Initially, I posted this on my personal facebook page to get it out of my system. This has been bothering me for a while. The blogger who came onto my blog to complain at me because I dare to have a ‘to be continued’ in the middle of a series just helped hammer at things a bit.
This isn’t a pleasant talk. It’s not a pleasant post at all, really. It’s honest. There are spelling errors. (I do not care there are spelling errors. It was posted on my PERSONAL facebook page, so if you are the kind who can’t handle typos, just… stop reading and go elsewhere. This isn’t the time nor the place to get snippy over it. I’m not editing the raw post to appease anyone at this point in time.)
To soften the blow, have a kitten first.
Here’s the post:
I really kinda hate how readers ruined Runaway for me. I don’t want to read it, honestly… don’t even want to write in the world it’s set in.
Why?
Cuz they don’t like that i used lethal white as the foundation on why there aren’t white fucking horses in that world.
There can be white over other frameworks in genetics but they aren’t true white. Just because you have a huge white spot over another color doesnt mean the horse is white. White on pink (ala American Cremello) also isn’t true white. None of this stuff is actually wrong but readers managed to be jackasses enough about my usage of lethal white i literally don’t want to resume working on Royal States books.
I can’t even look at positive reviews anymore of any of my titles because of stuff like that.
I am literally not even allowed to roll with lethal white being a major consideration for horse-crazed royalty.
I haven’t even reread hardly anything in the series because of this, and I can’t even think about continuing to write it without a read through, which I just don’t even want to do at this stage.
It is exhausting, because I just want to write a fun book. Stuff like this is why I absolutely do think about just finishing the absolute minimum and stop publishing.
It really boils down to “okay. If you think you can do better, please do. Write your own book.”
It is fucking exhausting.
I don’t think I am alone among writers at all, either. I can think of a bunch of authors who have completely quite series or have stopped publishing because of this stuff.
It’s just absolutely fucking exhausting, and the longer I write and publish, the more I completely want to withdraw from readers.
It is exhausting, it is brutal, and every damned time, I wonder why I spent 300 hours writing that book.
And even when I avoid the reviews, you know what some readers do? Message me with their complaint, because there is a belief that their $5.99 buys them the right to slam me directly for something they didn’t like.
Ugh, ugh, ugh.
And yeah, tonight’s dose of honesty is a bitter pill. But this shit has been bothering me since Runaway released.
It used to be my favorite, and now, frankly, I’m growing to hate it and the entire series.
I just don’t even want to continue it because I don’t want to deal with whatever lashback will come out of this series next.
I was called a pedophile because of ignorant Americans who didn’t even understand their laws allow child brides, and all i did was bump Texas law a year and illustrate that this is a real PROBLEM in the US.
I have been called a child abuser because I showcased the consequences of this to adult characters.
I’ve been called a lot of nasty names because people forget it is fucking FICTION.
And then to moan about the lethal white gene?
Nail in the coffin. I am so tired of this series at this point. I don’t want to write Ian and his partner; I am sure people are going to bitch about having a damaged male love interest.
Diedre? Yeah, that book isn’t gonna go over well.
Pat and Jessica #3? It has no overlying arc and is meant to be a feel good story. So many people missed the major plot overarcing inclusions in Storm Called and Taken that their third book will not be received well. If people can’t figure out Taken actually played a critical role in the formation of Null and Void… they aren’t going to be able to just have a book meant to be FUN.
I am tired of getting slammed, even in positive reviews, if I am not perfection. It is exhausting.
The burden of expectation placed upon authors is just exhausting.
Be perfect, or we’ll report your typos to Amazon and have your books removed from sale. (Better work weekends or Amazon will remove them because you better fix is NOW.)
Be perfect, or we’ll let everyone know in reviews. (Nothing says love like a hardass reader weaponizing reviews.)
I am just so exhausted.
And that’s the story of why I hate book release weeks now, how I really want to end the Susan Copperfield series at this stage, and why I am going to end up writing books I really don’t want to write because i made promises intend to keep.
But some days, I wish there weren’t any such things as reviews and ratings, and that people didn’t feel like they can slide into my messages with their complaints.
And that’s all she wrote.
(This marks the end of the facebook post and onto the next segment of this blog post.)
So, the next time you think, “HA! I caught an author doing SOMETHING WRONG! Let’s call that out!” maybe stop and thing that you might be the reason you won’t be getting the next book in a series.
Because yes, I am seriously considering hanging up the hat on the Susan Copperfield books after finishing the ones I have already promised, which include the Trickster King (P&J #3), The Prince of New York, New Waters, and the Vampire of Montana. I will end up burning tens of thousands in investments on covers and other things, but… that’s the situation right now.
There comes a point where readers can, and do, manage to ruin things for the writer, and why should I continue working on it at that point? Why should I make myself utterly miserable knowing that there are a bunch of people who are just circling like sharks waiting for me to make a single mistake or do something they dislike?
I am tired of people coming into my private space and slamming me. I am tired of people doing their best to “catch me at doing something ‘wrong'” and I am tired of the general entitlement people are carrying around.
And yes, there are a shameful number of readers, who have directly admitted to me, they love when they catch authors making a mistake. That they DELIGHT in it.
It’s awful.
I don’t like asking for people to take the time to leave reviews anymore, even though they are so critical to helping books sell. It is exhausting. I’m exhausted enough doing my best trying to write the best books possible.
But know that there are so many who just delight in trying to “catch authors doing something incorrect” or delving in trying to find any mistakes possible in a plot line, or living to find that thing they can be critical of… this is one of the major underlying causes of why authors just stop writing.
Do you know what I do now when I find a book I do not like?
I have a goodreads shelf called “not my cup of tea.” If it is a series that I fell out of love with, it goes onto my “didn’t stay my cup of tea” shelf. Do you know what I also do?
I clear the ratings/don’t leave a rating for that book, because the only problem with that book is “I didn’t like it.” For whatever reason.
And nobody needs to know why I didn’t like a book.
If I feel the book wasn’t edited? Well, they can figure that out from the sample. When I look at reviews, I care about a few limited things: did people love the book? Why did they love the book? Trigger warnings.
I am looking to buy a book TO LOVE, not by a book TO HATE. The only thing I use low-star reviews for is to check for trigger warnings. I don’t CARE why some person on the internet hated the book. They’re pissing in cheerios, and their opinion is garbage because I am not looking to HATE a book, I’m looking to LOVE a book… and outside of things triggery to me, I couldn’t care fucking less why they hated the book.
(P.S.: It is pointless to leave low star reviews on my books if you actually think I’m going to look at it or care. I don’t. The book was obviously not for you, and I am not going to change how I’m writing a book solely because you didn’t like it.)
But I am sick and tired of the goddamned entitlement and general abuses flung at authors.
We aren’t your bitch, so please stop treating us like that. The only thing a reader owes an author is the money spent on that book. The only thing an author owes a reader is doing their best on the book, within reason.
I do my best on every book.
That letter in some Royal States books pointing out the legalities behind child brides in the US and how I just used the laws of American when world building the Royal States? It exists because a bunch of people called me a pedophile over a COMMON MONARCHY PRACTICE (thus, royalty) coupled with the laws of the United States.
No, I am not a pedophile.
No, I don’t abuse children either, even though I have fiction where child abuse is featured.
It is fucking FICTION.
But seriously? That’s the story about why I’ve come to hate the Royal States series, I really don’t want to write it, and I will because I promised, but it will be done with the understanding I no longer have any love for that pen name or series because of the vocal minority who has gone out their way to bring their issues with books to my door.
I can’t even read the series I used to love above all other series anymore.
I’m not your bitch, and I’m definitely not a litter box to piss on, so please stop.
If you don’t like how I write books, perhaps you should go write your own and prove you’re the better writer.
Otherwise? Just… stop.
Maybe one day I’ll enjoy the Royal States books again, but right now, after Runaway?
It’s no longer my cup of tea, and I wish I could just retire the entire series right now, so I never have to look at it or read it again.
But I can’t, because I made promises I intend to keep.
And so it goes.
Wow…I had no idea….who are these dickheads…I luuurve your books and have zero time for keyboard $#%^heads who are cowardly %^&*’s and deserve to be blinded.
I have faith in you ❤
i am a man and i love your booked for series. any ballpark for next one?
Not sure yet. I need chill out time between books in the same series, and I’m still working on the plotting/outlining/refinement phase for book three. “It’s complicated” applies.
I’m sorry you feel that you are being abused, but I have to say, I really enjoyed runaway and the many other royal states books. Some people just can’t accept that not everything is perfect in their own little words. I have to admit I didn’t know about lethal white and I’m a horse lover from way back. I ended up looking it up, just as I did on the child marriage laws. you have made a difference and at least one person appreciates it.
I’m terribly sorry that you’ve turned in to a punching bag. Being an American, I would assume it’s Americans who are the most vocal. We’re a hugely entitled group of people and it’s really gross. At the end of the day, an author owes us NOTHING. That’s it. NOTHING. You’ve made promises? That’s admirable and we love you for it, but at the end of the day you still owe us NOTHING. Will we be sorry if the books aren’t finished? Of course we will, we love them and the worlds you create, but you still owe exactly zero. I very rarely do reviews for this very reason: if I did or didn’t like a book, that’s to my taste, no one else’s. I find reviews are not helpful for me because I don’t know what the reviewers tastes are. The only time I will pay attention to a review is if it’s related to triggers. That’s it. I’m sorry people are terrible. I wish I could wave a magic wand and make it better, but, since I can’t, I’m going to sit over here and enjoy what you’ve written and buy your new books until you give up on us for your sanity.
Reviews are so important for sales, though. Especially during advertising runs. Like, the best way you can help an author for free? Is just posting a review that says something along the lines of “I really just enjoyed this book. It was great for me.”
Just something like that helps so much because so many readers DO look at reviews.
I’m not one of the readers who really looks at reviews. I look to see if most people who read the book liked the book. I tend to not buy books with below a 4* rating. I assume the book just isn’t hitting the mark with most readers and save my time reading the sample. I check for triggers.
I don’t care if an author used clip instead of magazine. I know what the author meant, and it’s No Big Deal. I DO care if the book contains certain trigger things, so it’s appreciated if a reader posts a trigger warning on the stuff if it isn’t in the book description. I tend to leave a content advisory if something is particularly triggery. But that’s just a courtesy, and I don’t necessarily always do it.
I write freaking urban fantasy. Triggery content is a NORM for the genre.
But the reviews that just say a reader liked the book? They’re so important. I wish they weren’t so important, but they just are.
Otherwise, the loud people who can’t seem to be happy with anything they read end up with the loudest voices.
I honestly hadn’t thought of it that way. It’s a good point; I’ve just always avoided reviews because I don’t read them anyway. I’ll start leaving general I liked it reviews-ive always felt you needed more content, but I can do general ones.
The ‘more content’ thing is from snooty ‘reviewers’ who feel like their criticism should make the world go round. Unless you’re a professional book reviewer, you don’t have to worry about any of that.
Just say you enjoyed the book. If you know of a reason why, add it. The big thing is to communicate you liked the book. If you have a favorite character, mention that you loved that character in particular.
Content ISN’T king with reviews… just doing it at all is.
As an author, I’m basically not allowed to write reviews, especially on commercial sites; it’s considered to be a conflict of interest. So what do I do?
I shout out when I love a book and think my readers would love it. That’s even better. So my reviews never get posted on commercial sites and haven’t in YEARS… but if I say something about a book nowadays, it’s why I think someone else might like it.
I give good stars when I love a book and move along if I didn’t. The rule is if you don’t have anything nice to say…. 🙂 there isn’t a book you have written that I did not enjoy. In fact, I downloaded Chirp specifically for your books! Please remember there are many of us who love your worlds and enjoy the privilege of visiting them.
I am so sorry that you have received so much flak about your amazing books, which have made me laugh during times when I really, really needed to have something to feel happy about.
I know authors who don’t accept comments at all (aka Shelly Laurenston/G,A, Aiken). She has a newsletter but readers can’t respond.
On the other hand we have the writing couple Ilona Andrews, but their website is moderated so they don’t have to deal with the crap.
I hope you can find a solution that works for you and allows you to enjoy writing and publishing again. I would miss your books so much, love the humor and the original ideas.
The problem is, people find ways around the measures I’ve taken. I have two facebook profiles; one is personal for close family and friends, and I live like 20 whole friends on it or something. The other is my standard one that is linked with my page, etc, etc.
I have people who will message BOTH to make sure I “see their obviously super important message.”
Or they report to Amazon. Or they dig out email addresses wherever they can hoping it works.
It’s so, so bad.
I get you. I would hate for you to stop being Susan Copperfield. They are the first series that I read from you and I love them. I don’t give many reviews because I wrote a bad review once!! and would never do it again…it gave me such a rotten feeling. So unless I absolutely love the book I stay away from giving my personal opinion.
To bad you can’t block those negative people, they remind me of teenagers who just loved to shame classmates in school. Bet they wouldn’t have the nerve to give their opinion face to face…oh the joys of the internet. Be strong, rant all you need and ignore their inflated ego.
See, if you don’t want to write bad reviews, DON’T. Just go tell people why you loved a book.
Readers are looking for books to LOVE not books to HATE… so don’t hate on books, and just leave happy reviews. You don’t have to review books you didn’t love, ever.
I can’t begin to express how badly I feel for you, right now. I don’t even have any “if I could do x or y or z” to help. I guess all I can do is keep supporting you as best I can, and being sure to let you know as best I can what a gifted, talented writer of *fiction* you are. be as well as you can, stay safe. friendly, brother-like hugs sent out your way. Rick Agresta
Gotta tell you I love you and your books. I am sad some people can’t stop being assholes to themselves and other people who do not need that bullshit.I loved runaway, and while it cannot take my favorite’s spot, A Guiding Light, but it’s up there with Taken. I truly don’t understand how some people cannot actually remenber their history classes, maybe they slept through them, but ignoring what has happened and is still happening in some places, taking it out on you, truly makes me want to RAGEEE cause it’s making me angry.
Sorry that people are fucking bitches.
REALLY ENJOYED RUNAWAY!!!!! as well as your other books in the series. Please don not let small minded picky people affect what story lines you want to write!! if they are not happy they can go suck on a rotten egg!! or find another author. for myself i like your books and style of writing very much.
Sneaky, I know that I can’t write worth a damn, but I love to read. I have not read any of the Susan Copperfield books yet, but I’ve read nearly all of the RJ Blain books and just finished the Trillian Anderson/RJ Blain books. I have found that I’ve really enjoyed all of them. I hope that you don’t get so discouraged that you stop. It is so hard to find new authors who obviously enjoy (normally) their work.
I’m nearly seventy and I’ve been reading since I was four, so I have some experience reading, and I know that I can’t write. I’ve tried. So I’m so glad that people like you can. I’m certainly not perfect, so I don’t feel that I have any right to demand perfection in others. Please keep writing, and don’t let the dirty bastards get you down.
Social Media has created many a monster out of just the ordinary, ignorant, opinionated person. Some now appear to believe that the world should revolve around them and have no hesitation in attacking others who do not, as they believe, line up with their world view. They often have poor interpretation skills, possibly because they are so eager to see fault with others who are achieving something. I think it is a real pity to pay any attention to this sort of person, who tend to run on a very narrow gauge line and be very judgmental.
I am pleading with you not to invest your very valuable energy in engaging with this sort of ‘criticism’. This sort, unfortunately, is likely to always be with us. Our best way of dealing with them is to ignore them. Do not let such opinions destroy your joy in your writing. I can assure you there are MANY, and I would say most, readers who take great pleasure in your work. I enjoyed Runaway a lot and will likely re-read it shortly. Perhaps all the readers who enjoy your work do not write you to tell you about it, but I can assure you we are the vast majority. Please do not give in to the Picky Paulas by allowing them to influence anything that you do or take away any enjoyment you have with your writing.
I’m so sorry…mean people suck. I see no reason except meanness to be leaving you (or any author) a bad review. Just because you don’t like something it doesn’t make it wrong or bad. I’d be sorry if you stop writing the Royal states, but I’d read any of your snarky magical romance series, so I hope you can just be you and happy.
I am so sorry you have to deal with this level of entitlement. If I could send hugs via email, I would. My theory is .. I can’t write worth crap (outside of technical manuals) so I appreciate the artistry and hard work that goes into creating a book I like/love. I don’t try to ‘catch’ the authors; that’s biting the hand that feeds you – and I can’t understand the level of entitled bitchiness that would lead someone to not only do that but enjoy it.
I do something similar to you – I have a kindle collection called ‘meh’ and if it doesn’t speak to me, it goes in there. That’s my level of negative engagement. (Occasionally I’ll go back in and give a new try, but it’s my holding place for ‘not what I expected’ or ‘just didn’t like’.) If I like a book I’ll give it a good review; the authors deserve that to help with their sales.
OK, here is where I plug that my favorites of your stories are the Jesse Alexander and Rift King books. (Really looking forward to the re-release on the Rift King!)
But first and foremost, I appreciate your creative talents and the work you put into each and every book you release. I only wish that the entitled bitches would stop messing with my favorite author(s) and go try (and fail) to do this themselves.
Long time reader and also long time lurker on your blog, (unashamedly looking to see if I’ve maybe missed a book release in the few days since I last checked. I know it’s a problem, but it’s a me problem and I’ve decided I can live with it).
I’m sorry to hear that you’re having such issues with the obnoxious minority and I hope things change for you soon! I didn’t realise so many people needed a foreword to a book that states “THIS IS FICTION” in big letters. Maybe also in crayon with a little diagram.
In the mean time, a fun fact that I hope you may like, (as a fellow cat servant) – black cats have an increased immunity to disease. You seem like the kind of lady who cheers on the under dog, or feline and that’s not something to be sniffed at.
On behalf of me and my two fluffy overlords, who occasionally like me to read out loud to them, have a wonderful week!
I LOVE ALL OF YOUR BOOKS! TELL THE HATERS TO BLOW IT OUT THEIR EARS! it never ceases to amaze me how critical unimaginative individuals with no personal creativity, feel they have the right to judge others who are obviously far superior and evolved than they are! Pity them for being the small minded individuals they are, locked in a world where they are unable to see the larger picture, let alone understand it! God has blessed you with talent, please don’t let a few self involved HATERS define what you should or shouldn’t do! continue to shake up their small minded worlds and Maybe someday they will realize they are not the center of the universe! PLEASE KEEP WRITING FOR ALL YOUR REAL FANS AND LET THE PATHETIC FAKE FANS DROWN THEMSELVES IN THEIR OWN CUP OF TEA!
Sending hugs & positive vibes.
I am sorry you have to go through this. I can not understand it, it gives me goosebumps to read about the stupid and idiot people who do not understand it is fiction. If I read something that worries me, I say to myself, this is fiction, not real. I love your books and you.
I understand the issue with disagreeable and just plain nasty reviews and comments. Most of the writers I follow have mentioned this more than once. So it’s real and not a figment of imagination in case anyone wonders. That said, please try to just ignore the haters. It’s not something that will ever go away, so you need to find some means to not let it affect you so adversely. Please don’t ruin your own pleasure in your writing by letting the turkeys get you down. If it ‘s a negative, just delete it unread? Nothing I know of says you have to read or even respond to vicious stupidity.
As far as the stupid pedophilia question, WTH? Does no one read history? It’s not been that long ago that European countries stopped betrothing their royalty in childhood. And frankly arranged marriages still exist in countries around the world right now . Including child brides who are a lot younger than 15 or 16. Plus, does no one understand the concept of FICTION? Those jokers are showing their utter and complete stupidity.
You need a stock response that says something along the line: I write for my own pleasure and hope you will enjoy it. I don’t owe you anything except the best job I can do. My stories are fiction and if you don’t like them, don’t buy. And just post it wherever you need to!
I love your Magical Rom Coms and the Royal States, but after buying one each of the other series, I decided they, as you said, aren’t my cup of tea. Why in the world would I post a bad review because of that? I am not stupid. I don’t intend to bite the hand that feeds me.
Hang in there!
I’m sorry the world is full of terrible people. I love all your books! Some more than others, but still love. People’s entitlement is ridiculous. They are entitled to live not ruin your life or job. Know you have a following that loves you, supports you and wants nothing but the best for you and yours!
I do the exact same thing on Goodreads – I have a DNF category and no stars are given to rate the books that fall into it. The book wasn’t my cup of tea for whatever reason, so I don’t feel I should give it a rating, especially if I didn’t actually finish it.
I love that you wrote that and that you feel free enough to do so and I’m sorry it’s for a shitty thing no one needs that bullshit stressing up their day. All the love and comfort and support 🥰🥰🥰 I love what you do and I love the Royal States series and your other pen names and I hope you once again can find joy in them and shake off the peons ruining it for you they aren’t worth it
I wish the world had a lot more nice people. I have been following your struggles with the meanies and have been amazed people think writers owe us anything at all. I owe you money for your effort but you don’t owe me anything.
I really enjoy your books under all your pen names, and no I haven’t even tried to figure out your new pen name because I know you will tell me and I know I will love it. Lately, I have been listening to Water Viper, one of my favorite series and feeling grateful you invested in the audiobooks. There are few things more discouraging than being an avid reader and discovering you are losing your sight due to macular degeneration.
You need to care for yourself and do what is right for you You do not owe us an explanation for any decisions you make in what you are going to write or how you are going to write it. Perhaps the suggestion above to have your communications moderated would help.
I thought it interesting that I do the same thing as you. Rather than leave negative reviews, I have a collection for books called “Not to Taste ‘ and I only rate *** and above for exactly the same reasons. I rarely enter reviews because they are so easily misunderstood.
I hope you figure out how to keep these privileged few from destroying your balance so you can keep writing your imaginative and entertaining works. Hugs.
I’m so sorry that miserable people have made you feel this way. I just started reading the Roal States books in January (because I love your RJ Blain books) and now I’ve read them at least 2 or 3 times each. I hope that some day you’ll be able to recover your affection these books and will be be able to love thrm again as much as I do. Thank you so much for sharing your talent with me and all those who enjoy your books!
To quote a writer from the UK..Bloody Bollocking Hell!!! These arseholes need serious therepy.
These are your books and we love them! Ok, most of them, I am having trouble with the Fox series but will keep trying.
What constitutes an error? Being from the UK I find the spelling and wording odd but so what? It’s the story that matters and you do that so well. As you say, ITS FICTION!
I enjoy your ‘extras’ within the Royal States books. The topics are dealt with so seamlessly that I had no idea about the problems you have noted in your Fiction are also current in the US. So the arseholes should actually read the fiction properly and actually do something to address such topics instead of picking holes and ruining your and our enjoyment of the Fiction.
Sorry for the rant but I was seriously miffed for you!
My heart aches when I read that you no longer love your books as much as we do. We (your truly loyal fans, not aholes who live to make others as miserable as they are) wait with baited breath for your books to be released… for all of your books to be released… whether it’s a series they read, or not, because when one drops from one series it means that another is up next… maybe from a series they love and have been waiting for. It’s a numbers game because u r so friggin awesome and write under several diff names, we wait and we wait and we wait and do u know why we wait? IT’S SIMPLE… YOU ROCK OUR WORLD(S)!!! You give us joy in to his maddening world and we, your true and loyal fans thank you for sticking it out. For putting up with as much B.S. as you have to bring us joy. I’m so sorry some out there don’t understand you are giving us a gift. It’s beautifully wrapped each and every time… that you have put so much time and effort into picking just the right gift and that you hope we like it because, um not everyone likes the same things but you’ve put like 300 hours into picking out this gift, so you really hope most, if not all, love it and appreciate it and the effort it took to put this beautifully wrapped gift in front of them but you know… if they don’t… um, they can go fu$? themselves. Sigh sorry… I was doing so well not exploding with curses on your behalf. This is infuriating on so many levels and frankly it’s miraculous that you haven’t just thrown in the towel so many time because you have put up with so much. My hope though, is that there are many more of us that love and appreciate you (all of you, no matter the name you write under) that you continue to write any and all books that strike your fancy. That you are able to read them again and again (as many of us do) and that they bring you as much joy as you have brought to us.
Sorry this was so long. It really did start out as “sorry you have been putting up with this” and I couldn’t stop the rest from pouring out.
We love you. We appreciate you and we thank you for giving us joy… so much joy.
WOW…did I ever catch you, on The Sneaky Kitty Critic, at the wrong time. Talk about a bad-hair day, Jeezz. But before you hang up on me, I agree with you 100%.
While to be truthful, I haven’t read any of the books you’ve mentioned, I will for sure be looking them up now. This is mainly out of curiosity mind you because I really have no idea what the “Royal States” books are about, other than what’s been alluded to in these comments. I will also leave a Review on how I find “Runaway” after I’ve read it. (That is bread-and-butter for your book sales, I believe.)
So my heated, young, Author-type-person, please continue your writings. Do Not let the obnoxious few ruin what, I believe, is what you love to do. As an example…I have welded for over forty (40) years, and I still have butt-holes coming up and telling me I did it wrong, and how to fix it. (Another Jeezz.) I know that wasn’t quite in line with your writings, but I did have to read blueprints.
And before I get My butt chewed for the light-hearted comments here…that was my intention since there was so much, I don’t know…negativity here (I hope that’s expressed right.) that I wanted to cheer things up all while agreeing with what you, and others, have said. While not being able to read your mind, I do feel if you were to quit, you’d probably really regret doing so. Just my opinion.
So please do carry-on, glow in what your reviews say, and file the rest in that round filing cabinet beside your desk. Oh…and feel free to rant, rave, carry-on, and holler at anytime. We’ll be here to listen.
Wait… I have not bad hair days? Crap. I was supposed to do my hair??
:checks hair: Does shampooing it last night count as doing it??
Last night totally counts as doing your hair!
Checks own hair: um, yes, totally counts!
I am so very, very sorry that this happened to you. I hope it is some comfort that the Royal States are my favorite of your many series. But what counts is that you take care of yourself and write what you gives you pleasure not pain. I do hope that one day you will be able to love the Royal States again because it is so very, very good.
Thanks for the kitten. 🙂
Much like Brandy Reed, I find myself wishing for a magic wand… or an appropriate talent.
I have just finished a re-read of _Serial Killer Princess_, which is one of those kind of books that I expect garnered a complaint. Would I like to see another book with Tulip and Justin – sure! Am I bent out of shape because it is “to be continued”? Nope, where it ends feels good to me if you never revisit them – Tulip is looking forward, and has a refresh in her outlook in life.
I know I am but one of many, but the only time I give critical feedback to an author is when I’m a beta reader (or editing). Otherwise – these are your worlds that you are sharing with others. Beyond that, I’m well aware that authors a life outside the word processor.
If you’ve forgive the opinion, I tend to consider those most hypercritical are those that tried “Write your own book” and failed at it, and became hell-bound to tear down anyone else that succeeds where they did not.
So long as any given author continues to engage me as a reader, I’ll keep visiting those worlds I like. You engage me. Your worlds entertain me. And I hope you will continue to do so.
I’m so sorry people are so petty!
I absolutely adore your books (all pen names): your writing is always a wonderful combination of great plot, wonderful characters full of heart and snark, and situations that can make me think about things in a new way. Do you realize how amazing that is? I can’t tell you how many times I have reread your books just for the joy of them. I read a book a day, and not a single week goes by without me rereading one of yours.
Please don’t give the selfish, entitled a##holes the power to hurt you. They don’t deserve your time or energy. The more time you spend on them, the more they will continue their horrific behavior just to have your attention.
I understand the need to be up on reader feedback but that doesn’t mean you need to wade through S##t to get the important data. Would it be possible to establish a list of the type of reader feedback you actually need and have some of us loyal readers pull that data and assemble it in a format you can use without subjecting your soul to so much heartache?
I would be more than happy to contribute to this effort so that you can focus your talent on what matters; writing.
Please consider that those people don’t deserve anything at all from you. I would enjoy any part I might be able to play in eliminating them from your daily life.
These people are literally coming into my space and shoving it in my face, unfortunately. I turned off messages on my page to help stop this, and my PA monitors my blog… but it’s very hard to avoid, especially when they are coming directly into my space, emailing me, private messaging me… and basically just being invasive because they feel their opinion is THAT important.
It’s exhausting. That’s the only word I have for it.
I can (and do) avoid reviews on the commercial sites now… it’s just not worth the heart ache. Would I like to be able to see the nice things people say? Yeah… but there are so many people who feel they can/should piss in other people’s cheerios.
But, yeah. They’re coming even into my private messages to let me know how horrible a person I am for daring to do this. Or that I should not use this phrasing because SOMEONE might be offended. (Sorry, the character would say that, I recommend you get over it is essentially my reply. This is what the character would say, so why shouldn’t the character say it?)
BUT OFFENSIIIVEEE.
Yes, that’s often the entire point… oof.
Negativity has become a problem. It’s not only you who have to deal with it. Look at the Airlines dealing with crazy passengers, restaurants, retail dealing with angry customers, etc. why is everyone so angry that good normal behavior gets shown on media as outstanding. Being kind and happy is a choice. Tearing someone down is a choice. I choose positively.
You are one current author who brings up situations and things that I never heard of and so are encouraged to find out about them. The fatal white gene, the child bride problems, and even the fancy horse breed of which I just had to look up to see a picture are examples. So, are the Royal States books learning opportunities for me? Yes. Yes, they are. And for that, I can’t thank you enough except to keep buying your books. But, above all, there are few contemporary “light” and fun fiction authors I have more pleasure in rereading, time and time, and time again than R.J. Blain and Susan Copperfield.
I’m terribly sorry to read of what some self-entitled ,,, ah … individuals have done. And I have long been baffled by the types of reaction you’re getting, and surprised some of them didn’t go on to accuse you of murder. After all, you write about people getting killed.
Aaahhhrrrggghhh. I want to go on and on about how each of these types of scum annoy me, but it’s pointless. I’ll just say that I love your books, and hope you can find the joy in them again, and finish off by saying how much I loved ‘Runaway.’
So sorry there are some of the most despicable people out there. Personally, I have almost all of your books and have enjoyed them. Maybe some more than others, but not all books appeal the same. I really love the Royal States and hope you don’t stop writing them.
I am so sorray you have had to deal with this garbage. And that is what its garbage. I have never understood why people take a fiction book and made it a reflection if the authors personnel life. It makes no sense, it’s fiction you idiots not real life. Plus you addressed how repugnant the practice is, in the book. Aargh.
I love all your series and appreciate all the work you do. I will be better about leaving written reviews and not just star ratings going forward. Please note I really have problems with written reviews, as it causes triggers for me. However, that is not enough of an excuse knowing what I now know.
Please believe that there are far more readers who love and enjoy your creativity then the scumbags. Most don’t say anything because they believe most love them as much as they do.
Finally, if you need to step back from Royal states, I understand and believe most of your readers will as well. We, I need you happy and enjoying sharing your creativity and imagination way more then needing my next fix in a series. Will I miss those books, yes but I would much rather they come from a joyous place then a resentful, justifiably so, obligated place.
You are lived, admired, adored and hold a piece of my heart….please please take care of yourself.
Loved….fat arthritic fingers and tiny keyboard 😞
Oh, Sweetie, I am so sorry that some (several expletives deleted) idiots have managed to poison your series. I read all of your series I know about and love them all, but Royal States is my favorite. It’s probably because it isn’t all fluff, though fluff has a big happy place on my bookshelf. The Bernadette Franklin books have some extra fiber in their makeup, too, and I like that.
But if you need to take a break for your mental health or the sake of your stomach lining, you absolutely should.
Will I miss the books? You bet your bippy I will! I will be rereading the current ones often.
But they are YOUR books. You come up with the great stories and the fun characters that I love to read about. “If you aren’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” is absolutely true, especially about books.
If you want to write in another series, go for it. I buy those, too, and if and when you get to Royal States, I will squee and buy the new book(s).
You need a break – take it. (I know you count on the income, but a short vacation should be do-able,)
In short, (virtual) hugs and back pats. (Sorry, I am 72 and you get “young person status” – so you get pats on the back to make you feel better.) Those stupid trolls don’t get to pick on you. You are so much better than they are.
They couldn’t write “Run, Spot, run!” with notes and a thesaurus.
This is my favorite series of yours and I’m deeply sorry that abusive people are ruining it for you. (And this is abuse, just like the bad behavior of some airplane passengers is abusive and those who bully customer service reps or grocery store checkers is abusive–some people love to abuse anyone they can get away with abusing.)
I always knew that reading reviews could be tough on authors. I didn’t know so many people would go out of their way to contact you all in these other ways. It’s like you need a digital moat to publish books! Yet the general public imagines that authors have it made, enjoying wealth (hah!) and celebrity etc. They imagine you’ve opted out of the daily grind (ignoring many writers doing day jobs) and are just having fun at the keyboard (nope, not always, it’s WORK) while they toil away at jobs they hate. Besides being bullies and abusers, they are bitter about their lives and want to take it out on you.
You’ve written an excellent series and I hope you can recover enough to enjoy rereading it. The people who’ve enjoyed it and understood that you were calling out things in our culture far outnumber this abusive, vocal minority. We are looking forward to these remaining books because we love these characters. YOU DID THAT. You made us love fictional people. You made us care about their world.
That’s talent!
I fear that I only circle your pre-order and new releases like a small hungry fishy. I fear that I get so involved in the story that any errors or typos disappear and dissolve into the story. Perhaps I am a bad reader, but your stories suck me into them so much that all sense of time and space disappear. Hence why I often say your books have no respect for bedtimes, or pretty much anything else that isn’t in the story. The kitten is so adorable that Lucy would have a hard time scolding it for pouncing on his tail.
You really need a moderator or assistant or personal buffer to stand between you and all the raging cockturds who keep complaining about stupid shit related to you and your books because this isn’t healthy. And if you’re not healthy, I’m not gonna have books to purchase from you. So please don’t stop writing. Even if you decide to never publish again, which would make me very sad, I’d rather have you writing only for yourself rather than stopping all together…because then there will still be hope that you’ll decide to publish everything at a later date (and I’m used to living on hope).
I actually DO have measures in place. My page’s messages are turned off. I don’t allow contact forms to go to me directly anymore.
People are dodging those measures because they feel they should be able to come straight to me with their complaints. They go to my personal profiles on social media, etc. It’s just so very rude and hateful.
This makes me so incredibly sad to read. No author owes book readers ANYTHING. I try to leave reviews when I really love a book, but if I don’t like one, I just move on. I’m so sorry that these people are so insistent and just rude and mean and that they’ve made you hate a book series that you wrote. I hope you can find the love for the series again, but if not I’ll understand. Nobody deserves to be treated that way. You’ve brought me so much joy in the past years with your books and to know that there are people out there who are doing this makes me both infuriated and sad.
Please don’t stop writing Royal States. I love that series. I read books for fun. I don’t rip them apart. I can’t wait for your books to come out.
Ma’am,
I love your books. I’ve read all i can find for RJ Blain and Susan Copperfield. I can say some don’t fit my mindset at times. I absolutely have favorites. However, even more importantly, I love the information you provide. It has lead to many spirited debates with friends.
I am going back for another degree because I need to learn to be happy. I can honestly say I’ve quoted your books for my Sociology class. you bring things to the forefront without hitting anyone upside the head. (I cannot help it if they run headfirst into the wall.)
I wish there was a way you could screen the negativity before it gets to you. I wish you had a trusted assistant or someone willing to go through all the garbage and bring to you the things that matter. I wish there was a way you had someone who could deal with Amazon because most of that is administrative. Most of all I wish they wouldn’t steal your fire.
Do I have a vested interest in you continuing to write? Only to myself. I read through the books picking out my favorites because I need to sort through overwhelming input. I work full time, I have three boys who recently lost their father. I know when I pick up your books, I can find something that pulls me to a different mindset.
As to the child marriage? Just because you write about it under no circumstances are you that. Otherwise Stephen King would be in jail for murder many times over. Romance writers would be in in some morality jail. I hope you find your fire and burn the ground the idiots stand on.
I love the evolution of the series Royal States. I’ve watched characters grow, and plot lines flourish as time brings things to resolution and new problems are introduced.
I don’t know if you accept volunteers to help screen stupid or work on your behalf with Amazon, but if you do, I would volunteer to help. I love what you do and believe strongly that people should swipe left, scroll up, shut up and move on if they don’t care for something.
Enough of my babble. Just know that Runaway is a favorite of mine. I love how you bring social issues to light. I love your Rom Com Body Count series because I laugh but also the Devil has some amazing takeaways. I thoroughly enjoy Client from Hell. Again for similar reasons. I could continue but I won’t.
All my best for you. You are an amazing and powerful person to bring things for others to review.
Crystal
People can be such a**holes. I am sorry you must deal with them.
Null and Void has been my go-to book when I couldn’t find anything else I wanted to read.
Runaway was just plain fun, the hoops royalty has to jump through to get a vacation are just extreme.
All that said, wahoo! I just found Catnapped on Chirp. Such good narration and I love the interaction with Lucy.
Thank you for what you do. If you need to push some of the books promised back a year, do so. Your loyal readers will wait.
I love your books! The Royal States books are some of my favorite and I go back to them over and over again. I’m sorry that there’s people out there that can’t understand that books are fiction and they don’t get a say in how they are written. If you need to take a break from the series DO IT! Your readers will still be here when your ready to write it again. I’d rather have a happy author writing books than one that’s going through the motions because idiots annoyed them to the point they don’t enjoy what they do. I promise the rest of us understand that 1. You are human and mistakes happen ( not many for your books)
2. This is your world! What happens in it is up to you!
I read and enjoyed Runaway. I saw the mention of the lethal white gene. Most people don’t know (except for horse people who should know better) that white horses are born black. Over time, they grey out, so a white horse is actually grey, not white. Same in dogs. If you breed a Merle to a Merle dog, you end up with white, deaf and blind puppies, who never get sight or hearing, and have a bunch of other health problems.
In the seventies, there was a very popular and heavily used Arab stallion who had a gene change. As time went on, they were getting foals who just died a week or so after they were born. No one knew why. Finally, the gene research became able to look for genetic problems. They traced back and found this stallion. By now 10s of thousands of Arabs traced back to him. What to do? The foals only died if the mare and stallion both carried this gene. Now, if you are breeding Arabs, you gene test for this gene, so you don’t breed positive to positive horses. Again, most people don’t know or remember this.
I will be very sorry if you are not able to write anymore books in this series. I love them and the world the characters exist in.
That’s not actually completely true. If you have a max expression white “spot” gene, the horse will be born appearing white and won’t gray out to light gray. Light grays do the black to white, so do dapples. It’s a different gene combination, like overo, that does white to white–but if you see a paint horse that is almost completely white, it’s like 99% white on 100% white… but because those few black hairs exist, or chestnut, or whatever other color, it’s not a lethal white. Some white expressed horses are born “Appearing to be white” because of the specific gene combinations. But yes, light gray is not born light gray, but a darker color.
Thank you for writing the Royal States books. When I’m struggling to get to sleep and telling myself stories, it’s often in this world you created, and I appreciate being able to escape there. <3
Yeah… I would like to escape there, too. (Which is the entire crux of the problem at this point…)
As an FYI, I adore your books and your writing (in all your pen names). Too many people feel the need to berate others to feel better about themselves but that is no excuse to trash someone’s livelihood. I can think of so many other authors out there that use a crappy talk to text interface for their books and don’t bother double checking.
In this day and age, I would hope that people were more civil to each other and respectful of other people. It’s a horrible thing that people get so spun up over a fictional tale. A little surprised that the reader didn’t go off on the unrealistic idea of people using magic *GASP*
In all seriousness, I am thankful for stumbling across Jesse Alexander on an impulse buy, which has led me on an adventurous roller coaster of fun and tears through several of your series. You are a gem of an author and please don’t ever forget that.
Okay. I will admit to have left negative reviews for random books before, so I am not totally guiltless. That said, all the reviews I have left for your books are totally good and heartfelt. I do NOT enjoy the trends that have lots of depression, abuse and sex in many books. I love your books because they make me happy and I reread them frequently. And I do mean all of them (Franklin, Blain and Copperfield, and yes, even Anderson). As one other commenter mentioned, sometimes you make me google stuff for more info, and as I am a nerd of the first water, I love that.
Humans are diverse and with social media, those who’s lives are challenged, or those who are jealous of others’ accomplishments, or just those who believe tearing down someone makes them seem better, are able to spew their venom to a greater audience. Also, sadly, those vicious few are able to grab the ear of those who should know better.
It seems to me that you have been pushing yourself way too much. Your schedule has been terrifying and tho’ I appreciate every book you write and eagerly await each one, I won’t die if you slow down (maybe?).
I also must admit to a tiny disagreement with you about authors generally. I believe for an author to ask for payment for their work that the author should put forth their best effort. I do not believe you have ever done less than your best, but I also believe there are authors who do not subscribe to your commitment. I read hundreds of books each year (retired person here), and many of them could have and should have been better researched and edited.
One more thing and my fingers will shut up. Main problem is that most genuine readers don’t review much. I have read tons of books I like but don’t review. I buy them. I do read reviews for a new author, but not for those I know I like. I’m sure you have many, many readers silently enjoying your books.
As a quiet lurker I will agree with that. I am introverted enough I dislike even typing online, if I like a book my response is to then buy everything else in the series, if I run out of books in that series I have been known to buy every other book written by that author like I did here starting with the royal states.
It always astounds me that people have the audacity to try and tell you how to how to write and what to write. I see spelling errors in many people’s books. I go ‘oops’ and pass them by. Why can’t they? I am sorry that they turned something you loved to something you dread. I hope that with time it will be something that will turn back around to a more positive light for you. I love Runaway, and am rereading it now. Even if you don’t write any more from that series. That’s your call as the author. People need to respect that.
I love your books and have ever since I first stumbled on them reading “blending in” After that I have just devoured anything you have written, under all names. They are one of my go to reads when I feel down and need a pick up. I am sorry for all your pain from “ignorant” readers. No one should be subject to the attacks from privileged person No one!!!. Please take care of yourself and continue writing what pleases you and know that I will be buying it and reading it. Thank you
I’M so sorry that jackasses are ruining things for you. I think it’s a byproduct of internet world because they do it on everything. I love the royal states series, besides several others of yours hopefully someday you can again. Please take heart that there are a silent majority, way more than the trolls who loved your books.
Hope you don’t let some a-holes ruin your fun. I’m always surprised at the details in your books. They have given me much joy to read. Please keep up the good work, and forget the people who are to stupid to appreciate your books. If they don’t like them, don’t read them. Thanks again. You are my favorite writer and I have re-read most of them multiple times. Continue, please.
You do what you need to do to be healthy. If you do end it, I will miss the world. I’ve had authors that I really like one series or another but not everything. I have so far enjoyed everything that I have read of yours and your talent sent me out to seek other series of yours and the other names that you write under.
TBH, the only time typos bother me is when it makes the story confusing. For example changing the name of the male protagonist in a sex scene when the 2nd name gentleman was in another location doing something else. That was a big ‘oops’. You have never done anything remotely egregious.
I don’t know what your personal financial situation is, but maybe you could have someone moderate incoming messages for you so you don’t have to be bombarded by unwarranted negativity.
The problem is, the messages are being sent to my *personal* profile where my family and friends talk with me. I am not giving ANYONE access to that account. I already turned off page messaging for this reason. Theyre just seeking me out elsewhere, unfortunately.
I saw that in another comment that you had replied to. That sucks. My husband’s an artist and he finally turned his personal page private I’m sure that you have tried any additional suggestion I might have with regards to your settings that might help, including setting your DMs not to receive messages from people other than your friends. The only other thing I could think of is adjusting your profile name; it could make it more difficult for people to find you.
Good luck and don’t let the haters bring you down. I just read your post on corrections and I am stupefied by the suggested corrections.
Yeah… problem is… RJ *IS* my name! And they found me on my other one, too, because what the R is isn’t uncommon knowledge. UGH. It’s special. I can’t escape. Oy.
That’s a good point – my friend from college who is a lawyer has a mock name on her Facebook. Such-and-such name with same starting letter + a variant of her last name. She never posts any public profile photos of herself. She’s had problems because she does anime cosplay sewing competitions too, and she doesn’t want her clients harassing her.
Unfortunately, the variants I can use with my license are known, and FB is basically mandating licenses to confirm identity to make accounts now. You have to use variants of your name or initials, or they’ll close the account. It’s very frustrating.
I personally love your Royal States / Copperfield and 95% of your [insert series name] / Blain books. Since I’ve started reading your blog and rants I’ve gained a new appreciation for the work that you put into your books and the pain of “helpful” feedback. (You’ll note I haven’t sent in any for a zillion years now, lol)
I’m so sorry you’re burnt out from the new-release responses. I wish people would respect your space as an author instead of lashing out. :-/
Sending (hopefully supportive) hugs your way.
I am so sorry you feel so attacked. I hope that you can feel peace and love through your books again soon. Your books have helped keep me alive, literally been on the verge but reread your books and keep going. So for that I and my son thank you 🙏
You are seriously my favorite author. The royal states series is amazing. I bought each and every book. I relate to the characters because they’re damaged and believe the world can be a better place. Every book is a gem. I don’t care about the typos if they ate any it’s perfect
I’m sorry some jerks with a sense of entitlement, which is totally undeserved wrecked one of your favorite series for you. I will say,
I adored Runaway and hope you do put it into audiobook as I listen to your Royal States series nightly. I stopped having chronic nightmares because of that wonderful series.
Yes you hit on some hard subjects in your books, and if people can’t handle them, they should just walk away without comment. In other words, if they don’t like a book, STFU and read something else. No fiction author needs to pander to an audience, they write what they see in their head, which is a wonderful place to visit for those of us that love to read and visit new places without leaving home. Thank you for your hard work and your amazing imagination put into print and word.
I’m so sorry that you have to hear from those obnoxious people. Please realize that they are a tiny minority that certainly don’t speak for the rest of your readers. I love the Royal States series. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve reread each book of the series. They have given me so many hours of enjoyment and I thank you very much for that. Hopefully someday as time passes, you may reconsider and revisit that world.
I love your Susan Copperfield books as do many others. Please don’t let the assholes of the world destroy your love of writing. When I get too stressed, your books are the ones I most frequently go back to and reread. They help me to relax. Anytime one of your new books pops up in my feed, it makes my day. Ignore the idiots.
I think the first pen name of yours I ran across was Trillian Anderson, and I pursued the others because anyone who could make sentient mac and cheese seem reasonable has some serious skills. I love the Royal States and how they are evolving, and want to know how these people you’ve created are doing. I’m sorry that those that bray the loudest are destroying your joy(?) in writing about them. I like your regionalisms and your quirky turns of phrase, and your social commentary. Plus without you there would be no Lucy, and the world would be a much sadder place. Thanks for doing what you do.
First, I haven’t read a thing of yours that I haven’t at least liked. Most I have loved. A few spoke to me on a deeply personal level that made me feel I wasn’t alone in feeling the way I did. You have become my favorite author, which with how many books I read is saying something. And if you choose to discontinue a series I will be sad… but if you choose to give up writing I’d be heartbroken. And I will still happily read whatever you choose to produce.
Second, I do a lot of work on consensus based projects. With pretty large groups of people. It doesn’t matter how awesome an idea is, you will NEVER get everyone to agree on any one thing. You can solicit opinions from as many people as possible, work out the best compromise, everyone will tell you they find it at minimum acceptable… and some of them will still complain about the final product. In short, you are absolutely correct in that some people just love to complain. About anything. It sucks, especially when they criticize something you put so much time and effort into. Personally, I do still get angry sometimes when the criticism is based on falsehoods (or poor reading comprehension). But usually I try to just see it as people can be idiots and now I have a new story of just how idiotic people can be.
People still complain about the use of the ‘n word’ in Huck Finn and how that’s offensive to African Americans… despite the fact that the whole point of the book is to demonstrate the humanity of African Americans. Seriously, people can be idiots. Try not to let it get to you.
I love all your stories under all your aliases.
I am so sorry that the entitled are dumping their special brand of negativity on you, hunting you down in private venues to do so. And worst, don’t feel that they are in the wrong.
When I come home from work feeling down from the complaints of the entitled all day, I look to your books for escape, re-reading one or more at a time.
So I’m sad that the complainers are ruining your enjoyment of your works and killing the excitement you express for books prior to release.
You write the book, I buy it. Our transaction is done. But it’s just the beginning for the entitled. I see it at work, in the stores, on social media, its demoralizing, and unfortunately, increasing in prevalence.
I would hate for you stop writing in your various worlds but you don’t owe me stories.
This really explains the authors that announce a release and “run silent, run deep” the rest of the time.
Thanks for all that you do.
I am so sorry that people have turned you off on a book series or writing. I read many books a year and I really enjoy R.J Blain and I have read some Susan Copperfield. It would be a sad waste of talent for you to stop writing. I hope people stop doing things that bother you because I enjoy your writing. I am in awe of how many books you manage to write and don’t know how you keep that schedule. Take a break if needed and take care of yourself. If those who are so critical had talent, they would be writers!
I’m sorry these people feel so privileged that they are actively invading your space to negatively impact you. I haven’t read your Royal States series yet. I’ve read a lot of your other books and series and have enjoyed them. Please take time for yourself and don’t let the jerks ruin that which brings you joy.
You bring so many people joy with your books. Take time, finish your obligations, take a break and do what you need to do for yourself. You’re right, you owe us nothing. If you choose to never write again, I will be sad, as will most of your fans, but you need to do what is best for you.
I love your Copperfield and Franklin series. I have all of them. I am really pi___d at readers who delight in catching authors mistakes or complaining about the story line or how it ends. When it makes the author not want to write any more it spoils every thing for the rest of us. Am so sorry you have to deal with a-holes.
I love your Copperfield books. I have re-read them each probably at least 10 or more times. I usually read them 3 times in a row when you release them. I love your jokes, sarcasm, and honest emotions. I love waiting to see when Geoff will appear! I am excited about seeing how you use Pat to show how the arc of the storyline leading to Null and Void happens. I like when there are little changes in verbal descriptions between books, because that makes your characters more real. Your books have kept me sane during Covid.
I wish that there was a way that I could make up for at least one of the assholes. Frankly they have way too much time on their hands, and were probably school bullies.
I will delight in any Copperfield books you release, and hope you can be happier about them in the future.
I am so sorry you are getting a barrage of complaints. Personally, your books have been a safe refuge over the last two years and I have read them over and over again. I eagerly await each new release but I totally understand and support you and your choices as the writer. I hope your week gets better and that there are lots of cat hugs.
I’m sorry that so many people have been treating you so badly. I’m sorry that they’ve been shitty enough to make you not like your own stories anymore. That really sucks.
I haven’t read all your books yet, but I’ve really liked all the ones that I have read, I have a bunch waiting in my TBR pile, and I backed your Kickstarter as a way to make sure that I have them all.
But if you decide to stop writing and sharing your stories, I honestly can’t blame you. If I were in your situation, I can’t say I’d be as civil about as you’ve managed to be.
Please consider yourself in receipt of a large quantity of comforting things to define and use as you see fit.
I love the Royal States books!! I am so sorry that people can not just read and enjoy or don’t enjoy but keep their opinions to themselves. I love to read and reread all of your books and hope you will continue to write them. I am glad that there are authors like you who can take me to another place for a while, and yes, I know that it is fiction. Too many people are just unhappy and need to feel better by hurting other people’s feelings. Hang in there and know that there are a lot of people who love your books.
The folks out there that are making you feel bad are like drivers with road rage. Immature and stupid and selfish and dangerous. I love everything you’ve written, and I am a grown-up and smart and generous and hardly ever dangerous. I did not understand how important reviews were so I will go back and fix that over the next couple of days.
I would be very sad if your Royal States stories would disappear- these are books I binge ‘reread’- but I understand how one can develop this kind of professional sensitivity. It’s hard to counter the negative voices even when they are few. We are after all pre-programed to hear the negative. I, for one, appreciate your gift of story telling, and follow all of your ‘nom de computer’s. I also have to say that Runaway was a favorite, and the Susan Copperfield stories are the most re-read line. And as a veterinarian (albeit a behavior specialist, not an equine vet) I think the idea of people hassling you about equine genetics is a bunch of entitled hot air. Now, if it’s their own animal’s genetics, and they are talking to their vet, OK- but don’t hassle a writer who uses it in a story. Especially knowing that you will have done your research on the subject. It’s the writer’s story, not the reader’s life, not a scientific publication they are reviewing. I appreciate the animal (and human) advocacy in your books, and am always open to letting these topics spark more research on my part.
Unfortunately these days, every profession has these voices. In my line of work, it’s the people who smile and nod in the exam room, then call back an hour later and ask for their money back because I didn’t take their dog out to the parking lot and ‘fix’ it like a popular dog trainer who shall remain nameless…..I hear you. Just know we are out here enjoying your stories, appreciating your time and effort.
I love love love the royal states novels they are my gateway to all of your works I have found. The petty small minded people who try and tear you down should be on the the receiving end of all their attacks to see how it feels. I hope you get the chance to step back and breathe so that you can fall in love with the series again.
I really want to be all “Don’t stop the books, I love them!” but… If you don’t love them anymore can you write one that I too will love? I’ve never published anything, but I like to write, and when I try to force things because I feel like I have to write (nanowrimo is sometimes not fun), it never turns out as good.
I’m sorry you have to deal with jerks who make you hate what you love.
I wish you happiness, even if that means you need to stop or even take a break <3
I have purchased every single book you have written, across all your author names. I thoroughly enjoy and appreciate your writing style. I have recommended your books! I enjoy a smart read. That’s so rare… Extremely difficult to write, too, I imagine.
You have worked so hard, for so long. It saddens and angers me on your behalf that a rabid, entitled few are trying to destroy your work and go after you on a personal level just because they can. That is bullying.
I would hate to lose any of your future stories. That said, do what you need to for your well-being.
I am so sorry that those people are forcing negative vibes on you, and your 100% right that they just need to leave you alone
Please don’t give up Susan Copperfield. Her and R.J Blain books are my go to books for rereading when I am waiting until some of my favorite authors release new books. I don’t leave reviews cause I stink at writing them but I tell everyone that I know your books are so great to read and I think they will love them too…
Please do whatever you need to to take care of yourself!
If that means no more books, starting now, poof? Do it. Will I be sad? Yeah. I have every book of yours, I love all of them, I’ve already read Runaway 3 times, I keep track of when new books are scheduled on my calendar.
But I’ll survive. I was sad when you announced you had to stop making audiobooks. I own all of the audiobooks. It’s good they’re digital and not say, cassette tapes (yes I’m old) or I’d have worn Playing with Fire, Whatever for Hire, Chip on Her Shoulder, and Null and Void (at least) out already. But I’ve survived.
Your love of writing might not. And your love, your passion, your fire in life, is a heck of a lot more important than me, or anyone else, wanting the next toy, in a specific color, now, with the crusts cut off. If keeping deadlines helps you, okay. But if stopping, stepping back, getting a chance to be away from the nastiness and pettiness you’re recieving, helps you save your passion, whether it takes a year or 30 years, do it! Please.
Personally, I’ve read Runaway 3 or 4 times already. I don’t know horse genetics but appreciated the “lethal white gene” as an ongoing meme in the story. Haters gonna hate, please ignore them.
You really sound stressed. I’m so sorry that you’re being harassed in your private, personal, non-author life. That’s just really wrong.
We, here love you and support you.
I love your Royal States and Magical Romantic Comedy books. They are very character driven and that seems to appeal to me. That being said, I hate what is happening to you. We will miss your books if you quit writing them but you have to take care of yourself. That is the most important thing.
All things worth loving are worth fighting for! You love what your doing and we love what your doing and it is worth fighting for! They are the ones having a bad hair day and trying to get you to step into their world! Personally I would rather live in yours! I love all your books and I only see the magic! Please keep writing all your stories! Anyway I have told too many people they have to read your books, please don’t stop now I would be surrounded in grieving readers! Cancel culture and negative feed back is not the way to shape a gift or an imagination let alone a new world. Thank you for being you, God bless!