Alice Hoffman Should Have Hired me to Write her Apology

Earlier this week, author Alice Hoffman issued an apology to Roberta Silman -- the reviewer she attacked via Twitter. And here it is:

I feel this whole situation has been completely blown out of proportion. Of course I was dismayed by Roberta Silman's review which gave away the plot of the novel, and in the heat of the moment I responded strongly and I wish I hadn't. I'm sorry if I offended anyone. Reviewers are entitled to their opinions and that's the name of the game in publishing. I hope my readers understand that I didn't mean to hurt anyone and I'm truly sorry if I did.

Let's focus on these words: I didn't mean to hurt anyone. I'm sorry; publishing someone's phone number is a deliberate act of cruelty. The only reason to do such a thing is to encourage others to harass that person. This was the most offensive of Ms. Hoffman's Tweets: "If you want to tell Roberta Silman off, her phone is 999-9999. [e-mail]. Tell her what u think of snarky critics." That looks like a premeditated plan to hurt someone to me. And, of course, Alice is free to make her mistake under the influence of anger and recognize it later. But that needs to be acknowledged in the apology.

An apology, by its nature, should focus on what you (the doer) did wrong, and what steps you are taking to make the situation right -- the apology itself being the most important step. This involves coming clean about what you were thinking/feeling at the time and how you could have handled the situation better. Alice's apology first blames an omniscient presence for blowing the situation out of proportion and then goes on to mention what Roberta did wrong (giving away the book's plot).

She apologizes to her readers (because she wants to keep them) and forgets to apologize directly to Roberta. It's true, the situation was blown out of proportion -- by Alice. Had she not tweeted so drastically, this would not have been news.

If Alice had hired a letter writer-- like oh say, me -- then the apology would have gone something like this:

I am overwhelmed and embarrassed by my actions, and I have no one to blame for the situation except myself. I would like to extend a public and sincere apology to my readers and directly to Roberta Silman for my instant and inappropriate reaction to her review of my book The Story Sisters. I've been fortunate in my career not to have received many bad or even skewed reviews of my books. Regrettably, this hasn't done much in the way of thickening my skin and preparing me for the reality that not everyone is destined to be a fan. Roberta was the victim of my inexperience or -- perhaps more accurately -- my unwillingness to accept this simple truth.

It goes without saying that the review was a blow to my ego, and I got angry. I didn't hesitate to react. Instead of calling a friend and complaining or going for a long walk, I headed straight for Twitter -- hoping to garner some sympathy and support from my readers. This was unwise for several reasons. The two main reasons: 1. Twitter is a public forum that only feels private 
2. Writing fueled my anger. My frustration climaxed when I saw fit to publish Roberta's e-mail address and phone number. I did this because I wanted people to write and call her to make her feel as bad as the review made me feel. That was the most regrettable of my actions, and I am truly sorry. I am also sorry that I called her credentials into question without doing any research. Roberta stands atop a remarkable literary career, and she should be very proud of all that she has accomplished.

Roberta, you are entitled to your own opinion as a reviewer and as a citizen. The better part of me knows this, and I apologize that the worse part of me got to my computer first. I have shut down my Twitter account in an attempt to remedy my actions. I hope that the shame I feel is a consolation to you. I wish you well in all future endeavors.

With sincerity and chagrin,

Alice

Originally published on LetterLover.net

Follow Samara O'Shea on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SamaraOShea

Comments

[LetterLover]

@eblue562 - I agree—more than erasing a Twitter account needs to be done. Unfortunately, that's all Alice did, so that's all I included in the letter.

@disgustedbyitall (clever moniker) - I've never read an Alice Hoffman book in my life. I hadn't heard of her until this incident. I simply thought her apology was lackluster and was inspired to write one on her behalf.

Samara

[larry278]

Criticism, writing & publishing have never been gentle pursuits. Review criticism from 1500 to the present in any language. Critics set out to draw blood. They did draw blood. An authors response to barbed critism often was also barbed. There were instances when authors, critics & publishers killed each other. The so called humane letters weren't at all gentle. Take a look at criticism & writing & you will find interesing examples of barbed writing.

[weatherwaxx]

Didn't read the review

Not likely to read the book.

Wouldn't have hired you to write a communication for me, either.

The great thing about the Internet is instant communication. It's also the downside. The time-lag between writing and mailing a letter saved a lot of people embarrassment and chagrin.

[disgustedbyitall]

wow, samara, what's eating you about hoffman? clearly you have some issues to resolve that have nothing to do with this incident. can we safely assume you'll be using her book to line your bird cage?

hoffman should never have posted the phone number, but she had every right to publicly eviscerate a reviewer who acted with petty vindictiveness by revealing the book's plot. most writers put enormous effort into their work, and whatever you may think of the result, deliberately undermining that effort is patently juvenile.

my apology? "i regret allowing a childish act to bring out my own immaturity. i will never react to ms silman again and ask my readers to accept my humble apology."

the oscar-length acceptance speech you wrote is ridiculously overblown and a clear effort to vent at an author you dislike. you're not eloquent enough to hide your real actions.

[FabulousAt52]

I agree. A "professional" reviewer has an obligation to stick to the facts and review books/movies with integrity and respect for the authors. The reviewer revealing the end of the book was a cheap shot. The author printing the reviewer's phone number was not right either. That should be apologized for. But the reviewer owes the author an apology as well. Both acted like children.

[InofTouch]

apprently it has to be a 500 word report

[raker]

Who knew there'd be an appropriate occasion for the non-apology apology. In this case it might be appropriate to express regret to "anyone who was offended," while not regretting for a moment any harm done to the feelings of the transgressor.

[3reddogs]

Wow. You should go out and intentionally irritate and/or offend people. The apology they'll get from you later will more than make up for the original offense :-)

[eblue562]

Nice apology letter! The only side comment I would make :

Attempting to remedy actions via Twitter shutdown : Probably not a good idea. As a "very" novice writer myself, I can tell you that being able to put any old stupid thoughts down (whether it be a shameless plug or something else) is a great outlet. Perhaps she could mend ways by posting some significant reviews Roberta has done or plugging other media outlets, or perhaps her favorite charity. I don't think shooting yourself in the technological foot is going to make Roberta feel any better.