Support for Indie Authors discussion

Ai wrote: "I'm depressed. I've just received my first ever 1 star review. That guy didn't even buy my book. Did a review based on my preview. I want to lay down and die."

awww ... if that ever happened to me, i'd grab a beer and watch one of my favorite anime like angel beats.

Why would anyone do a review, good, bad or indifferent without reading the book? A preview does not a book make.

Lavern wrote: "Why would anyone do a review, good, bad or indifferent without reading the book? A preview does not a book make."

I don't know, maybe the person is one of my competitors with a grudge. The English light novel scene is filled with people who tried and failed. Or maybe I just plain suck. Sigh. I feel like listening to Natalie Imbruglia.

@Wisteria Unfortunately I can't drink in my country and I have work to deliver in 2 hours :(

Ai wrote: "Lavern wrote: "Why would anyone do a review, good, bad or indifferent without reading the book? A preview does not a book make."

I don't know, maybe the person is one of my competitors with a grud..."

ah well, like others in this group have said, reviews aren't a deal breaker for the success of a book--and as Lavern said, it wasn't fair to base a review/rating on only a preview. you should keep writing to build a backlist. one book won't make you a decent income, anyways.

Wisteria wrote: "Ai wrote: "Lavern wrote: "Why would anyone do a review, good, bad or indifferent without reading the book? A preview does not a book make."

I don't know, maybe the person is one of my competitors ..."

Exactly. Remember that Lewis Carrol was rejected by publishers 800 times. Imagine what he would have done with our tools at his disposal.

Ai wrote: "I'm depressed. I've just received my first ever 1 star review. That guy didn't even buy my book. Did a review based on my preview. I want to lay down and die."

I know it really hurts to get those one stars, but don't let it get you down. One bad review is not the end. Like Wisteria said, keep writing to build a backlist. If you need any proof to see that bad reviews don't always mean unsuccessful, check out a book on amazon called "The Hunting Trip" by William E. Butterworth. Some of the reviews on there are horrible, but the book has been sitting in the 2000's rank for a while now. I think the reason is because he has written a lot of books and has a loyal readership. Just concentrate on doing the same.

Also, maybe you could report it for abuse and have it taken down. I am not sure how it works, but having a review from someone who admitted to not reading the book seems like a legit reason to remove it.

Hey folks! Bad reviews are no fun, but let's steer the conversation back on track. We want to keep the thread light as intended. Thanks!

Not sure how my first 5-star review will feel, but I just got a 4-star review and the reader told me that she got my book as a birthday present. How awesome is that?? :O
I'm so happy right now :)

I've not yet had a real stinker of a review (that's not an invitation!), but I don't respond to even the really nice ones.

At least, not directly.

What I do do, and I'm sure I'm not the only one here, is tweet and otherwise share links to reviews, as part of my dismal efforts at promotion. And I thank the reviewer in that public arena, so I acknowledge their efforts in that way.

I'm looking forward to that day. Congratulations on ☆☆☆☆☆

All -- I'm devoting a couple of days to drilling down through all the threads here. So, bear with me if my replies are attached to older posts.

Like everyone I was thrilled with five star reviews. But -- when I got a call asking me to be a guest speaker at a book club, I was shocked. I've now been a speaker at 10+ book clubs with anywhere from eight to thirty members. There is nothing greater than interacting face-to-face with readers and hearing them talk about your characters as if they are real people!

G.T. wrote: "All -- I'm devoting a couple of days to drilling down through all the threads here. So, bear with me if my replies are attached to older posts.

Like everyone I was thrilled with five star reviews...."

That sounds awesome! Always good to hear someone finding their niche.

Fantastic!

I love reading my reviews! Good, bad, or ugly. It helps me keep in perspective of the readers, lets me know what I should improve, and sometimes just leaves me shaking my head bemusedly. I only respond to reviews on blogs or Goodreads, and I always try to keep it polite and professional.

I want to be an accessible writer, after all.

What I would recommend to the original poster is to look at what he said in the review. I have never written a review of a preview, but I have had many previews turn me off because of spelling errors, grammar errors or plot content.

Sometimes reviewers aren't specific enough, and sometimes I have to remember that it is just their opinion. And as my mom says: opinions are like armpits, every has some and most of them stink!

Stay positive, keep learning, and most of all KEEP WRITING!

Hugs and loves to this great community!

I always thought it was opinions are like a**holes, but the premise is the same.

Heidi wrote: "What I would recommend to the original poster is to look at what he said in the review. I have never written a review of a preview..."

Oops! The original post had nothing to do with a preview!

The original post is number 1, not 101.

No biggie. Thanks for you input, Heidi.

Helge wrote: "Not sure how my first 5-star review will feel, but I just got a 4-star review and the reader told me that she got my book as a birthday present. How awesome is that?? :O
I'm so happy right now :)"


Absolutely, a 4* review is a very good review! Not everyone is going to Loooove your book many will simply enjoy/appreciate it and that's great!

Riley wrote: "I always thought it was opinions are like a**holes, but the premise is the same."

I've heard that one too, but it wasn't the one my mom told us when we were kids ;)

Jay wrote: "Heidi wrote: "What I would recommend to the original poster is to look at what he said in the review. I have never written a review of a preview..."

Oops! The original post had nothing to do with ..."

Oh, lol... Some of these threads get so long! I guess that was just the post at the top of the page!

Ecstatic! But pardon me, I was thinking, Wish I could I buy you drink...I’d love to hear a little more.

Andrew wrote: "Ecstatic! But pardon me, I was thinking, Wish I could I buy you drink...I’d love to hear a little more."

"Will elaborate for imbibable bribes" ;)

J.C. wrote: "Andrew wrote: "Ecstatic! But pardon me, I was thinking, Wish I could I buy you drink...I’d love to hear a little more."

"Will elaborate for imbibable bribes" ;)"

(((Smiles)))
If you were in the neighborhood, otherwise you'll have to settle for the virtual contact high.

I should add, you’re supposed to reciprocate with something you’re working on.

But now I’m confused, should I be buying a round while I listen to you entertain me or do you buy a round because I’m giving you feedback?

Andrew wrote: "I should add, you’re supposed to reciprocate with something you’re working on.

But now I’m confused, should I be buying a round while I listen to you entertain me or do you buy a round because I’m..."

How about person talking gets bought a round, swap once the round is drunk? :) in vino veritas

That'll work

I honestly don't look at my reviews very often. Not that I get many so far.

Congratulations Jay! ( ... in case anyone had forgotten what started this... I have joined in late...)
My first five stars reviews for my short stories were from people I knew. I was very grateful, but was even more proud when I got them from people I didn't know.
Now I'm grateful to get positive reviews of any sort - it means that people are reading ( and have purchased ) my work! Something which till amazes me.
But now I must get back to the never-ending treadmill that is publicising it.
Julie