Support for Indie Authors discussion

Hello all, I have a conundrum.

Long story short- I received a pretty harsh and critical review on amazon that said my novel was horrible, poorly written and edited, and a disappointing waste of time.

I know there will always be critics saying these sorts of things and that we have to just put on the stiff upper lip and move on but it might have been correct.

I've only been writing for a few years while I was in graduate school, only now have I been trying to really make a go at being an author since I have no apparent future in academia and tons of student loan debt that has left me quite poor and destitute. That said, I obviously didn't have (and still don't) the money to have my manuscript professionally edited, proofread, and gone over with a fine tooth comb. My wife and I have both written graduate-level papers and dissertations for several years now I thought both of us going over the entire thing several times would be good enough.

I also had several friends whose opinions I trust and who constantly read books in various genres read my finished story and critique it. Unfortunately, all of them loved it and I received barely any criticism, positive or negative, so I was left feeling confident in my work.

The book has been out for six months, I've probably sold around 100 (did the free giveaway thing once and had about 1000 downloads). I've only had three reviews so far though and the first two were really positive so I didn't think anything of it until now.

With such a critical review I'm wondering if I should just take the book down until I have the money to have someone professionally go over it. I want to be respected as a real author and I can't be if I have something out there it isn't the best it can be. I also know that the reviewer could just be an jerk with overly high expectations and that I shouldn't worry about it so much.

I'm just not sure what to do. Any advice would be most welcome.

Hi JD,
You might find some information in this thread on the same topic: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

My personal advice is to first assess whether the critical advice has merit. Did they mention specific issues? If so, are these issues to others as well? Keep in mind that you aren't going to turn every reader into a fan and that's okay.

You mentioned that of the three reviews the first two were positive. If these were honest reviews by readers you don't know, then I'd say you should wait for more reviews before you do anything. That said, you can't trust a friend's opinion on something like this; they can't really be objective.

It's a very difficult decision to make. I've published three and my first book I had no real understanding of what I was getting myself into. The first few reviews were really positive.

I reached out to people on here that had interest in the genre and a few of them absolutely trashed the book. I was able to take their criticism and use it to improve my writing.

Since then, I have published two more novels, both of which have been better received in regards to writing, editing and structure.

So for me, I promote the other two books, continue writing new stories, and chapter by chapter improve the overall quality of the first book.

You are going to find people that trash your work regardless of how much editing you do. You said you got two really good reviews. Perhaps they were from friends, or strangers. Regardless, at least two people really liked it. You'll find people that can overlook bad grammar and editing if the story itself is really good.

So in my opinion, I would leave it up, improve your writing and when you get a bit of free time, simply edit the existing title slowly, until you're ready to upload a newer, more polished version.

JD what gene is it? I am an author, reviewer, and editor.

It's sort of complicated. It's called "The Jane Austen Code." Technically, it's a mystery/quest novel but with a niche.

J.D. wrote: "Hello all, I have a conundrum.

Long story short- I received a pretty harsh and critical review on amazon that said my novel was horrible, poorly written and edited, and a disappointing waste of t..."

I'm going to echo what Christina said and add to it. I checked your reviews. You have some good ones. The one you're talking about is the only negative one I'm seeing. And, no, they are not very specific about what was wrong with the book.

It's best for the author to let a review like this go. Reviews really are just opinions, messages sent to other readers to give a detailed thumbs up or thumbs down. Appreciate every review you get, the positive and the negative. They can all help draw more readers to your book. Unless someone is being specific about the issues they have, it's best to let it go. You'll go mad trying to figure out what bothered them.

I didn't read it closely, but I did look over the samples of your book that I could see and saw no glaring errors. That doesn't mean there are none, but it's not as bad as the reviewer is making it out to be.

I looked up your book and found the review you mention. The first reviews are very positive and the other is pretty flat damning. I know it hurts, but you might just be unlucky. You pulled an overcritical reviewer.

She doesn't like your book(not everybody will) but she gets angry and slates you for it. Read her reviews. They are very polarised.

Your book is still 4* So, I would let it slide. People will still buy and review. Her review will just be part of a bell curve.

I have 5* and 1* reviews for the same book on Goodreads.

On Amazon, I believe my most critical review contradicts the highest rated review on points.

You can unpublish and re-edit etc. Maybe it might be that there are improvements to be made, but I would hang fire and see.

From what I take out of that review, the book wasn't what the reader expected. She wanted more of Jane Austen, who is obviously loved by the reader and she expected the story to be about her.

As for the rest, I don't know what to say. Sometimes when someone doesn't actually get what they expected, they tend to see the needle in the hay stack. So as a reader, I see this review as this:

Don't expect to see much of Austen's book or learn about her life. There are a few typos, which the reviewer caught. While it may not detract me from the story, if I'm not totally absorbed in the book I may notice them too. The poorly written is the one that would prompt me to check the sample if I hadn't already.

To me poorly written could mean two things. 1) it is poorly written and the sample could help me determine if I agree. 2) The story could have been better written if Austen wouldn't have been forgotten after a few chapters. (This wouldn't bother me much as I wouldn't pick up the book because of Austen.)

So over all, I agree with the others. It's never too late to correct typos if you find some, but aside from that, three reviews aren't much. I'd wait to see what others have to say first, before thinking about a huge rewrite.

I would also point out that the reviewer's reviews are rated 43% helpful, so not everyone will judge your book by her review.

Thanks everyone for the advice. My real problem is that I'm my harshest critic and I suppose I was just always expecting the inevitable horrible reviews to reinforce my feelings. The fact that I was more eager to agree with the review rather than get mad and defend myself is evident of that. But I can't let the bad outweigh the good.

Dwayne, I appreciate that you took the time to look at my sample chapters. Until I consistently get bad reviews with specific grievances I'm going to leave it up. When I have the ability to have it professionally polished I will probably do so and make the necessary changes but until then, it is still my work and I'm proud of it.

G.G. wrote: "From what I take out of that review, the book wasn't what the reader expected. She wanted more of Jane Austen, who is obviously loved by the reader and she expected the story to be about her.

As..."

Yeah, I understand where she might be coming from. She didn't get what she wanted, whatever that is. I mean, The Da Vinci Code isn't really about Da Vinci...it's about a guy uncovering a conspiracy kept for centuries that Da Vinci was a part of. I invented a a similar scenario, researched the hell out of it, and then let the characters and story develop on their own. I'm sorry that the lady wasn't satisfied with it but I like it and know many people who did.

If anything I think a bad review like this can lend more credibility to the good ones. It proves you are not paying for them, or getting a bunch of close friends to boost you up. People know that everyone has an opinion, and most will judge your book by the book sample, not a random review.

For now maybe just see how it works out? The other two reviews are really positive. They loved it!

J.D. wrote: "
Yeah, I understand where she might be coming from. She didn't get what she wanted, whatever that is. I mean, The Da Vinci Code isn't really about Da Vinci...it's about a guy uncovering a conspiracy kept for centuries that Da Vinci was a part of..."

I was also thinking about Da Vinci Code when I replied. I didn't mention it because while I saw the movies, I never read the books.

The thing is we can't please everyone, no matter how much we'd love. And of course, it breaks our heart to know we didn't succeed, but we can't beat ourselves for it either.

The review just points out the things she didn't like, with a few minor things. It just her opinion. In fact, people like me, who never heard of Austen might find it more appealing knowing it's not about a person we know nothing about. :P

Could it be a revenge rating?

Piss anyone off lately?

Was it a certified review?

Was it a serious reviewer with a history?

Having looked things over, I can only echo what others have said above. A single review like that does not (to me) appear to mean much. Some reviewers have an unfortunate tendency to "pile on" when they are disappointed in a book and go off to criticize everything. Maybe they think that will add more "weight" to their review than just saying: "This book wasn't my cup of tea"?

I don't know. But I also want to echo that it a good idea to check out all of a reviewer's reviews and ratings in a case like this. It often provides valuable perspective.

I just read the sample. I think you have a woman that was actually expecting Jane Austen like fiction. Expectations unmet.

Let it stand. Don't take it too seriously.

Owen wrote: "Having looked things over, I can only echo what others have said above. A single review like that does not (to me) appear to mean much. Some reviewers have an unfortunate tendency to "pile on" when..."

Yeah, after I went back and stalked her reviews she either really likes what she likes or really hates what she hates and picks it apart, be it a book, a CD, a power cable, etc.

I know some people are going to hate any story but when she attacked my writing/editing it just opened a wound I'm always concerned about.

But hey, I'm a self-published author that's only been at it for a few years without a corporate team of agents/editors/advisers to make my writing seemingly flawless (Which we all know isn't even true of traditional published authors). I can only do my best and when things I seriously need to fix are specifically brought to my attention I'll do it. It's a craft, there will always be need for improvement.

The most important thing to take from this review is that you absolutely must not respond to it. If you do, you may end up in a mud-slinging fight that accomplishes nothing except possibly to drive away new readers.

Did you know that negative reviews focus the Amazon algorithm better? Sometimes a mix of reviews target readers better.

Don't worry. Go write something new!

You'll show her!

Owen wrote: "...it a good idea to check out all of a reviewer's reviews and ratings in a case like this. It often provides valuable perspective."

It's also often times a good laugh. You'll see someone totally trash a very serious, deep and well thought out book, only to find that they're giving 5* ratings to trashy vampire-on-zombie erotica books, My Little Pony dolls, and hemorrhoid creams!

Hi JD - I'd like to address the issue of friendly readers and editors. On my second book, (not yet published) I thought it was pretty darn good. The friends I asked to read it - both authors - were very complimentary. So then I sent it to a developmental editor, and she came back with so much that was wrong with the book as it stood. Everything she said was spot on, yet my author friends had not picked up on any of it. Why? Well, several reasons - they were familiar with the book from the earliest scribbles, and didn't clearly see what was wrong with it. They didn't want to kill my enthusiasm. And they are not professional editors.

So, in future, I will always have my books edited before they get close to the light of day. Yes, it costs money, but have you considered a Kickstarter campaign for these initial costs? Everybody gets a free copy, sort of thing.

That said, I'm not sure that writing fiction is a reliable path to making money, especially in the early years.

Regarding that one review - I know exactly how you feel. Somebody said something on a review for my first book that had me scrambling to find if there was a basis for their comment. But hey, it's a first book! If you don't like this one, just wait for the next one... :)

J,D. I sent you a message.

Morris

J.D. wrote: "My real problem is that I'm my harshest critic ..."

And that is excellent, J.D. As long as you are being fair to yourself and your work. As long as you believe in yourself and your work.

What I'm getting at is, when I hear someone say, "I am my harshest critic" I think it could be taken one of two ways.

a) This story is not that good, but I know I can do better. I thought it would be ready by now, but it needs another rewrite.

b) The story sucks. I suck. I give up. I can't do this.

I'm hoping and guessing that "a" is what you mean. I hope so. Because, when you go to publish, you know it is polished. You know the major problems are ironed out and you know there shouldn't be many minor ones left. And if it's passed your white glove test, then you know that negative reviews are probably more based on the book not being what they expected rather than technical problems. And you will never satisfy everyone's taste.