Fringe Fiction Unlimited discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
Questions/Help Section
>
Pay-it-foward read and review challenge
@AmberBE HONEST. It is the only way to give this process any integrity. It sounds like you're writing a constructive review, and that's all any author has a right to. Frankly I think we're too allergic to criticism here. In other threads I've seen every criticism or just about met with "they're just jealous" or "the reviewer is a snob." Unless you're attacking the author personally, you are completely within your rights to leave whatever rating you think is appropriate.
Yes, even if it's for my book lol.
Not to mention people don't always see the value of lower reviews. They make your book look REAL. Carefully cultivating only four or five star reviews is a mistake.
Mod
Seriously, two stars is better than nothing and it shows people are having honest reactions rather than stuffing the ballot box :)
yeah some folks are sensitive and will get hopping mad when they see that glaring 1-2 star staring at them. but just be honest as to why you hated the book. the writing style, the charater development, the plot, whatever- there was some reason you didn't like it (or didn't finish it if it caused that much mental suffering). i always look at the bad reviews first, as they're more honest than the gushy 4-5 stars. i'm always suspect as i think they're from friends or family or the author posing as different people.if folks gave me a bad review of my work, i'd like to know WHY instead of the one excuse i keep hearing "it's not my cuppa". blergh.
Amber, I agree that I feel conflicted about leaving negative feedback. One thing I like about this particular setting is that the reciprocity isn't necessarily direct--people don't have to review the books of the people who reviewed theirs--which makes it easier to be honest and harsh if necessary. But at the same time, it's really hard to give negative feedback when you know the author is going to be reading it, even if the negative feedback is honest.My reviews of traditionally published books tend to be harsh (I give out very few 5-stars. I like to save it for "super special, this really stuck with me!" books). I like most of the books I read, but it probably seems like I don't when my average rating on Goodreads is 3.35. But 3 stars is "I liked it," according to Goodreads' metric, so I stand by my ratings. :) (It's worth nothing, though, that Amazon gives different definitions to its star ratings. 3-stars is "It's okay," which is 2-stars on Goodreads.) I'll admit that I'm shifting my scale when rating self-published books, perhaps increasing my rating by one star. However, while my star rating might be more lenient than usual, the written comment of my reviews are completely honest.
I do feel all sorts of cognitive dissonance, though, between the desire to be honest and the desire to not hurt the feelings of someone who might already be "down" (which is probably true of every self-published author who isn't Hugh Howey :)). Part of the problem is that the books we're picking may not be good fits given our own reading interests, and while we would normally abandon a book as soon as we discover it's a poor fit, we feel obligated to continue in this particular context. (I did abandon a book a self-published author gave me last year in exchange for an honest review. I didn't rate the book, but I wrote that I didn't finish it because it just wasn't my thing. If I had forced myself to finish it, it would've been a 1-star rating.) I have yet to read a self-published book that is completely terrible and has no redeeming qualities, but if I did, I think I would privately message the author and tell them my concerns before posting a public review. I'd recommend that they consider revising the book (going back into beta-reading state), and then my review could serve as personal feedback to them instead of a public embarrassment. Hopefully they'd take the book off the market and revise it. But if they still wanted me to post my review and rating, I'd do it.
@Maron I give most things a three or a four. I'm critical sure, but also fairly easy to please if the author really put forth a good effort. Most things get a three though because I'm going by the goodreads metric faithfully.
Also in case it needs to be said, PLEASE PLEASE don't argue with people who give you low ratings. I recently dnf-ed a book and the author and his buddy attacked me personally over it. Not pleasant.
@Marion - nothing wrong with that at all!
Darn phone. You should give honest reviews. If it's my book, I'd love to hear your honest thoughts, good or bad
I second the value of negative (but constructive) reviews. I have left several of those (2 and 3 usually on Amazon, 1 on occasion) but I always make sure to explain myself when I do so. I recently got a 2-star rating, no review, on GR, and I was like, "Okay, I wish I knew what you didn't like about it!" I didn't ask, of course; that's against the rules ;)
Anyway, if I read a fringie book that I didn't like I would be honest. I hope you will be too (yes, even if it's mine).
Jason wrote: "I second the value of negative (but constructive) reviews. I have left several of those (2 and 3 usually on Amazon, 1 on occasion) but I always make sure to explain myself when I do so. I recently ..."Gulp. Okay. It's yours :(
I see! I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it.At least now I won't be thinking about it all day ;)
I just want to say kudos to both Amber and Jason. Amber for sincerity, and Jason for being cool about it.
Well, no book appeals to everyone. While finding out someone didn't like it churns my gut a little, I am confident in my writing and my story based on the other feedback I've gotten, so I'm just interested in finding out where I lost her :)
Mod
Well...one can be a jerk about it ;)I know there is, apparently, plenty of evidence for that.
How that's supposed to be helpful, or satisfying, or...well, anything except jerkish, I dunno :)
I think honesty is the best way to go about it. Especially with the attitude around here, where everyone is willing to learn and listen to other opinions. I now have a new found respect for Amber and Jason :)
This is wonderful to see. :)Oh, and don't bother reading mine lol
No really, it was published almost 5 years ago and I've been moving away from indie. I would rather see the truly indie authors' books get the attention they deserve.
ummmm, I don't think we're talking about the right Jason. Unless the review Amber just posted was not the one mentioned in this thread.....
Ack! The awkwardness of a common first name!/feels weight lifting off of chest, then looks around awkwardly.
Jason wrote: "????"I just saw a review Amber posted about half an hour ago, and while it is quite detailed and well thought out, it's not about Chains of Prophecy.
Still, Jason, I admire your attitude even when you thought it was your book on the chopping block.
The mysterious Jason? This group is getting more intriguing.
Well I think current Jason still deserves respect haha but I'm sure the other Jason won't mind either. So many Jasons
You know what surprises the crap out of me? There are actually other people named Tiger Gray.
lol Yeah, high five current Jason for rolling with the punches lol
I shall now change my title to..."Current Jason."
/cape flourish
Jason wrote: "I shall now change my title to..."Current Jason."
/cape flourish"
This makes me wish we could set flair a la reddit.
Oh, wouldn't that be nice....Ahem, anyway, back on topic lol
This thread is starting to get weird. I like it:)
haha! Double-kudos to "current Jason." :D
good job current jason for taking it to the chin. :D
Oh, how I love this group. So, so much! Lol.By the by, just posted your second review Jennifer. Now on to Atancia (Which I keep mentally calling Atlancia and kinda singing into the Enchancia song from Sophia the first -children's disney programme. Seriously cannot help it. Sorry Wren :p)
Thanks for the review:) Glad you're enjoying the trilogy.
LOL, don't worry Joanne. She doesn't become a princess overnight, though she is trying to figure out how to do things right... I know it's an uncommon name, but that's why I chose it. It was more for the meaning than anything else :)
Here is my review of Katie's The Shadow Miner:Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/review/R5H05N91...
(Amazon and Goodreads have different definitions for their star ratings)
I'm about to start my third review for this pay-it-forward challenge. It's been a great experience! However, no one has selected my book Laika in Lisan yet, as far as I could tell. It would be super awesome if someone could. :) (Don't worry, I won't start begging!) It's not an action book, so I don't recommend it if you're into battles, fight scenes, and a clear distinction between good and evil. However, if you're comfortable with moral ambiguity and you like the idea of traveling to a mysterious foreign country, then the book might appeal to you. It's also been professionally edited, so it is very much a finished-work.
Maron wrote: "Here is my review of Katie's The Shadow Miner:Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/review/R5H05N91...
(Amazon and Goodreads have different def..."
I added it to my TBR list, Maron, but it may be a while before I get to it. (Sorry.)
Maron wrote: "Here is my review of Katie's The Shadow Miner:Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/review/R5H05N91...
(Amazon and Goodreads have different def..."
It may take me a while but I plan on getting to every book on the list :)
Like I said, may take a while lol
Thanks, Monica and Michael! :)
Wren wrote: "LOL, don't worry Joanne. She doesn't become a princess overnight, though she is trying to figure out how to do things right... I know it's an uncommon name, but that's why I chose it. It was more ..."
I've been dwelling on how bitchy I coulda sounded since writing that. Just know there wasn't a shred of catty intent there -i've read your sample and am very looking forward to reading. But, seriously, it's like a disease, I can't stop fitting it into the song. Shows its catchy at any rate, right?
I didn't think it sounded bitchy at all, just funny :) Just keep singing Sophia and don't start with Let it Go, cause then I might get aggravated!
Nope, the other Jason, though a little behind, appreciates Amber for taking the time to read and review my book. He also doesn't mind being referred to as Mysterious Jason. :)
Mod
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Fringe Fiction Unlimited
Books mentioned in this topic
Laika in Lisan (other topics)What Hides Within (other topics)
A Bright Power Rising (other topics)
A Bright Power Rising (other topics)
Restricted Renegade (other topics)
More...
i've got 1 to 1 right now (one was 2 the othe 4) so not all of them suck! i'm open for more books... i'm almost done with