Authors - Do you rate your own book when you add it to Goodreads

[Cadence]

I keep staring at my book in my library on the site and I'm torn if I should put stars on it or not. Just wondering if anyone else just leaves it and let's others do that or if you bump it yourself?

[Brian]

I added my book (_Shift) to my to-read list as a way to bookmark it for easy access on the mobile app (which is crap), but I haven't rated it.

I feel that it might dissuade possible readers when they go to your book's page and see that the author has influenced the overall rating.

[Cadence]

Brian wrote: "I added my book (_Shift) to my to-read list as a way to bookmark it for easy access on the mobile app (which is crap), but I haven't rated it.

I feel that it might dissuade possibl..."

This is my fear too. I know not everyone goes on ratings, but some people do.

[ka.ya]

I added my book to the read list for a reason I cant not recall.

[Allan]

I rate my books, but I ensure I put my honest opinion. I have also started to do reviews on my own books that explain what the book is about and where the book sits in my writing career. I read somewhere that you should like your own web page, blog posts, etc... because if you don't like your own stuff, why should anyone else? But I also read that some readers don't like authors that rate their own stuff. So I guess there are pro's and con's either way. You should be able to check out my books on my author profile if you want an example.

[Brian]

Rating your own book highly (or "liking") your own posts is an exercise in narcissism that only serves to turn people off.

Giving your book an average or low rating shows lack of confidence in your own work.

So why rate it at all?

[Cathy]

Quite honestly, I've never even considered rating my own book. I think Denise's description of 'tacky' is right on, and it seems like most readers would probably think the same.

[Theresa]

I have not rated my own books, nor will I in the future. As Brian and Denise said, readers tend to be put off by authors rating and reviewing their own work.

I will "like" other people's reviews of my work on Goodreads, whether it is a good review or a bad one and move on. If a reader wishes to engage more with me, they are free to ask me questions using the Author Q and A.

[Wanda]

The only time I have appeared to rate my own books is when I'm posting a review from a third party (Midwest Book Reviews) as an editorial review. They don't post to Goodreads, but it is within the rules to post their review with the link to the review on Goodreads for them.

[Jim]

An adage, often quoted among business managers, may be applied to this question regarding whether or not it is advisable to publish an official rating of one's own work.
"Your work speaks for itself. Don't interrupt!"

[Alexei]

Hating your own writing is the first step on the path to improvement. I actually dislike my own fiction quite a bit, I want to improve whenever I'm forced to read it and so how can I recommend my own work? No way

[Mellie]

No. And quite frankly I wish Goodreads would remove the ability for authors to rate their own books. I've seen some do it to try and artificially inflate the average, particularly on those books with very low sales and therefore no organic reviews.

I do use the review space to write a note about the book, such as inspiration or to expand on what readers can expect from the novel.

[Richard]

A.W. wrote: "... I wish Goodreads would remove the ability for authors to rate their own books."

That pretty much sums up my opinion. I advocate resisting the urge to rate or review one's own books. If you want to tell people about your own work, blog about it. (I've blogged about this and other issues, in early 2014, in case anyone wants to dig that far back.)

[Cadence]

It's so refreshing that I'm not alone in your comments. I don't want to be tacky, and quite honestly I'm my own worse critic. Even if people give me praise, I compare my own writings to others and feel extremely insecure. Like Alexei said, I think being hard on myself is probably good to make me thrive to be better.

[Graeme]

When I first put my books on GR, I rated both 5 stars, now I leave it blank as I have enough ratings for it not to matter.

I use the reviews to provide further (humorous) entertainment to anyone who might read them.

On improvement - I love my stories, but I'm always interested in finding ways to improve my writing craft.

[L.C.]

Denise wrote: "Alexei wrote: "Hating your own writing is the first step on the path to improvement. I actually dislike my own fiction quite a bit, I want to improve whenever I'm forced to read it and so how can I..."

I agree with Denise. The book I'm publishing this month is such an improvement from my first series that I wouldn't be surprised if people thought I was a completely different author. Despite not being as passionate about my first series like I used to be, I don't hate it and I certainly don't regret it. I don't think I would have improved as much as I have without that series and I will always take pride in it no matter how much criticism I get for it.

I did rate the series too, but I'm not going to anymore. It does seem like I'm trying to boost my own rating and I don't want to send that kind of message. I can always do a review that adds more detail about the story without rating it, so that will be my plan if I end up wanting to write more about my books at all.