That's the miracle of Amazon! It's like Internet dating. In the early days, you could get slimed as an author on Amazon by someone bearing a grudge, or jealous, or whatever. And because there were so few reviews posted, this stank.

In this quote, Nigel Hamilton reflects on the evolution of Amazon and its role in the world of book publishing. He compares the platform's early days to Internet dating, drawing a parallel between the unpredictability of online connections and the challenges authors faced when trying to establish their reputations. Just like in early online dating, where profiles and connections could be influenced by personal biases, the reviews on Amazon could be swayed by grudges, jealousy, or other subjective factors, which led to unfair criticism.

Hamilton highlights how, in the early days of Amazon, there were very few reviews posted for books, meaning that a negative review could have a disproportionate impact on an author’s reputation. The term "slimed" reflects how an author's work could be undermined by a single disgruntled or malicious reviewer, tarnishing their public image with little recourse. This creates an unfair playing field where authors could be judged based on personal vendettas rather than the quality of their writing.

The quote also underscores the miracle of Amazon—the platform's ability to offer a wide-reaching space for authors to publish and sell their books. Despite the challenges of negative reviews, Amazon democratized publishing, giving authors the chance to bypass traditional publishing gatekeepers. Over time, as the platform matured, Amazon began to implement better systems for moderating reviews, reducing the impact of biased feedback and allowing more accurate reflection of a book's merit.

In essence, Hamilton is commenting on how Amazon has transformed the landscape of publishing and book reviews. While the platform initially posed challenges for authors due to the potential for malicious reviews, it eventually became a powerful tool for promoting books and offering readers more authentic feedback. The journey from early struggles to the modern, more regulated system mirrors the growing pains of any innovative platform.