Authors, What Do You Feel When You Read Negative Reviews of Your Books?

[Char]

I used to be more liberal with the stars. As I have reviewed more books, I've gotten a little more stingy with the stars.

[ᴥ Irena ᴥ]

Gregor wrote: "3 stars is a good book, a solid work. I enjoyed it. It delivered based on set expectations."

This is how I see a three-star rating too.

[[deleted user]]

I'm free with 4 stars but not 5's. If I could give ½ stars I would give more 3½'s than 4's though. And I'm also more giving with short stories and novellas.

[Phebe]

Bill wrote: "I rated a book 3 stars and had the author contact me saying "Sorry, you didn't enjoy the book." I was a bit creeped out. "

Until this thread it had never occurred to me that authors actually read the reviews on Amazon or Goodreads.

Terminally naive, I know. [:-)

I always write reviews for other potential readers --- I hope I continue to do that.

[Jason]

I love reading reviews of my work, good or bad. I want to know what I'm doing right and what I'm doing wrong.

For reviews, I give out 4s liberally, but not 5s. 5s I give to those I have absolutely nothing wrong to say about - perfect reads, harder to find in novels than short stories, I think. Half stars make sense, though. When will Goodreads get with that program?

[David P]

I agree that 3 star reviews are often good. The problem is that many promotion channels don't agree. For example, a lot of sites that promote books (especially "free" promos) will only list those with an average rating of 4.0 or higher. That sets the bar pretty high. A handful of 1 star reviews can pull a book down into the 3 star average range.

[Shaun]

I think a lot of books end up with unbalanced reviews because a lot of people have the feeling that anything under three stars isn't worth reviewing or rating. It's one thing if it just isn't your cup of tea, but if you're looking at horrible (or no) editing, flat characters, boring plot and similar issues, I don't see why you wouldn't want to let others know about it. Granted, it has become a rising problem of some authors and their fans lashing out at bad reviews, but that's a reflection on them more than the reviewer.

My own book has a bit of a spread on Amazon, with a total of 18 reviews at the moment.

5 - 5 star
5 - 4 star
1 - 3 star
1 - 2 star
6 - 1 star

Honestly, I don't mind that spread at all. Some people love it, some people hate it. I can accept that. The thing is, though, all the 1 - star reviews say more or less the same thing, which prompted me to take another look at it and have a second editor look over the manuscript which has led to me re-working some parts of the book (currently in-progress). So it's never a bad idea to pay attention to some of the complaints people make.

One of my bad reviews however, goes a bit far I feel, calling it tripe and claiming I should be ashamed for releasing it. Honestly, I think they haven't looked around Amazon too much because I know there is MUCH worse than my book out there. I was very tempted to leave a reply to her review, simply to state how she could get a refund for it if she honestly felt that strongly, however, by the time I noticed her review, it had already been up longer than the seven days Kindle requires returns to be in. So I left it alone.

[Char]

Shaun, please don't comment. It will only result in a negative outcome for you. Nothing good can come of it.

That being said, I have purchased books based on 1 star reviews. Most especially the ones that mention too much gore and cursing. :)

[Ms. Nikki]

Charlene wrote: "Shaun, please don't comment. It will only result in a negative outcome for you. Nothing good can come of it.

That being said, I have purchased books based on 1 star reviews. Most especially the on..."

You forgot sex, Charlene. ...too much gore, cursing, annnd sex!

[Shaun]

Charlene, the thread is titled "AUTHORS, What do you feel when you read negative reviews of your books?" I am an author, I replied.

I merely stated that I am comfortable with the spread of my reviews, that I feel the attitudes of people to not review when they feel a book deserves less than two stars leads to overall skewed ratings, that bad reviews can be helpful, and that my one temptation to comment on a bad review (which I eventually didn't for the reason I stated) was to offer information she apparently didn't have, which was how to request a refund on a book they obviously felt was a waste of digital space.

[Shaun]

Ah, that would be my misunderstanding then, as her post makes no mention of where she is talking about and I apologize. Carry on.

[Char]

Shaun wrote: "Charlene, the thread is titled "AUTHORS, What do you feel when you read negative reviews of your books?" I am an author, I replied.

I merely stated that I am comfortable with the spread of my re..."

What?? I was only recommending that you not reply to that review. I have seen only bad things happen when authors respond. The reviewer's friends will sometimes show up to defend their friend and the whole thing ends up in a big to do, which usually results in the authors book being shelved on an "author's behaving badly" shelf.
It was just some friendly advice...nothing against you personally. I've been around Amazon, Goodreads and Shelfari for a while and have seen some things end badly. I'm just trying to help you avoid that. No need to be defensive.

[Char]

Nikki wrote: "Charlene wrote: "Shaun, please don't comment. It will only result in a negative outcome for you. Nothing good can come of it.

That being said, I have purchased books based on 1 star reviews. Most ..."

Nikki! RIGHT! How could I have forgotten the "too much sex" complaint? LOL

[Rick]

Charlene wrote: "Nikki wrote: "Charlene wrote: "Shaun, please don't comment. It will only result in a negative outcome for you. Nothing good can come of it.

That being said, I have purchased books based on 1 star ..."

"Too much sex" reviews are great. They probably prompt a ton of "I'll be the judge of that" responses. :)

[Shaun]

I do apologize, though your post did not mention where you were speaking of and I have seen several threads here on Goodreads where readers have asserted themselves against authors making comments in discussions, the subject of negative reviews tending to be a particularly touchy one. Regardless, understanding is now reached and we now return you to your regularly scheduled discussion. :-)

[Char]

Rick wrote: "Charlene wrote: "Nikki wrote: "Charlene wrote: "Shaun, please don't comment. It will only result in a negative outcome for you. Nothing good can come of it.

That being said, I have purchased books..."

Right, Rick! Nice to see you, by the way. :)

[Char]

Shaun wrote: "I do apologize, though your post did not mention where you were speaking of and I have seen several threads here on Goodreads where readers have asserted themselves against authors making comments ..."

I should have been more specific, I guess. Sorry about the misunderstanding.

[Todd]

Nikki wrote: "You forgot sex, Charlene. ...too much gore, cursing, annnd sex! ..."

(sheepish) I had to do a double-take on this, Nikki. I thought you wrote "too much... anal" sex! lol!

[Char]

ROFL Todd! I wouldn't have been surprised!

[Rick]

Charlene wrote: "Rick wrote: "Charlene wrote: "Nikki wrote: "Charlene wrote: "Shaun, please don't comment. It will only result in a negative outcome for you. Nothing good can come of it.

That being said, I have pu..."

Likewise, Charlene. Trying to delurk here after being quiet for a while. Not nearly enough hours in the day. :)

[Jason]

Charlene wrote: "Shaun, please don't comment. It will only result in a negative outcome for you. Nothing good can come of it.

That being said, I have purchased books based on 1 star reviews. Most especially the on..."

I agree with Charlene, Shaun. We all become emotionally tied to our work, but putting any form of art out there for public review requires thick skin, particularly where the criticism is unwarranted.

[Phebe]

Interesting discussion. I think it's a question of the proscenium arch: don't break it! We readers think authors are, like, holy people. Demigods. When you talk to us in response to something we say, we are shocked. I remember I was on a fan group for Tad Williams once (Otherland, Shadowmarch, etc.) and he came on and SAID stuff. Talked to posters! I was aghast -- it was like a Deus Ex Machina. I left the group -- too confusing to be a fan of someone who is right THERE.

Walter Laqueur got into it in comments with a reviewer he didn't appreciate (the guy spelled his name wrong, for one thing), he's an older writer of political European ideas --- I had already bought his book, but somehow after that, I never read it. Boy, that would be one way to stop my reviewing, for the author to stride right out into the audience and reply to me.

I suppose the change in publishing means a lot of you think you are real people, doesn't it? [:-) You don't have all the layers of publishing company insulation around you that writers always used to have. I went to a signing by Neal Stephenson once, and his publishers gave him essentially an honor guard.

[Ms. Nikki]

Rick wrote:"
"Too much sex" reviews are great. They probably prompt a ton of "I'll be the judge of that" responses. :)

That would be me!

[Ms. Nikki]

Todd wrote: "Nikki wrote: "You forgot sex, Charlene. ...too much gore, cursing, annnd sex! ..."

(sheepish) I had to do a double-take on this, Nikki. I thought you wrote "too much... anal" sex! lol!"

What Charlene said!

[Shaun]

Well, for the review I was tempted by, it wasn't a matter of taking it personally. God knows you can tear my stuff up all you want and it won't bother me in the least. I just felt bad for her that she was so enraged over it. Granted, I also felt kind of good to have inspired such a strong reaction, but mostly I felt bad for her, and it has been my discovery that most people are completely unaware they can get refunds on ebooks through Kindle. As I didn't have any refunds on my book the week that review went up, I assumed she was also not aware and I just wanted to be helpful. If someone hates my book THAT much, PLEASE, ask for a refund. The royalty off of one book isn't going to make or break a car payment or something.

And, yes, I am well-aware that it is generally a very bad idea to engage readers, especially on their reviews. Some people will argue the fact, claiming to have made friends and such doing it, I'm not. When I say I was tempted to reply, in no way do I mean I was going to speak of her review, I was merely going to cut/paste the instructions for how to get a refund. Generally speaking, no, I don't reply to reviews, good or bad.

[Char]

Shaun wrote: " Generally speaking, no, I don't reply to reviews, good or bad. "

I think that is wise. :)

[Jason]

Phebe wrote: "Interesting discussion. I think it's a question of the proscenium arch: don't break it! We readers think authors are, like, holy people. Demigods. When you talk to us in response to something we sa..."

Certainly, I'm still a nobody in the big sea of authors (but if they can find Nemo, maybe they'll find me). But I love it when I get PM's asking questions about particular paragraphs of my work. Early on, I had some formatting issues that only showed up in one format, which I would not have known about if not for a negative critique of it. I was fortunate that I was able to go back to my publisher and get it fixed.

If I ever reach a more prolific status, I hope to stay just as approachable (though I'd probably get many more messages). I remember meeting Roger Clemens once as a boy who loved him (still on the Red Sox). He was so rude to his fans, I've disliked him ever since

[Mark]

I got a message from Gillian Flynn today. I wrote her the most eloquent, witty, thoughtful, flattering sentences I could come up with. She responded with a "Thanks" or something similar. I will never wash my cheek again.

(I realize it could be her posse who wrote, and not her, but, don't burst my fantasy.)

[Jason]

Very Marsha Brady of you! lol

[Mark]

Jason wrote: "Very Marsha Brady of you! lol"

I can't tell you how thrilled I am that somebody got that!

[Char]

LOL Jason!
And who likes Roger Clemens now anyway? Pffft

[Jason]

Not this guy! But shhh... all those agents and publishers in NY don't need to know what team I like...

[Jason]

Mark wrote: "Jason wrote: "Very Marsha Brady of you! lol"

I can't tell you how thrilled I am that somebody got that!"

I grew up with the Bradys, worshiping Tiki gods, playing my fave Johnny Bravo tunes, and getting hit in the face by footballs

[Kate]

Charlene wrote: "Nikki wrote: "Charlene wrote: "Shaun, please don't comment. It will only result in a negative outcome for you. Nothing good can come of it.

That being said, I have purchased books based on 1 star ..."

LOL, you guys are funny. I would buy a book based on those poins too. ;)

[David P]

Shaun wrote: "Well, for the review I was tempted by, it wasn't a matter of taking it personally. God knows you can tear my stuff up all you want and it won't bother me in the least. I just felt bad for her that ..."

I only replied to one negative review, soon after releasing my first book. It was a mistake I never repeated. Next thing I knew my "fans" were attacking the reviewer, who fought back valiantly. LOL It got so bad eventually that I went back on the thread and said, "It's only a book! Can't we all just get along?" (or something to that effect). Both sides subsequently deleted their comments, but the flame trail is still there... :-)

[David P]

Jason wrote: "Phebe wrote: "Interesting discussion. I think it's a question of the proscenium arch: don't break it! We readers think authors are, like, holy people. Demigods. When you talk to us in response to s..."

I list my email at the end of my books and really enjoy interacting with fans here and on Facebook too. I always reply to direct messages. None of them have been "negative" although a few fans gave me lists of typos before I sent my books in for editing.

I got an email today from a reader who has been bugging me to release a 4th book in my series. I smiled when I read: "...It's just that your 1st 3 books in the Sovereign Spirit saga were [so] absolutely AWESOME that having to wait has been horrendous! And I'm 50 years old! LOL I can honestly say that your books resounded in me in a way that no other books have been able to do so in many years."

Those kind of messages motivate me to keep writing. But they are intimidating too. I never thought my zombie books would engender that type of reaction!

[Tiffany]

By the way, saying "There are worse things on Amazon" is not a good defense of your book.

[[deleted user]]

My trigger is "too much violence" - if I see that in a review I want the book - like now!

The reviews that really irk me are the ones who attack the readers who like the book. "If you like this than you're sick... uneducated... wouldn't know a good book if someone hit you upside the head with one." So I can definitely understand the hurt and anger when an author reads a review that attacks them personally.

[Char]

David, it must feel great to receive an email like that. Congratulations!

[Shaun]

Tiffany wrote: "By the way, saying "There are worse things on Amazon" is not a good defense of your book."

No, but it irks me when people use absolutes. Is my book better than sliced bread? God, no. My book has some serious issues, which I'm currently working on addressing, but when someone comes along and uses an absolute such as "This is the worst book, ever!" Knowing there are, in fact, much worse published on Amazon, is a great thought to use to soften the blow. :-)

[James]

It always stings a bit, but I get over it after a few minutes. You know what they say -- opinions are like assholes, everybody has one.

I lost a friend over a one-star review. Well, it was a Facebook friend. And I was the giver, not the receiver. I've never seen a bigger, more unprofessional INFANT in my life. I never comment on negative reviews. Just don't do it. No good can come of it, IMO.

[Karma♥Bites ^.~]

R.M.F wrote: "Remember, though, an author is always right, even when they're wrong. Compromise is not always a good thing."

???

[Char]

James, I think you're entirely correct. No good can come of it.

[Karma♥Bites ^.~]

Shaun wrote: "...Knowing there are, in fact, much worse published on Amazon, is a great thought to use to soften the blow. :-)"

Maintaining a reasonable perspective (most days) helps alot, right? Really glad to see that you're still holding onto yours, as well as your humour, Shaun. Look forward to the new and improved version of your book. :)

[Shaun]

Well, some days, you have to force yourself to laugh to keep yourself from crying. :P I've currently made several changes to try and address some of its issues, I lowered the price on Kindle as far as it would let me ($0.99), and I pulled the paperback version completely. I also have it scheduled with a different editor, though it'll be a least a month before that even gets started. Bad reviews can be very rough, but as the saying goes "If one person calls you a nag, ignore it. If three people call you a nag, get yourself a saddle."

[Ken B]

Anne Rice signs petition to protest bullying of authors on Amazon

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014...

[Karma♥Bites ^.~]

Ken wrote: "Anne Rice signs petition to protest bullying of authors on Amazon ..."

Which is rather hysterical (and hypocritical) b/c for years, she apparently has had no problems 'bullying' and harassing readers, either personally or via call-out to her fan base. :/

How Not to Respond to Negative Reviews: The Anne Rice Edition


ETA: The P.S. at end w/ link to Ms. Rice's 2004 post on Amazon is quite enlightening.

[Ken B]

I looked back and found that I have read 6 of the Vampire Chronicle books. I was living overseas at the time and was having trouble finding a good supply of English language fiction. My ratings were horrid on those books. With the exception of "Interview", I gave 2 STARS to the bulk of them.

Additionally, I gave "The Mummy" 1 STAR.

I guess if I had written a review, Anne would have considered me a bully.

[Alana ~ The Book Pimp]

Just to be devil's advocate for a moment... I SAW some of the comments Rice made (on reader's reviews on Amazon) regarding Charlaine Harris' final Sookie book. Even if the review was NOT 'threatening' to the author, Rice ripped the reader a new hole JUST for giving it a well thought out negative review in which she expressed her opinions. As much as I used to LOVE Rice's stuff, I'm not sure if I can read her anymore because she's not just going after 'trolls' she goes after honest, non-anonymous readers that give begative reviews. I felt it was a solid, well thought out review- and that particular book (Charlaine's) was a POS... but that's beside the point. This article paints authors as the 'damaged parties', and I will admit- sometimes they are. There ARE trolls, but just as equally, there are 'troll authors' that will badger, and email, and do every despicable thing that the 'trolls' are doing to authors. And the worst part of it all, the trolls are the minority, but it's 'drama' so it's 'news' and stands out more. And the rest of us get any privacy ripped away because of the bad apples in the bunch.

*Off soapbox now* Sorry

[Justin]

Hmm..who knew Anne Rice was so vocal? I thought she was as isolated and incognito as the vampires she wrote about.