Book Blogger Professionalism
Let’s face it. In our current world anyone, any place, anywhere
can say whatever the hell they want and hide behind the safety of their
computer screen. So where do we, as book
bloggers, draw the line in the sand of professionalism?
Every blogger on the net has individual views, likes, and
dislikes. So when does putting your
opinion out there for anyone wondering around the stringy webs of the internet
cross a line of professionalism?
In my personal bubble it is clear - Personal insults, plagiarism,
piracy and crazy making of any kind.
I am going to give it to you straight. I am not the nicest person in the world and
my filter probably resembles a sieve more than an actual healthy filter (I
always think of cheese cloth), but I DO have a healthy respect for my fellow
humans. I know that somewhere behind
each author pen name, blogger alias, and Facebook profile is a real human
being. This human being has feelings and
their own personal views with their own shit going on that you know nothing
about. Not every individual puts their
personal troubles on display for everyone to see, so do not pretend to know
what that person is going through on any given day.
Personal insults are not productive and no one benefits
from them. How do you think your readers
benefit from calling an author or other blogger that you do not like insulting
names? I cannot find one good think that
would come from this. If you want to
call someone out that is your choice, but there is a difference between insults
and facts. If you can prove you have
been wronged by someone and you feel it is in your readers best interest have
access to this knowledge, go for it! You
can still do so in a professional manner.
List facts and discuss why you got offended or were wronged. This can all be done without childish name
calling.
Plagiarism is just not only unprofessional it is also
illegal. I am amazed at the stories I
have heard and things I have personally experienced regarding reviews being
plagiarized. If you are not sure what
plagiarism is:
According to
the merriam-webster online dictionary, it means:
* to steal and pass
off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s
own: use (another’s production)
without crediting the source.
Using pieces, phrases, or all of another review is stealing
and not professional. So do not do
it! If you think it is professional to
not read a book and just read reviews off of Goodreads and recap them, maybe
you should rethink your passion of book reviews. You are truly not doing yourself or any other
bloggers a favor. Readers should be able
to put their trust in Book Bloggers to give their own honest opinions.
There is a lot of buzz lately about
piracy. Ebooks are hard thing to stop
from being pirated. In my opinion book
bloggers have a professional obligation to have a very high standard of what constitutes piracy. Sharing via email or any other electric form
without the author’s written permission with
anyone is stealing and constitutes piracy.
Uploading or sharing electronic ARCs or copies with a site that provides
free aka pirated books is not only unprofessional it is illegal. Bloggers should be able to be trusted, and
right now I think any author would be wise not to 100% trust anyone with
electronic copies of their work. I have
theories about why this is so rampant, but that is not what this article is
about!
And we are onto the big one - crazy making! This should
apply to all aspects in your life. Not
just blogging. If you are stirring shit
up between authors and readers, bloggers and authors, or any other combination
of readers, bloggers, and authors you are crazy making. It is the epitome of unprofessionalism. All of us view our book blogging hobby
differently. Some more business oriented
and some just enjoy spreading the word of authors, but ultimately you are
responsible for your own professionalism.
It is up to you to set your own lines and not to cross them. If you are spending your time hand picking
authors to support and you think that means bashing others, you are not only
unprofessional you are irrational. I
find these types of acts the most offensive.
You are truly not supporting authors if you think bashing one IS
supporting another. Readers read….they
are not only going to read ONE author.
Support the ones you love by reading, reviewing, and repeat!
I think Facebook becomes the hardest thing to manage. I am pretty open on my blogger Facebook
account, but do apply the above rules to my Facebook Page. I view my page the same as my blog. I try to keep it as professional and unbiased
as I can. Warning, if you are friends
with me on Facebook I roll out the honesty and leave the professionalism for my
blog and Facebook page. =)
Professionalism should be something all Book Bloggers care
about. It helps build a foundation of
trust and respect for not only authors, but readers as well. With so many Book Blogs closing their doors
and others starting their new journey, we should be setting a high standard for
professionalism in this industry. We
should be a group that authors and readers can trust and confide in and this
can only come from a standard of professionalism.
Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThese are all good reminders. You wouldn't think Wheaton's Law -- "Don't be a dick" -- would need so much reinforcement. But really, this is a fairly new way of communicating for us humans: not being able to see each other's faces and get that instant empathic feedback. I'm hoping we figure it out eventually. Thanks for writing this!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jessa!
ReplyDelete