The Moment We’ve All Been Waiting For: The 1-Star Review

I am proud to say that I’ve joined the ranks of Stephen King, Sandra Brown and J.K. Rowling.

What the what? Am I getting too big in my britches to put myself in their league?

Well, yes, but also, no. We all share something in common – a 1-star review.

A 1-Star review does not equal the Death Star.

A few weeks ago, it happened. I knew it would. Heck, I was even hoping it would happen before it did just to rip off the band-aid and know I could survive it. A reader didn’t connect with Phoenix and he shared his opinion. As for negative reviews, it was a very nice one, so I don’t begrudge him one bit. Like I said, Stephen, Sandra and J.K. all received negative reviews and they are still standing.

I’ve been fortunate in that the my readers who have posted reviews have been so incredibly kind and generous in giving it 4- or 5-star ratings. But, a 1-star review doesn’t mean that readers will pass over your book or put it back on the shelf. According to Goodreads, quite the opposite, it can add validity to your novel (meaning that your Great Aunt Bertha isn’t the only person posting all the reviews).

While there is a tinge of sadness that characters I love didn’t resonate with a reader, I’m not going to let it stop me from doing what I have to do: write. I have to focus on the big picture – for the one negative review, I have 16 positive reviews (and no, not all from Great Aunt Bertha!).

And, he finishes his review by encouraging me to keep writing and he’ll try my next book. Yes, sir, I will keep writing. And hopefully you’ll keep trying my work.