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 IF YOU DON’T HAVE ANYTHING NICE TO SAY…

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    You know the old saying, “Even the walls have ears”?  Well, now they really do.  It’s called the “Social Media Wall”.   And though it has the ability to launch your career faster than someone can say, “Twitter”, not listening to mom when she told you to speak only if you had something nice to say, can cause your words to come back and bite you…hard.

Though Roberta Silman’s ‘tough’ review of NYT’s best selling author, Alice Hoffman, (on her book, ‘The Story Sisters’) is no longer Tweeting HOT news, the sting of her vengful bashing session against Silman not only came back like a raging bull but caused a fury of snarking and slinging all over the internet. 

Hoffman felt that Silman’s review was harsh and gave away too much of the book’s plot, more like a book report rather than a review.  Hoffman immediately struck back on Twitter with fighting words such as, “Roberta Silman in the Boston Globe is a Moron.  How do some people get to review books? And give the plot away.” and “Now any idiot can be a critic.”  And then went on to publish Silman’s phone number and e-mail address in hopes her public would flood the caustic critic with hurling attacks. 

It didn’t work.  The number was wrong and Silman only received eight e-mails from individuals who SUPPORTED with her review!  Ouch.  Can we say, “back peddle?”

So, what’s the big lesson of the day? 

 CHUCK YOUR EGO!  

Hey, we all want great reviews.  We all want that huge pat on the back to confirm our writing genius.  But let’s face it: less than desirable reviews can (and might) happen.  So instead of getting out those sharp little fingers and doing something that you won’t be able to take back, stay professional and move on.  

Remember: your negative retorts to unwanted reviews will only bring…yep you guessed it…more negative press!

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