Clearly whoever left me my first bad rating hasn’t even read my book. Had they read it, they would have known that haters generate more engagement.

Dealing With My First Bad Rating

To begin with, I put a lot of effort into writing, editing and publishing my book, The Fabric We Make. And I’m quite proud that I was able to make it happen.

That being stated, I was thrilled when I saw a rating of “1” on my Amazon listing for the book. I’m not sure how Amazon regulates ratings and reviews. It seems that if someone leaves a review (like Tim and Marion have), that Amazon verifies the person actually purchased the book. But to leave just a rating, no such verification is completed.

My single low rating was not accompanied by a review. My thinking is that if someone was interested enough to purchase my book and attempt reading it, they would tell me why it was bad in a review. Or they just wouldn’t rate it at all. The anonymous rater also either didn’t read my book, or didn’t believe what I wrote about haters. In Chapter 7 on blogging and and Chapter 9 on being a man who knits, I discuss how haters are great for ginning up controversy. And controversy generates engagement. So thank you to my anonymous-rater. I’m hopeful your efforts will generate at least a dozen or so more sales of my book.

Interestingly, I haven’t been actively engaged in any on-line pissing contests recently except for one. Some straight, white guy with a petty grievance about reverse discrimination has been commenting on my latest YouTube video. I think Bryan (the aggrieved) may have taken umbrage with my suggestion that his complaining about discrimination came across as whiny.

Please also know that I am completely open to any and all feedback. Family and friends have both praised and critiqued my efforts and I am grateful for all of their input.

Current Knitting

FINISHED!

I dedicated a bit more knitting time than usual this weekend to finish the scarf.

It ended up being 70″ (178 cm). Exactly what I was hoping for. I test-drove the scarf last night and the length seems perfect. I’m also quite pleased with how I finished the end of the tube.

I had decided to graft it together. But I wanted to use a purl-row graft. So I taught myself a new technique and I’m very pleased with how it turned out.

On to the next!