It’s hard to talk about author mental health, but I’m watching it become an issue in this social media age, and it’s shitty and sad, and getting kind of scary behind the scenes. Authors do have to learn how to accept criticism, but there’s criticism and then there’s cruelty. It’s a bummer!

The only way I can describe it is it felt excessively cruel, and seemed to me to take joy in ripping the book / the author apart. It’s totally valid to not like / harshly critique a book, it’s not about protecting the author’s feelings but respecting their humanity, that’s the line I think

It’s hard. No one should ever feel pressured to censor themselves but also, let’s please not lose sight of common decency. There’s enough hurt in the world. There can be (and absolutely should be) honesty without excessive cruelty in these spaces.

None of us are handles. We’re human beings. I just hope we can think about the things we say and be more considerate. If you want to talk shit, go scorched earth, I get it, but maybe save it for the group chat? Idk man.

Reviewing is a skill! However…There’s a difference between critique and using critique as an excuse for excessive cruelty. And I get it. We can say whatever the f*ck we want, that’s our right. but words have consequences. The things we say online have real world consequences.

Authors understand when we put our work out there that it’s subject to criticism, and that’s just part of it. I think the majority of us truly respect criticism, critical thought and analysis, personal opinion, everyone gets to engage with and respond to art in their own way and that’s beautiful!

Love this! 🖤

Thank you for picking it up!!

This means everything to me 🥹💕 thank you so, so much!!

🖤🖤🖤

Thank you!!

An icon! A hero!! Proud to know you and to be inspired by you 🖤