I got an email this
morning raging about a three star notice and threatening to post fake review on my titles. So
this is what I’m doing about it...
Every time someone
reviews one of my books on Amazon, I get an automated message. If I’m doing a review
tour, I go round instantly because I asked someone for their time and I’m
grateful.
If they loved it, I say 
. I also share and promote that review
over FB, Goodreads, my blog and anywhere that will take me.
If they didn’t love
it, I say, “I’m sorry you didn’t like it. Better luck next time!” but I don’t
share the review via social media because I’m not a damn idiot.
I read all critical
and negative reviews to see if there’s something I should be doing to improve
on my work. There was an early notice of The Bonus that said I needed my
characters to talk more. I took that to heart. There was a recent review of The Beast and The Sibyl that said the title was too obscure. That’s another good
lesson.
Of course in amongst
the pearls are the odd comments, like, “I never give more than three stars to
an indie novel.” Those are outliers I ignore.
What’s more difficult
is when someone just didn’t go nuts over my work. It’s a bit of a let-down but
it’s okay. I wish they’d loved it but hey, you can’t please everyone.
Because all reviews
impact on an author’s overall Amazon rank, book tour reviewers sometimes
message to say, “I can’t rave over your book” and then offer not to post.
In those cases, I
insist that they publish. Why?
First, all opinions
matter. I don’t approve of stifling free speech.
Second, publishers
game the system by rigging positive professional reviews. Until e-publishing,
almost all notices were five star raves.
It’s just part of the industry but I’m glad that we now have independent
reviewers.
Okay, after a bad
review I do miss the days when it was all 100% rah-rah-rah. I’m human. But
transparency is helpful for readers and I think it’s better in the long run for
authors too.
Third, reviewers have
their own followers. In fact, those who take part in tours, are bloggers, or
who are avid Goodreads participants have hundreds of fans.
It’s nice when they
endorse you, but even their critical notices can be helpful. Like I know that
when my mate Jenn says a book is too dark for her that I’m going to love it.
But if NilePrincess says a book is excellently dark, then it’s too dark for me.
So back to that evil
email. I review on NetGalley. Recently I gave a history book three stars because I couldn’t make head
or tail of it. Actually, I couldn’t finish it. I wrote that the research was
great but it needed a lot of work.
Now the author, a
complete stranger, is lambasting me for giving an honest opinion and
threatening to write fake revenge reviews for my books.
My first thought was
that he’s a damn fool. If I were the kind of person who’d forward that email,
it would get him booted by his publisher, Amazon, and Goodreads. It would also
ruin his personal reputation. Luckily for him, I’m ignoring it.
I did go to Goodreads to see if I was the odd voice out. After all, it’s just my opinion
and so it’s good to do a reality check. But as it turns out, the other reviews
are also three and two stars. On Amazon, the one positive review comes from a
publisher and the other is also three stars, and critical like mine.
The take-away is this.
I do get it. It’s hard to see that your work isn’t hitting the spot. But
frankly, writing is a difficult job, and negative reviews are part of the
business. Readers have a right to express their opinion and as long as it’s an
honest one, you shut your trap and respect it.
Threats and tantrums
just aren’t on.
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