Just Threatened by Robert Stanek on Goodreads

[DurzoBlint]

I am sure that many of you are familiar with Mr. Stanek and way back in mid-2011, I wrote and posted a review of his book The Kingdom and The Elves of the Reaches on Goodreads. When I originally posted my review, I heard absolutely nothing from him. That is until about a week ago when I changed my review from a link to my review site to the actual review for all the world to read.

Now, Mr. Stanek is threatening me with slander (slander for those of you keeping score at home is defamation that is spoken [not written as in my review]). He also claims that my review has in fact harassed children that enjoy his books. Not sure how that can occur. Has anyone else had this issue with him, or with a different author? How did you respond, if you gave any response at all.

I did respond and told him I would alter the review where I felt he could possibly feel that he was being personally attacked as to avoid "libel" or where children could be "harassed"(I even went so far as to set him straight on the two forms of defamation). However, I remained vigilant in my rights to post a negative review of his book.

I haven't heard anything back from him, but then again this just happened tonight. I am not worried about any repercussions but I am curious as to what other reviewers have done in the past if something similar occurred to them.

Didn't quite know where to post this thread, so Mods feel free to move it to its proper location if this is not the proper place.

 

[Tim Marquitz]

Screw him. You've every right to your opinion and he doesn't have a leg to stand on with regards to his complaint. Blow him off and get a good laugh out of his attempt to stir controversy (and sales) by being a moron.

 

[Skynjay]

I gotta assume most people know his tactics, but for those who don't, give this a read. . It is entertaining as hell.

Just ignore him. He thrives on ANY pub, and seems to enjoy confrontation. While I have had friends get confronted by authors before, Stanek is the only one I have heard of sockpuppeting as a lawyer.

 

[Hobbit]

Sorry to hear this Durzo. We came across this person years ago. His action to you is not the first of that type (look at that link Skynjay suggests). The reaction at SFFWorld was not to give him any publicity whatsoever.

We therefore don't encourage discussion about him or accept threads about him: one of very few, I might add.

And as a result I'm also closing this thread, although I wanted to explain to you (and others) why. My own personal view on the matter is to take the advice of those who have posted above - more than that just feeds publicity.

Hope that helps.

Mark