Why Reviews Are So Important to Authors (And a Call Out to Bloggers/Reviewers)

Whew! I’m breathing a bit easier now that I’ve completed all my rounds of edits and re-writes to CROSSROADS, the next story in the Miller’s Creek novels. The book is now in the hands of beta readers/editors, whose eyes will catch those ‘oopsies’ my weary brain skimmed over.

That doesn’t mean my work is over. Not by a long shot.

As I make corrections and consider suggestions, I’m also very much in what I call book pre-launch mode. This involves many things (especially in the face of an upcoming move)–creating blog tour materials, setting up the cover reveal party and the book launch party (including prizes, writing the script, fun games/party ideas, etc.), formatting the book for print and eBook, writing the companion Bible study (tentatively called PROOF: KNOW & BELIEVE), submitting CROSSROADS for pre-order, and the most important of all, rounding up bloggers/reviewers.

Why is that the most important part of the pre-launch process? Because reviews are critical to the success of a book, especially at launch time.

Reviews – The World We Live In

As more and more people do their shopping online, product reviews are more important than ever. When I’m in consumer mode, I strongly rely on the ratings and reviews of a product in purchasing decisions. And I have the feeling I’m not alone.

It’s not just the reviews themselves, but also the quality of reviews and ratings for the book, that are a make-it or break-it proposition.

I’ve learned that one bad review at the wrong time of the book launch process can seriously hinder not only sales, but also whether or not publicity-type websites will accept the book for promotion spots.

Reviews – My Tips on Writing Reviews

One of the first things I did when launching into the wonderful world of writing was to set up a book review and author interview site. That blog, WordVessel, is no longer in operation, but holds a special place in my heart for teaching me so much about blogging, reviewing, and writing. Here are the ‘writing reviews’ tips I picked up along the way:

Be honest.
Be kind.
Tell what you liked about the book, and how it helped you.
Tell what you didn’t like about the book.
Don’t over-sell with too much hype and too many exclamation points. (This can make a review appear unbelievable.)
Tell why you would or wouldn’t recommend the book.
Realize that your review is your subjective opinion.
Post the same review in multiple places (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Goodreads, etc. Books need all the publicity they can get to compete in a glutted market.)

I know some of these bullet points might surprise you, especially the one about telling what you didn’t like about the book. Here’s why I think that’s important. First of all, even on books we love, there is usually something we wish had been more pronounced in the story. Maybe it’s an unlikable character whose motives we don’t fully understand. Maybe it’s a thread in the story that never was wrapped up. The list could go on and on.

Honestly, those negatives not only help potential readers/buyers, but they also help authors improve their craft.

BUT…please be kind in how you express those things about the book that you didn’t like. Authors spend hundreds (if not thousands) of hours on planning, writing, re-writing, and editing a story. One unkind and thoughtless review can negate all those hours of hard work.

Bloggers/Reviewers – Want a Chance to Review Crossroads?

I’m getting ready to send out Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) of CROSSROADS to bloggers/reviewers. Please understand that ARCs are NOT the final copy of the story, and minor errors should not negatively affect your review. With beta readers/editors (and me!) still at work polishing the story, an ARC just gives authors the chance to get reviews for the book before the launch so buyers can read reviews once the book is available.

Here’s a little about the book for your consideration to see if it’s one you might be interested in reviewing:

CROSSROADS – (the sixth stand-alone novel in the Miller’s Creek novels; Christian contemporary romance)

After a devastating divorce, a bitter single mom and atheist starts her own real estate company in the nostalgic and picturesque town of Miller’s Creek, Texas. Then her young daughter’s disturbing symptoms lead doctors to discover that her leukemia has relapsed. With her new life now turned upside down, Mara Hedwig struggles to keep her business afloat. And her daughter’s worsening condition forces her to rethink her beliefs about Carter Callahan and his God. Will Mara make the return to Christian faith in the face of life’s greatest challenge?

An ex-military operative struggles with the return to civilian life while coping with his rebellious teen-aged daughter. During a house-search, Carter meets Mara, a headstrong realtor who wants nothing to do with his God. But when Mara’s little girl is diagnosed with leukemia, the clock begins ticking for him to convince Mara to return to a life of faith. Just as he seems to be making headway, circumstances beyond his control throw his efforts into a tailspin. Can Carter learn to rest in the sovereignty of God?

I’m inviting up to 50 bloggers/reviewers to review CROSSROADS on their blog and receive an extra copy they can give away to their readers. (NOTE: Because of costs involved, I only have a limited number of print copies for reviewers and giveaways, and these are only available to the blogs with the highest traffic and readership. In addition, print copies are only available for those in the US. On the other hand, I have an unlimited supply of digital copies of the book available, and in whatever format you prefer–Kindle, Nook, PDF, etc.–and these are available internationally.)

Here’s how you could win two free copies of CROSSROADS:

Apply here via the form below by February 28, 2015. ( You can also click this link to apply –same form, but in a separate window.)
Agree to review the book between when you receive it and April 30, 2015. (If prior commitments won’t allow you to review the book by April 30th, please fill out the form anyway, and just leave your explanation in the appropriate text box.)
Don’t have a blog? No worries. You can still be added to the list of possible reviewers by filling out the form below.

I’ll review the entries, select the bloggers/reviewers who’ll receive copies of CROSSROADS, and contact them via e-mail. Please note that I will also be reaching out to bloggers and reviewers who have reviewed prior Miller’s Creek novels, as well as blogs with large readerships, but I will also ask them to fill out this form.

NOTE: For everyone interested in serving as a blog tour host, please fill out the separate Google Docs form found here. (I’ll have a separate blog post for the Virtual Book Tour of CROSSROADS at a later date.)

OOPS! I almost forgot to mention that all blog tour hosts and reviewers will be entered in a separate drawing for a $15 Amazon gift card (NOT to influence your review or post, but as my way of saying ‘thank you’ for all you do not just for me, but several Christian authors).

Thank you all so much! Words can’t express my gratitude at your willingness to read and review CROSSROADS. I appreciate you!

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