Authors & Reviewers discussion

From experience (too long to get into) I know Goodsreads will review your complaint and take action if they deem it is valid (since no on has a copy of your book to rate it seems a valid reason for them to take action) but it is rare that they do. I hope in your case they remove the rating!

No prob... I have 2 ratings that are questionable especially since there is no review attached to them. And 1 of them I am 99% sure the rater did not even read past the first chapter if they read it at all.

As a reader looking through ratings before making a purchase, I 100% ignore a 1 star rating that does not have a review. If someone can't take the time to tell me WHY the book is that bad, I assume it isn't.

Julie wrote: "As a reader looking through ratings before making a purchase, I 100% ignore a 1 star rating that does not have a review. If someone can't take the time to tell me WHY the book is that bad, I assume..."

That's great to hear Julie... I'm the same way... I read the reviews!

Julie wrote: "As a reader looking through ratings before making a purchase, I 100% ignore a 1 star rating that does not have a review. If someone can't take the time to tell me WHY the book is that bad, I assume..."

I will add my voice to this. I believe it is 100% wrong to rate a book one has not read, even if you believe the book to be offensive in some way. And if I see a book with just a single one-star rating, I assume that there's something else at work other than a bad book.

Take heart, Stephan. We are behind you, and you will overcome this!

Stephen,

I think all the posts here have merit. I once got a low rating from a member who posted 20+ ratings in a few hours - equally spaced 1's.2's.3's,4's,& 5's - I didn't report it to Goodreads but probably should have. You are correct there are some pretty weird things that happen at times. And typically these raters leave no review. How could they when they probably haven't read the book. Frustrating. I too pretty much ignore a 1 rating with no review. Good Luck - Rory

Glad it worked out for you!

Stephan wrote: "As an author who posted giveaways for the first time I have discovered that a member who never read my book, this I know because I haven't sold any copies of it yet, has rated my giveaway book with..."

Several authors I know have had bogus reviews and ratings posted. When they brought it to GR and Amazon attention, the reviews were pulled.


BTW Amazon has interesting rules on authors reviewing books (By them or others).

Solet them know and it will be removed. I like tharthat GR is self policing.

Julie wrote: "As a reader looking through ratings before making a purchase, I 100% ignore a 1 star rating that does not have a review. If someone can't take the time to tell me WHY the book is that bad, I assume..."

I have to agree. I also throw in 5 star ratings with no review. If it's That good or bad, tell us why. I also look to see if any friends have read it and what they they thought. That said, the average rating does stand out.

To my fellowv readers: if you read it, write a review, whatever the rating. A short review is all you need do. No book reports please. This helps other readers and the authors. Small press, indie, and self published authors really appreciate them.

Thomas wrote: "Julie wrote: "As a reader looking through ratings before making a purchase, I 100% ignore a 1 star rating that does not have a review. If someone can't take the time to tell me WHY the book is that..."

ditto :o) Rory

I hear ya! I'm in a group on FB and a bunch of people are complaining today how someone clicked on a whole bunch of books within a very short time frame and gave them all 2 stars. Too bad there isn't a way for them to ensure that the rater indeed has a copy of the book.