Reader Questions -- Do You Answer Them?

[Melissa]

I noticed a Goodreads "potential" reader had asked a question about my book. Specifically, whether it's appropriate for a certain age group. So my policy on that was that I would treat it like reviews--don't respond and leave it to other readers to do so.

But I'm not sure if I should answer it, because I'm very clearly an active user on Goodreads. I feel kind of bad knowing the question's gone unanswered. I'm not sure when it will be answered since I know a ton of people haven't read my book yet. On the flip side, I worry about giving an answer that isn't good enough.

In this case, if I say it's appropriate for X age group and the reader gets the book and disagrees, I risk disappointing/upsetting the potential reader/buyer.

So the question is -- should I answer it or just leave it alone? What would you do or what have you done in this situation?

[L.]

Answer it. I'm telling you this as a reader not as a writer, most authors will answer those types of questions.

[G.G.]

If someone used your Ask the author to ask a question, by all means, yes, answer the person.

Answer as best as you can. If you are not sure, state it. State why you think it is and/or why you think it may not be. That will leave the readers to decide for themselves according to what they now know. Nothing wrong with that. I follow a few traditional authors and they don't shy away from questions. (Well the ones who are more friendly that is, which makes me love them more.)

[Melissa]

Okay! It wasn't directed to me specifically but on the book Q&A itself. I really wasn't sure how involved I should be with the process but I will go ahead and answer it.

[G.G.]

Ok...think about Amazon then. There is a place to ask questions about a specific product on the page. Most of them have the seller answer. I believe it's pretty close to this.

[Christina]

It's your book, so who would know better than you? Answering a question asked on the book's page is reasonable. Responding to a review is a whole different ball game.

[Melissa]

Go right ahead and close it. Thanks everyone for input!