Ali's Bookshelf: Chit Chat: Is Posting a DNF Unethical?

Monday, June 25, 2012

Chit Chat: Is Posting a DNF Unethical?

It is time for another Chit Chat here on Ali's Bookshelf. Chit Chat is a discussion post created by me, Ali, where I chat with you about something that I think is important in the book blogging world or just in general. Today's topic: Is Posting a DNF Post Unethical?

Definition of DNF: Did Not Finish!!!

What do you all think? Is is okay to post on your blog that you didn't like a book and that you couldn't get through it? Is it okay if a review book isn't for you, so you make a post up and tell why it wasn't for you?

The way I see it is this, in my review policy, which is something I ask all authors to read before I agree to read their book, I state that I do post DNF's and It's my right to do so. The reason this topic has come up is that I had an author go off on me and say I was unethical for posting a DNF post. He goes on to say that I entered a "contract" with him when I said I would review his book to read it all. Guess what, this is how I see it, I said I would review his book, I couldn't help it if I didn't like his book. I'm not going to force myself to read a book that I can't get past chapter 2 without seeing all the details as the same as another book. I blog for fun and forcing myself to read a book isn't my kind of fun, so I marked it DNF.

This author goes on and on about how its the rule in book blogging reviewing that you finish the book. I've seen a lot of DNF posts out there and I'm not everyone, I'm me and I post DNF posts. I didn't go off on this author, I stayed very professional at all times. I finally did tell him what I thought of his book in detail because he asked over and over again. Which is one of the reason's I'm also posting this post.

I'm not going to out the author here on my blog and I refuse to take down my DNF post! But I will say this, if there is anyone that would like this book, let me know and I will give my copy away. I don't want this book on my shelf, because this man is not an author to me, he is a man that wrote a book and then went off on someone that told the truth!

So what is your take on this subject? Is it okay for authors to go off on us book bloggers? Do you post DNF's, if so has this happened to you, if not is this the reason why? I would love some input and your thoughts on this subject.

Comments (7)

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Markella · 665 weeks ago

Wow! That's crazy. You are basically doing a professional transaction with an author and if he agreed to your terms (probably didn't even read your policy thoroughly) than he had no right to go off on you. Personally I don't post DNF just because I always finish a book. If I didn't finish one, I think it's fair to say why you didn't finish it. Are you suppose to lie about it? And blogging is supposed to be for fun! The author should have known better, as if you would change your mind if he argued with you.

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Felicia · 665 weeks ago

The author in my opinion is a complete jerk. He must know that not everyone is going to like his book. I have never come across something like this before, and I write DNFs as well. I also state in my policy that if it does come to a DNF, I will e-mail the author, letting them have the choice of a written DNF review, or to silently move on. DNFs are not unethical. If you can't finish a book, than that is the opinion you are giving the author. You should remind him that you are investing your own time for free, and that he should be grateful for people's opinions. Book review blogging is a hobby. Nothing is "binding" in my opinion, and if you had already stated that in your review policy, than you should be fine, and he obviously didn't read your policy.

Hope that helps, and best of luck to the annoying author.

1 reply · active 665 weeks ago

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Felicia · 665 weeks ago

P.S., maybe he needs a new profession where there is no criticism. If he can't take the pain, then he shouldn't be in the game. He needs to learn to grow a pair.

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TMB · 665 weeks ago

That is crazy. That's horrible. That author gave a very bad impression of himself. The way I look at it is that yes, you agreed to REVIEW the book not read it all. It doesn't matter if you finish the book or not a review is a review. And where did he get the idea that you had to read the whole book?

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emmysondie 27p · 665 weeks ago

I don't think it's unethical to post a DNF review. You're stating why you couldn't finish the book, and as long as it's not done in a disrespectful way, I believe it's fine. I read your DNF review and I thought it was nicely done. You didn't once descend into name calling or nastiness. You just said that you couldn't finish the book because it wasn't for you. Last time I checked, not everyone had to love every book.

Also, there is no contract. This is not a profession. We are here because we love books and want to share them with as many people as possible. I think the author was completely out of line to badger you like that. Sure, he's going to feel badly that you didn't finish. But to hound you? That's unprofessional on his part.

I'm sorry that you had that experience, but you handled it well. We've got your back!

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Jennifer · 665 weeks ago

I don't think it's unethical to post a DNF review. If you could not finish it you have to explain why. But i don't think a person should read 10 pages and then announce they didn't like it. But if you really gave it a chance then I think it's alright. The one thing is I don't feel like DNFs should get a rating (especially on goodreads). I have seen reviews where a person might have read 50 pages and then gives the book 1 star. I feel like to give it a number then you should be basing that on the entire book.

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AlisBookshelf 69p · 665 weeks ago

Yes but my rating is my DNF it says not for me!!! Thats the way I rate dnf's on my blog and I never posted a review on goodreads or amazon for this one! Just my blog.

Ali
Ali's Bookshelf
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Reading is Dreaming with Open eyes

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