The only way to respond to a bad book review
As a writer when I have received my first bad review I have to admit made me doubt myself. In fact it made me almost quit writing. Then I decided they didn’t know what they were talking about and I didn’t care what was said because to me I do wonderful work 🙂 This article will tell you the right way to handle your bad reviews. Maybe you will be lucky and never receive any. Enjoy
My first Amazon review included two stars and the words “very disappointing.” The reader had expected a different kind of book, so the review seemed unfair to me, as if the book wasn’t being judged on its own merit but on the reader’s desire for something else. One of my “favorite” GoodReads reviews of my book simply states, “Wasn’t great writing, but I really enjoyed the content.” And yet it was granted four stars.
No writer ever wants to read those kinds of words, and sites like Amazon and GoodReads don’t make it any easier for our egos since they allow authors to reply to their own reviews.
The one time I replied to a review — and a good review at that — was to correct a factual assumption I thought the reviewer had made. To me, the reviewer seemed to say that I had personally conducted interviews for the book. I simply responded that I’d only done research and quoted from already available interviews.
The next day, the reviewer had deleted their review! I learned a hard lesson that day, and I hadn’t even responded to a bad review. While those less-than-stellar reviews still haunt me on some days (I’m writing about them here, after all), I know now what every successful writer understands: you can’t please everybody.
As a writer, you can’t please everybody.
Plus, trying to change someone’s mind who’s already decided against your perspective on life, or who despises your writing style, or who just doesn’t like the fact that you’re a fan of the Oxford comma, is like George Bernard Shaw’s famous illustration: “I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it.”
A majority of reviewers don’t understand the kind of inner devastation they cause an author when they quickly type and publish two lines of a poor review. What you’ve labored for months on, they’ve minimized in two minutes. From that perspective, it’s enough to make any author’s blood boil.
And an angry author set loose online can be a dangerous thing. This is exactly why an author has to prevent their inner vitriol from spilling over.
7 non-career-destroying ways to deal with bad book reviews
1. Don’t read your reviews
Yes, there are some authors who follow this rule, though I’d hazard a guess that it’s a hard one to stick to for first-time authors. Don’t worry, though — it’s only the first suggestion.
2. Print out your bad reviews, then burn them
It’s a symbolic gesture that releases your inner ire. Alternative disposal methods could include a paper shredder, compost for your garden or turning them into origami.
3. Respond to your bad reviews . . . in a document that’s never made public
You’re a writer, so you’re bound to write. Go ahead and give in to every last cutting remark you’d like to make, but ultimately keep those words to yourself.
4. Talk about it with other writers
Find a writer’s group, whether in real life or online. Every writer gets a bad review from time to time. When you share your bad reviews with other writers and hear their just-as-bad reviews, laughter inevitably erupts.
5. Re-read your good reviews
So long as you keep working at your craft, good reviews will come. Don’t allow one bad review to occupy your mind 90 percent of the time, while letting nine good reviews occupy the remaining 10 percent. (Also, don’t think about your reviews 100 percent of the time).
6. Realize that writing is a journey, not a destination
I know I just went cliché on you, but it’s true. Bad reviews bring growth to authors, and if you’re serious about a career in writing, you’ll work through and past any bad review. Don’t allow a bad review to stop you from taking another step.
7. Start writing your next book
The best way to get over a bad review is to start your next book. Sure, it may garner a bad review as well, but I’m willing to bet that it’ll be better than your last work. Plus, now you know how to better handle bad reviews.
By Blake Atwood
Great advice, even though I’m published already 🙂
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Reblogged this on Author P.S. Bartlett and commented:
Very good advice!
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Great advice. Thanks. I retired this year. My first novel was published in 2001, the second in 2009 (I think), then published in e-book through Amazon. I’m not good at promoting myself so I read some information, put my e-book on sale for $0.00 during last week of Sept. 93 downloads. During that time Indiehouse ran an author interview and photo of the book cover to match the promotion. Hope yours really takes off.
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Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
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Hello and thank you for visiting and the two reblogs. I hope you continue to enjoy my blog and feel free to reblog anything you like. Have a blessed evening. Shirley
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Reblogged this on MARSocial Author Business Enhancement Interviews.
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Reblogged this on The Writers' Workshop Blog and commented:
I’m reblogging this if you don’t mind Shirley. It’s good advice for new authors. I made the mistake of trying to change my style of writing in a sequel to one of my books because of a couple of bad reviews. I had to delete half a chapter because when I read over it I realised it just wasn’t me and there was a lot more good reviews than bad. I always say I won’t look at any new reviews, but I end up doing it anyway. I’m developing a thick skin, lol.
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Hello Jean, I just left your blog and it is great. Ireland is my ancestral home. I would love to visit there one day. Your more than welcome to reblog anything you like. I’ve been real lucky so far with Dobyns Chronicles and have not received a bad review. I think I have a 4.8 rating which makes me feel good. Have a blessed day or evening. Shirley
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Good suggestions here. thanks to Blake Atwood and to you of course, Shirley.
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Reblogged this on Reviews & Recommendations and commented:
I was in a writing class in college many years ago & read aloud a few paragraphs. The instructor shredded it, along with my budding confidence. I wish I had read this then. Thank you. A five star blog!!!!!
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I was in a writing class in college many years ago & read aloud a few paragraphs. The instructor shredded it, along with my budding confidence. I wish I had read this then. Thank you.
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Good advice! As a reviewer I tried to find something positive to say about a book and make my comments as to why I gave it the rating. Good Luck with your writing
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Hello, thank you so much for visiting my blog and liking it. I am now following yours. I looked for a way to contact you about a book review and I didn’t find one. Would you please contact me at shirley_mclain.com. Have a blessed day.
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My blog was started by accident and I don’t really know what I am doing. I will send you a message on your blog. My email is idahobluebird50@gmail.com.
Thanks for following me.
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