Author Alice Hoffman apologized yesterday for printing critic Roberta Silman’s telephone number and email address on Twitter (the page has since been removed)–urging her fans to respond to a review of “The Story Sisters” in The Boston Globe.
Her action prompted a stream of responses about author interaction in the age of Twitter. On stranger, somewhat related note, Gawker posted about Richard Ford’s violent reaction to one of Hoffman’s reviews.
Here’s Hoffman’s apology, via Christian Science Monitor: “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.”