Racism has been in the headlines. I’ve had a few firsthand experiences of it, asking me to ‘go back to my country’ as a tourist, but my professional life has remained relatively unscathed.
Not anymore.
My upcoming literary thriller THE BLUE BAR has been picked as an AMAZON FIRST READ, which means all Amazon members in US, UK, Canada and Australia can download it for free, and review it.
A good thing if you want a few advance reviews. Or so I thought.
Turns out it lets trolls get at your book, send you racist comments in your inbox, and downvote your book without giving it s a review.
Worse still, someone I know and trust (ed) has gone and left it a rather detailed one-star review on the UK store, and I’m flabbergasted.
I’m leaning hard towards breathing and forgiveness. Telling myself forgiveness is not for the one to be forgiven, but for myself.
It has helped that readers and friends alike have come together to combat the trolls.
If you’d like to help, you can do any or all of this:
- If you’re an Amazon Prime member in the US, Canada, UK or Australia, you can download a free copy. Higher downloads boost the book.
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If you have an Amazon account in any of the above Amazon markets, you can simply find some of the higher-starred reviews helpful in case you’ve read an ARC.
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You could add it as Want to Read on Goodreads. Easy, and free. You could upvote the starred reviews if you’ve read an ARC.
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You could enter the Goodreads giveaway.
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You could pre-order it in any of the outlets here, including indie stores Webster’s Bookstore and Murder by the Book. You can then enter the pre-order campaign for a shot to win 8 bestselling books.
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You could suggest the title to the library. This post tells you how, just in case.
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You can ask for it at your local indie bookstore.
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You could, of course, leave a review, on Goodreads, Amazon, or Bookbub.
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Suggest it to your book club!
Many pay lip service to diversity, but in the past week, I’ve really had the pleasure of knowing some of my online friends are determined anti-racists, actually taking action, and I couldn’t be prouder that I know them.
Are you an anti-racist? Have you faced racism in your life? Have you stood up against racism?
My lit crime novel, The Blue Bar will be out soon with Thomas & Mercer. It is already available for preorders. Add it to Goodreads or pre-order it to make my day.
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Hi Damyanti!
I’ve been out of town for the past two weeks, visiting family, and have just landed back home.
With regards to racism – well, as a South African, I’ve been on the receiving end for most of my life. I won’t go into details because I’m sure that you know the basic history of my country.
I’m so sorry that you’ve had to deal with this.😔😔
I always teach inclusivity/acceptance of humans, to my high school learners, and it’s a natural part of my daily teaching routine.
I hope to read The Blue Bar, and leave a review, as soon as I get a chance to do so.
I have no doubt that the story is great. I know (and love) your writing. 🥰🥰
Just read your post about… shall we call it … “advanced racism”? I’m flabbergasted and will add my voice to counter the hate. Sail on and on.
Yes, Tom, it’s been a WHOLE THING. I’m exhausted and my book is still 2 weeks away from release. Thank you for being an anti-racist. I appreciate it.
I’m a Native American. During the Trump-era, people in “red hats” often threw things at me and told me to go back to my country.
To my country.
While I was standing on the original lands of the Lenni-Lenape people.
Being told that by people who are not from my tribe, or any Native American tribe.
🤔🤨😒
🙃 Alllllllllllllllllllllll righty then.
So that’s the intelligence level of the racists you’re dealing with, and there’s no reason to pay them any mind. But also, don’t accept any blankets from them.
Anyway.
OMG! ❤ I know an author in the Amazon First Reads??!!! That’s so damn cool! 🍾🥂🎉🥳 Wooooo! I’m so proud of you.
Dewey Decimal System Day is December 10. 📚
“The only limit to your success is your own imagination” – Shondra Rhimes
I wish you a merry holiday ⛄ season, and a New Year full of peace, joy, and creativity.
Oh lord I’m SO SORRY that happened to you. So much ignorance, and evil.
Thanks for the kind words!!
Thank you for sharing!!.. shouldn’t be too long and I will have your book on my Kindle to read… I have no doubt that it will be a wonderful read like your past books!.. 🙂
As for the closed minded trolls, pay them no heed as they are jealous of you as a person and as a writer.. they cannot say anything good about themselves so they try to ridicule others.. often times they do it for the lack of anything better to do… 🙂
Ignore the trolls and others like minded, you are a much better person than they ever will be and continue to share your thoughts with the rest of the world and help make the world a better place … 🙂
Hope all is well in your part of the universe and until we meet again..
May the sun shine all day long
Everything go right, nothing go wrong
May those you love bring love back to you
May all the wishes you wish come true
May peace be within you
May your heart be strong
May you find whatever you’re seeking
Wherever you may roam
(Irish Saying)
Thanks, Larry, that’s excellent advice.
Damyanti don’t let this badmash discourage you in your writing career. You can be justified in being upset at an undeserved one star rating. Feel sorry for such a person because they obviously have personal issues to deal with that cause them to try and put others down and try and convince themselves they have value. You and I know your writing has quality but unfortunately in today’s world there are people like that and there seems to be increasingly more of them. It’s not necessarily racist just human inferiority complex seeking someone’s attention to themselves as pseudo experts.
shocked, but sadly, not very surprised. Except that these ********s found your book and bothered.
Will take the action I can.
Thank you so much, Jemima. I really appreciate the support 🙂
Oh Damyanti – how awful … I will be back to do what I can … why, oh why … I hope you can put the negatives behind you … you and many deserve better. Take care and with thoughts – I’ll return in the next few days … Hilary
Thank you so much for those comforting words, Hilary. I feel hopeful. Just need to get through to the other side.
I picked up my free copy and it’s in the queue!
Yay! I’m excited. Let me know what you think about it, John 🙂
That’s annoying, Damyanti. I checked–my review is there. I clicked on some of the good reviews to ‘thumbs up’ them. Readers will see what a great book this is.
Thanks, Jacqui. Genuine reviews like your make a huge difference. There are those hwo have rated the book 1 star with no review, and others who have nothing but utter praise for the book: atmospheric, unputdownable, well-written, and given it 3 stars. For a white book it would be 5 stars. I’m half-tempted to write under a white pseudonym.
Hi Damyanti, in solidarity with you. You inspire me with your writing and kindness. I’ve read YBYS and several flash pieces by you and have loved them all. I am waiting for The Blue Bar to drop in my Kindle in Jan. The success of your book before release speaks for itself. We can ignore the trolls. Best wishes!
I am so very sorry to read this. I am not a member of Amazon Prime but will do what I can to promote your book. And I hope (fervently) that I am anti-racist.. I can well remember as a child being called a jew bitch (based on my surname only) and how it hurt.
Thanks, Sue. Writing a review on Goodreads and Bookbub will help, as will marking the higher-starred reviews as helpful. I’ve been called racial slurs before, but never has race affected my profession.
Thanks so much for the kind words, Sonia. I really don’t know what I should do, but it has been a relief to see anti-racist folk step up and help the book.
You should write even more. Rise with greater force.