I couldn't help myself! Needy writer needing validation! I felt very lucky for the most part but my favorite bad review was one person who wrote, "What a waste of a week!" I laughed out loud because he spent a week and read it cover to cover. The biggest takeaway from the process is that your book is not for everyone. Lesson learned! :)
I definitely read my reviews! There’s not any “temptation “ or “shame” about it. I think it’s a good idea for me.
First of all, I use quotes in my ads, social media, and newsletters. In order to get the conversation rolling, it’s social proof you have a conversation!
And it’s not like I love low ratings, but it proves the ratings are genuine. When I see a book with only 5 stars and the occasional 4, honestly I assume those are friends and paid reviews—and so do a LOT of readers, I see this all the time in reader groups. Having a variety of reviews proves they’re genuine.
I have less than positive feelings about people leaving bad reviews–books are subjective so it's not like saying the fabric is thin on a blanket you bought or a hotel on a main drag is noisy–and as you pointed out, they can have a very negative impact on the creative process. It's also more personal than leaving a bad review about a film where many (highly paid) hands were involved. Writing and publishing are already difficult enough. And then when someone leaves a negative review of a book that does not have a lot of reviews, it can affect the overall rating to a depressing degree. I applaud your ability to look at it as "hurray a reader" but you will never know how many potential readers did not buy your book because of the negative reviews. Just sayin'
Why did this Substack land in my inbox as the devil on my shoulder was telling me to just check NetGalley one time? You are amazing for not letting it get to you. Very impressive.
I couldn't help myself! Needy writer needing validation! I felt very lucky for the most part but my favorite bad review was one person who wrote, "What a waste of a week!" I laughed out loud because he spent a week and read it cover to cover. The biggest takeaway from the process is that your book is not for everyone. Lesson learned! :)
omg yes, so funny that he would keep reading instead of dnf'ing ;)
There’s someone in my debut class who made a chrome extension so you can go to your books page and only see the four and five star reviews
Hah! That's so smart!
I love this perspective!!
As always, thanks for your transparency. See you Saturday in Atlanta! ♥️
Yes! Flying out tonight! =)
I definitely read my reviews! There’s not any “temptation “ or “shame” about it. I think it’s a good idea for me.
First of all, I use quotes in my ads, social media, and newsletters. In order to get the conversation rolling, it’s social proof you have a conversation!
And it’s not like I love low ratings, but it proves the ratings are genuine. When I see a book with only 5 stars and the occasional 4, honestly I assume those are friends and paid reviews—and so do a LOT of readers, I see this all the time in reader groups. Having a variety of reviews proves they’re genuine.
So true about the exclusively positive reviews--it 100% makes people suspicious!
I have less than positive feelings about people leaving bad reviews–books are subjective so it's not like saying the fabric is thin on a blanket you bought or a hotel on a main drag is noisy–and as you pointed out, they can have a very negative impact on the creative process. It's also more personal than leaving a bad review about a film where many (highly paid) hands were involved. Writing and publishing are already difficult enough. And then when someone leaves a negative review of a book that does not have a lot of reviews, it can affect the overall rating to a depressing degree. I applaud your ability to look at it as "hurray a reader" but you will never know how many potential readers did not buy your book because of the negative reviews. Just sayin'
I hear ya!!
I felt like my first 1 star review validated me as a real writer. Fortunately, like you, I had recieved a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews before that.
yeah, those nice ones up front do cushion the eventual blow, heh heh
“My Own Review” Martin
Mull. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsC4O8hK6Tg
oooh... watching now..
hee hee hee "this way I'll know who I should sue"
Happy UK Pub Day!! 🥳🎉🍾
thank youuuuu!!!!!
Why did this Substack land in my inbox as the devil on my shoulder was telling me to just check NetGalley one time? You are amazing for not letting it get to you. Very impressive.
omg that timing is hilarious