A Christian Science Monitor blog reports that novelist Alice Hoffman sort of apologized in a statement to the Boston Globe book critic she blasted for criticizing her latest novel, The Story Sisters.
Hoffman's publicist sent the following to the Monitor after the flap, reports Matthew Shaer:
"I feel this whole situation has been completely blown out of proportion. Of course I was dismayed by Roberta Silman’s review which gave away the plot of the novel, and in the heat of the moment I responded strongly and I wish I hadn’t. I’m sorry if I offended anyone. Reviewers are entitled to their opinions and that’s the name of the game in publishing. I hope my readers understand that I didn’t mean to hurt anyone and I’m truly sorry if I did."
Best advice arising from all this? Think before you tweet.
She seems to miss WHY it was a problem. No one was "hurt". What reviewer cares about something like this. She just made herself look silly and petty. THAT said, everyone has fired off an email or something and regretted it so ultimately it is just being human.
Posted by: patrick | June 30, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Don't tweet drunk.
Posted by: Howard Cohen | June 30, 2009 at 02:34 PM
Patrick, she was the one who came out like a moron, true.
And, Howard, ditto.
Posted by: Amy Canfield | June 30, 2009 at 05:54 PM
Yeah, it's really a no win scenario fighting with critics, even if they aren't very good. You can't win that battle, so stay out of it.
Posted by: Connie | June 30, 2009 at 06:36 PM
A day late and a dollar short!
Posted by: Diana | July 01, 2009 at 10:43 AM