THE Group for Authors! discussion
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Is it ok for authors to comment (politely) on reviews
Hi Steven,I wouldn't do it. I can understand how frustrating to see things we may not particularly like but it wasn't a bad comment and if it is part of a trilogy then that sort of ending makes sense. In my opinion, if you reply and try to explain it away, it just gives it more attention. It's not a negative comment so I would leave it.
"The Ghosts of Watt O'HughBeing the First Part of the Strange and Astounding Memoirs of Watt O'Hugh the Third"
In the "about the author" section, it says, "He promises that Watt O'Hugh will ride again."
So I thought I had it covered. And most of the reviews (which have usually been favorable) say that they are looking forward to book 2.
But the subtitle appears on the title page, and on a kindle, you get taken to the first page of chapter 1 automatically, not to the title page.
Furthermore, her review shows that she clearly didn't realize that it was a trilogy. And yes, it was a negative comment. It was thoughtful, it wasn't an abusive review, but it was negative.
I just thought it would be helpful. I would ordinarily not comment on a reader's review, even if it is positive.
But is it actually against the code of conduct of Goodreads to comment on a review? For example, on Amazon, authors are allowed to comment. But I am not sure if it violates Goodreads policy.
But in the book itself, it never actually says that it's a trilogy. I thought "First Part" made it clear it was a series, though.
Hi Steven,Here is the blurb from the Goodreads Author's Guidelines:
How should I handle a negative review?
The generally accepted advice – and we believe it’s the best advice – is to ignore a negative review or comment. Realistically, not everyone who reads your book will love it so much that they give it five stars.
From time to time, Goodreads authors have responded to readers who gave their books negative reviews or ratings, and the results have been disastrous for the authors' reputations. Goodreads is not private; other readers will see a hostile reaction from the author, and a single negative interaction is often enough to turn a reader against an author permanently.
Instead of commenting publicly, why don't you write a nice note to the reviewer. I have done that in regards to a comment in the review -just sent a note to the reviewer directly to clarify something and then left it up to them to update it if they chose to.It's not against Goodreads regulations but it doesn't always reflect well on the author depending on the circumstance.
With a trilogy, there is usually a larger plot that takes several books to resolve. But each book should have a satisfactory conclusion to the events and even most of the subplots within those books.It is therefore the writers job to give the reader clarity that while those subplots and events have been solved, the larger plot is still at hand.
As to responding, I would not, even politely. It just opens a can of worms between you and the readers...
Kathy wrote: "Instead of commenting publicly, why don't you write a nice note to the reviewer. I have done that in regards to a comment in the review -just sent a note to the reviewer directly to clarify someth..."I will consider that. Thanks for the comment.
Monica wrote: "Hi Steven,Here is the blurb from the Goodreads Author's Guidelines:
How should I handle a negative review?
The generally accepted advice – and we believe it’s the best advice – is to ignore a ne..."
Thanks, Monica. That's what I was looking for. I will keep that close at hand from now on!
thanks everyone for your response.Best, Steven
K, so here's my two cents on the matter and it comes after months and months of researching this very subject. I used to think that it was best to ignore criticism, but after a recent experiment I've discovered it's okay to respond sometimes - and get some pretty good results.My manga, Heavenly Bride, was getting poor reviews on Amazon. The reviews weren't very mature, either. When one person suspiciously writing, sounding and named like my husband wrote a childish review an hour after hearing from my daughter how well I was doing, I also began trying to learn how to take reviews down. And that's when I stumbled on some people talking about one author who not only responds to his reviewers, he practically chats with them. Curious, I went over there and checked it out. And he DOES chat with them.
What he does is thank them for their criticism, tells people when he has listened and if he's changing anything, and just... I dunno. I decided I'd give it a try. It wasn't long until I got my first real chance.
The first chapter of HB is free. But the rest aren't. Most people read chapter 1 and assume that's it. One person gave me a review complaining that this was it and why couldn't there be more, why couldn't I finish the comic already. I thanked them for their review, asked them if they had any thoughts on where else I could improve, and pointed out that the other chapters were available and that also comics were ongoing series as a tradition. That I did have an ending planned, and that I hoped they liked it when it came.
Within two days my sales more than tripled - on the ignored chapters that most people didn't know to find!!
There's more to it but I don't want to type you to death. Just know that responding isn't a dead end street - some reviews I ignore because it's plain they're just spite to be spite. But others deserve the respect of an author willing to take criticism, that cares that their readers like their stuff, and is willing to grow and become someone deserving of fans.
And that's my twenty-seven cents and two dollars on the matter.
Katrina wrote: "K, so here's my two cents on the matter and it comes after months and months of researching this very subject. I used to think that it was best to ignore criticism, but after a recent experiment I'..."Thanks. Very interesting.
I created a series for your book: http://www.goodreads.com/series/97326... That might not help with this particular review, but it should make it clear to future readers that the book is the first in a series.
If you want to change the series name, or add a series description, let me know.
mlady_rebecca wrote: "I created a series for your book: http://www.goodreads.com/series/97326... That might not help with this particular review, but it should make it clear to future readers that the..."
Thanks!
Steven, how about you go into your book page and under edit, add Book One of a Trilogy Series, or something similar, beside your title then add parentheses around it. Steven wrote: "I just received a review which wondered why my book "seemed to end without a satisfying resolution and with the main character purposefully raising more questions." Is it OK to put a comment at the..."
Rebecca beat me to it! Thanks for the suggestion.
I should read all the comments before answering. :-) Hope it works out for you.
No problem. But you know I may have given the wrong impression. The response to the Book has actually been pretty gratifying , and the majority of people who've commented totally understood that the it was The first of a series. It is always good to make it clearer, and I think we've done that now. But my main question was just that one particular reader seemed rather annoyed about the inconclusive nature of the broader story, and I wanted to explain it to her, and just didn't know whether it was allowed. You know, I really don't want my book to make anyone unhappy!
It's usually recommended we don't say anything, but in the end, it's your decision. I know where you're coming from, and totally understand, though. Steven wrote: "No problem. But you know I may have given the wrong impression. The response to the Book has actually been pretty gratifying , and the majority of people who've commented totally understood that t..."
Ok, I wrote her a nice little note, as Kathy suggested. I said that after she read my whole book and wrote thoughtful comments, I thought I owed her an explanation. I told her she she'd helped my message, and I thanked her. That's all. I will report back if anything terrible happens!A couple of years ago, I gave an author a 4 star review, praising the book and calling the very talented author maybe the next stephen king, but criticized the excess of typos, and I received an email from him calling me "mean spirited and unfair." It was actually pretty scary. So I understand the downside of an author responding to a reader while angry!
I only have recieved positive emails from authors and comments. I quite enjoy them.
Uh...just putting a series name on the title in parentheses does absolutely nothing to create a series.Either request a series be created over in the librarians group (under "Groups" menu it mentions three official groups midway down righthand side—I think everyone should join all three if only because those are places site announcements get made).
Or if you want to do yourself go to your book's page, click "edit details" scroll down below description to "add series" and create series there. For any additional books in series, edit the series to add.
If a book is actually in a series on goodreads, the series name shows shaded and clickable on the book's page as if part of the title. Putting series info inside parentheses in the title field has absolutely nothing to do with a series, adding to series, series creation, etc.
Optionally, to the right of a title the series information can be typed inside parentheses. That (adding name inside parentheses) just makes sure series name shows on title line when book thumbnails are on lists like list of books for an author, search results, etc. helpful if you have a book title similar to others so that it stands out in search results.
You lucked out getting your series created just because a librarian was reading this thread and didn't bother directing you to librarians group to ask for series creation (they just went ahead and created for you which is perfectly okay; all librarians are specifically wanting to keep all the book stuff as up to date as possible—but posts in librarians group are always seen by librarians and not just randomly chanced upon).
The thoroughness of series on goodreads is one reason they sucked me into joining the site.(Could make series creation clearer and add more options to track...)
Site feature change: A change in review commenting (reviewers can now block non-friends from commenting) made this morning: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...
Main reason I never comment is that it makes the reviewer feel stalked. Reviewers like to feel like they're sharing their opinions with other readers. It's kinda weird to think the author is reading your review. If you're a nice person, maybe it keeps you from voicing genuine criticism. If you're not a nice person, it can make you more vitriolic. That said, it really bugs me too when people say things like, "I hope there's a sequel!" when it's book one in a series, but there you go. It's one person. And sometimes another reader will set them straight. The best thing, I truly believe, for me personally would be not to read my reviews AT ALL. I haven't got there yet, alas! But I'm doing a bit better at not letting them influence me too much either way. I find I actually have my own opinions on my books--what I wish I'd done differently, what I think I did well. Some people seem to agree with me (those would be the "smart" reviewers, LOL); others don't. People have different reactions to your work. And negative reviews do increase credibility.
I haven't responded to all reviews but I have to some and found no problems with this. There have been some interesting conversations and one has led to a long distance email friendship with someone who has had similar experiences to mine, outlined in the book. This is the subject of my latest blog entry, here on Goodreads.
It's a judgment call. Some reviews actively invite author participation by saying things like "does anyone know when the sequel is being published? Ebook edition ever coming out?" Or other types of questions. If just politely answering something review or comments asked about, that's not stalking.
I'm prickly about spam and being a marketing target. It won't freak me out to hear from authors I review or fan even if it's on a review unless it is harrassing/bullying behavior. I know the difference and don't feel stalked just from a simple comment or even a debate.Spamming my inbox, recommendations, non-promotional or off-topic to your book group discussions ... That's objectionable.
And authors or other members, abusive, harassing, threatening, bullying behaviors and posts are not acceptable. Offensive gets to be a judgment call. None of those are what you-know-who means when they start ranting about being bullied, followed by trolls (even if they posted first somehow they are following him to bully him some more).
Plus, even before the change allowing members to block non-friend comments on reviews, could always just delete the comment. If person kept insisting on commenting anyway, that is stalker behavior even if polite or non-confrontational comments.
I always "like" a review, purely because I like that the reader has taken time out of their lives to read my book/leave a review. I haven't experienced the (inevitable) bad review as yet, but I am sure it will come and I think I will probably "like" those reviews too. Everyone won't like every book they read, but they still took the time and effort to say so, and stropping off about it just makes the writer look unprofessional.
I sent a review copy to a reviewer with the request that she let me know if there was anything wrong with it as I was just learning how to generate ebooks. Instead of getting back to me to let me know it hadn't turned out well, she spent half of her review complaining about it. I felt it was akin to complaining about the state of a printed copy that had been accidentally torn in the post. Rather than engage with the reviewer, I wrote a polite note to the readers assuring them that the Kindle version would not have the same problems, and made a mental note not to trust that reviewer again.
I have a never-comment policy, but I think I make an exception for issues of faulty ebooks. I did yesterday. Indies can also give 'personal service' and I feel there is that expectation. In fact I think she didn't get on with stylistic aspects but the formatting is fine. Still, she said on Amazon, "Some errors may have been due to the formatting or the edition I had."
So I added a comment: "I'm fairly confident the Amazon ebook is as I intended. But in case you had a corrupt one, I'd happily send you a Kindle book -- if you'd like to contact me on my website or Goodreads. I'd do this for any customer who suspects formatting problems."
I have such a no-comment policy that I had to think hard. It helps that she's in a group with me on Goodreads, but I have to keep in mind that Amazon customers see my comment. I hope to God I chose right, when I went with the 'expectation of personal service'.
As Pauline did, I also felt a need to assure other customers they won't get a faulty ebook. Or even if they do, come to me, I'll supply another.
Mahala wrote: "Pauline wrote: "I sent a review copy to a reviewer with the request that she let me know if there was anything wrong with it as I was just learning how to generate ebooks. Instead of getting back t..."I can't be perfect all the time! Actually I checked the first few pages but didn't check every single page. But since I did make it clear that I was open to replacing it, I thought I could at least expect the courtesy that she would complain to me personally if there was a problem, not to the public at large. It's what I would have done in her position.
I always distinguish between 'review' and 'feedback'. A review is for other readers, feedback is for the author. I consider a 'comment' under a chapter of my serialized novel not a 'review' but 'feedback' so I will respond to comments, not to reviews
I totally agree with the ignore negative reviews, I keep a file of positive reviews to remind me other liked my books. It what about commenting in positive reviews? I have done that on amazon and it didn't feel like stalking, but maybe it was taken as that!
Gillian wrote: "I totally agree with the ignore negative reviews, I keep a file of positive reviews to remind me other liked my books. It what about commenting in positive reviews? I have done that on amazon and ..."
Keeping a file of positive reviews is a great idea. I have the best ones on my fridge! They do help.
Others will disagree, but I only engage when the reader contacts me directly. I provide lots of ways to do that, and get comments on Facebook, on my blog, via email. And I answer everybody. (Well, if they wrote to say, "your books suck," I wouldn't, but nobody ever has. I don't think romance readers go out of their way to be hateful, LOL.)
Putting my marketing hat on, it just seems more professional and makes a better impression--that I'm a professional writer, which I am, more concerned with writing my next book than constantly checking reviews. Which, ummm, I'm working on. (Next book, yes. Not constantly checking reviews, ummmmm....)
My 2 cents.
I comment on a lot of my reviews, but it's generally just to thank people for purchasing my book or to fangirl. I try to keep everything positive. If someone seems dissatisfied, I express my apologies that they did not like the book. Sometimes I might ask specifically what they did not like so I can avoid making the mistakes again. I've never had anyone respond to me negatively, and one woman was even so kind as to send me a list of all the typos in my book so I could correct the changes. Reviewers tend to take their cue from the author, so if you go in there feeling grateful that they bought your book (as you should), positive (they didn't have to review it, so the fact that they did put the effort in is nice), and professional (they are your customer, act like it) it's usually going to end well. And if the reviewer seems standoffish or uneasy about you commenting on their review, or doesn't respond, leave it at that. I'm a writer, not a bully; I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable. But that's my opinion.
If someone asked a question I might respond ("Why did he do A instead of B?") but not a general "I hated it." Although if I actually agreed with the criticism (this has happened on factual errors in things I've written in the past) I'd have no qualms saying so.
My book just had a 4-star review posted to Amazon. Good news, right? Well, not quite. The review is full of spoilers. It basically reveals every plot twist. Has anyone else had such an experience? Advice?
You can't do anything about people, Jeffrey.I had a similar experience and thought it best just to avoid attracting attention to what the person revealed.
I remember when the most popular thread title on the World of Warcraft forums was "Snape kills Dumbledore."
S.J. wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "My book just had a 4-star review posted to Amazon. Good news, right? Well, not quite. The review is full of spoilers. It basically reveals every plot twist. Has anyone else had..."S.J.,
Thanks for the good idea!
Yeah I had the same thing recently. A book review I received started talking descriptively about the ending. I politely contacted the reviewer and asked that they put in a spoiler alert. They were happy to help me out. I have found that people from different countries too were having problems understanding a lot of my humour. Lost in translation I guess....
I had this happen with a review on a book blog, and asked the reviewer nicely (after thanking her again for the review) whether she'd delete the spoiler.Jeffrey wrote: "My book just had a 4-star review posted to Amazon. Good news, right? Well, not quite. The review is full of spoilers. It basically reveals every plot twist. Has anyone else had such an experie..."
Well, maybe you can do something about people if you're nice to them.I hadn't considered that.
I finally got this resolved. After contacting Amazon and asking if they could delete the review or if not post a "spoiler alert" warning, I was told that neither option was a go. So finally I contacted the reviewer directly and thanked her for an overall favorable review (4 of 5 stars). However, I was concerned about the amount of the story revealed in her review. Fortunately, she was very helpful and resubmitted it without all the spoilers. A happy ending!
An excellent way to handle it Jeffrey. Congrats
Sometimes, I cannot help but add a spoiler to my reviews especially if I had a problem with what occured in the book. But nobody who didn't read the book would know what I am talking about.
I mean only somebody who read would know. Gosh I'm tired.
Two questions: 1. At the risk of sounding ignorant, how are these reviews with spoilers in them picked up?
2. Anybody ever gotten a review that was based on a prejudice against you versus your story and it bled all through the review? If so, were you able to flag it for Goodreads to remove? Or would doing this, as some have mentioned above, draw greater attention to the matter and perhaps shed a negative light on the author?
In my case, the review posted discussed the ending and gave away surprises. As far as reviews that attack me, I am not sure about that, but I did have a review for my first book that complained about things that were wrong. It was not professional and I don't recommend this, but I commented with "I don't mind getting a bad review, but please read the book before writing your review". Again, I didn't really feel good afterward and don't advise responding.
Thanks for advice.