Alice Hoffman deletes Twitter account and apologises after 'moron' outburst

by Staff, Brand Republic 30-Jun-09, 11:40

NEW YORK - Author Alice Hoffman has deleted her Twitter account and issued an apology after she used the micro-blogging site to hit back at a critic who gave her latest novel a less than glowing review.

Hoffman was upset about a review of 'The Story Sisters' published in the Boston Globe, and posted some 27 tweets criticising the reviewer, Roberta Silman, including calling her a moron, as well as the newspaper it was published in, her hometown of Boston and critics in general.

However, she has now issued a statement via her publicist, in which she regrets her outburst.

It said: "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."

Her Twitter page has now been deactivated, although a cached version is still available.

The social media saga also drew attention to reviews Hoffman had previously written of the books of other writers where she had been less than favourable.

In 2003 she slated Richard Ford's 'The Sports Writer'. The book, and its two follow-ups 'Independence Day' and 'Lay of the Land', are seen by many as confirmation that Ford is one of the best post war living American writers.