In 2014, the “Stop the Goodreads Bullies” online movement was well underway, with authors such as Anne Rice championing the campaign against inflammatory reviews on websites such as Goodreads and Amazon. The movement, however, was not without its controversies, and questions were quickly raised by authors and readers alike about the motives behind the movement, the authority of these authors, the meaning of “bullying,” and the reader’s right to free speech in an online environment. This investigation into online review culture among reading communities looks at research surrounding product reviewing and how it affects product sales, as well as review and ratings data taken from the Goodreads website, in order to draw conclusions about the online behavior of readers. With the support of data humanities and statistical analysis, it argues that the freedom to review without limitations on tone or review content can increase book sales and boost reader confidence in publishers and authors.
About the presenterElena Beck
Elena Beck holds a B.A. in Media and Communication Studies and a B.F.A. in Visual Arts. Her research and writing center on contemporary popular media and fan studies.