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Reviewing as an author
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Having just looked at your Amazon reviews, it seems the ones you are talking about are the Vine reviews. One commented that your novel was compared to someone else and she felt it was an inaccurate comparison. Maybe your publisher mis-described your novel to the Vine reviewers?
My reading time is too precious these days. If I'm not enjoying a book - like, one and two-star territory - I put it down and start another. I don't rate or review it. That's not because I'm worried about negative reviews - I just don't think it's fair on the author or on a reader who might come along looking for a recommendation. I've always been that way, since before I published. I got about a third of the way through Life of Pi before realising it wasn't for me, and managed 100 pages of The Lord of the Rings before staring at it with incredulity thinking "THIS was just rated the best book ever?" I do stay faithful to authors I've liked, though, and very occasionally a book might garner a 2-star rating through sheer disappointment. One of my favourite authors is John Connolly and I adore his Charlie Parker series, but since the original three near-perfect novels, he seems to go through that Star Trek thing of one brillant, one less good (never terrible though), so for me they swing between 5 stars and 3 (one 2-star, I think). I probably have a couple of 2-stars on my GR account from my back-library, from way back when I used to soldier through novels even when I didn't enjoy them.
But now, certainly for self-pubbed authors, I don't leave a bad review. I don't leave ANY review if I can't leave a good one. In one review-swap I made my honest comments privately and we agreed it best I didn't post even a praise-sandwich type review.
From another point of view, not everyone uses GR the same way. Some users want other people to know their opinion of books to help when making choices, but others use it as a personal reference library, which is entirely their choice. It's why some readers only rate books without leaving a review. So if they simply give two stars to a book, that's their own reference, meaning if that author's name pops up again on an ad or some such they know they didn't enjoy the previous book, so will likely steer clear.
If someone is reviewing outside a preferred genre, though, I think it's important to a) give an honest opinion and b) state clearly this isn't usually the sort of book you might read. For example, I had never read a fantasy novel before picking up LOTR, and the very first sentence annoyed me. I persevered for 100 pages or so before surrendering.
So my review for LOTR would be 1 or 2 stars, followed by, "I don't usually read fantasy, so I may be way off the mark, but the dense overly-flowery prose and nonsensical language made me want to tear this into pieces". I didn't because a friend loaned it to me.
I think it comes down to context. A review is a comment on the reviewer as much as the book, so emphasising positive or negative bias is fair.
A.D. wrote: "My reading time is too precious these days. If I'm not enjoying a book - like, one and two-star territory - I put it down and start another. I don't rate or review it. That's not because I'm worrie..."I respect your thinking about reviews. Well said, AD.
Iola wrote: "Having just looked at your Amazon reviews, it seems the ones you are talking about are the Vine reviews. One commented that your novel was compared to someone else and she felt it was an inaccurate..."Thanks, Iola, I was astonished at the comparison which my publishers made-- worried that the barre was too high, and therefore that remark by a reviewer didn't bother or surprise me. That said, anyone that didn't like Strout's Olive would definitely not like my characters!
Goodreads allows us to see our readers favorite genres. It would seem to me that people who read Batman, Vampire and Romances would most likely not choose or enjoy my novel. I don't know anything about Vine or ARC and wondered how they select readers?
If I've read the same book as an articulate and considerate reviewer, I enjoy a lively discussion. if they are writing about my book in the same way, I appreciate and am fairly open to different points of view and constructive criticism. These challenges are a part of participating in writing workshops and can sometimes be helpful.
My personal choice is to write reviews about books I cared enough to finish, which usually have been recommended to me, and are most often in my preferred genre, literary fiction.
Stephen wrote: "My stance as a writer is completely different from me as a reviewer. On occasion I get authors that ask me about review swaps. I have no problems reviewing another writers work. However I will be h..."Since my book was published, I've been approached by several writers I know and writers I don't know, who are writing about what they consider a similar topic to read and review their books. I barely have time to write, not to mention read books in my "want to read pile." The sense of obligation is tremendous, the duty is waring. Reading time is so precious. Is this one of those obligatory duties of being an "author"? How do you all do it all?
Rachael wrote: "I'm a voracious reader, but since becoming a self published writer with a Goodreads page, I'm very wary of giving negative reviews. If I really don't like a work, I'll give it a one star or two sta..."BRAVA, Rachael!
I think review swaps are a really bad idea. It's tit for tat and I don't think it results in honest reviews. It is absolutely not an obligatory duty of being an author. If you honestly are interested in another author's book and it's something you think you'd enjoy, even if it stretches your comfort zone, I see nothing wrong with reading and reviewing it, but not in exchange for like services.
T.H. wrote: "I think review swaps are a really bad idea. It's tit for tat and I don't think it results in honest reviews. It is absolutely not an obligatory duty of being an author. If you honestly are intere..."
Review swaps aren't just a bad idea (for the reason's you've state), but they are also against Amazon's reviewing guidelines.
That is EXACTLY how I feel. If I don't like something, I'm not going to read it. I don't rate it, either, because how can I accurately rate something I haven't read? It's just my opinion, after all. I wrote a book that took nearly three years of my life to complete, and now I have a much greater appreciation for reviews than I ever did. And I know how much a good review helps authors and readers; even bad reviews IF THEY ARE WRITTEN fairly. On a related note, I also don't like reviews that synopsize the whole book. It's like a movie trailer for a flick I want to see--I close my eyes and cover my ears! Don't ruin it for me. Is that just me? When I see a review launching in that direction, I stop reading it.
Iola wrote: "T.H. wrote: "I think review swaps are a really bad idea. It's tit for tat and I don't think it results in honest reviews. It is absolutely not an obligatory duty of being an author. If you honest..."
I wasn't even aware of this policy, although I'd never even consider doing it.
Paula wrote: "That is EXACTLY how I feel. If I don't like something, I'm not going to read it. I don't rate it, either, because how can I accurately rate something I haven't read? It's just my opinion, after all..."Yeah, I don't much care for spoiler-y reviews either. I try to focus my reviews on the quality of the characters, the plot, my feelings overall, rather than summarize the story. I don't think that really helps readers decide if they want to read a book. Reviews are not for authors, they're for other readers.
I fell into this trap early on. Yep, it bit me in the arse. Fortunately the reviewer tried to correct some facts that, in the reviewers eyes, were not accurate, not even pertaining to writing skills. The corrections pretty much discredit the reviewer, but the review is out there nonetheless. Amazon, B&N, - oh yeah, everywhere. I was eager and wanting reviews before the editor had done his job. Bottom line; it's my fault for being impatient. As Paula wrote, "Reviews are not for authors, they're for readers."
Just live and learn and walk away from it.
I recently had a friend ask me to review his book, but, as you guys have said, I wouldn't write a bad review. Instead I referred him to an editor and he was offended. So I'm batting two for two on this subject. Ha. It's a no win situation.
The whole idea of review swaps is distasteful. I leave a note at the end of my books asking that if the reader has enjoyed the book, or even if they haven't, please leave a review. It's often our only connection with the reader and our only way of getting genuine feedback. I've even retired a book because I could see it wasn't working.
I have been approached by authors - people I don't even know - asking if I'd like to do a review swap and I always turn them down politely. For the most part I have pretty decent reviews. Why would I want these diluted by a few sentences from someone who hasn't even read the book? I find the whole idea obnoxious.
Johnny wrote: "I was eager and wanting reviews before the editor had done his job. Bottom line; it's my fault for being impatient. ..."Johnny, I often get review copies which state they haven't yet been proofread, and they may therefore contain some errors which won't be in the final edition. If I know it's being proofread, I ignore any errors I find.
On the other hand, if the author implies the book has been edited and proofread, I do comment on errors.
A.L. wrote: "I review as a reader. I don't rate or review mine, although I might for anthologies based on the other stories as yet I am undecided about that.I don't see a problem with reviewing a book if you'..."
I agree with you entirely, A.L.! I love to read more than I love to write, so I have to shoot my mouth off about what I've read. Also, I don't see a problem with review swaps provided both parties agree on an honest review, or none if one finds that the book in question really isn't one's cup of tea.
I don't review for other authors. It's nothing personal but if I don't like a book, I don't want to put my name to a great review and basically, well, lie. And I don't want to hurt other people's feelings. So I only read what I want, only post reviews about books I've loved, and I don't comment/review on books I don't like (because, hey, other people like them and the writer put their heart and soul into it, and I know what it feels like to get a bad review). It's the same reason I refuse to critique for other authors. Not to mention I work two jobs - nursing and writing - so I struggle to keep my own writing time! My reading time is precious, and usually done in bed now. Cripes, I even visit friends by booking them onto the calender! Luckily they're understanding!
That sounds like a good policy, Angela. Only wish I could keep my mouth shut when I don't like something!
Harini wrote: "That sounds like a good policy, Angela. Only wish I could keep my mouth shut when I don't like something!"Coming from a place where I wouldn't finish a book I didn't like, before posting, I take a deep breath, then ask myself would I be willing to say what I write directly to the author, face-to-face in a conversation. Some reviewers on goodreads have a glib and sarcastic style, out to shock-- perhaps more about the reviewer than the author. Just watched a documentary about Mel Brooks in which he mentioned that terrible reviews feel like a "stab in his heart." There seems to be more consideration in goodreads group discussions than in reviews. Why is that?
Alice wrote: "Harini wrote: "That sounds like a good policy, Angela. Only wish I could keep my mouth shut when I don't like something!"Coming from a place where I wouldn't finish a book I didn't like, before p..."
I agree with you, Alice. You expressed my feelings perfectly.
Alice wrote: There seems to be more consideration in goodreads group discussions than in reviews. Why is that?..."Perhaps because reader/reviewers believe reviews are for readers, not for authors. While it's nice if an author retweets my review or thanks me, it can also feel a little creepy. I don't write reviews for authors (well, I do, but I call them Manuscript Assessments, and charge I for them).
I write reviews for myself, and for readers who like the same kinds of books I do. A review is the personal opinion of one reader who is bringing a whole bunch of preconceived ideas to t his/her reading of the book, and a review is simply a reflection of that. Nothing more.
Is there more consideration of authors in discussions? I don't know. I hadn't noticed that, because most of the groups I'm active in the authors participate as readers. This group is for authors, which makes it slightly different.
Iola wrote: "Alice wrote: There seems to be more consideration in goodreads group discussions than in reviews. Why is that?..."When I used the word "consideration" I meant civility in the conversation.
I read and review almost exclusively American historical fiction. Because I am a writer, I am appreciative of excellent writing and am very specific pointing out the evidence of it (and lack of it). If I really don't like a book, I usually stop reading it. You should not agree beforehand to review a friend's book. Read it if you want and review it if it's great. Just don't tell the friend. If it isn't great, write nothing. Most definitely do not agree to review another author's work in exchange for their agreement to review yours.
Harold wrote: "...You should not agree beforehand to review a friend's book. Read it if you want and review it if it's great. Just don't tell the friend. If it isn't great, write nothing...."The contributors to this thread seam to agree on this point - if you don't like the book, say nothing - do not review it. Reviews are supposed to be for other readers and are to be used to help them select books. What I'm hearing here is that reviews are a promotional tool for writers and if we have to lie to help our fellow authors sell books - that is what we do. I was always taught that you could tell a big lie and that was wrong. I was also taught that not telling the truth was just as big a lie.
There also seems to be a question regarding the practice of exchanging reviews. GR and Amazon do not allow the posting of paid reviews. Exchanging reviews fall in that category and are not allowed. The authors are exchanging valuable promotional tools. Rationalize this procedure all you want - it's still unethical.
I'm reading through this discussion and I'm appalled by the attitude of many of the authors who commented here. The decision to go along with whatever sells books is a terrible mistake. You underestimate the readers. Many stopped buying books based on reviews long ago. They keep DO-NOT-READ lists for authors who use or condone unethical tactics to sell books. These same readers buy based on other criteria and the authors attitudes, honesty, and writing ability, displayed in the discussions here, are usually a strong consideration when selecting and buying books.
Yup it's a dicey subject. I have not asked for reviews from fellow authors, but I've some. Overall I'm quite satisfied with the reviews. Not too glowing and nothing misleading. I also review other authors if I come across their works. My personal experience is if they did not ask for a review you are entirely free to write just about anything. But if they did ask for it that's the dicey part. Having said that overall as a person/reader I would normally just look for the positive instead of dwelling too much on the negative. I mean if I don't like a book, why would I need to keep on reading and then write something negative about it? Errr..reading for schools did not count though, because you have to :)
S. wrote: "Yup it's a dicey subject. I have not asked for reviews from fellow authors, but I've some. Overall I'm quite satisfied with the reviews. Not too glowing and nothing misleading. I also review other ..."I have been in writing groups at The Writer's Voice in New York City, The CalTech Group in California, and attend a quarterly Literary Salon in Los Angeles with some pretty accomplished writers. I want to read and support the published works of many of those members, and believe that I can be honest and unbiased in doing so. At the very least, I acknowledge their efforts and the merits of their writing.
This is not about quid pro quo, rather about being supportive.
THE Group for Authors!
Books mentioned in this topic
Life of Pi (other topics)The Lord of the Rings (other topics)
Hyperbole (other topics)
There are folks on goodreads reading and reviewing books, which they receive free, that are completely out of the realm of their literary interests. Can anyone explain this to me? The worst reviews my novel has received are from these readers.