Chad Critiquess a Review
In his first editorial, Chad takes dead aim at a haughty review of "Heroes and Villains..."
Please Note: Many of you were introduced to Chad yesterday through his audition for the role of narrator for the upcoming audiobook of “Heroes and Villains: The Covid-19 Book of Lists”. Unfortunately, he failed the audition. Listeners overwhelmingly voted for a live human to do the reading. It will be done by me or a group of volunteers, as per Tuscon Tanya’s suggestion to get family members of or those actually injured to do the various lists.
Nevertheless, Chad showed great interest in becoming part of our team. I was hesitant at first because Chad mispronounced several words and his cadence and intonation were less than ideal (to say the least), but Chad told me he was very nervous during the audition and could do better. I believed him and wanted to give him a second chance.
I ended up signing Chad to an exlusive deal where he writes and reads at least one editorial a week covering a topic of current interest, COVID-19 or otherwise. Chad insisted on writing the op-eds himself and on maintaining complete editorial control over the content. I agreed but reminded Chad that he is on one month’s probation and could be fired “without cause” at any time.
“Chad Critiques a Review” by Chad
Background: After 13 straight Five-Star reviews of “Heroes and Villains”, a Three-Star Review was submitted by a buyer named Lori M.
Here is Lori’s review (recorded by Chad’s wife, Gretchen):
3.0 out of 5 stars The Book we Need, But the Book Needs Work
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2022
and the text if you wish to follow along:
As advertised, Heroes and Villains names names and describes feats and failures of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those responsible for the response that did so much harm and so little good need to be brought to justice and held to account. We can't let it all be swept under the rug, and I'm grateful for Sheftall's effort in compiling this information.
But this book needs so much work. The typos and formatting errors on probably every page make a poor first impression. Lists where some items have long descriptions and others have none likewise make this look like a slap-dash effort. Most disappointing, though, is tone of an armchair quarterback. Entire sections like "30 People I'd Like to Debate" and "15 COVID Debates I'd Pay to See" are of little interest to readers. The endless injection (sorry) of the author's grandiose opinions ("5 Reasons why Calling a Positive PCR Result a "New Case", Should be Punishable by Death" [sic]), flippant suggestions ("take a flame thrower to the place if you have to") and nonstop running commentary make it more about the author than about heroes or villains.
With a firm editor and proofreader, this work would be much improved.
Part 1 of Chad’s Critique of Lori’s Review:
Chad continues in Part 2
Subscribers, Please let me know what you thought of Chad’s debut performance as an Op-ed writer. I apologize that he chose yet another topic related to my book. I will ask him to write one on Climate Change or any other current event next time. Thank you, in particular to Gretchen who read Lori’s review only two days after returning from the Norbert Weiner Center. I apologize for Chad’s use of the word, “slut”.
Okay I withdraw my slight criticism of Chad (he speaks much slower now) and I do like his editorials.
I was afraid you would give him too much power, but now I am all for Chad!!! :-)
Pity he has to explain to an idiot that the flamethrower reference was not literal.....It made me
laugh out loud. I am all for flamethrowers, both figurative and literal!!!
Critiques are what makes you stronger going forward and the aim is to make you even better at what you are doing . My husband and I read each others business works etc and frequently find , even after the 3rd and 4th readings , mistakes that are hiding in plain sight - can't have enough eyes . BTW - he doesn't read my comments in these spots - full of mistakes .