What should you do when your good intention may hurt the publication prospect of a book?

Question

What should you do when your good intention may hurt the publication prospect of a book?

I've just written a review about a new book recently published in China. This book used to be banned, so it is some kind of an event that the book was allowed to reappear.

After my review was published, the publisher in China wrote me, saying that they are prepared to issue another book from the same author. The problem is, they said, my book review may have got the censors' attention, so now the censors may think this author is still problematic. The publisher implied that they don't want an 'event', but they just want to do things quietly.

I feel a bit guilty. I really liked the book and thought its publication should be known widely, that's why I wrote the review.

Should I apologize to the publisher?

Answer 1

No. I don't believe so. You wrote a review in good faith and whatever happens, happens. I don't think the publisher should try to control reviews in any way. That seems unethical.
I'd guess that writing and publishing in a country where speech is not yet free is the real problem.

Answer 2

Are you an international reviewer? Are you based in China, subject to any repercussions? Don't you suppose that the "Censors" are the ones who finally allowed the reappearance of the once banned book, or were responsible in part?

Are you subject to censorship as well, in what you state in a review? I'm completely unfamiliar with publishing in China. I only know of being published in the USA. You state that the second book is PREPARED with regard to publishing. Might it not make better sense to wait until a book is offered publically, to review it, positively or negatively.

I realize that many people are guided by what they assume is a knowledgable, educated, experienced reviewer, but in all honesty, and respect to you,,, REVIEWS are as much "opinions" as are the topics of conversations among usual readers of anything. AND aren't we, as a species at least, allowed even that minor freedom?

It sounds like your review of a book not yet published, has been made public, and with no offense, that saddens me. To do so, seems to me, to be as much the censor, as the censors are. In effect you're directing opinions in people who have yet not been able to form any, about a book they haven't read.

Again, with no offense meant, I suggest certainly some letter to the publisher, to get their OPINION, at the very least, and then possibly the "Author" as well as a PUBLIC apology for anything negative that might be assumed from your review.

In reading the last sentence I suspect, if it's the way of things in China, you might have written that the Author, (no longer condemned) is in the process of publishing a new book, and suggest, more than reveal the context.

Steven Wolf

Answer 3

I don't think you have anything to worry about. The publisher is only speculating at this stage. You only did what you were supposed to do.

Answer 4

u could if u want to but no one is forcing u.
if u feel that u don't mind if your reveiw was unaccepted then don't do your good intension.
but if u want people to know about the publication so badly then it's u'r funeral.

Answer 5

YOU COULD CONTACT THE PUBLISHER AND ASK HIM HIS VIEWS AND TAKE IT FROM THERE,IF AN APOLIGY IS WARRANTED THEN YOU TAKE IT FROM THERE.