Author Kathleen Hale Shoots Herself in the Foot Multiple Times Over Goodreads Reviews

Author Kathleen Hale, whose first novel was recently published, has confessed to stalking a book blogger who gave her a lousy review on Goodreads, earning her a bunch of 1-star ratings and generally pissing off book bloggers here, there and everywhere.

I can understand the impulse to strike back at the anonymous person who trashes your book. After all, it's like someone calling your baby ugly. I've been trying for a long time to get Barnes & Noble to remove one review of Tainted Souls, not because it's 1-star, but because it's homophobic. (Near as I can tell, the reviewer took umbrage at what he perceived to be anti-George W. Bush sentiment and hit back by metaphorically calling me a fag. Sigh.)

But, as Hale was warned by any number of people, doing so is a losing proposition. And Hale took her unhappiness to a new and obsessive level, tracking down the book blogger in question, calling her at work, and even showing up on her doorstep. Leaving aside the stalking part, what did she hope to accomplish? Did she really think she was going to strike a blow for liberty and justice?

Now some folks who haven't even read her book are giving it fresh 1-star ratings to show their displeasure at her actions. I think that's wrong, but predictable.

On the other hand, as the old saying goes, there's no such thing as bad publicity, so maybe Hale's misadventure in obsession will pay off in the long run. Should be interesting to see.