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Authors Write Own Reviews

The Telegraph has revealed that some of Britain's best-selling authors are giving their own novels five star reviews on Amazon by pretending to be readers.

Jane Green and Isabel Wolff are among a number of writers who have given themselves high scoring reviews in order to boost their popularity and sell more books.

Both authors have admitted posting reviews in the reader comment section of Amazon's website, which allows people to write their own reviews and award a score between one and five.

The practice has become so widespread that the online bookseller is now seeking ways to prevent it.
"We appreciate that a small number of authors may abuse this system," said an Amazon spokesman last night. "We will investigate any complaint we receive concerning a review."

Check out the full story here: Telegraph

Anyone any comments? Fair play or foul? Mail: editors(at)booklore.co.uk.

Nigel - 1st January 2003

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