Oh No She Did-ent!

Oh yes I did! I pay a monthly fee for Adobe's Indesign and I'm learning it inside and out while creating my own E-pubs complete with illustrations and Drop Caps and autographs. And now I've found a way to digitally deliver these E-pubs myself!!! I know, right? I can now supply my readers with an ebook and I DON'T EVER, EVER, EVER have to deal with Amazon KDP. How utterly cool is that??? VERY COOL! 

I actually didn't think it was possible for a publisher to operate this way since no publisher has, at least none that I knew of. Turns out that it's quite possible. And these E-pubs are readable on ALL e-pub readers. Nooks, Ibooks, Calibre etc . . Also I can create books specifically in the archaic Mobi format that Amazon KDP uses even though I have NO desire to do this. 

Bottom line, I did it and can deliver my e-books at the best price around. Actually, the only price around because why would I PAY a distributor or allow Amazon KDP to take over publishing rights when I can do it all myself?

So visit my store at www.authorsuedent.com and check out the free downloadable samples and then purchase a copy if you like what you read. 

Amazing Review of Never Ceese from Readers Lane!

Do run over and check out this new review of Never Ceese!!

Readers Lane reviews Never Ceese

Sue Dent, Facebook and Target Audience Magazine.

Woke up to a nice surprise. My article is on page four! 


Happy 2013 and enjoy.

Wow! That's impressive!

A couple of days ago I saw a multitude of copies of Forever Richard through my now defunct second publisher, (books that I no longer make any money off of and neither does the publisher) for sale on Ebay by numerous book sellers. And quite a few books at that. 

Nothing like seeing hordes of books out there that you make no proceeds from when you're attempting to market the "new" edition. All of these books were coming from the UK too which was odd to me. Upon investigating I learned that Gazelle Books, Bookmaster's UK distributor had a number of copies left from the big sell-off that Bookmasters initiated when my publisher was utilizing their services and had held on to the books past the ten month grace period when they could "return them for free" (but of course my publisher would be hit with new charges.)

Upon learning this Gazelle Books actually contacted me and said that they were sorry and they would deal with these books the same way the dealt with the inventory of the same book in February. I assume this meant they'd destroy them since they couldn't send them back to Atlas without losing money. Needless to say, they are folks of their word. The sellers for this particular edition of Forever Richard, from my defunct second publisher, has been pared down to two from about ten. Wow!

Do know that if you plan on purchasing Forever Richard, the new edition has some changes that the old one doesn't have. So not only do I not make anything from your purchasing it, you most likely just spent more money than you would for the new edition which has new material. 

My current publisher Black Bed Sheet Books has some fantastic prices and the BEST prices on all my stories. 

Just in time for Christmas!!!!

Atlas Books - Aw, that's okay. You can be rude to me.

Just a quick word to say that BookMasters in fact does not have any more stock of Forever Richard, ISBN  1934284033, in stock. And the copies that are for sale now are leftovers from when BookMasters "oversold" copies of that book for a "commission." Of course, this move would normally be a good move for a publisher except for that dratted "return policy" set up by the few established publishers back in the depression which negates any possible benefits. Because of that policy, booksellers don't have to pay a dime to return books. 

But somebody has to pay.

Guess who? 

That's right. The publisher. And BookMaster's charges handling fees and other fees on top of that.

So my second small publisher folded because they had to pay straight away for the books that came back (even though the number that came back was less than the ones still out there) before they received money for the books that "might" sell. Booksellers don't have to pay for books for 90 days and most send the books back if they still have them before that time is up.

With that being said, I learned that the copies of my out-of-print book (ISBN 1934284033) Forever Richard that I found for sale on EBAY by various booksellers were actually provided (ultimately) by Gazelle Books who purchase books from BookMaster's Atlas Books. Atlas Books sends out a notice when an account is closed to let their buyers know that they have 10 months to return books before Atlas will no longer accept returns. Apparently the books Gazelle had were left from that "oversell" by BookMasters. 

My second publisher was too small to deal with this financial punch in the gut and certainly didn't see it coming. Who would expect a distributor to rush out and oversell something for a commission knowing that the publisher was going to have to pay for returns and fees on top of that. And it doesn't even take that many returns to put a small publisher under the ground. Good grief.

At any rate, thank-you Gazelle Books for being sooooo on top of things and professional. As for BookMasters . . . let's just say that things haven't improved. They are just as mean and rude as they've always been which is one main reason why I've made my books short-run and non-returnable. If I "never" have to deal with Book Masters again--that will be TOO soon!

And don't forget, you get the best price for any of my books at Black Bed Sheet Books because they can offer the biggest discount. DUH! And I for sure see the money coming to me. ;)

Third Installment in Sue Dent's Thirsting for Blood Series Coming Soon

Yes, the editing process has begun and I'm wrapping things up on my third installment and hopefully in time for Christmas. Do be advised though, I've asked my publisher to make this book short-run through Lightning Source. This means third-party sites like Amazon and GoodReads won't be able to post about the book or sell it. Others will be able to sell copies on Amazon or other third party sites but not the sites themselves meaning my publisher will have full control over the information concerning this title. 

The main reason I'm doing this is because sites like Amazon and GoodReads allow folks to leave reviews and what not on books they can legally list but they do not monitor or control the content in any shape, way form or fashion. I've therefore decided to take that power away from sites like Amazon and GoodReads. 

If you want to purchase the third installment of my book, you'll have to go straight to the publisher to pre-order or buy it. 

Because my publisher uses Lightning Source, the books will still be available for a reasonable rate wherever LSI is set up to print books. Therefore the decision to make my book short-run doesn't affect the limited distribution POD books have at all!!!! 

Just means I can sue the daylights out of Amazon or any other third party site if they attempt to sell the third installment themselves. Oh what fun!

Do keep in mind that I'm an independently published author who writes stories for folks to enjoy. The only distribution available to me is through POD printers. I've only had one publisher who came close to getting on with Ingram and they went under. The third installment in my Thirsting for Blood Series won't be any "less available" than it is now EXCEPT that you won't be able to go into a Barnes & Noble or other large bookstore to order it. But guess what, I don't make any sales that way anyhow. So there ya go! 

A blog post you WON'T find on GoodReads!

After learning that in spite of my efforts to have all of my books removed from GoodReads, where they were listed without my publishers consent or mine, I FINALLY have some closure--so to speak.

You see, sites like GoodReads and Amazon and Shelfari think they're doing authors a favor by listing their books once they're "published/printed" (btw anyone, qualified or not, can publish these days and yes, there should be qualifications for something that is considered a profession duh!) It gives them content. They encourage folks to leave their thoughts or reviews on the content but do so very little to monitor said reviews or comments nor do they do anything to protect publishers or authors from personal attacks or from folks who just think it's fun to post ludicrous reviews and hateful words just because they can.

I've met so many authors and publishers who were targeted and not protected that it isn't even funny or worth the time to use GoodReads, Amazon or any of these third-party sites as a source of publicity. I deleted my account on GoodReads only to find they were still posting my blog post from my personal blog as if I cared to show up at ALL on this site. Having a friend and fellow author remind me that this was a copyright issue, I set out to fix this problem by presenting GoodReads with this question:

question:
After participating on Goodreads and being subjected to an atrocious lack of monitoring, I opted out of participating. I attempted to pull my books but was told in a ninny-ninny-poo-poo sort of way that this couldn't happen because my books were available everywhere. I solved this problem by making all of my books short-run so sites like GoodReads can't post my books. ;)

However, it seems that as of late, GoodReads is posting feeds from my personal author blog as if I authorized this. I may have at one time but deleted my account. Please do whatever it takes to stop my blog feeds from showing up on GoodReads. I don't support this site or sites like it. Also syndicating a blog without permission is copyright infringement. If you had my permission once, you most certainly do not have it now. Thank you in advance for "unsyndicating" my blog from GoodReads.

Sue Dent

I will tell you that I expected another, "we don't have to do anything you say," response but was pleased to read this. This will be my first post since the email to follow so we'll see if they stuck to their word. ;)

GoodReads response:

Hi Sue,
Thanks for alerting us. We’re so sorry for that mistaken oversight! I just removed all the remaining personal information that was added to your author profile, including that blog feed and all the former posts: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/313656.Sue_Dent
Once again, we apologize for the inconvenience!
Cheers,

Those who run this site have been nothing but rude and arrogant to me when I approached them with obvious issues that were going on with other authors as well as myself. The fact that they continue to list my books even when I've asked them not to is absolutely insane. Same with Amazon. Same with all of these third party sites. I certainly appreciate being able to use sites like this for publicity but not when they do nothing to make sure things don't get out of hand and even move into the "slander" category. Of course they don't do anything because that takes money they don't want to part with. They'd have to hire others to keep track etc . . . At least with my books NOT being listed there, they can't make what little money they make at MY EXPENSE!!

It will be interesting to see if they've corrected THEIR admitted oversight.

Please Purchase My Books Via My Publisher

I'm not sure what drives authors whose books are for sale by their publisher, to push folks to Amazon to purchase their product. But I'm here to tell you that in the case with my books, if you purchase through anyone BUT my publisher, you won't get the best price. 

Everyone but the large publishers use the same method of distribution. POD distributors. Amazon and sites like Amazon can't offer anyone a better price than the publisher can if the publisher sells books through their site. Of course, the publisher can sale the book for more if they want to but rest assured they can match Amazon's price all day long and most publisher's who do sell their author's books through their site list them for less. 

Also, Amazon and sites like Amazon don't even go to the publisher or their distributor for book information. They usually pull this information out of their ahem "backsides" most of the time. Sorry but it's true and none of these sites will talk to the publisher when the publisher attempts to get a hold of them to change it. They'll simply respond with, "talk to your publisher." LOLROFL Amazon is notorious about responding in this manner even when they're communicating with the publisher. Amazon . . . you so make me laugh! 

Anyhoo, my publisher's site is http:/www.downwarden.com/blackbedsheetstore 

For Electric Angel the link is: Electric Angel
For Never Ceese the link is: Never Ceese
For Forever Richard the link is: Forever Richard

Also, if you list my book for sale please DON'T put Amazon down as the place to purchase it. Send them to my publisher's site. Thank-you. 

Having said that let me assure you none of the sites such as GOOD READS will change the link on where to purchase my books because A. Goodreads used to be connected with Amazon and so I guess they feel an alliance of sorts and B. Good Reads doesn't listen to the publisher of the book anymore than Amazon. 

Also Good Reads, even though I'm not a Good Reads author and never will be again, constantly post items from my blog here even though I've told them I've no interest in showing up on their site. They don't have my permission and yet it doesn't seem to matter. So if you're reading this blog post on Good Reads do know that you shouldn't be and I don't appreciate Good Reads lack of regard--for what it's worth.
 

Make sure you understand what you're NOT getting.

The key to book sales in the publishing industry has always been distribution. Large publishers and bookstores created a system back in the day that worked well for them and actually still works well for them. Bookstores purchase a LARGE number of books, put some on the store shelves and warehouse the rest. That way publishers don't/didn't have to pay so much in overhead and bookstores got to "throw away" the overage in the trash because publishers didn't care to ever see the books again. 

Eventually, bookstores were called on their trashing of perfectly good books with the cover torn off because at one time they actually had to return the cover to show that they actually bought the book from the publisher (speculation here. Don't actually know for sure why they tore the cover off) and soon a law of sorts was put in place to keep this from happening.

The solution for bookstores was an ingenious one. Stores like Books-A-Million sprang up or rather stores that sell "new" returned-from-the-bookstore books (sorry BAM but if they're returned, they ain't new.) At any rate, distribution through large publishers is the only distribution that works. Unfortunately, Independent presses never qualify for distribution through the big distributors such as Ingram and Baker & Taylor because to be considered a publisher has to have SOLD an enormous amount of books. Gotta love that catch-22.

So Independent presses use POD publishers (and by the way so do the large established publishers as well but it doesn't hurt them because they still have the distribution that matters.) But why can't small independent presses make POD publishing work for them. Well it's quite simple. POD publishers such as Lightning Source and Create Space never, ever, ever, return the returned-from-the-bookstore book to the publisher. If a bookstore actually purchases a POD book and it doesn't sell, it is forever gone. The publisher has to return the profit to the bookstore and never sees their product again. 

Oddly enough, Lightning Source gives you an option when you sign on with them to have the book returned to you. This never happens though. I called them on this and their reply was, "we really need to change that wording." There was absolutely no fear of being sued for stating one thing and doing another. 

This is from Ingram's Lighting Source's Chain of Custody:

At Lightning Source, we have always maintained that the print on demand (POD) model offers significant environmental advantages over traditional offset manufacturing. With offset manufacturing books often go unsold and are destroyed, usually after being shipped and handled multiple times. Wasted paper, wasted energy, greenhouse emissions, pulping, and landfill overflows can result. 

LSI seems to like the word "usually." Actually the books they're referring to are "usually" resold to returned-from-the-bookstore dealers for a double profit for the bookstores not destroyed. After all, with so many returned-from-the-bookstore resellers, these books are a hot commodity making money for everyone except the publisher and author.


The environmental advantages of utilizing POD technology allow books to be printed to fill an existing demand. POD lessens the possibility of returns, reduces supply chain waste, greenhouse emissions, and conserves valuable natural resources.

There is no waste to lessen, returned-from-the-bookstore books are no longer destroyed by bookstores. I do believe LSI destroys the book though and that's fine since they say this is what happens to the returned books. Yet I'm looking for a POD who will actually do what they say and that is to give me the option to have the book returned to the publisher to lessen the loss of product once they're returned. LSI's interpretation of the misguided wording in the their Mode of Operations manual: you don't get the actual returned book back. They print you a new one for free--and charge a fee for shipping. In case anyone is wondering. The fee for shipping equals the print cost of the book. Interesting to say the least.

Bottom line is, if a publisher uses a POD, they essentially don't have access to the kind of distribution that will make any kind of a difference in sales. In fact, if a bookstore actually decides to purchase books from a publisher who uses a POD, the publisher will end up losing money hand over fist and eventually going under. I've been with two publishers who went under for this very reason. 

One other interesting option POD distributors give publishers: make your books returnable so bookstores will order. My interpretation of this based on my experience to date with how this works: here's a knife go kill yourself. If your book happens to catch the eye of bookstores so that they're inclined to order it, it will most likely be "returned" or if you're with a POD distributor, "destroyed." And these books are "usually" in perfect condition for resale because "usually" the books are never taken out of the box.

By the way, this is true of all POD distributors and not just LSI which is why I say to make sure you understand what you're NOT getting. The absolute BEST way to purchase my books is to go to my publisher's website. Thanks again to those who already have. ;)

http://www.downwarden.com/blackbedsheetstore

Nothing to see here.

Just received this e-mail from Amazon:

Today we have added a new feature, AMAZON AUTHOR RANK, the definitive list of best-selling authors on Amazon.com.

This list makes it easy for readers to discover the best-selling authors on Amazon.com overall and within a selection of major genres. Amazon Author Rank is your rank based on the sales of all of your books on Amazon.com. Just like Amazon Best Sellers, it is updated hourly.

The top 100 authors overall and the top 100 in selected genres will be displayed on Amazon.com. You can see your Amazon Author Rank trended over time in Author Central.

You can find your Amazon Author Rank in Author Central under the Rank tab. Historical rank data is available from September 28, 2012. We’re always interested in feedback, so please let us know what you think.

THE AUTHOR CENTRAL TEAM

Just so y'all know, being a best-seller on Amazon isn't reflective of the quality of the book or what readers are purchasing. So far there's no way to determine what readers are buying. There never has been. Best-selling status by the New York Times is determined by how many books sell to bookstores. 

Of course, the only publishers large bookstores buy from in bulk are the larger established publishers who now only make up a small percentage of legitimate publishers. The title best-selling author has run its course. 

Give it a rest already. 

I don't aspire to be a best-selling author at Amazon or at any other  on-line reseller site. I do encourage folks to buy straight from the publisher. Since distribution for small publishers is vastly different than distribution for larger publishers, buying straight from the publisher is the ONLY way for readers to get the best deal and for authors and publishers to get the best deal as well. 

My publisher's site: http://www.downwarden.com/blackbedsheetstore Also I don't sell kindles on Amazon and never will. But you can get all e-book versions through my publisher . . . including kindle. 

Also, I in no way claim to accurately know anything about the "real" publishing industry just in case anyone wants to say that I don't know what I'm talking about. In regards to the "real" publishing industry, I'm sure I don't know what I'm talking about. So don't put any stock in my words. What I do know and what I do share are the facts from my own personal experiences.  

Blog up at Speculative Faith.

I was asked to be a guest blogger at Speculative Faith, a blog associated with a book tour that wouldn't tour Forever Richard after Never Ceese toured with overwhelming success. The reason; my publisher wasn't sanctioned by the gatekeepers. I don't see this as an acceptance into what is now known as the Christian Fiction arena. That's reserved for evangelical publishers and authors. It was a nice opportunity for me to post my experiences with this closed and targeted market though. Check it out if you're so inclined. ;)

Target Audience Magazine reviews Electric Angel!

Aw, I love it when they love it. Especially when I didn't even ask for the review in the first place. That's always nice! ;D

High Voltage Horror and Suspense Coursing Throughout ‘Electric Angel’ by Sue Dent

Distribution is key--if you can get it.

It's not a matter of proving this so much as it is educating those not involved in publishing (as in publishing novels.) Actually, those involved in publishing need educating too in many instances.

Here's an example. I pinged an international publisher recently (trust me, saying one is international isn't the same as saying "I run with the big boys" or even come close. Far from it. At any rate, they attempt to act like the "big boy" publishers.

They were open for submissions and I'm always open for anyone who has achieved some level of distribution through the corporate bookstores that doesn't come back to bite the publisher and author in the butt.

I explained that I technically have distribution through a "non-distributor" distributor, specifically Ingram's Lightning Source (it isn't distribution if you never see your returned-from-the-bookstore book again,) but I was always searching for that less-than-large publisher who has managed to work a viable contract or deal of distribution with the larger bookstores that hasn't been achieved yet.

Here was their response:

(name of company) print books are all fully returnable, because if we don't allow them to be so, booksellers generally won't stock them.

I'm not quite sure what you're looking for, but it might be that, because of this policy, (name of company) doesn't suit your needs at this time.

If you would like us to consider a manuscript, though, you're very welcome to submit one.

So sad. 

I explained in return what I was looking for and asked to know who they used for distribution so I could decide whether it was worth my time to send them an MS. But the the first line of their response pegs how they distribute. 

The large corporate bookstores made a deal with large publishers back in the day, when large publishers were the only publishers. It stated, in effect, that they did NOT have to pay to return the massive inventory of books they'd order from publishers to help quell some of the cost of on-hand inventory for publishers. That has morphed into large corporate bookstores sending books back hand over fist which is an okay policy if you can snap a "large" distributor which isn't easy to do because it all comes down to sales which a small publisher can't possibly generate given the current state of affairs. 

Ingram's Lightning Source and Amazon's Create Space, two of the larger distributors for "small press" (technically non-distributors) never get the returned-from-the-bookstore books back if you play along and make it returnable. LSI will "print you a new copy" for a sizable fee which they say is to cover shipping of a book that is never shipped. The publisher is then out the cost of the book, the cost to print the book and the money they made . . . before the bookstore decided to send it back because they can.

Such is the state of publishing. 

*le sigh*

Amazon Author Page

As many know, Amazon allows those who have books listed on Amazon (which is everybody and anybody without discretion) to have an Author Page. They also allow for blog posts from outside blogs to show up on that page. I often take advantage of this to let potential buyers know that they'll get the better price and correct information about any of my books via my publisher and not Amazon.

Amazon isn't a distributor, they don't get information from the publisher and they don't worry about whether the book they're listing is something they can legally list or not. But then, they don't have to because technically they're not a distributor.

What Amazon does (in relation to selling published books) is to merely list the data dump of books with official ISBN's that they receive on a regular basis. It's a quite an ineffective method to say the least. Currently Amazon has for sale by Amazon two of my books that they can't even legally list yet they won't remove them. Other sellers can of course sell them but not Amazon. They pretty much operate above the law most of the time. 

For every publisher who is forced to use "distributors" such as Ingram's Lightning Source or Amazon's Create Space, because they don't and never will qualify to use Ingram and Baker & Taylor or Heaven forbid Bookmasters, selling directly to the buying public is their best bet. The publisher can even offer deeper discounts than ALL the on-line retailers. And of course they can offer better prices than Brick & Mortar stores because . . . well . . . unless you're using the big distributors one doesn't get into Brick & Mortar stores, at least not if you choose not to use an "industry" standard return policy set up to only work for publishers who have distribution through the larger distributors. 

So yes, visit my publishers site and visit SueDent.net to learn more. Hopefully soon it will all come out in the wash!!! Won't that be grand!

Indiegogo.com/ElectricAngelGraphicNovel

Do take a moment and check this fundraiser out. The overall funding is a huge number but only $7500 is needed to begin and hopefully the first on-line section of the three will generate funds for the rest of the project. This information is also in the project information as well. Thank you in advance for taking the time to check it out.

Sue Dent's Electric Angel to Graphic Novel. 

It's official!

After talking with my publisher it has been decided that Cyn No More, the third installment of my Thirsting For Blood Series, will be short-run only. 

What does that mean?  

Well, I can only tell you what that means through Lightning Source as it has different meanings in different publishing circles. Through Lightning Source short-run simply means that one's book doesn't go into distribution. And this means that thousands of sites set up for distribution such as Amazon and mainly Amazon will not have access to the titles.

In order to get Cyn No More, one will HAVE to go to the publishers site. Since distribution has come so far, with entities like Lightning Source having locations throughout the world, it is completely possible for a publisher to handle their own distribution. This is fantastic news as battling with on-line distributors such as Amazon is exasperating. And their  priority of concerns places those who choose to distribute through them, at the bottom--the very bottom of a very long list. Not a good scenario at all especially when the publisher can get the job done themselves.


Therefore I say so-long to Amazon and all the other on-line distributors. Hello new world of publishing. My publisher's website and store is of course: 

www.downwarden.com/blackbedsheet

Having a choice is wonderful and I must say that knowing this will put an end to my complaining about Amazon and sites like Amazon. *Many cheer loudly.* But I'd no idea I could "choose" not to be listed. This is wonderful news indeed.


Also my publisher's site has a place for reviews. If it's on your heart, after reading any of my books, to share how much you enjoyed them, please go there and share. No need to leave a review on Amazon or any other site that lists my books presently as I will soon take all of my books out of distribution which will bring my books off those sites ergo all reviews will go with it. Thank y'all sooooooo much for all your support thus far. 

Love y'all,

Fan Expo Canada - Don't miss this one!

I registered in April and was accepted as a guest author and will be in with the other Horror Authors. I am looking forward to meeting fans in one of the few venues available to small published authors. I will have give-aways and much more. Watch this site for details.
 

Buy books/e-books from Publishers when available.

Technology has brought the world of publishing to its knees. In the very, very, distant past it was extremely expensive to print books. That is no longer the case. In the past there was no such thing as affordable free-lancing professional editors. That is no longer the case. And in the past authors and publishers "had" to have distribution to succeed. That also is no longer the case. 


Print on Demand technology means no more overwhelming expense to print or stock books. Using an editor to get a novel into tip-top shape is no longer an elusive feat and distribution is no longer a road block.


Publisher's and authors can now operate as efficiently as the larger houses that founded this industry. Because most publishers use Print on Demand printers such as LSI or Create Space (yes, even the large houses,) on-line retailers can't even get the books for less than the publisher. They can help save on shipping however. In that respect, distribution is still lacking. 


But yes, times they are a changing! Do check out the publisher's site, in most instances, for the best prices out there. My publisher's site:

Black Bed Sheet Books

Anne Rice Takes a Moment on her Fan Page on FaceBook . . . . .

Anne Rice takes a moment on her Fan Page to humor ways to fix a deplorable issue that affects ALL writers; targeted attacks just for the heck of it. 

It began when I commented on one of her post that it wasn't worth it for me as a writer to have my books show up on sites like Goodreads and Amazon because such sites aren't obligated to uphold the very guidelines they set for posting "reviews" and leaving comments. Authors are openly bashed to the point where they go off and set up private groups which is fine until one considers that no author has a choice about whether they end up on these sites. The second an ISBN goes on a book, an author is open prey.

Ms. Rice's response on her Fan Page on Facebook directed to me:

--- I hear you. There is a lot of hatred and hate negative review campaigning on sites like Amazon where people use authors as punching bags. It is quite horrible. But I do think we are doing something positive here on this page, and by posting articles about books that are responsible and informative I am fighting back against the darkness of the internet. Maybe we should discuss a little more the kind of libelous hate that swirls out there and what we can do about it.

She added in another comment directed toward me that 

"--- . . . I've put up with campaign reviewers on Amazon for years who treat me like a video game. It's nonsense really all the garbage these people spew. And I can imagine how these kinds of people hurt other authors. So let's talk about it a bit. Let's see if we can generate some interest. I'm pondering how to do it. I might publish some "negative" reviews of my books from Amazon and open the topic. . ."

Ms. Rice's suggested some steps that could immediately improve the site[Amazon] such as (in her own words)

"make reviews carry not only "a real name" but an email. Nobody should be able to "strike" on the web without an email to hear a response. Most of the really hateful and ugly and unfair reviews I see are by "anonymous" people or people with made up names and profiles. So again, first make it "real name" situation and make an email part of it. That might be hard to police but Amazon could do it. If you aren't willing to use your own name and your own email (the email through which Amazon contacts you, etc.) then you don't get to post a review, or post in the viewer discussions."

But Amazon is a retailer and it seems like other retailers, they "skimp" on the capital it takes to create a system to protect authors from the "hate negative review campaigning" that takes place. Their primary interest is of course, their readers. No retail site that encourages "anyone" to leave reviews is willing to monitor such things or to "police" policies already in place or so it seems. An author should therefore suit up in their thickest armor and wait for the inevitable. 

One solution for an author, to keep from showing up on such sites to begin with, is to not assign an ISBN to their work. They could simply sell their books through their publisher's site or a site of their making. Of course, large bookstores won't carry a book with no ISBN but then they won't carry any publisher's books or self-published book unless one plays by the "hang-by-the-neck-until-dead-industry-standard-non-industry-standard-return-policy" game.

You may find these comments and more on Anne Rice's Fan Page on Facebook, one of the few, if not only, large published authors/legends who actually takes the time to talk with her fans--personally. Love me some Anne Rice.