Reviews are the magical tool by which the Amazon algorithm recognizes your books and the secret formula for attracting new readers… at least that’s the contemporary theory from the marketing masters.
The honest truth is that reviews are not meant to be part of the publishing business at all. They are intended to be critical analysis for readers, not for authors. Your publicist might be interested in them, but writers shouldn’t be.
On the other hand, most writers are readers and most fans of books want to leave reviews.
So let’s cover some basic Do’s and Don’ts of reviews…
AS AN AUTHOR
– Don’t read reviews (have a friend or family member check the reviews for new books and send you the good ones if you want)
– Don’t respond to reviews (not even to say thanks… some sites track this and positive reviews may get flagged as fake)
– Do not argue with a reviewer (you will not win)
– Do not talk about negative reviews online (just don’t)
– Do not let reviews distract you from your writing (the book is done, so move on)
All of these rules are here to protect you – the author – from becoming distracted and not writing the next book. Even if you are a debut author with your first novella on the shelf, there is no way it won’t look like bullying if you – The Published Author – yell at a reader who has left you a review. Not even if the reviewer has three million followers and is an Instagram influencer. Not even if the reviewer is Queen Of Book Reviews and can make or break a series with a tweet. It doesn’t matter, you are a Published Author and you need to be professional.
So what so you do?
– Keep writing (that’s your job)
– Talk to your crit partner/editor/agent about concerns (was there something offensive that you all missed? was it really too derivative?)
– Move on (you have your writing support team to catch these things BEFORE publication – listen to them)
AS A REVIEWER
Let’s say you, an amazing book reviewer, has stopped by my website (hi!) and want to know what authors think about book reviewers. Here is the opinion of me, myself, and I…
– Don’t write to the author (you are not the editor or crit partner, the book is done, it’s not changing)
– Don’t review books in genres you hate (unless you get paid, and then fake enthusiasm for the genre)
– Don’t tag the author in your review (especially if it’s negative)
– Do remember your audience is fellow readers (if you want to hate-rate an author maybe just block that author on social media and move on)
– Do consider why you feel the way you feel about the book before reviewing (can you not relate because of the writing, or because the characters don’t look like you?)
– Do keep reviewing books (your fellow readers love you for it)
Reviewers are awesome. Authors really do appreciate the work reviewers put in, but we know your audience isn’t the author of the book you’re reviewing.
WHAT IF I’M AN AUTHOR AND I WANT TO LEAVE A REVIEW???
Is it positive?
YES! – leave the review
NO. – skip it!
Is it a hot take on how you could have written this better?
YES! – skip it.
NO. – leave the review
Is it going to start a decade-long feud with another well-known author?
YES! – …. email them and see if they are up for a long (secretly friendly) feud first.
NO. – you’re not even trying, are you? Call your publicist and see who you can get in a feud with.
Any other comments or questions about reviews? Leave them in the comment box below!
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