item. While the Amazon system may need some repairs, I hope they keep it in some form because I find amateur reviews far more helpful than the "professional reviews" when deciding to buy a product. A.W.:

Lawrance decided to freeze his reviews at 6,666 to protest Amazon’s decision to permit comments. He thought that the kind of fighting that goes on in Harriet and Grady Harp’s reviews would happen. For now, he plans on keeping his total at 6,666 by deleting older reviews that had no votes.

I respectfully disagree with Lawrance’s position. I am dismayed by some comments, but most of the comments I have received on my reviews have been positive and have pointed out errors that I have corrected. I love getting any comment that is helpful.

In general, while I am not in agreement with some of the things that have been said, had I not encountered the folks at the Harriet Klausner Appreciation Society I would not have known about the hanky panky going on in the top 100 reviewers. I was blissfully ignorant, doing my best to write helpful reviews, unaware of the bizarre antics of a small handful of reviewers.

I have a handful of reviewers that I read and trust. I am almost absolutely certain that their reviews are reliable, regardless of their motivations for writing them. I will always reat their reviews first when buying an item. While the Amazon system may need some repairs, I hope they keep it in some form because I find amateur reviews far more helpful than the “professional reviews” when deciding to buy a product.

]]> By: A Writer http://rewrittenreality.com/2007/12/10/in-harriet-klausner-we-trust/comment-page-1/#comment-185 A Writer Sat, 09 Feb 2008 08:15:19 +0000 http://rewrittenreality.com/2007/12/10/in-harriet-klausner-we-trust/#comment-185 Certainly painting any group of people with one brush is a dangerous exercise, but there are occasions where it makes sense, and Amazon's reviewers seem good candidates for the procedure. Bernabo is a far better reviewer than HK, certainly, but that's not much of a bar to clear--and I'm still troubled by the numbers (6666 reviews? Really???). Johnson and Solinas are fine, as far as I can tell, though still a bit vague in their reviews. But the point is not to attack reviewers as such: I review theater shows myself, and think that reviewers play a valuable role in vetting the enormous body of work that's out there. My problem with many of the top reviewers in Amazon's system is that they're far too prolific to take seriously (HK is the worst offender, as usual), and many of them far too easy to be credible. Barbara may be more anti-reviewer than I am, but I'm with her on the idea that Amazon's "superstar reviewer" system is broken and desperately needs major reforms before it can be considered legitimate again. That said, thanks for your comments, and I hope you'll stick around and continue to contribute to the conversation! A.W. Certainly painting any group of people with one brush is a dangerous exercise, but there are occasions where it makes sense, and Amazon’s reviewers seem good candidates for the procedure. Bernabo is a far better reviewer than HK, certainly, but that’s not much of a bar to clear–and I’m still troubled by the numbers (6666 reviews? Really???). Johnson and Solinas are fine, as far as I can tell, though still a bit vague in their reviews. But the point is not to attack reviewers as such: I review theater shows myself, and think that reviewers play a valuable role in vetting the enormous body of work that’s out there. My problem with many of the top reviewers in Amazon’s system is that they’re far too prolific to take seriously (HK is the worst offender, as usual), and many of them far too easy to be credible. Barbara may be more anti-reviewer than I am, but I’m with her on the idea that Amazon’s “superstar reviewer” system is broken and desperately needs major reforms before it can be considered legitimate again.

That said, thanks for your comments, and I hope you’ll stick around and continue to contribute to the conversation!

A.W.

]]> By: Lonnie E. Holder http://rewrittenreality.com/2007/12/10/in-harriet-klausner-we-trust/comment-page-1/#comment-183 Lonnie E. Holder Thu, 07 Feb 2008 16:32:49 +0000 http://rewrittenreality.com/2007/12/10/in-harriet-klausner-we-trust/#comment-183 I am dismayed when I see comments painting all "top" reviewers with the same paint brush. Are there reviewers that do various things that are either unethical or may be considered unethical? Yes! Are all "top" reviewers unethical? I do not think so. I cite Lawrance M. Bernabo, the #2 reviewer, as an example of someone who I think does a wonderful job of reviewing. Rebecca Johnson's reviews are sincere and informated. E. A. Solinas writes good reviews. I think painting "all top reviewers" as a group of unethical people is inappropriate stereotyping. I am dismayed when I see comments painting all “top” reviewers with the same paint brush. Are there reviewers that do various things that are either unethical or may be considered unethical? Yes! Are all “top” reviewers unethical? I do not think so. I cite Lawrance M. Bernabo, the #2 reviewer, as an example of someone who I think does a wonderful job of reviewing. Rebecca Johnson’s reviews are sincere and informated. E. A. Solinas writes good reviews. I think painting “all top reviewers” as a group of unethical people is inappropriate stereotyping.

]]> By: A Writer http://rewrittenreality.com/2007/12/10/in-harriet-klausner-we-trust/comment-page-1/#comment-19 A Writer Thu, 03 Jan 2008 20:52:27 +0000 http://rewrittenreality.com/2007/12/10/in-harriet-klausner-we-trust/#comment-19 I tend to agree with you, Barbara...Amazon has allowed the Klausners of the world to take over, and they could stop it if they wanted. But they won't, of course; everyone loves lots of stars! I was reading a list of review sources which my publisher sends advance reading copies to, and there it was on the last page: Harriet Klausner, Independent Reviewer. Sigh. Maybe I'll get lucky and she won't get to mine... :) Anyway, welcome to Rewritten Reality, and please spread the word about the site to your fellow HKAS members! A.W. I tend to agree with you, Barbara…Amazon has allowed the Klausners of the world to take over, and they could stop it if they wanted. But they won’t, of course; everyone loves lots of stars! I was reading a list of review sources which my publisher sends advance reading copies to, and there it was on the last page: Harriet Klausner, Independent Reviewer. Sigh. Maybe I’ll get lucky and she won’t get to mine… :)

Anyway, welcome to Rewritten Reality, and please spread the word about the site to your fellow HKAS members!

A.W.

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