Do you know who’s more nervous about the review than the writer? Me, the reviewer. Of course, as soon as you read that opening line you knew what my answer would be. As with everything there has to be some type of opening and frankly, I couldn’t think of anything else to start with.
When I started to write reviews, little under twenty years ago, I decided I would write whether I loved, liked, disliked, or despised the book. Luckily, I’ve only had two books in all these years which I wrote to the author/PR rep/publisher and indicated I could not write the review. Those are the hardest emails I’ve ever written. Yes, it means I could find nothing positive about the book in question.
Even with books I’ve disliked, there was something I felt I could offer…whether the author wanted it or not.
Again, this is my personal decision as a reviewer. If I’ve accepted your request, you will get a review…at some point. I don’t guarantee the when as life has interrupted too many times to keep that guarantee.
A review is strictly one person’s opinion. One person’s thoughts and views on your book. Doesn’t seem too bad when you look at it this way, but the reality is writers (me, included) will look at that one negative review and our heart sinks. One negative review will ruin…everything.
Truthfully…no. A reader (and we are all readers) will look at the majority of reviews before making any decision. Sometimes that one negative review will draw a reader more than ten positive reviews. Why? I don’t really know.
So, what to do about those negative reviews? Honestly, nothing.
Arguing once a review is written isn’t going to change the reviewer’s mind nor will it change what readers may or may not have already read. Yes, I’ve had an author or two politely out of the side of their mouths tell me I’m wrong. I’m not going to get into a back and forth with them, it’s not worth it.
It’s not worth my name to start arguing with someone who disagrees with my opinion. An opinion is an opinion. Did I miss the point of your story…could be. Put my review side by side with other reviews…did we all miss the same point? If so, well, maybe the author wasn’t clear on the point.
If just one reviewer, okay, it happens.
What if that one review indicated your book wasn’t their genre? Okay, at least they’ve acknowledged that fact and now it’s up to the readers to give whatever weight they deem is worthy to that opinion.
I’ve reviewed books that didn’t quite fit my preferred genre reads…mostly, because of the misleading genre-mix information (a subject for another time). But, I’m comfortable knowing that those who read that genre may find something which fits and they’ll enjoy. Instead of bashing the reviewer for recognizing it’s not their genre…again, we accept based on your information…accept that they are open to letting your readers know this.
As an editor, I’ve read reviews of my authors’ books and, yes, I’ve been shocked into say “what, did they even read the book?” I’m not going to go in and defend the book/author/myself as editor with the reviewer. Simply put there are those out there who just want to fight and bash anyone online. Bash and argue from the safety of their computer screen.
To argue is to add fuel to a fire you may not want burning…isn’t worth burning.
I agree!
Hey, Cynthia…great to see you. Thanks for coming over
I had one review of Forging Day that felt I had too much of a certain element. Another review felt I didn't have enough of the same element. I decided it must be just right. 🙂
Hey, Alladania. Thanks for coming over. Exactly…each from a different opinion and no matter what you wouldn't have been able to please either one, so take as they are 🙂