My One Star Review

I'd be OK with a shit review. At least it means there's something published to actually review.

scarletpeaches said:

I understand some reviews are emailed to the author or publisher, but Jesus...a writer doesn't have to bang on and on about positive reviews on their blog. They only end up looking like they want their ego stroked. If that wasn't the case, why don't they post the negative reviews, too?

It puts an artificial slant on their entire career.And this is why you're my favourite.

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In my particular case, I only link to the positive reviews on my blog/twitter/facebook because I use these venues for marketing my books. The same reason you don't see P#psi or Coc@ Col@ posting or linking to all the bad vibes they get either.

That said, I FULLY support the right of readers to post whatever they want about my books online (not that they NEED my support to do so ). In fact, I had sent an ARC of my first book to an online reviewer I respected and had a casual online friendship with. The book totally didn't work for her and she was going to give it a negative review but asked me first if I wanted it posted or not (I believe because I had given her the ARC and because it was my first book - she was trying to be courteous). While I appreciated her giving me the option, I told her to please post the review. I had sent her the ARC without any strings attached and wouldn't think anything less of her for posting it.

That really bumped my professionalism up in her opinion, which she stated in her posting of the review. It also bumped me up in the opinions of others, and some of the people decided to buy my book anyway, despite the negative review. To me what's important is getting your book out there as much as possible. Even when that means 1 and 2-star reviews that make you cringe.

No review site that's worth a penny lets a writer decide anything. A reviewer's obligation is to readers, not writers, and even horrible reviews should be posted. If they aren't, the site is being dishonest, and is cheating readers.

Catching up--just returned from taking my kid fishing.

scarletpeaches said:

Eww. Now I feel dirty.

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You just said that about a hug from an ex-nun. My work here is done.

Lmc71775 said:

I'm confused, what's the point of getting a review if it's not read?

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See below.

Bubastes said:

Reviews are for readers, not the author.

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This.

Lmc71775 said:

I'm confused, what's the point of getting a review if it's not read?

Call me crazy, and yes addicted too, another guilty as charged here. I'm just glad I even got a review, whatever it is...least someone's reading it, write? right? lol

*still confused

KTC you are just my kind of person. Summer on Fire looks like a delicious read. Have you gotten a review on it? Was it your first book?

Don't mean to derail but this thread is silly to begin with. Lee Lee's just gotta learn to keep her mouth shut. She's so bad, geez.

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Thanks! It is my first published. I've had 5 readers give reviews so far...two through my publisher, one on a blog and two sent to me directly. Two were 5 stars and the other 3 caused happy dances. A few review sites have it and I just mailed a couple review copies today that my publisher sent me.

The reviews/reader feedbacks are on my blog, linked below.

Like some others, I'm shocked that a review site would give the writer an option such as this. That makes the site very unreliable.

I read every last one of my reviews, those done by "professional" reviewers, amateur reviewers, and plain old readers. I consider every one of them valuable feedback. And I link to/blog about/mention the good reviews all the time. In fact I just posted a note/quote on Facebook about a nice review from RT that I got this morning. It's called promotion.

If given the option to have the one-star review deleted, I have to admit that I don't honestly know what I'd do. I'd like to think that I'd tell them to post it anyway, but I suppose it would depend on what the criticism was. If it was about my writing/spelling/grammar technique and ability (or the lack thereof), I'd be inclined to hide it and then I'd be looking to improve these shortcomings in future works. If it's about some theme or feeling or subject matter that the reviewer didn't like -- meaning something more subjective -- I'd be inclined to say go with it.

I do think a one-star review will negatively impact sales if it's the only review there is.

Beth

Unprofessional behaviour from an author will kill their career before one pissy review ever will.

Besides which, your definition of pissy and mine will often differ.

Points now made, I think?

I think so. Closing thread.