I am an independent author who has now had this happen twice. These are friends/fans of mine on Facebook and I want to know how Amazon knows these people are my friends. Of course my friends are reading and reviewing my books. They are the first to even know about them! I am a small business who relies on my friends and acquaintances to spread the word for me.
This is just wrong and so unfair.
We as authors have enough challenges just finding an audience. It is completely unfair that reviews can be removed simply because our friends choose to be part of our audience.
Add to this, the two readers whose reviews Amazon removed PURCHASED my books through Amazon. These weren’t review copies. These were purchased Kindle downloads.
Where does it stop? Authors, actors, musicians and artists of all mediums are closer than ever to their fans, dropping the degrees of separation to ONE. The fans love this and so do the artists.
Apparently, Amazon doesn’t get it.
Check out this petition for more information.
Author P.S. Bartlett 
So far amazon hasn’t removed mine. Maybe that’s because so far, I only have four.
I saw today where an author only had three reviews and they tried to take them all. She managed to duke it out with them and was able to keep two. 😦
This is outrageous. I signed and will do my best to pass it on. Best of luck getting this fixed!
I first heard about it 2 months ago when a friend told me they couldn’t review Demons & Pearls. I couldn’t believe it and she to them how ridiculous it was and gave them a piece of her mind. They still wouldn’t post it and haven’t to this day.
Ridiculous! For what it’s worth I’ve been spreading it like a boss so hopefully you’ll get the numbers you need. Think it will do anything though?
I don’t know but who knows how many reviews I might have that weren’t approved. I hope they reverse this. It’s flat out wrong.
Reblogged this on Earth to Bella and commented:
This has got to stop. Small business relies on reviews. Besides…how awful and creepy is Amazon?! Signing only takes a second and does a lot of good.
Xoxo
Thank you so much for sharing!!!