Amazon: What's the Problem?

The front side of my bookmark!

I read a book a few years ago from my favorite author, Stephen King. It was titled, On Writing. First, I have to say having him put down on paper the process he goes through to write a book is both fascinating and depressing. But one scene more than any has stuck with me. The book is somewhat of a memoir as well and goes into some detail about how he wrote many books including his first one, Carrie. Stephen King threw it away. His wife found it there, read it, and handed it back to him, "I want to read the rest of this story," she said... or something like that. He continued although he felt he lacked the confidence to write a story with a female lead that was in high school. He continued because he trusted the judgment of someone he knew, in this case, his wife. Today Stephen King is a household name. All I can say is, thank God Amazon wasn't involved in that decision. They would have thrown it out. And yet, since King is a big name, he doesn't get scrutinized as much as the rest of us in the writing world.

I know some of you are wondering what I'm talking about. I spent some time waiting to write this post because I feel that Amazon is more misguided than out to get the little guy. And, quite frankly, I was pissed off. Today I checked and there are two reviews on Lazarus Rising. Two. Many more have been posted but taken down. Because, prepare yourself, they claim the writer of the review "knows" me. As if that should make a difference. I asked, but they would not answer, if Tabitha King's review of Carrie would be taken down. She sat, day after day, watching her husband create something from nothing, was in King's own words the only person he ever writes for (he calls it his IR (Ideal Reader). I stole this description from him because my wife is who I write for. I have to admit I did get a bit carried away engaging in a email war with the powers-that-be at Amazon. I feel this is so unfair to the up and coming author. Of course the first people that read your book are going to know you! My wife spent countless hours reading and listening to so many different versions of my novel. How does her relationship with me suddenly give her no right to let other reader's know her thoughts on it? She told me often when something didn't sound right or when I was off the rails. Her input his valuable to other customers. I have seen in many other cases reading through reviews blatant disregard for Amazon's "written policies" and yet it is my reviews they keep messing with.

So, for those of you who have read my book, please, if you liked it, leave a review on Amazon. I really can't go to the next step of marketing Lazarus Rising until I have more reviews. I can really use your help here. Next, by all means, please, don't mention you know me even if you just happened to see me from across the room. I have had my own reviews taken down on books from authors I do not know. Still, my pleas to Amazon have gone unanswered. I'm just grateful I don't get the letter they once put out threatening to take down my product. Yes, they really did that to other writers.

Also, as you may have noticed my website is different - check it out and let me know what you think!

Have a Merry Christmas! God Bless...