Hey, folks.
You’re probably tired of this subject. I know I am. It’s a daily (and hugely frustrating) part of my life. Every day, I have to log into my Amazon account to see if someone, who is likely trying to be helpful and is completely unaware of how harmful they’re being, has made use of their typo report tool.
Amazon is the only vendor that does this, and it’s hugely detrimental to authors.
Let me explain why.
First, Amazon tries to remove creative control of an author’s book from the author. If a reader submits an error, Amazon demands that the author corrects the error–to the exact specification of the reader.
The author must petition to refuse an error correction in the fashion the reader requested.
This is not okay.
This will never be okay.
Second, should a high enough number be reported, Amazon will issue a flag on the book and/or remove it from sale.
A: I had a book that was 120,000 words be flagged with a removal warning with four reported typos. That is one typo per 30,000 words. Industry standard is to attempt to get one typo per 10,000 words.
B: I had a volume removed from sale for having an error rate of one word per 7,500 words. A little higher than I want (I aim for an error per 10,000 words per the industry standard) but still an acceptable rate.
Yes, removed from sale.
That was the Beginnings collection (Susan Copperfield), and the readers’ decision to have the book removed from sale through error reporting is why I no longer offer collections for readers.
Back when I had a more active representative over at Amazon, I did my best to get them to curtail the tool.
It’s hugely damaging to the emotional/mental health of authors. There are literally zero benefits for authors.
All books have typos and mistakes. This is because a human wrote them. If you don’t want a human writing a book, go type in prompts in AI software and be happy with what you’re reading. It won’t be a book by an actual person, but at least it’ll have the grammar and spelling you seek… probably.
Here is the reality of the situation. When I go on vacation, my first action every morning will be to get up and check to see if some helpful reader has submitted errors to Amazon. If they have, I have to be prepared to submit appeals for the inevitable incorrect corrections they have submitted.
This means I have to make sure my entire writing work collection goes with me so I can implement corrections should a reader decide to make use of that retched tool.
On a good day, the reader’s correction rate is 50%. That means they got it right half the time. On a bad one, it’s closer to 10-20%. I’ve had one session where the reader got ONE thing right out of well over 30 reports.
I had to submit an appeal for each one of those incorrect corrections and provide supporting evidence on how this reader was just wrong.
It isn’t a good time.
In reality, with each passing publication, it becomes less of a good time. Even WRITING the books is becoming harder, because I know just how upset people get over typos.
It feels, day by day, that readers do not want good books. They want lifeless, grammatically perfect books.
They don’t want books written by humans.
That’s where the AI discussion comes into play.
I’m exhausted. I want to write books people love. I get up, and I stress through most of my work day, understanding that every typo I create during the creation process WILL come back to haunt me. I don’t want to lose the “life” of the book, so I only do some editing as I go. (Read: there’s a lot of editing as I write, but I try to split my day between “creation” and “making it professionally acceptable for readers.”)
AI now exists that can write in the style of people (through theft of the author’s books, alas), so it’s going to end up being that a computer will be able to write a better book than me. I’m human with imperfections.
It’s a computer, and it will not make many of the basic mistakes humans make due to them being human.
If you cannot tolerate typos, AI written books are here, and they’re probably here to stay. They’re already being sold on the market, without disclosure the book wasn’t actually written by a human.
I guess those are the books most are going to like best because they “have no mistakes.”
Every time I phrase something weirdly compared to what you prefer… that is evidence of a human being writing the book.
Mistakes happen. I’m human.
But the reality is, the prevalence of so many people who need “perfect” books will result in the loss of many authors from the market.
At some stage, I’ll be one of them, especially with how it’s continuing. My typo correction form? I force myself to look at it once a year because the last time I checked, the actual correction rate was closer to 20%.
Some people aren’t aware of some words having multiple definitions. Some people aren’t aware there are words out there, and they just assume it is a typo. (My proofreading team just ran into this. They all assumed I meant autoimmune disease because that is what they are familiar with. I meant alloimmune disease. Alloimmunity disease, sometimes known as isoimmunity disease, is when the body fails to graft certain elements appropriately or the body decides to attack things of the same species but not of the same body. (note: this is very much layman’s terms.)
You actually are probably aware of the disease even though you aren’t aware of its name. It’s most commonly known by a baby or mother attacking the other due to an incompatibility. Rh moms with Rh- babies are a common example. Mom and baby conflict with each other, and mom or baby must be vaccinated to prevent their immune systems from killing each other. This is technically a blood-based disorder. (Thus the inclusion in Vampire of Montana.)
This is an Alloimmunity disease. Not autoimmune. Alloimmune.
I am expecting a great number of typo reports over the use of alloimmunity in the Vampire of Montana. Here is a basic breakdown of alloimmunity as found on Wikipedia.
Australia’s famous “man with the golden arm” is an excellent example of real-life alloimmunity combating. His arm has saved millions of babies from death along with their mothers. Men like him (it is usually men who are the donors) produce a special antibody that allows mom and baby to survive each other during the pregnancy.
Moms with the issue must be treated at every pregnancy with a vaccination made from a donor’s blood or plasma. (The antibodies do not ‘stick’ between pregnancies.)
I have had plenty of people report typos when they were only aware of one definition of a word. I will use the word ‘set’ as an example.
I set my plate down.
The game is set to be played on Monday.
I set my last fuck free.
Three sentences, one word… three different meanings.
AFAIK, set has the most definitions in the English language, with over 40 different uses.
Most people know nine of them, roughly.
Then there is the existence of regionalisms, expressions, and idioms. These things vary based on where you’re from and when you are from that location. Language changes. Just because you dislike how something is phrased does not mean it is phrased incorrectly.
Mistakes happen, but sometimes, the ‘mistake’ is a lack of knowledge of the reader and an unawareness of a regionalism.
Rather than go educate and search to see if something is an expression or idiom from a place they are not familiar with, readers report it as errors.
Dropping ‘to be’ is an excellent example of this.
And yes, I have had a not-so-helpful reader flag in one of my books EVERY instance they felt “to be” belonged.
They were incorrect.
to be is not used everywhere in the English language. (Get over it.)
To be is typically a white affluent education inclusion. It’s a “more formal” form of writing that is taught, often, in religious schools and “higher education” frou-frou places. Places with lower socio-economic populations (read: we be poor white trash over here) do not teach the inclusion of to be in sentences. It is dropped, starting in elementary school. It’s given a “In formal writing, you may wish to include to be” notation.
How do I know this?
That’s how I was taught.
The removal of to be was expected, and it would even be flagged as “overly formal” in most writing assignments.
Food for thought for the rich and affluent; your grammar is not the same grammar as other Americans from other social demographics.
I do not change my usage of to be based on reader reports. Ever. I include or exclude depending on the characters, the situations, and the book itself.
(So, please stop asking me to add your affluent grammar to my books. If you don’t like the inclusion of ‘lower’ society in my books, my books very probably aren’t for you, sorry.)
I battle commas daily, because commas are the Devil’s favorite tool.
I write as I want to write, and I do my best to provide fun, entertaining books.
But the reality of this situation is this: I’m exhausted, and day-by-day, I’m questioning if this is really the job I want to be doing.
I love writing books.
I do not love the anxiety, the heart ache, and so on that is triggered from the relentless need of readers to have perfection.
To obtain that perfection, I would have to start writing and releasing maybe one book a year. That’s how much extra work and effort it would take to achieve this level of perfection. The stress levels are incredible.
My mental health is a daily battle. I do my best, but I’m constantly aware of how this book has to be PERFECT, or Amazon will come calling. If I’m not lucky, Amazon will unexpectedly remove my book from sale… all because a reader decided they didn’t like my book and wanted to report typos.
I have a typo form, but with how low the accurate correction rate is, it’s hard to check it all the time.
I don’t respond to typos / contact people about it. But when it comes time to quietly inquire with someone if they’d like to join the proofreading team, I DO remember who talks big but submits a bunch of incorrect errors.
And those who use the Amazon tool are generally immediately removed from the list of potential proofreaders.
Sorry, but the tool causes that much heartache and problems for me, and I very much try to keep my proofreading group a close-knit crowd. I will reconsider if the person no longer uses the tool, but… the damage done to my mental and emotional health from that tool is sufficient that I cannot help but resent those who use it–even if they meant well.
Amazon doesn’t disclose to readers how they punish authors, and readers may very well believe that they are helping when they are hurting.
I do understand this.
But it doesn’t mean I want to surround myself with those who have inadvertently damaged my mental health.
And yeah, it’s gotten to trauma levels for me. I have to check daily, and I know I have roughly 48 hours to resolve any warnings in order to prevent additional flags against my account.
I cannot afford to continue writing if Amazon is excluded from my pay. I simply can’t. So I have to deal with them.
I cannot afford to continue writing if I drop to one book a year with the goal of perfection. Money DOES matter, and one new release a year will not pay for my bills plus the amount required for retirement.
I also don’t want to drop down to one book a year. I’d become terribly, horribly bored. (3 months to write the book… 9 months of re-reading the book over and over and over in search of typos. Then publication. This is not my idea of a good time.)
I want to write enjoyable books. But the reality is? I’m held to higher than traditional publication standards, and more and more, I hear about how my books have fewer typos than traditionally published books… but I feel like I can’t get a break.
The reader drive for perfection is relentless.
I won’t be using AI to write my books. Period. I don’t use ghostwriters, I won’t use AI… I won’t do anything like that, because I had always assumed people wanted a book written by a human. (I certainly want books written by humans… specifically the human they claim to be. I become hugely disheartened as a reader when I find out an author lied about who actually wrote the book.)
But I’m also losing on the other fronts. On one hand, there are the wonderful readers who just want more books. (Your support is hugely appreciated.) That’s pressure, but at least it’s the good kind of pressure. On the other hands, the comments about whether or not there are typos, how people feel they MUST report if they spotted even one or two in reviews (it has gotten to the point I don’t read my reviews anymore, nor do I ask my PA to send me the good ones now), the inquiries on if they can join the proofreading team because they spotted typos, and how they’re just so good at typo hunting… I’m a little tired of that one, because just ask my proofreading team.
I’m a demon. I absolutely will give grammar lessons, citing from various sources, when they make an incorrect correction. (I teach about why something is done, with sources and cites, so people understand and learn.) I’m a demon. Lately, I haven’t bothered, truth be told. I’m too tired.
But that sums it up: I’m too tired.
It’s the bone-deep exhaustion of having run a multi-year marathon. I’ve been publishing for 11 years now, thereabouts. It hasn’t gotten easier. If anything, it’s gotten harder.
The burden of expectations is real. It’s also quite heavy.
I have had people come into my messages and yell at me because how dare I have a character say “you can have children of your own, too” in addition to adopting. (Because it’s hurtful for those adopted.)
That is what the character would say and has nothing to do with me.
(Seriously, stop trying to erase people from books, even when they say shit you don’t like. Real people say shit you don’t like. Stop trying to erase racism from characters. Stop trying to erase prejudices from characters. Stop trying to erase racism plot arcs. Stop trying to turn books into utopias. That’s how you get a shit book with zero depth. If you don’t want books that include these things… just don’t read. Seriously. Just stop reading. Life includes these things. Erasing it from fiction does not help any of your causes.)
Stop erasing life from fiction.
And while we’re here… an author who writes a racist character isn’t necessarily racist. Their character is. But it is fiction, and while I’m sure there are racists writing books, the inclusion of a racist character means nothing beyond “this character is a racist.”
Please stop erasing life from fiction.
A few years back, I had a mob from within the LGBTQIA+ (Please forgive me if I got the letters wrong, I am not a member of the community, I do not pretend to be a member of the community, and after this incident, I honestly keep my distance from the community) rail on my because I did not have a LGBT+ lead character. They were literally angry because how DARE me have secondary LGBT+ characters and not primary ones. (They apparently missed Jesse Alexander completely, but then again… with the amount of in-fighting in the LGBT+ community, a transgender character may have been a sin or didn’t count to them.)
Am I bitter? Yes. Nobody wants a herd of angry lesbian chicks storming their messages with threats, poor general behavior, and rage because I didn’t write a LGBT+ lead character.
And yes… that is a huge part of why I’ve been digging in my heels on Jesse #3. I just haven’t wanted to write the series after that. I don’t want to reopen the doors on that sort of commentary on my form, etc. I don’t like this sort of conflict.
I just want to write a fun book. I don’t appreciate when I’m attacked for not writing the book people wanted me to write.
This incident was one of many reasons why I barred access to messaging on facebook and started distancing myself a great deal.
In some ways, I regret having decided to start publishing books. Being able to pay the bills doing an art is glorious. But nobody had warned me how bitter the pills could get and how damaging this career can be on emotional, mental, and physical health.
And the choices I’m going to have to make next year are painful ones.
Do I try to hold the course and continue to run myself into the ground seeking the perfection that is being demanded? Do I drop down to one release a year to secure the perfection being demanded?
I can’t afford to write books if I drop to one release a year.
I need roughly six, at a minimum, to keep the backlist alive and earn fresh money on new releases. And that’s still a book every two months, which cannot achieve perfection.
Like I have a bunch of books up for preorder right now, mainly because a huge number of them were partially finished or mostly finished. But the gap between releases?
My wallet feels that. A book every other month may or may not pay the bills / secure my retirement.
I’m not particularly employable, although right now, I do wish I were. I would end up going down to a book every 2-3 years if I had to seek out traditional employment, but there are a lot of days recently I feel this might be the wiser choice.
All because of typos, ultimately.
I am disheartened, I won’t lie about that. Readers are hugely focused on typos and the quest for perfection. I am, as I mentioned before, exhausted.
I pour everything I have into the cup that is a book, only to be told “she obviously didn’t put much effort into this one” because they happened to dislike the book.
(Surprise/spoiler alert: I’m not going to write a great book (for you, as an individual) each and every time. It’s simply impossible.)
I invest a huge amount of time, effort, and heartache to every book–even the ones I’m discouraged or disheartened about, like the Booked series, that is my largest flop and most hated series (in the eyes of readers). Even when knowing there are so many that hate the series, I’m still putting in the plotting and outlining hours, doing my best to make sure I’m following all the plot threads properly, and so on.
It’s one of my favorite series, personally, because I let myself do things I don’t usually get to do. It was hated, and while I’ve come to terms with it, it’s still painful to work on the series. I’m finishing because I gave my word, but some days, I just wish I could be happy with how I know it’ll end.
There are people who want to read it, so I write it.
If you need perfect books, mine aren’t it, because there are only real humans working with the book. But with AI on the rise and ‘authors’ already pumping out AI-written titles, well… you can have your perfection that way. I hope you find those books, and that you enjoy them.
Mine are just never going to be it.
I’m exhausted, and yes, on days like today, I do wish I could quit. Instead, I’m going to go write.
Here is a picture of a sleepy t-rex with his oversized turtle buddy. (Reality: this photo was taken at Pinnacles National Park.)
Wow. <3 Just <3. Sending positive vibes and virtual hugs your way.
I just love your books
Love your books, all of them. Love your different voices, all of them. The world is full of different people which means your books will be, within the parameters of the world you create to advance your vision. You are one of the few voices that I have an my “automatically buy this” list. Thank you for the stories.
Oh, and the self satisfied “typo police/regional dialects aren’t proper english police” should… Well… I can’t say what Iwas thinking in a public forum.
You are wonderful and very much appreciated.
Ditto, just less eloquently:)
I can’t even …
Amazon is definitely the evil empire. As a reader I routinely get incensed when they send me a notice of an ‘achievement’ for the number of books I read. That level of monitoring creeps me out.
Love your books. Hate the concept of AI.
Hello,
This is the first time ever that I am writing back to an author,I am a non english speaking person from India. All I can say is I enjoy your books so much it will be a crime for you to stop. I read your books when I am down and they brighten my day.Thank you for that.Please don’t stop writing.Thank you.
Your English is very good in written form! <3 one day I hope to be able to visit your beautiful country. Thank you for reading! <3
PS: Fritz Leiber’s ‘The Silver Egg Heads’ foresaw the use of AI in publishing – a future where ‘authors’ merely tend the robots that do the actually composing. As I recall the product was referred to a s word wooze.
I expect that within 10 years, writers won’t exist anymore. People with ideas will exist who have computers do the writing for them.
Staff to produce books is expensive. Readers are demanding.
AI is easier.
I understand that. While I won’t make use of AI, I expect that my books will stop being a thing because of this technology.
Because of AI, perfection WILL be expected, and humans cannot achieve perfection.
I think you should put most of this post as a foreword in your next few books. Who knows, it might help. I love all your books, and reread often. Yes, I didn’t know about “to be”, but I asked you, and you informed me. I ignore typos, mostly because there are so few, and the ones I find I can skip over.
That is an excellent idea. I second the motion. Lol
I’ll just end up with a lot of backlash, told I’m whining, and people proving that my typo rate is too high, etc. That’s what usually happens. It’s not worth the additional heartache.
I LOVE all your books. I buy automatically, whether I read immediately or not. I could care less about typos. Or the loud community insisting you must write to they’re specifications. I’m curious about AI books though. How do I find out if they’re computer generated?
It’s becoming harder and harder to tell, because the tech is getting good. Flawless grammar, and an almost formal tonality is currently how you tell. Perfect words in perfect order, with no variation in terms of mistakes. Perhaps TOO perfect “variation in sentence length” and things like that. But it’s getting harder and harder to tell.
But if the book is perfect without any typos whatsoever, it was probably AI generated. I’ve never read a book that didn’t Have SOME form of grammatical oddity or typo in it.
That is a human inclusion.
Struth, here we go again and I really do feel for you.
You write books for our enjoyment and I expect the majority of us read them to enjoy not to carp and criticise (the librarian series is my favourite)
The shameful persons who are spoiling your life need to have their dictionary shoved where the sun shineth not as that literature seems to be the only one they recognise!
Writing books is a challenge, writing in different languages is a real challenge. I am from Yorkshire in the UK and have had many a good laugh at how UK/US English differs. Report typos? Why? Just read the book and enjoy!
So sorry, I can but apologize for the blithering idiots who are making things difficult for you. They are persons of limited intelligence who have no parents!
I am so sad you are discouraged and exhausted. Your books give me joy and happiness. I wasn’t aware Amazon had such a tool because why? I hope you find something today that renews your happiness. It may not be politically correct to say but I’m going to pray for you ?
I appreciate the sentiment; you do you when it comes to your religion! (As long as you don’t control or hurt anybody.)
Hello,
I am one of many readers who absolutely adores all of your books. Under all of your pen names.
I am probably one of those at fault as I never write a review, too eager to get to the next book.
I think the main issue is that those who want to point out issues are the most verbose and in most cases, they probably believe they are being helpful.
Those who enjoy your books without reservation just keep on going without thinking about the fact that you need to see their praise, too.
If you leave Amazon, please let me know where I can get the kindle or nook editions. I will never NOT want to read your masterpieces. You take me away! And I love you for it!
Your fan,
Maureen
Reviews and ratings really do matter, because so often, the unhappy are the ones who will get heard most often.
The Booked series died because of the vocal unhappy readers, and unless like 500+ happy people mystically show up and leave ratings and reviews, I can’t even try to revitalize it. The review ratings are just too low.
Well, time to stand up. I will go in and leave my reviews. I do love the booked series. I was looking forward to the hero growing up to earn his heroine.
Oh, my dear…I feel so sorry for what you are having to deal with. I’m an Executive Assistant and proofreading comes with the territory. I really, really hate it when I miss something, but I do. The thing is everyone makes mistakes. That includes the people leaving those nasty reports. Be gentle with yourself. I love, love, love your books!!! I even love your ranting emails, because they make me snicker (while still feeling bad for you). I suspect there are so many of your readers that truly like you as a person, although we’ve never met you. You matter to us. Take heart that there are more of us than the haters. Blessed be.
Don’t let the bastards get you down. I love to read your books, but I never order books thru Amazon. I think you need to connect with some other authors (like Ilona Andrews) to find other avenues and how to get around Amazon dictates. Peace, and for heaven’s sake, please keep writing! Your stories bring so much joy to a gray world.
I’m sorry the typo tool continues to be such an issue. I honestly thought you’d trained your readers not to use it. It is not right that
a bookseller, or readers, should be trying to dictate how and what you write. Maybe your trip to Australia will revitalize you some?
Also–I love the Booked series, and I appreciate that you’re still writing it.
Thanks for carrying on!
Sounds like time for a cup of tea and some chocolate and time with the kitties. Virtual hugs coming your way!
I had always thought that proof reading was an editor’s job. Obviously, the author has to address editor comments, but shouldn’t the editing team have the responsibility to find the issues (according to whatever standard that the author and/or publishing house specifies)? It seems unfair that this burden falls solely on your shoulders.
I currently have 17-18 or so editors. They miss stuff. I miss stuff. We’re humans.
But no, the buck stops with me. It is my book. I am not traditionally published. And even traditionally published authors tend to be the last one to do a final pass for corrections.
But as a self-publisher, the buck does stop with me.
I’m totally in shock, can’t even find words to express how terrible sad it is that your situation has come to this mountain for you to overcome every time, again and again. Is there no way, maybe together with other writers, to stop this kind of practice from Amazon? Are they that self-righteous to develop such a system were a few readers can get your books removed from the site because theý think some words are typos? I read a lot and accept descriptions which I sometimes don’t understand, but it’s the body of the story that counts and the most important. And yes, now and then it says ‘your’ instead of ‘you’re’ as per your example, but honestly, who cares about a small typo, íf there’s one?! Is there no other platform for you to use and sell books? I know Amazon is big and that’s also part of the problem, to get them willing to change this kind of absurd roadblock will not be easy. I wish I had a realistic solution for you, but don’t you ever be pushed to stop your writing, please. Your pain and anxiety because short minded people sabotage you this way is só wrong. Is there no way you can put a message on the website of A. so people can read what their complaining about typos has as a consequence?
We’ve been trying for years. And no, there isn’t to just about every question you asked. That’s why it is such a wear and tear.
I am so sorry the the Typo Police are making your life hell. I read your books because they take me away from the misery of my life… THEY ARE REAL CHARACTERS with developed traits, accents, backstories, etc.! I discovered your Booked series at one of the lowest points of my life and fell in love with it. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the second book. Jeanette is one of my favorites – her obsession with hot spice makes me laugh. While I hope there’s a finish to Jeanette’s story, I definitely don’t want it at the risk of your mental or emotional health.
I don’t understand why more people don’t enjoy your books for what they are… enjoyment and escapism. I want to wave my hand in front of those typo police’s face and say “This is not the author you are looking for”. Keep doing what you do! You are appreciated.
I can’t believe this is still happening to you. I could, without trying, name authors I’ve quit reading because the typos were so bad. Did I report them or write a bad review? No. Why? Because other people love their writing. I truly love your books. I’m behind on reading them because of a TBI. I’m good, just having processing problems with reading new stuff. All those people complaining need to be made to write their own books and deal with people just like them and Amazon. I hope there is a level in the afterlife where people like this experience what their BS has done to others.
Please take care of you. Whether you write for you, or for us, the most important thing is you. As a human, you deserve to be happy, sane, and experience peace. Hard to find in this world right now, but I hope you find some. Your books are a blessing to those of us who need escape from this world. I hope you can feel that, and not just the stress. Blessed Be. I hope you can take a breather soon.
Ditto to everything Gwen said!
I am so sorry that people are still reporting to Amazon when you and other authors have said not to because they don’t check if the report is correct before demanding you fix it. Some people are just jealous I would like to see them write a book with no typos or autocorrect mishaps.
And even when people AREN’T reporting, I still have to check daily because someone might. (I recently had a new report batch come in, and yeah… had to do a LOT of appeals.
I’m trying to not buy books from Amazon. I hope Barnes & Noble is kinder to authors.
I get paid better AND faster, so yes. MUCH better at B&N as a general rule.
I’m willing to switch. I have already prepaid for all this years books but I will switch. Do they have kindle or only Nook?
They have epubs, but you use a different app to read them
Ha. I didn’t know there was a name for something I was acutely aware of for most of my adult life. Alloimmunity.
I am Rh neg. Both of my lovely little rugrats (okay, not so little anymore) are Rh pos, like their father. I had to get those lovely shots twice in both of my pregnancies so I wouldn’t create the antigens and kill off the next pregnancy I had.
But now, the Red Cross loves my blood. Along with being Rh neg, I am 1) african american, and 2) missing 6 other antigens, which means my blood is ideal for people with Sickle cell anemia. They even gave me a Rare Blood card to carry with me if I want to. So, I donate blood and the Red Cross jumps up and down with joy every time.
Yep. Your blood saves lives. Mine is common as dirt o of the common variety. If I could have safe draws they’d love my blood but my anxiety becomes so severe draws can be a challenge, plus I am on medications which mean I generally need to skip.
In an emergency, I would absolutely donate, however, even with the anxiety IF my medications and health allowed for it.
Your books are wonderful. For me: I like to find typos in a book, some are hilarious, some a quest for me to find the meaning of a sentence (mainly because my motherlanguage is not English). Some are ugh. Some books have strange typos. I assure you, I will never report them to Amazon.
I’m so very sorry this is happening to you and other authors. While I do notice what I perceive as typos, I just auto correct in my head and go on enjoying the book. Sometimes when a name is inadvertently switched I have to go back a bit to unconfuse myself but that’s on my brain and once I realize what happened, I just move on. I hope other readers will see this post and stop making a big deal about nothing. I love a lot of your books and I have a hard time understanding how others can even enjoy reading if all they’re doing is looking for possible errors.
I have read all of your books, under all of you names, and as many others have said above, your stories provide an escape for me – they lift my spirits, they give me insight into things I had not thought of, and they help me through bad days.
I am so sorry that the Amazon trolls are still sending typo reports. I don’t pay attention to them, as I expect a few in any well-written books; if a book has too many I simply don’t read any more of that author’s work. (the fact I’ve read all of yours can tell you that it’s not significant.)
All of my best wishes to you and hopes for improved days.
Hugs
I am relieved to have never reported authors for typos [or anything else]. I’m sorry and grieved for all the harassment you’re getting from the picayune, pettifogging paperasserie [accent on “ass”]. Your books are a joy and a delight, that I savor over and over again, more than most others. Usages I might’ve questioned, I’ve learned to look up, and found out fascinating things.
I’m sorry for the anxiety and hassle, but so grateful for the time and effort you put in to the gift you share. Thank you for that.
I love your work! I buy your books, I read your books. I positively review your books! No one is perfect and I have written to Amazon to protest the unfair treatment of authors over someone else’s opinion of grammar! Please know that there are fans who love your work – just the way you write it!
You are awesome. Your work is awesome. And… I love that picture. You know, when I was at art school, we did an activity as part of a lecture. It was about gaining inspiration and we were given pictures of clouds or stains on carpets or canvas to interpret.
At the end we were informed that those who see other things in nature or in splotches have creative minds. I LIKE your interpretation too!! I saw it too when I stared at it for a minute or two.
Sorry for the disrespect and discouragement you are suffering and feeling.
I love your art! You should be celebrated. Give a kitty a hug. Xx
One of my friends interpreted it, but now tht I see the t-rex chilling with his turtle buddy, that is the formation now and forever XD
Miss Blain (I’ve read that using Ma’am is sometimes very not appreciated), if there’s anything I can do to help with your proofreading problems, please let me know. I have the time to read as needed (retired), and would be happy to assist one of my favorite writers.
I have stopped buying your books thru Amazon after hearing about your issues. I now buy thru Kobo. Please do not quit writing, I love your stories. I’ll just keep buying thru other sources
I love to read! And I love your books. So far all the series I have read, have been great! I love the way you tell a story. I look forward to the next book in a series. I have a spreadsheet to keep track of the books I’ve read and those to come. I am one of the few who enjoyed the Vigilante Magical Librarians series. It would be hard to say which series is my favorite because I haven’t read one I didn’t like. I’m one of the few who reads the first book and then has to continue reading the series to find out what happens (I just finished with the Royal States and preordered “The Trickster King” and “The Vampire of Montana”).
I must also be one of the few who just overlooks typos. There is not one book I’ve read that doesn’t have one. Just continue reading, move along! Enjoy the story.
Please don’t stop writing!
I have periodically reported bad links directly to authors via their website or a contact email. I see no point in contacting Amazon about anything like this or anything else. They are not the author. Frankly, the way that you have expressed yourself now or in the past guarantees that I will never do so as I view that as a harmful and not a helpful choice.
The failure of many US citizens to understand regionalisms just blows my mind. My dad was in the navy and we traveled because of that. My parents also traveled from their home state and I now live far away from my other family. Common regionalisms that frequently stand out to me: soda/pop/soft drink/soda-pop/coke; sneakers/tennis shoes/kick; Levis/dungarees/jeans/blue jeans.
It’s really not hard. Dialects exist in the US just as they do elsewhere.
As a teacher I feel your pain. The job sucks because everyone else knows how to do it better, yet they aren’t will to do it. Not because of the other things. From anxiety background, So I say: grammar them and write them to death! So they can scab off from society and go Karen someone else. Meanwhile, I’ll get back to work on my anti-knowitall spray….
Two thumbs up!
I wish I was better with this tech stuff. I would send you a copy of me herding my mother’s geese. You need a good laugh.
I’m so sorry you are having so many problems( especially from your readers). I love your books and really enjoy your stories. I didn’t even know Amazon had a typo reporting tool. Any time I think I find something wrong, with any story, I always double check. Then if I still think it is a mistake, I might message the author on their webpage. I usually don’t even bother the author as the odds are that someone else has found it already. Only for favorite authors, where I am very familiar with their worlds, would I feel like I should message, just in case it was missed.
Please do what it best for your health and wellbeing, but know that I personally would love more stories. I love your Booked series. It is one of my favorites, the other being your Magical Romantic Comedy World series. I am so glad you’ve decided to finish the Booked series. I am hopeful that you will continue writing your wonderful stories, but fully support whatever it the best for you.
I hate that amazon and the typo police are negatively impacting your life every day, and that you’re anticipating having to check daily even while on vacation.
This is why I’ve switched over to patreon and kobo.
Your writing has given me so much joy and escapism over the years that I am so sad that amazon has turned publishing into a miserable experience for you.
If you ever get tired of pushing that rock up the hill day after day, decide to find another job and just write for yourself, I would be heart broken but understand.
Sigmund, one of our house panthers, stopped by to send positive thoughts, or to play with my mouse, sometimes interpreting cat is impossible.
I love all of your books and do not sweat any typos because all authors have them. Keep on keeping on!
I have thoroughly enjoyed the Booked series and recently reread it. Enjoyed it all over again. I love most of your series and automatically sign up for the preorders. Typos don’t generally trip my trigger and would not cause me to report it. Not being perfect is normal. You do something I could never do. You CREATE! You give me the luxury of stepping into worlds you create and make me a part of them. I am a reader not a author. I am eternally grateful for you and your ability to give your readers this gift. You are appreciated. Please don’t ever doubt that. Take care of yourself and please keep writing. You would be missed.
You said what I believe also. The typo police need to be fired banned and thrown out.
I love everything you’ve written if there are typos I guess I read right over them correcting in my head as I go. For all the love I have of your work I wish that you didn’t have to go through this. Too bad Amazon has to be a huge retailer for books. We could get books elsewhere? Please know that your loyal readers know about what to do with typos and we don’t care. Take a breath and know how much we appreciate your work.
Barnes & Noble is absolutely a great place to get ebooks. Kobo’s ereader is one of my favorites, and I love them. Expensive but really nice. I’m gradually moving my favorite books over to kobo/getting kobo’s app on my other devices as I can. Like… I don’t even care if people use Amazon, I just wish that tool would go straight to some hell.
I love your books and am blind to typos unless its missing pages. Please ignore the uptight a@@holes and move the book to kobo, if amazon is being a turd.
My books are already available at Kobo. And if I stop distributing to Amazon, I simply won’t make enough money to keep writing.
Yes, I mostly read one of the RJ Blain series. But, I enjoy them so much. I am sorry that so many people are idiots, and can’t just escape into a book. I am not saying that I haven’t seen something “off” to me in your books, and others, but I just move on or look things up.
Here is a giant hug to you.
I really enjoy all of your series. Typos happen, and I just note it and continue reading. I have learned so much and received such a great education from various authors and the way their characters speak. Trying to make everyone sound the same and use the same words is just wrong. The hoity-toity would not be appreciative of being forced to speak like someone from the streets in a poor area, but somehow, they cannot see it the other way around when they try to force someone else to change how they speak.
I must confess I Lautenberg time I see one of your missives voicing you justifiable frustration. I panic because I fear that you will give up and if that happens there are so many of us who would be deprived of your wonderfulness. I do not have everything you have written; some subjects are not in my realm of interest, but I do have around fifty of your books and I love them all. I really like the Booked series; they are some of the first ones I read .I am pretty sure I’ve read all of them at least twice, many of them three times. If the BASTARDS do get you down,, I’d understand if you stopped to salvage your health, but the typo terrorists will have many curses laid upon them, and deservedly so. Please stay safe and healthy as possible, and I (and obviously many others) hope you continue with your wonderfulness. May Peace and Health be with you and THANK YOU for all that you have given us.
No idea where Lautenberg came from. I meant panic.
I’m so sorry that your creative process has become something that Amazon wants to interfere with. If only you could tell the typo terrorists to “get a life”. A note at the front of your books might help because I believe that they believe they’re being helpful, even if they’re not, and explain the consequences.)
The writing is on the wall: next Amazon will start taking $$ out of your payments to compensate the typo police because after all, now they’re now your editors and should be compensated. Yup. That’s the direction it’s going. And of course, Amazon will take a piece of each correction for its own pockets. Amazon only cares about $$, not the content of any books. If only all authors could fight it together…
Meanwhile, keep writing for yourself (and us). And take the time just care for yourself amidst the chaos.
I have just come from leaving 5star reviews on Barnes and Noble for Karma, License to Kill, and both of the Vigilante Magical Librarians books. Wish I could do more.
I am waiting as patiently as possible (on the edge of my seat ;)) for Old Secrets and Doggone Mess
Thank you
Gah! I thought writing books ws supposed to have an element of enjoyment for the author! And I loved the Booked series, just FYI, My mom was a librarian, but nowhere near as exciting a character as yours! She was the smartest person I ever met tho. I hope you manage to keep writing despite all the horrible typo reporting people you have on your back. It sounds like y our vacations aren’t helping any. I view typos as just little glitches along the road. One of the authors I used to read had a note at the back of his books which said, in part, Please do not report any typos or mistakes in my books. By the time I get them, a thousand other people have already reported them and they have been taken care of!”
I love the Booked series. I enjoy reading them. I look forward to more.
I’m also very fond of Jesse.
The more I learn about Amazon’s policies and behavior, the more I dislike them.
I really hope the evil parts of the world do not grind you down so far that you stop writing. Your books bothe give me pleasure and give me things to think about.
Thanks for your books.
Rebecca