Wow! Some book reviewers can be NASTY. Check it out.

1/2/2012

HOLY CRAP!

I was on amazon, checking out a few books I wanted to buy for my Kindle. I heard good things about them, so I wanted to see for myself. I had every intention of buying them and supporting my fellow authors. BUT, before I download anything, I always look at the reviews first. I want to see what other people thought about it before I make the commitment to purchase. If the reviews look great, I move onto downloading the sample and go from there.

I'm the kind of reader that goes straight for the 3 star, 2 star, and 1 star reviews and read them first. I tend to find those reviews to be honest and forthright (if nothing else, entertaining). But holy moly! I didn't expect downright mean reviews. Wow. It opened my eyes and scared the CRAP out of me as a soon to-be published author (I'm a shaking in my boots, I tell ya).

Now, I do realize that not everyone is going to like every book. I get that. Some books just aren't some readers cup of tea. That's why we have various genres and a whole lot of authors. I also know that when my book comes out I won't be able to please everyone and I'm preparing myself for negative reviews by seeing a shrink on a daily basis who provides me with little white pills.

But some of those reviews I read terrified me. Take a peek at this one (I'll not post the name of the books these reviews came from. I don't want to embarrass anyone):

Oh my god, where to begin. What a freaking fart bomb this book was. It is another reminder why I don't read a lot of horror. It seems like some of the worst writers in the world run this genre. When I was finished I was pissed that it cost me a buck.

Or this one:

I have mixed feelings about this book. I honestly thought that this was written by a teenager in high school. As I finished the last page I thought, that wasn't too bad for high school level. Next thing I know, I'm looking at a picture of a 40-something-year-old woman.

What about this:

I can not handle the tease of a good story line that slowly starts to wind itself around my windpipe over and over with the same plot till I choke. I want to pound my kindle on my head and say GET ON WITH IT!

Or this:

It says a lot about my reaction to this book that I (deliberately) left it at my hotel in Greece.

How about this one:

No, really. Don't read this if you have a brain. Else it'll hurt later. (That's what happened to me! Such a headache after reading this drivel.)

Ahh, yeah. I'm a little terrified. I don't want to be a freakin' fart bomb. The closer I get to publishing my first book the more my knees begin to quake. It's pretty scary out there. I know I have said it before, writing a book and putting it out there to be read and reviewed is equivalent to standing naked in the middle of Times Square. Either there will be whistles or rotten tomatoes. My fingers are crossed in the hopes of a few whistles, because boy those tomatoes will sting something awful.

For those of you who are authors, how do you handle negative reviews? Read them? Ignore them? And for those of you who are readers, what makes a book bad?

64 Comments

Kristin

1/2/2012 07:07:34 am

Writers have to either acknowledge a bad review with no less than delight or ignore it completely. Sometimes bad books just strike a nerve, sometimes they're boring or poorly plotted. To me, literary fiction is bad most of the time even if it's fancy--kind of like foie gras.

Angela Scott link

1/2/2012 07:31:35 am

I love that--acknowledge with no less than delight or ignore completely. Very good advice.

(Weebly just added this nifty tool so I can reply to comments now. So cool! So I'm testing it out).

Brea Essex

1/2/2012 07:11:28 am

Wow. That's terrible. Here I thought the mean review I got on my book was bad! As an author, bad reviews make me sad for a little while, but I have to move past them. Like you said, not everyone will like every book. As a reader and reviewer, mean reviews in general make me mad. It's one thing to not like a book, and it's an entirely different thing to bash the author and the book. Maybe it's because I see both sides. Even if I don't like a book, I try to find something nice to say about it.

Good luck with your impending release!

1/2/2012 07:34:43 am

I think a lot of it has to do with being a reader vs and author. As an author, even if I did not enjoy a book or found the writing style quite newbie, I refuse to leave a negative review. I just don't leave any review. If I was only a reader and not a writer, then it might be a different case.

And thanks for the good luck! I'll take all the luck I can get :)

Swedish Zombie link

1/2/2012 07:11:55 am

In this new, great world, where it is SO much easier for an aspiring author to publish, sometimes the critics will be cruel. And for a reason. I find many of your examples to be voices from a frustrated customer/reader that is angry BUT still can use humor. I think that´s great! If you are an author that get that feedback - read, think about it - and learn!!

1/2/2012 07:39:22 am

I completely agree. There is a lot of crap out there. I've been duped several times by books with AMAZING reviews and then read the book and wonder if the author got all their friends and family to post misleading reviews. I trust the 3 star reviews more than any of the other ratings. One stars can be vindictive at times and five star reviews can be big ol' lies. Three stars are perfect.

If negative feedback is given in a constructive way, then I'll embrace it. I know I'm not perfect--far from it--and my writing improves with each book I write.

But I'm still nervous *bites nails*

MrsReaderPants link

1/30/2012 07:26:20 am

I totally agree with Angela Scott. I've seen books that really were not good get glowing reviews on Goodreads when they first come out. Over time, the average rating dwindles, making me wonder if it was the author's friends rating it in the beginning. Can't blame them really--I would do the same for my friend.

For me, the negative reviews can actually sway the me to buy the book. For example, if the reviewer didn't like it because they "don't read a lot of horror," I know I may like it because I really do read a lot of horror. Sometimes, they write that the book is "too much like Twilight" (not a problem for me--I loved Twilight) or they are "so sick of love triangles" (also not a problem for me). To me, any press is good press, even if it isn't always positive.

John Abramowitz link

1/2/2012 07:23:25 am

To me, there's three kinds of negative reviews.

There are the ones that make legitimate, substantive criticisms of your book. These reviews say things that, if you sit down and think about them hard, you'll probably even agree are true. These are actually *blessings*, in my opinion -- that way you know how to improve your craft for the next book. (Several people, for instance, told me that my debut novel Weaver, while an enjoyable book, had pacing issues. I agreed with them, and was very thorough in plotting "Atticus for the Undead" so that it wouldn't.)

Then there's the kind from people who were just never GOING to enjoy your book. Usually with these people, your book isn't their genre, or your writing style doesn't match their reading tastes. This isn't a flaw of yours or theirs, per se -- it's all subjective, as you say, Angela. Or, occasionally, someone just doesn't get the point. (For instance, I recently had someone tell me they weren't a huge fan of Weaver because of their "anti-Twilight bias". Since I wrote the book, as much as anything else, to mock and satirize Twilight, this made little sense to me.)

The trick with these reviews is to remember that they're not your target audience anyway.

Then there's the people who are frankly just jackasses. They've always been with us, and have only been emboldened by the internet. Sometimes their reviews will contain useful tips for improving your writing, often they won't.

Personally, though, I don't think I'm going to be taking advice on how to be a better writer from anyone who uses the term "fart bomb" in a review.

1/2/2012 07:46:09 am

Yeah, that fart bomb remark was over the top (I did laugh though. I know. I know. I shouldn't have).

The reviews that make me the most furious is the ones that are one star reviews that say things like: I don't like reading young adult books. If I realized this story was about a bunch of teenagers, I wouldn't have bought it. WTH? There are a variety of these kind of comments. Like, "It was too sexual" and the book was erotica lit. Things of that nature. I actually read a review for Carrie Ryan (Forest of Hands and Teeth) where someone gave her a negative review because they didn't realize it was a zombie book and they hate anything to do with zombies. That isn't the author's fault. That's a reader's fault for not reading the book blurb.

It's all crazy.

1/30/2012 07:33:10 am

No kidding--the "fartbomb" comment just tells me that the reviewer isn't a very savvy reviewer/reader. There are about a million words more succinct and helpful than "fartbomb."

Danial Carroll link

1/2/2012 08:36:51 am

I think the thing you have to remember is that there are a lot of uneducated people out there that simply do not have the ability to write constructive criticism. Instead, they utilise such poetry as, "freaking fart bomb". I think you'd find that these people are also quite angry by nature and just like venting at any chance they get. I think, as a writer, that you just need to ignore these type of "reviews" and focus on the more erudite ones.

1/2/2012 11:21:38 am

I think you're absolutely right. I will need to focus on the ones that are helpful, work through the rest, and put it behind me.

George Angus link

1/2/2012 08:46:43 am

I typically will write a review for a book I've purchased/downloaded from Amazon. I've had to leave bad reviews on occasion but I've tried to make it constructive and I avoid being snide.

With that said, I was actually *hounded* by an author after one of these. At first, I replied with my reasoning and all that did was set the guy off even further. Yikes. Finally had to just start deleting his emails when they arrived.

George

1/2/2012 11:20:16 am

So stalking a reviewer until they retract their review is out of the question? Dang it. You just squelched my plan :)

Michele Shaw link

1/2/2012 09:19:24 am

I tend to read the lower reviews first too, then compare them to the 4 and 5 star ratings. Sometimes it seems people haven't even read the same book! But everyone is entitled to their opinion, and in the end I make a decision based on author, or the storyline, a rec from someone else, a little bit of the review, or a combo of all of it. I haven't had to deal with reviews yet, but some authors I really admire embrace all their reviews and try to take them for what they are...one person's opinion. Good luck, Angela!

1/2/2012 11:25:07 am

That's what I thought, too! There are some 1 star reviews that actually call out the 5 star reviewers and ask them if they are a friend or if they are family of the author because they can't believe someone would rate the book any higher than a 2 star. I even saw some reviewers who questioned the book awards the author got, wondering if the judges were in on some kind of conspiracy or something. BUT, when I see a book with like 80 five star reviews and the next highest number of reviews are for one star reviews, I start to wonder.

Aimee Laine link

1/2/2012 09:26:15 am

I have a process for when I get mean reviews on my book (and I have).
1) Swear they are out to get me
2) Tell my best friend so she can tell me how wrong that person is
3) Cry
4) Pout for 1 day
5) Forgive them for their meanness

and at that point, I release myself of the stress.

Find a method and don't worry about it. People will both love and hate your book. It's the way of the world. :)

Patricia Lynne link

1/2/2012 09:53:44 am

I wrote a little short story and published it and got my first 2 star review on it the other day. At first my heart dropped through the floor when I saw 2 stars, but when I read it, I felt infinitely better because the person didn't rip me a new one. They were very polite about it. And honestly, I can't see how some people could be so mean with their review. I guess since they're not saying it to the author's face it's a lot easier to be mean about something they didn't care for. Still, I could never post a mean review like some of those.

They are funny to read though.

Sandra Bunino link

1/2/2012 10:04:29 am

Great post, Angela! Timely too, my debut novella just released today. My face was turning blue from holding my breath waiting for reviews. Then I thought, you know what, bring it on - the good, the bad and the ugly.

I'm proud of the finished product and will read a bad review if it contains constructive feedback. If it's just plain mean like the ones above, well, it will be ignored. It have a thick skin! :-)

Larissa Hinton link

1/2/2012 11:16:06 am

I think as an author you have to keep in mind this is all an opinion. These readers aren't editors. They aren't professionals. Some of them are just stating their opinion.

Other times, like John mentioned, the review could be a brilliant breakthrough of, "Is that what was wrong with it? Hmm, maybe I should go back and reread over it."

It can be both embarrassing and enlightening, other times it could be a sheer moment of panic when a fleeting moments comes, "Maybe I shouldn't have done this at all?!"

The good news: You will get plenty of opinions.
Bad news: You might get reactions you didn't account for.

Jennifer Quail link

1/2/2012 11:27:24 am

I give the one who left it in Greece points for creative disposal...really, ones like the first one listed I disregard as someone who uses "fart bomb" as a descriptor probably doesn't have much basis for an opinion.

The second one, in all fairness, has been my reaction to a lot of indie books on Kindle. They really aren't ready for prime time and DO read like what I'd expect in a high-school lit mag. I usually won't bother reviewing, though, as the people who post them generally don't want to hear it. Plus you can't give an entire technique workshop in a review and that plus advance readers are what they really need.

I *haven't* gotten much in the way of weak responses, but probably ten or fifteen people read various phases of the manuscript and critiqued (in a few cases workshopped) the book and will again. Not counting at least three editors who took the trouble to write detailed rejections instead of form letters (old versions mostly weren't marketable, final one wasn't right for that house but she enjoyed reading it). There are parts of it *I* still don't love, but I can't keep nitpicking forever.

When I do get nasty reviews, as I'm sure I will, because everyone does, I just tell myself "Don't be Anne Rice." No diatribes on how they are interrogating the text from the wrong perspective. That just makes you look crazy. At least they bought the book.

Douglas Brown link

1/2/2012 11:35:30 am

I have had my share of bad reviews. When my first book came out in Aug., I received a bad review here and there. At first they were tough to read. Especially the really mean ones. Goodreads tends to bring out the 1stars most often. They don't bother me as much anymore. The morbid fascination of seeking them out tends to fade after awhile. My advice, dont look for them because it's not worth the heartache. But I know that isn't easy so I will just say don't let the bad ones weigh more than the good ones.

Diana link

1/2/2012 01:03:10 pm

I think bad reviews are better than no reviews, at least it looks like someone has read it. I've seen lots of books with nothing, so what does that mean when there isn't a good, bad, or indifferent review--nothing. And they are selling books, just no reviews. You shouldn't worry, I love reading your stuff. You will get negative feedback, because that's the way it goes. Look how many people love Twilight and that sucker should be torn up. You have a swedish zombie follower...what's better than that.:)

Rebecca Bloomer link

1/2/2012 01:17:02 pm

Honestly, if you're getting reviews that bad, I'd be starting to think there's something wrong with the book. I've received lots of reviews in my writing life. Most professional reviewers are pretty good at delivering bad news carefully. Readers on the other hand, are less generous. I've never gotten horrible reader reviews after the book has been published...possibly because it's already done the rounds of critique partners and beta readers and editors etc. Don't fret about your book. If you've honestly put in the hard yards and have had positive feedback (from someone other than relatives) to date, there's no reason you'd get a review like that.

Carmen link

1/2/2012 05:38:38 pm

I do honestly think some people just get a kick out of writing horrible reviews. I don't know why.

Like you I always click on the low rated stars first and then compare with 5 stars. Then make up my own mind. I usually disregard the reviews that say "this is why I don't read this genre" because obviously, if they don't read that genre they are most likely NOT going to find the book their cup of tea.

I'm a reader not a writer (ha, made me think of a song!) and if I don't like a book and then review it I do tend to say at the end " but please check out the other reviews and make up your own mind." Because the books I don't tend to like are the mega hyped up ones that don't stand a chance of living up to all that hype. I'm more often than not disappointed - same with films. It's the ones that I find by accident that are the gems in my experience.

I know how you feel though - am an art & crafter and although my stuff wont reach the same size audience as yours - whenever I make a commissioned piece I am chewing my nails down to my elbows till I get the feedback!

Tom Clementson

1/2/2012 05:46:07 pm

I'm from the reader-reviewer category so I've not had the experience of putting months and years into a piece of work out for public consumption. I do try to keep that in mind when I'm writing a review and genuinely look for positives while carefully sharing constructive criticism. At the end of the day I feel obligated to keep readers in mind so ratings shouldn't be inflated. It's not helpful to the readers or author otherwise. The other policy I've adopted is not to write or post a review if the book is that bad. Fortunately I've run across very few of those but the common denominator seems to be a lack of editing, vetting through colleagues - or beta release. Seems to me the better reads are thoroughly vetted. No point in rushing a release, you'll genuinely know when it's ready.

Best of luck on your release. Regardless of whether the reviews are great or awful, discard the emotional response and cull the nuggets that will help you continue to hone your craft.

Frederick Lee Brooke link

1/2/2012 10:49:43 pm

Thank you for this post, Angela. The great thing about reader reviews is there can be so many of them. I like this because I can scan a lot of them and by comparing them with each other get a general idea of the strong and weak points of a book (reviewers often corroborate each other in these things). The beauty of reader-reviews now, whether on Amazon or Nook or Smashwords or elsewhere, is that you can easily scan 20 or more reviews all in the same place, all at once, and make your decision. A few years ago we had to rely on the judgment of a single professional reviewer in our favorite newspaper. I like this freedom. If a review is poorly written, has typos or apostrophe mistakes or whatever, that is the price we pay for this freedom, but again I have the freedom to give less weight to a reviewer who makes careless mistakes.

Sophie Duncan link

1/2/2012 11:14:13 pm

Interesting mixture of reviews you list. Some of them are just plain mean and none are constructive.

I'm like you, I tend not to leave a review if all I have to offer is negativity, mainly because I suppose it is a public forum and in writing is a very difficult medium to get the tone right when offering criticism. As an editor, I have had to give constructive criticism to writers, but I find that is in a private forum and the relationship with the writer makes it easier.

However, I am the opposite of retiring if I find a book I really like, I will praise it to the rafters in any location I can, because: 1/ I like to show my appreciation where I can, especially to indie authors who are battling on their own with only their talent behind them and 2/ being a writer myself, I know how much I would like someone else to do that for me. :)

Amanda Papenfus link

1/3/2012 04:06:40 am

My dad used to say something like "If people like something, they might not tell anyone, but if they don't, they'll tell the whole world". I find that to be true. People are more likely to complain in a store or restaurant if they do not like something than they are to rave to the manager if they had an awesome server/customer service rep. So it makes sense to me that people are more likely to sit down and complain if they think they should warn people to avoid a book than they are to rave if they enjoyed it. Many may not even realize that good reviews are just as important as the bad ones. If someone tells you that they really love a book, ask them to write up a review and post it on a few sites, whether it's yours or another author's. People who read a lot may not have time to do it for every book but they'll probably do it for the ones they love most, and perhaps at least leave a star rating for the others.

Personally, I tend to hover at three stars, sometimes four. I would only give a 5 to my absolute favorite books. Similarly I'd only give a 1 to something I really hated and 2 to something I really had to struggle to finish. I wouldn't worry too much about negative reviews. There is bound to be someone who doesn't like the book, but hopefully there will be many more who love it, and those are the ones to focus on.

I totally agree on the reviews that are based on reader error and not a problem with the author. It seems silly to me to dislike a book for containing teen characters when it's labeled as YA. If the characters are good it really shouldn't matter if they are teens or even children. Some of the best books I've read have not been centered on adult characters.

Rebecca Fisk link

1/3/2012 04:22:15 am

I don't know who said it, but someone once said something along the lines of "great art is meant to inspire great emotion. Sometimes that emotion is hatred." I would rather inspire hatred for my art than apathy; it means I've accomplished something!!
I feel as much love for my writing and the creation of it as I would for a child I had created and carried and birthed, and so of COURSE, I want the rest of the world to love my creation and think it is as brilliant and cherishable as I do, but that is simply not.going.to.happen.
Ironically I was thinking about this very issue on my way to work this morning, so it's funny that you posted this blog today of all days.

Stephanie Green link

1/3/2012 06:31:08 am

I can't believe some of those! It is terrifying! I have just started to review books and so far it's been of books I have loved (I tend to stick with what I know I like). But I couldn't imagine writing something this horrible! I know different people like different things. To me a bad book would just basically be too boring for me to finish, although I still think those comments are uncalled for, why not just say it isn't your "cup of tea" and move on? Good luck with your book, I look forward to reading it, I'm sure it'll be great to many!

Emma Lauren link

1/3/2012 07:21:42 am

Some reviews I've read have physically hurt me. The problem with the internet in general is that it's largely anonymous so there's no accountability; everyone can be as rude as they want without comeuppance. I think about possible reviews I could get for my books, should I ever publish, and it makes me sick. But you're right that you can't please everyone. Write what you want, publish what you like, and forget about the naysayers. They are the real fart bombs, after all.

Kortnee link

1/3/2012 07:26:38 am

This review was left on a friend of mine's book:

"Just read the back cover of this book, and while I can't say I read a lot of fantasy, this sounds like a rip-off of the original Star Wars. Exiled wizard who disappears to live in distant realms, nations on the verge of chaos and civil war, finds himself the protector of a princess who is the key to a mystery....even a rogue wizard with a secret power (the Dark Side?)"

The book was lovely, brilliant and fresh. She made a one comment bitch on facebook "Who gives a crappy review to a book they haven't read!" which reminded the rest of us who read it to go post our reviews because, yeah, kept meaning to but we just didn't.

Personally, I don't say anything. To them. I'll whine and bitch and moan to my hubby but mostly I calm down, say "wrinkles to ya", stick my tongue out at the computer screen and move on. Thankfully, I don't have any negative Amazon reviews but some of the comments I got in critique circles because somebody didn't like fantasy were horrible.

1/3/2012 08:03:16 am

I wish I could respond to every comment (because boy, they are so good) but there are so many (which I love).

BUT, I do want to say I love the fact that both sides of this issue is represented here--both writer and reader/reviewer. I have also loved reading the responses authors give to working past negative reviews. There is a lot of great advice here that I plan to put into practice. It is also nice to see reviewers who actually put a great deal into their book reviews, giving feedback and doing so in a way that is constructive.

I think I speak for all authors when I say THANK YOU for your willingness first of all to read our books and second, thank you for being tactful in the way you approach a book you don't particularly care for.

Thanks for the comments. Keep them coming. My knees, though wobbly, are feeling less frightened with each piece of advice and personal experience you leave in the comment section. (I'm taking less white pills).

Kira D

1/3/2012 08:27:12 am

I always look for the lower reviews too, because as you say, they tend to be the most honest. If they are just ranting to rant then ignore them, they are not worth it. If there is any constructive feedback, learn from it.

NASA used to call bad launches successful failures, because the learned something from them, even that bad ones.

Good luck with you book!

Nancy Lauzon link

1/3/2012 10:29:33 am

I'm still trying to GET reviews, LOL. The few I've gotten have been pretty good, so if I got I really poor one, I have to say that maybe the reader doesn't get me or my voice. Because I believe my books are good. If I didn't, I wouldn't publish them. Let's face it, if you don't believe in your work, what's the point?

Anninyn link

1/4/2012 07:27:49 pm

Honestly? Ignore them. Take it as part of the job. And never, ever, never ever respond, because no matter how foul the review is, responding makes you look petty.

Juliana link

1/5/2012 12:29:32 am

Hey, at least it means someone's buying and reading ;)

Nancy M. Popovich link

1/5/2012 02:29:32 am

Bad reviews sting (and stink). But some do offer good advice, others are just plain a power trip. I cannot speak for anyone else, but I do have self doubt and insecurities, znc I put my writing out there anyway. Good advice has been taken into account, and I strive to make the next better. Just look at what an accomplishment you have made in simply completing a novel! Congratulations.

Val Muller link

1/5/2012 07:19:32 am

Interesting food for thought! Like you, I go for the bad reviews first when checking out what to read next, but I do take everything with a grain of salt.

Milda Harris link

1/5/2012 09:26:51 am

As an author, comments like that are hard to read about your own writing, BUT you just have to take them with a grain of salt. Like you said, not everyone will like what you write or how you write...so if they have something constructive to say, learn from it. Otherwise, I just take it as they didn't like my book and want to vent excessively about it. I'm different too - if I hate a book, I just stop reading it and forget about it! :) Just remember, to balance out the haters, there will be people who totally love your books. They are just different ends of the spectrum. I don't let it discourage me.

Crystal

1/5/2012 01:38:38 pm

Great post, I needed a chuckle. (fart bombs, haha!) Some people are just mean and it has nothing to do with the book they just read, even so, you are completely right, not everyone is going to love every book. That's why we always hear the advice to write what you love. I'm sure you book will do well, look at all the support you have here! And you can add one more to that now :) Keep up the good work!

Do you mind if I mention this post on my blog?

1/5/2012 11:44:18 pm

Crystal, you are more than welcome to mention the post on your blog :)

1/6/2012 02:12:36 am

Thank you!! :)

Ileandra Young link

1/7/2012 07:22:02 am

Wow, that's terrifying! Fart bombs? Colourful I suppose... and honest. But scary to think that someone could talk about my work like that.

Though on the flip side of it, there are authors I adore that get similar reactions from friends of mine. And authors they gush about that I simply can't stomach. And they're all mainstream, highly decorated, popular writers.

There are two authors in particular that can't even be mentioned in my house without sending me off on a CRAZY (and slightly irrational) rant about how much I hate them and everything about them. I won't quote myself... I get really vicious. o.O

I guess that's part of the territory, right?

Cynthia Echterling link

1/8/2012 07:24:53 am

I've never gotten a negative, as in mean and ugly, review like that. I've had constructive criticism or reviewers who admitted that they weren't familiar with the kinds of books I write, but they were always helpful. I think anyone who calls your work a fart bomb should be ignored.

William Marantz link

1/8/2012 11:22:45 pm

I have no intention of reading your novel - vampire lit is not my favorite category - but I really "heart" your cover.

As for how I handle bad reviews, it varies. They all hurt but the ones the really piss me off are the ones that are bogus. I've received a few reviews that were less than raves but at least one vicious review posted by someone who hadn't even read the book. She was just mad at me for some comments I had made about another book.

I too go straight for the 1,2,& 3 star reviews. Most 5 star reviews of indie authors are unreliable, to say the least.

erica and christy link

1/20/2012 07:25:29 am

Came here from Twitter - awesome post!! I'm embarrassed just reading some of the reviews over there and I'm not a published author! (but yeah, I usually go for the 1-star ones for a laugh if nothing else!)

And no one wants to be a freaking fart bomb. ;)
erica

Sher A Hart link

2/2/2012 07:24:46 am

Funny and scary at once. I hadn't thought that far ahead, but now I'm going to have that "bomb" on my mind the rest of the day, at least. I try to be a little more gentle with my reviews, remembering that those not in my genre don't deserve to suffer for that. If they fail to edit, I'm not as generous but still not mean. Wow.

2/2/2012 09:30:06 am

I'm with you. I really do think there is a way to be tactful with the criticism. There's no place for meanness, I feel. It needs to be helpful not attackful (I just made up that word)

Lori Oster link

2/2/2012 07:40:40 am

I think there's something to be gained from ANY review, good, bad, or fart bomb-y.

I've been teaching for nearly a decade, and every single student I've ever had in class has filled out an evaluation of my performance and submitted it to my bosses. It would have been easy to discredit those early negative reviews as meaningless--they came from amateurs after all, not professionals. (Sound familiar?) But those reviews are the ones that gave me the most insight into what I needed to change in order to become a better educator. I think the same can be said for writers.

I post honest reviews only, and I will not inflate a review just because I know someone from Twitter, or because I know an indie author is really trying super hard to make it. A dishonest review doesn't do the writer any good, and I feel that readers owe it to other readers to post honest reviews. I don't use terms like "fart bomb" in my write-ups, but I admit it is becoming more tempting to do so of late. I've noticed a lot of indie authors with very high reviews, but their books don't come anywhere close to the outstanding ratings.

I know it's difficult to put yourself out there and to get negative feedback in return, but if you truly want to improve your craft, you'll not only welcome it, you'll actually use it to become better. (Even if it seems downright nasty, there can be a lot of value, there.)

2/2/2012 09:28:06 am

You know what? You are so right. You gave me a great way to look at the whole process of reviews. I need to learn from the negative so I can improve my writing. I appreciate the comment, because you are right on with it. The inflated reviews drive me crazy. I can't stand them. But I do think most readers can see right through it.

Janiera Eldridge link

2/12/2012 07:29:35 am

I don't think you have to be mean when writing a review. Some of these are way over the top and just mean. As someone who is about to be published,these reviews really do scare me.

laura thomas

2/12/2012 07:58:06 am

I have always believed that you never leave a bad review. If I'm not crazy about the book, I'll comment on writing style or character I liked. it is bad manners to trash someones book. This is their baby!

Rosa Sophia link

3/24/2012 07:52:39 am

That's what I do, too, Laura! The worst I ever say is, "Well, this didn't really grab me, but I really liked the way she developed the . . . ." Being an author myself, I know how a bad review can feel. However, I also think it's good to at least touch on the weaknesses, even slightly, because I also like to know where I can improve upon my work.

Scott Marlowe link

2/29/2012 07:21:03 am

I've never actually gotten a purely negative or "mean" review, but I do recall getting some feedback on a fairly close to final draft of a first chapter. The reviewer absolutely roasted me to the point where I figured surely I must have wronged this person in another life. It kind of turned me off from anonymous or group reviewing where you don't know the person reviewing. Never stopped me from writing, though.

karen link

2/29/2012 08:04:05 am

A "bad" review can be a "Good" thing, if it's a good bad review. Make sense? I'll explain...As long as the review helps you grow as a writer and author, then it is good, but if the people writing the review aren't constructive and helpful in their reviews like the one
"Oh my god, where to begin. What a freaking fart bomb this book was. It is another reminder why I don't read a lot of horror. It seems like some of the worst writers in the world run this genre. When I was finished I was pissed that it cost me a buck." That's a bad review. It can hurt the writer's feelings, and it's just not helpful in the fact that, why was the book a bad read? This person even said they don't read a lot of horror, so I'd have to laugh at their review. Also, writer's have to remember, "You can't please all the people all the time"

Christina link

3/11/2012 08:09:03 am

I think this is just another form of cyber bullying. People who normally wouldn't say or act a certain way in person feel that b/c the internet offer complete anonymity, you can say whatever you feel and be as mean as you like. People don't understand that there are things like common courtesy, so you didn't like the book. No need to make a personal attack on the author (another human!).

3/24/2012 07:50:12 am

I am also the kind of person who goes straight for the one-star reviews, just to see what they say. For the most part, I end up getting the book and loving it despite the bad reviews. As an author, I have to say that all of the reviews on my book were stellar, except for ONE. The reviewer didn't bother saying much of anything at all. All she did was outright insult my book. I have to say that it wouldn't have bothered me as much, had she actually said what she didn't like about it. I think that a good review actually mentions the pros and cons, rather than merely bashing the book in its entirety. Since I disagree with many of the bad reviews I see, I generally don't listen to them, anyway. :-)

tory burch outlet link

4/27/2012 09:42:31 pm

It allows me to take photos and wirelessly send them to all of our devices and computers in seconds.

Mattie Jones link

6/23/2012 12:38:37 pm

Loved your blog layout that I created a weebly account too.

Charlena link

5/11/2013 03:07:07 am

Another side of this is you are doing some things right to attract people who apparently wouldn't normally read your book. AND, if anyone garners a wide enough audience in any field, it seems to come with a share of those who let their nasty thoughts become written thoughts online. This is the first post of yours I've read. As a writer publishing for the first time later this year, I appreciate authors like you who share your experiences. Thank you!

Kylie link

1/18/2014 06:38:13 pm

Thanks, you helped me a lot, the information for me was very helpful

Rebecca Nolen link

3/26/2014 05:22:07 am

I think it's excellent to receive serious constructive criticism. I don't care about bad reviews unless they are nasty. I get furious and then I ignore.

Wow! Some book reviewers can be NASTY. Check it out.

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Wow! Some book reviewers can be NASTY. Check it out.

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