Support for Indie Authors discussion

Good Day. Bad Day. I'm not sure this is really an author help, just the way my life as an author is going. I was a little bit bummed to get some not so great reviews for a book that I thought was pretty good. But that is life. When you ask someone to review a book, you have to take what they give. But someone gave me a 2 (without a review). Were they getting even at me? Did they really think the book was that bad?
So that was my bad day. The next day my husband and I went hiking in the Adirondacks and on our way home, I stopped in a bookstore in Lake Placid where I had sent the owner five copies of my book. I thought it might be fun to meet her, and see my books in the bookstore. In the few weeks since I'd sent the books they had sold two. Enough to make my day. I'm not sure what the net result of those two events were. I guess it has been for me to keep trying, to keep writing, to keep believing that someone will buy my books and hopefully write them.
Happy writing.

The worst is a bad star rating without a review. I've gotten a few and it just...it feels perplexing. I understand exactly what you are feeling. My sort of opinion on these people is that if they don't give the care to really leave their thoughts on my work they don't serve my mental effort. Whenever I leave a review, good or bad, I always explain my feelings in detail because I know I'd want the same done with me. Two stars with explanation is much better, I think, than 3-4 with none. Feedback is gold.

Anyway.

It's great that you sold two copies at that bookstore! That's really quite fabulous. People will eventually buy your work. Keep believing that and keep writing. :)

Good luck!

Congrats on the sales. Most people who look at reviews are doing just that - looking at reviews, not stars. So a rating without a review is usually dismissed by readers, most of which see it for what it really is - a dismissable scratch on a blackboard. Personally when i come across those my first thought is that some anonymous person was feeling spiteful or perhaps the author has some competitor who is unscrupulous. i only take actual reviews into consideration. Keep writing and keep using your reviews to improve your craft :)

As a reader, I know if I see a review that marks stars without detailing why, then that review doesn't have any weight with me, be it five stars or one.

As a reviewer, I know I need to take the time to be clear with my reasoning with anything negative particularly so it's not understood to be spiteful or unfairly critical.

As an author, if I get a negative review, I throw things at the screen and call the unseen reviewer names because whyyyyy would they dooo that?

Someday I'll manage to connect the different parts of my brain to tame my inner inability to take criticism :)

First, congratulations on your sales. Good job! Yes, be happy for that.

Second, please do not let a low rating ruin your day. It is an opinion of one reader and that is all it is. It's not worth giving up the whole day as a "bad day" over. Keep in mind, your readers have a right to their opinion. They have just as much a right to give you a one star with no review as they do to give you a five star with a glowing review. Speculating that they may be "getting even" or some such thing is not good on you emotionally or professionally. Just - let it go.

Congratulations on your book sales! Each of us will have to steel ourselves for negative reviews whether tactful or written in poor taste. Trying to heed my own advice--it's best to focus on the positive and appreciate those who take the time to write honest reviews that may benefit other potential readers.

Marguerite, Congrats on the book sales. Yaye! Sorry you got a bad review without an explanation. I agree with everything others have said. Keep writing and only look at the good reviews! : )

Congratulations on your book sales, that's really great!

I'm sorry you were bummed out by the 2 star rating. I would try not to worry too much about negative ratings and focus on the positive feedback. Everyone has an opinion and not all the feedback you'll receive will be positive sadly.

Marguerite wrote: "Good Day. Bad Day. I'm not sure this is really an author help, just the way my life as an author is going. I was a little bit bummed to get some not so great reviews for a book that I thought was p..."
I got a drive-by 2 around the same time you did. It was my first 2, and it doesn't bother me. Some people have a vendetta and just go through and give 2s to indies. Some don't like the cover, or the blurb, or fantasies, or fairy stories, and just rate low. Don't let it get you down. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Anyone could give you a 2 for whatever silly reason they dream up, just as easily as they give you a 5. Just keep writing, keep loving what you do, and keep celebrating the victories. Don't feed into the negative. :)

Oh, Missy, that's sad, but I like your attitude.

Edited 6/30/16 - Inappropriate comment removed by Sue

I've had some drive by and mark all the reviews as unhelpful. Poor thing - I wonder if they're happy?

Edited 6/30/16 - Inappropriate comment removed by Sue

Hey, folks. This is creeping toward negative territory. Please keep in mind that we, as authors, generally do not know why we get few stars or negative reviews. Speculating about our readers in a negative way is not professional. Your readers have the right not to like your book.

I remember back in the days when the TV guide rated movies from 1 to 6 with 1 being the best while 6 being bad.

The only movies I dared watch were 4s and 5s. I wouldn't have touched a 1s or 2s with a 40 feet pole. So remember that on Goodreads, when only numbers are showing, it can mean anything and it's the reader's right to mark them as they want. Being 1 for the best or 1 for the worst, there is no way to know and quite frankly, it's none of our business, really.

Dwayne and G.G.
You both are absolutely right. I sincerely apologize for and regret my rude comments. I am truly ashamed and embarrassed. Please feel free to delete them.
Thank you, Sue

Awww, man! I sure hope I don't come off as a callous brat for sharing, but this totally made me think of...



Just FYI, that's from Death Note. I humbly bow down to the brilliance of Tsugumi Ohba. That manga/anime was a serious mindfrack!!! Okay...

Hugs and runs away,
Ann

Sue, my comments have nothing to do with yours.

To be honest, I haven't read much of the thread. It's not the first time the rating subject appears in a thread and I thought the little 'info' about the 70' was relevant.

I am sorry you took it for you as it was not directed at anyone.

Oh, please, G.G. you have no need to apologize! I looked back and see my messages 10 (after the first sentence) and 12 are inappropriate.

We don't allow it in this group, but in other groups I'm in I've seen too many comments like, "This book was so bad I had to stop reading it." and "The author has no talent and should keep their day job." That's where my negative remarks stem from because I feel for the authors who read those words.

I was wrong and am owning up to it, as I should. I know I will receive negative reviews if I publish and will need to learn to accept that so I can learn from readers' comments.

Annie, If only it were that easy. I can only apologize for actions I regret.

Thank you, Sue

Guys.
Girls.
People who don't want to be labeled.

I have something important to tell you all.

YOU ARE ALL AWESOME SAUCE!!!

I don't like bad days. I don't want anyone here to have a bad day ever. Yes, I know it happens and I'm not so oblivious to the ways of the world that I'm living in some delusional fantasy world, but dammit, I want to do whatever it takes to make the folks here remember that you are all amazing and you all have worth and value. And by worth and value I am NOT talking about an arbitrary star rating. You are all amazing people with amazing talents and yes, I am even talking to you who may not think they are an author yet! ;p

It's tough. I know there's a fine line between support and snark. We don't want to see our authors get bad reviews, but we don't want to see our reviewers bashed for their honest (or even less than honest) opinions. When we make a request to keep things positive, it just means that we've seen the dark side of what can happen when grievances are aired on a public message board and we don't want any of our folks to ever have to deal with that.

So, now that you all think I'm day drunk, keep smiling, have fun, and keep posting all the good things because we love to hear about your personal victories, no matter how small you may think they are! :)

Christina wrote: "Guys.
Girls.
People who don't want to be labeled.

I have something important to tell you all.

YOU ARE ALL AWESOME SAUCE!!!"

1. I dig labels.
2. Awesome sauce is perfect for dipping my weird into. So thank you.
3. And yessss! Please keep sharing your wicked awesome stories of success!!

Hugs,
Ann

Well stated, Christina. Thank you. I edited and removed my offensive comments.

"Day Drunk?" But isn't it always 5 o'clock somewhere?

Back to editing my book. : )
Wait... I lost my pen again! That's the second pen I've lost in 3 hours. What is WRONG with me today? 8- |

Ah, Miss Sue! You're totally fine. Heck, you couldn't be offensive even if you tried to, ma'am!! Methinks Dwayne and Christina are just trying to keep us all looking in the right direction...

To bigger and better things XD

Hugs positive weirdos with a bit of creepy love,
Ann

Hi Annie,
I absolutely agree with you and everyone about keeping things positive, which is why I edited my messages.

I found 1 pen... out of 2...
Hugs, Sue

Sue, Annie, etc.

Just know that my post earlier was not targeted at anyone in particular. I dig you guys and am glad you're part of the group. It was targeted toward a general feeling I was getting from this thread. I know it sucks to get a bad review, but it also sucks when authors let themselves be consumed with it. Rise above it, punch a pillow, go outside and scream, get it out of your system and get back to writing. I wasn't wagging my finger to scold, but to help. Low stars and negative reviews used to get to me, too, but since I've learned to let it go, I've been much happier. Just trying to dish out some advice that has helped me.

Now I'm gonna give you all a big weird creepy hug, just like Annie did.

Dwayne wrote: "Now I'm gonna give you all a big weird creepy hug, just like Annie did."

*blank stare*


^_~

Annie wrote: "Dwayne wrote: "Now I'm gonna give you all a big weird creepy hug, just like Annie did."

*blank stare*


^_~"

It's okay Annie. Being hugged by Dr Cannibal has to be weird and creepy. He just thinks everybody else is creepy too!

Thank you, Dwayne. You're right, I have to grow some thick skin so I can grin and bare it without breaking my teeth. I will not, however, throw things at the screen, unless it's the TV Brick from the 80's. Never damage the writing equipment!

Awe, shucks, thanks for the hug. Ya don't mind if I wear a steel neck brace, do ya... you being Dr. Cannibal and all... 8 )

Jane wrote: "It's okay Annie. Being hugged by Dr Cannibal has to be weird and creepy. He just thinks everybody else is creepy too! Annie. Being hugged by Dr Cannibal has to be weird and creepy...."

Hahaha, Miss Jane! You crack me up!!

Hugs poor Dwayne,
Ann