Tuesday 30 June 2009

Alice Hoffman on Twitter

Tell Me a Story - comment.

Twitter was bound to be abused at some time.

In this particular case it was furious author, Alice Hoffman, when she took the decision to use Twitter to distribute a reviewer's phone number and email address. She attempted to persuade followers to get back at Roberta Silman, after she published a not-so-good review of Alice Hoffman's most recent book, The Story Sisters, in the Boston Globe.



Alice Hoffman raised a few eyebrows whilst the literary world brooded over whether reviewers should really be punished for saying what they think.


Apparently, the literary world sided with the reviewer. After receiving bad replies for the injudicious tweet, Hoffman attempted to metamorphose the tantrum into an ethical standpoint, saying, "Girls are taught to be gracious and keep their mouths shut. We don't have to. Just the same as we writers don't have to say nothing when someone tries to destroy us."

I’m afraid it’s one of the crosses we authors bear when we put our work up for public perusal, my dear. You know what they say, if you can’t stand heat, get out of the kitchen….

Still, looking on the bright side, I suppose it will bring plenty of publicity for the book ..... Or am I getting a tad cynical in my old age ....


*** Alice Hoffman, Alice Hoffman, Alice Hoffman ***

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Book writing, 20 ways to polish that manuscript
Writing a story – 12 important elements of dialogue
550 other words for said



End of post - Alice Hoffman on Twitter