Authors Helping Authors discussion
Authors helping writers
>
book reviews: what SHOULD they be
date
newest »
newest »
A true review is going to give something about the story itself, not how a reader stepped outside their comfort zone, or accidentally picked up the wrong genre, then knocked the author down a peg or two because the 'spy thriller had too much espionage', the erotica 'too much nudity', etc. A reader may hate the story--share the why of it, or loves the story, again, share the why of it, but, in reviewing, I try to remember that not all storytellers are going to tell me a story I like. Doesn't mean it was a bad story. Someone worked hard on this. Someone had a vision. Who am I to take that way from them with harsh words just because the story wasn't to my liking?
Karey wrote: "A true review is going to give something about the story itself, not how a reader stepped outside their comfort zone, or accidentally picked up the wrong genre, then knocked the author down a peg o..."Hum, this is a difficult one, does the reviewer put all personal feeling aside and only comment on the mechanics of the book? or do they say what the book meant to them? which may be this is not my normal choice of story but....
Another problem is the star rating- it states I did not like it, I liked it etc not badly constructed, poor grammar, flowing etc...so it is pushing reviewers towards a personal feeling review.
I agree that saying there was too much nudity in an erotica book is a little useless, but the writer knows this and should have a laugh.
When I read reviews before choosing a book I like to read the lower star and high star reviews, then I look at the sample and make up my own mind.
Q:
There was a lot of controversy last year between print publication reviewers and online bloggers. In your opinion, what defines a ‘legitimate’ reviewer?
A:
A legitimate reviewer is someone who has read the book they are expressing an opinion on — and expressed that opinion rationally with adequate examples or documentation. The legitimacy of a reviewer does not arise from what medium they are using to express their opinion, nor whether they are salaried, freelance, or unpaid volunteers. It is how well, how persuasively, and how fairly they can express their recommendation on what they've read, whatever that opinion might be.