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Rating/reviewing your own book on GR?
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Elizabeth
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Aug 13, 2013 07:47AM
Once in a while I see authors who give their own books a rating (5 star, usually) or a review here on GR. What are your thoughts on this practice? I'm not planning to do it myself. Just wanted to get other authors' two cents.
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I personally don't do it. It just seems a bit tasteless. Obviously an author is going to think his/her book is great. There's no need to tell the world that you think the book you wrote is worthy of a five star.But with that said, it's really a minor thing. If I see it on a page, I won't judge them for it. I just won't put much weight on the rating or review (unless it's a book I already read and enjoyed and am curious to see what the author had to say about it).
Although I do find it annoying how all my read books are reviewed on my book lists except for my own books. The OCD in me wants me to rate them just so I don't see those blank stars around all my other filled in ones.
This is a hard one. Some people hate it when authors rate/review their own books, some people think that it's weird if an author doesn't rate/review their own books... I've seen topics with comments like, "What's wrong with your book that you won't give it a high rating?"So... as with most things in life, it's impossible to please everyone. I put a rating/review on my own book simply because I wrote a book that I would want to read. Being honest about that is the best I can do... if it annoys some people, well, they don't have to give any credence to my review or read it.
I actually took a little while to clue in to the fact that you can write a "review" without actually giving your book a rating. Once I figured that out, I managed to write a little bit of a summary of my book, different from the back cover copy, without rating it at all. I think of an author review as what I would say to a potential reader if I were speaking to them in person and they asked me about the book. I wouldn't say, "FIVE STARS! It's the best book you'll ever read! Buy it now!" But I would say... "It's more historical thriller than science thriller...and..."
I never give a rating. Plus I believe GR "deducts" any author rating, so it won't count toward the overall rating.I always use the review section though, to write something about the book, so readers have a bit more info than the official book blurb. Readers can also then comment on your review, and I have had a bit of back and forth in comments with fans, which is fun :)
I appreciate the helpful replies and agree that it can be a Catch-22 situation. Didn't even think about using a non-starred "review" as an opportunity to give more information. I just wrote and posted one for my book. Jenelle, I liked your reasoning too. I think it's a go-with-what-you're-comfortable with kind of thing.
Agreed, the non-starred "review" sounds like a best of both worlds scenario, being realistic with the audience on what to expect without having to boast about how great your book is. Might be something I'll try.
I just modified mine to include a cover quote from a well-known author. I'm assuming this might be a potentially good use of the "author review" section without tooting one's own horn (i.e. let someone else toot said horn LOL). Will let you all know if it seems to have been a good decision :)
I use a non-starred review to post book excerpts and updates. I have also used it to post a Publishers Weekly review. But I don't rate my own book, that just seems weird to me ;)
I never suspected that Goodreads would let you into the review section of your own book. I would like to post reviews that people gave me elsewhere. Any stigma in that?
That just seems...tacky, honestly. Posting reviews from other places is perfectly sensible; reviewing your own stuff for Goodreads is just silly.
Kristen wrote: "I actually took a little while to clue in to the fact that you can write a "review" without actually giving your book a rating. Once I figured that out, I managed to write a little bit of a summary..."Hey Kristen, I just added your title to my to-read list. It sounds very interesting and something different so I'll have to check it out. Maybe I can give you a 5 star rating :O)
Steven wrote: "Kristen wrote: "I actually took a little while to clue in to the fact that you can write a "review" without actually giving your book a rating. Once I figured that out, I managed to write a little ..."Steven, thanks so much! I hope you love the book and I wouldn't complain if you felt compelled to give it five stars :)
Ha ha ha :o) you so funny It does sound very cool and you seem to have an interesting backround so I am looking forward to seeing how that works into your book :o)
There's no catch-22 about this.Rating and/or reviewing your own book is somewhat scummy.
The thing that gets me about this is if your going to rate your own book obviously your going to rate it 5 stars. If you didn't what would you be saying about your own work? Personally I don't rate my books I don't see a point. Sure it can be used as a promoting part in some peoples eyes but I just dont get it. No author should review their book at all. That makes an author seem a bit too conceided about their own work. If you want to review your own book give your own opinion on it in your press release, after all thats what a press release is for among other things.
