A Love Letter to Mean Readers from Ava Miles
Dear Mean Reader,
I wanted to remind you that there's a person on the other end of that email, FB message, or tweet. Thank you for... reading my books, and if you have an issue with them, well, it wasn’t the book for you perhaps. I’ve read books like that myself, but I’ve never sent a mean note to an author. Do you know why? Because it’s not nice, and my opinion is my own.
I’ve had some of you tell me that you “think” authors want to hear criticism or when they make errors. I can honestly tell you I don’t, and I don’t know many who do. We all strive for excellence and work with people like editors and proofreaders to support that goal. We aren’t perfect, and some of you love pointing that out.
I’ve had some of you tell me that my stories are leading to the downfall of youth in America because I have pre-marital sex in my books. I’ve had some of you curse at me for using curse words. Even others have leveled the defamatory accusation that my books are pornographic even though they aren’t by any legal standard in the modern world. You’ve nitpicked grammar mistakes when I have so few in my book compared to most authors. And you’ve said unkind things about my grandma and our family recipes when the recipe didn’t turn out for you.
Who in the world told you those messages were okay? Do you really not realize you’re being mean?
I’ve been thinking of a kind way to tell you, so this is my love letter to you. I hope you will listen. When I put a book in the world, it’s like sending my child off to kindergarten. Would you want me to write you a note and tell you what was wrong with your child?
You aren’t going to stop me from being me and writing my stories. I love myself and believe in myself too much. But I’m deeply concerned how you as a collective contribute to other people not writing or doing something great because they see how people like you treat people like me. I’ve seen NY Times bestsellers in tears over some of the notes you’ve sent them. I’ve cried too. Your words hurt. They’re another kind of bullying.
You’re entitled to your opinion. I’m not saying you aren’t. But sending a mean note isn’t okay. And since I’ve had more than a few of you think I would actually want to hear such things, I’m here to say I don’t.
I also want to share that some writers have stopped writing all together because of criticism in large doses like this. We all need to take responsibility for our own actions, but why are so many people trying to take other people down?
This is my love letter to you. I bless you, and I wish you well always. Even when you write me and anger me and hurt me, I still ultimately reach that place where I can wrap it up in love and let it go.
I want to see it end. I want to live in a world where support each other, and if we have differences, well, then we express them kindly or not at all. It’s said, that which you say to others you are saying about yourself.
So, I simply say this. Be kind.
Love and blessings,
Ava
_____________________________________________
In summary, if you have nothing nice or constructive to say to an author, don't say anything. You might have noticed that Cullen House has never posted a negative review and my policy isn't likely to change anytime in the future. Authors get enough garbage from critical readers and I have no interest in adding to it. x
I’ve had some of you tell me that my stories are leading to the downfall of youth in America because I have pre-marital sex in my books. I’ve had some of you curse at me for using curse words. Even others have leveled the defamatory accusation that my books are pornographic even though they aren’t by any legal standard in the modern world. You’ve nitpicked grammar mistakes when I have so few in my book compared to most authors. And you’ve said unkind things about my grandma and our family recipes when the recipe didn’t turn out for you.
Who in the world told you those messages were okay? Do you really not realize you’re being mean?
I’ve been thinking of a kind way to tell you, so this is my love letter to you. I hope you will listen. When I put a book in the world, it’s like sending my child off to kindergarten. Would you want me to write you a note and tell you what was wrong with your child?
You aren’t going to stop me from being me and writing my stories. I love myself and believe in myself too much. But I’m deeply concerned how you as a collective contribute to other people not writing or doing something great because they see how people like you treat people like me. I’ve seen NY Times bestsellers in tears over some of the notes you’ve sent them. I’ve cried too. Your words hurt. They’re another kind of bullying.
You’re entitled to your opinion. I’m not saying you aren’t. But sending a mean note isn’t okay. And since I’ve had more than a few of you think I would actually want to hear such things, I’m here to say I don’t.
I also want to share that some writers have stopped writing all together because of criticism in large doses like this. We all need to take responsibility for our own actions, but why are so many people trying to take other people down?
This is my love letter to you. I bless you, and I wish you well always. Even when you write me and anger me and hurt me, I still ultimately reach that place where I can wrap it up in love and let it go.
I want to see it end. I want to live in a world where support each other, and if we have differences, well, then we express them kindly or not at all. It’s said, that which you say to others you are saying about yourself.
So, I simply say this. Be kind.
Love and blessings,
Ava
_____________________________________________
In summary, if you have nothing nice or constructive to say to an author, don't say anything. You might have noticed that Cullen House has never posted a negative review and my policy isn't likely to change anytime in the future. Authors get enough garbage from critical readers and I have no interest in adding to it. x
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