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First negative review - how did you deal with yours?
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Darren
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Jan 26, 2016 11:52PM
You can always look at it this way: I have one review that intimates I may have killed my late wife. Until you've had a reviewer label you a murderer, you've not had a really negative review.
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There is also a really important difference between "I didn't like it" and "it's a bad book".I don't like celery. That doesn't make it a bad vegetable. It's just not to my taste.
At the moment I am struggling to read "War and Peace" and I'm not particularly enjoying it. There are far too many characters to keep track of. This doesn't make it a bad book - other people might like the "cast of thousands". But it's an issue for me.
So I wouldn't necessarily see a low review as a negative review. It might simply mean "not to my taste".
Darren wrote: "You can always look at it this way: I have one review that intimates I may have killed my late wife. Until you've had a reviewer label you a murderer, you've not had a really negative review."Wow.
That's horrible, Darren!
The first time I received a negative review, it stung. Now, I find it easier to handle as long as I'm getting more positive reviews than negative. If the reviewer gives reasons why they don't like the book then I try to take it on board (within reason), but those that don't give reasons why they dislike a book can be frustrating.
Patti (baconater) wrote: "Darren wrote: "You can always look at it this way: I have one review that intimates I may have killed my late wife. Until you've had a reviewer label you a murderer, you've not had a really negativ..."A small minority really took against the tone of the book in a big way and didn't like me at all. C'est la vie, la guerre ou la minestrone (I forget which).
Patti (baconater) wrote: "It's life or its soup?"Now there's a motto!!
Gingerlily - Mistress Lantern wrote: "Patti (baconater) wrote: "It's life or its soup?"Now there's a motto!!"
What's the motto with you?
I've still not had a proper stinker (though I have a 3 star on Something Nice from a review site which Amazon describes as a "critical review" even though the title is "Disturbed. I liked it.").Story Of My Escape has had the odd dud write-up, but it's almost always been from people who read it in the original French, or the Italian version that they think is the original. It's the consequence of Goodreads lumping my translation in with the others.
I've just realised this looks as though I'm saying my translation is better than the original French. I'm really not, but the original has been around for over 200 years and sold across Europe. Mine has been published for almost exactly 2 years, and has sold 200 copies (though one was in Japan, beat that, Casanova!)... I've not had the exposure to attract really bad reviews yet - long may it continue!
I'm *almost * tempted to write you a stinker just to make you smile, Andrew.But I'd have to write a review. I don't like writing reviews.
Darren wrote: "Gingerlily - Mistress Lantern wrote: "Patti (baconater) wrote: "It's life or its soup?"Now there's a motto!!"
What's the motto with you?"
Groooooaaaannn!
I've had three 5 star reviews so far, which, I think, are all from friends. I've shifted less than 30 units so far. This makes it look exactly what it is; people I know being nice. I don't believe the 5* reviews I see until I see a few 1* ones. Interestingly, within 2 days of launching my book I was contacted by a stranger who said he had a friend who could promote it for me, and if I spoke to this friend, he'd give me a review. The guy wanted $200 for to give me a 5* review, and the friend said he would give me a free review if I would just tell him what to say! Couldn't really see the point in this. I'll hang on for a real one.
Mind you, even 2 bucks is just wrong.
More expensive even than a UK Bookbub promotion.
I like the 1-star review that one of my books received more than some of the 4-stars. All legit and I'm cool with any opinion. I think the way the reviewer described why he didn't like the book, may actually attract some other readers, while some phrases like 'an interesting read but not unforgettable' in a 4-star review may be much more off-putting
Neil wrote: "within 2 days of launching my book I was contacted by a stranger who said he had a friend who could promote it for me ..."Be sure, if you get those kinds of offers here, that you flag them or report them to GR - they are against the Terms of Service (any paid reviews, except, interestingly enough, paid editorial reviews - the professionals are 'supposed' to be able to be objective even if paid) of GR and Amazon.
But if the people here who know better don't report these (and I've had MUCH cheaper offers), the scammers keep making them to other people who might not know better (being charitable here).
It skews the review system for authors who are not playing the system. I check the offers out carefully before reporting them - I think that's fair: some people are new or innocent. And GR doesn't remove things without checking.
Yep, what Alicia said.I've reported more than a few scammers over the years.
Patti (baconater) wrote: "Yep, what Alicia said.I've reported more than a few scammers over the years."
Good. I've been feeling kind of mean for doing it, and don't want to appear self-righteous. Don't want to be self-righteous.
Patti (baconater) wrote: "200 bucks???"good grief, one chap was advertising for reviews, he was willing to pay $10 for six, and they all had to be different and from different email accounts
The best word for this is in Yiddish: chutzpah (sp varies).In Spanish we call someone like this, "descarado," literally, without a face (cara).
Or as my Uncle Charlie would say, with a thick Mexican accent, "UN-beh-lee-va-ble." I can still hear him in my head.
In the UK, I think he'd be called a cheeky sod.
In Ireland, a cute hoor.
And in Lancashire, he'd be accused of having a brass neck!
Gingerlily - Mistress Lantern wrote: "In Ireland, a cute hoor."Thanks. I store Irishisms. Not that there isn't an unending supply.
Alicia wrote: "Gingerlily - Mistress Lantern wrote: "In Ireland, a cute hoor."Thanks. I store Irishisms. Not that there isn't an unending supply."
You can say that again!
It's always nice to know that every review of one of my books is a review that was honestly given. Or, at least, that I in no way influenced. It is a strange thing that we almost look forward to a few lesser reviews just to make the good ones seem more genuine.
Darren wrote: "It's always nice to know that every review of one of my books is a review that was honestly given. Or, at least, that I in no way influenced. It is a strange thing that we almost look forward to ..."
I'm with you on that - I was so excited when I got a polite 2* - obviously not my target audience, but the reader was nice enough to read it, based on a recommendation.
Darren wrote: "It is a strange thing that we almost look forward to a few lesser reviews just to make the good ones seem more genuine. "This. In a way, 4 and 5 star reviews make me feel guilty somehow.
How about - you read this review, and thank your lucky stars its not for your book!https://www.amazon.com/review/R2RRGVK...
It is important to remember that only a very small percentage of readers ever bother to post a consumer rating or review. Those that are posted are merely an expression of the reader's personal, and therefore, subjective opinion. One person's "Best book ever! may very well be another's "Worst book ever!".The quarterly sales report and accompanying royalty check are far more accurate and dependable reflections of a book's popularity and commercial success.
You have two options. Well three if the reviewer is sensible. If not you can crawl into a corner and cry or grow another layer of skin...
Yes it all depends on whether the review is accurate or not
I've had good reviews, and bad reviews. One actually really negative. lol. But as far as I'm concerned, when it's released, it's no longer mine. It belongs to the public, and they enjoy it in their own way. I do look at reviews, and I see if I think there is anything I can do to improve my writing. I also look to see if the reviewer leaves, generally bad reviews. Some people do that for fun.
But I usually just appreciate the fact that someone took the time to leave me a review in the first place.
To be honest, I've stopped "hoping" for a stinker, now (missed your comment above, Patty, sorry!). I've only sold around 600 books in four years, but I'm now thinking I'm going to take the lack of savage reviews as a sign that basically my books are of a decent standard, are in the right categories, and have the right kind of covers and blurbs, which show potential readers exactly what kind of book they're getting involved with. I've got reviews from friends, and I've got reviews from complete strangers, and I think it's telling that the most critical review I've ever received was from "The Kindle Book Review" - ie, solicited with a free copy (in exchange for an honest review, etc, etc).Left to discover it for themselves, people seem to like my writing, because my books sort of do what they say on the tin. People who are herded towards it, through promotions, ARCs, or whatever, may be looking for something that I just don't offer.
The best way to deal with a bad review is to pick a book by a bestselling author you really respect, and read their reviews.
Rosen wrote: "The best way to deal with a bad review is to pick a book by a bestselling author you really respect, and read their reviews."Yes indeed, Rosen! Even the most brilliantly written books aren't to everyone's tastes. I really don't get the 1* reviews on Amazon either that aren't about the book at all, but what was a poor delivery service - or, when they've ended up with a (let's say) French language version, where the product description clearly states that it's in French.
Gingerlily - Mistress Lantern wrote: "How about - you read this review, and thank your lucky stars its not for your book!https://www.amazon.com/review/R2RRGVK..."
Wow, someone must really have hated that book to write a review that long! It's longer than some of the books I've read.
I just got my first negative review!It's a 2-star drubbing for Pantocrime, my Christmas-themed short.
Ridiculous
A mystery without suspense
Um, I guess I'll let you know how I dealt with it in a few days, but my initial reaction is to laugh my ample bottom off, so I don't think it's going to be too dramatic/traumatic!
Interesting thread. Haven't had a bad one yet, but hoping to get one soon....The thing is, if I am looking for a book on Amazon the negative reviews tell me more than the positive ones. Positive ones say something like 'this is lovely, the characters are well drawn, the plot well constructed'. This tells you it's like a lot of novels. A review like that tells you what's wrong with a book often contains more information.
Everyone has different tastes. You hope (when buying) that the positive reviewer shares your tastes, but if you can can guess that the negative review does not share you tastes, it can tip you off that this might be good for you.
E.g. there were plenty of negative reviews of Iain M Banks 'Transition' - on Goodreads and Amazon - that said 'too many characters, too complicated, too much sex and violence.' So I got it and enjoyed it hugely. Each to their own, I say.
So I'm hoping for a one-star sometime soon!
I've actually used the few negative reviews I've had for promo. If my work is public domain, then so are their reviews!. I've only had one savage one which made no sense so I used it in promo links all over the place. Didn't do any harm. But I rarely look these days. Reviews don't impact on my buying habits so I don't worry about it. Though I have used clips from 5* reviews on my website but for all anyone knows I made them up.
I don't mind one star reviews as long as they're not the only review, which is sadly the case after someone swung by today and told me my horror novel was 'disgusting' on account of the gore. Not sure exactly what they were expecting from something clearly labelled HORROR in the Amazon categories, but I'm hoping it might net me some readers who do like blood and guts in their horror novels.
Never mind Anna - you must be doing something right if it's too horrific!I just bailed out of 'The Ancient' by Muriel Gray. Although I'm not a horror fan, I like Muriel Grays mountaineering books, so I thought I'd give it try. Silly me! I gave up when a gang of slum kids were about to ritually slaughter another kid.
I'll stick to her factual books.
I'm very pleased with the less positive reviews on my first book, because they mostly say 'slow start', and that warns others not to try it if they don't like slow starts (some do). Saves me saying it in the blurb! I have had one stinker but when I looked to see what else she'd reviewed, she hated everything. Otherwise yes, learn from them and remember not reread them when you're feeling low!
Patti (baconater) wrote: "It's life or its soup?"Isn't there a song that says "life is Minestrone - filled with Parmesan Cheese" (or similar)??
I've just had to write a negative review and believe me it wasn't easy. The storyline was good - but the phraseology, typos and grammatical errors completely spoilt it - plus the fact that it was only 28 pages long!
I haven't got that much of a literary-ist in me Tim!! lol No - that was the length of the book - typos an' all !!!
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