Ronesa Aveela asked Ronesa Aveela:

What does it feel like to get your first one-star rating on Goodreads?

Ronesa Aveela Despite what many people think, all one- or two-star ratings (or reviews) are NOT posted by trolls. Sometimes, people just don't connect with a book. For me, these ratings validate my profession as a writer.

The four- and five-star ratings are wonderful, of course; they tell you you're doing something right, that you have fans who enjoy your work, especially when they communicate with you and ask when the next book will be available. There's nothing an author appreciates more than knowing that people enjoy the story they have to tell.

One- and two-star ratings have a bit of a sting (at least the first ones), but every author knows they can't please everyone. The world is not our audience.

But those who leave ratings without a review do other readers a disservice. They don't tell readers what it was that they disliked about the story, so potential readers have no way of knowing if they will like or dislike the book themselves.

And what exactly does a one-star rating mean? According to the Goodreads rating scale, it's simply "I didn't like it." That's a valid opinion. It doesn't mean the book is poorly written or boring. It's simply a matter of taste. Some will love it; others will hate it. That's the way the world of publishing goes.

So... carry on, readers. Give your honest opinions. But, if you want to influence others, write a review as well.

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