Review Group discussion
Finished rounds
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Round 196 - 18+ - Mod L.N.
Thanks for your review Jennifer, so sorry you didn't enjoy the book.
My last two reviews - both enjoyable reading! Thank you everyone for a great round :)Sophie Lost and Found
Goodreads
Zon UK
Zon US
Revenge!
Goodreads
Zon UK
Zon US
Thank you E.M, for your links. See you in another round soon.
Thanks to E.M. for the review. Sorry you hate present tense - all the Natalie McMasters books are written that way.
My Round 2 review of An Act of Self Defense:Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.in/review/R3HGKV4L...
Rajeev wrote: "My Round 2 review of An Act of Self Defense:Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.in/review/R3HGKV4L......"
Thanks for the review, sorry you didn't like the ending or the details, or the music references.
I'm beginning to understand why we do round robin book and reviewer pairing. :/
@George You can't please everyone. In my own book, I'm guilty of some of the things I have pointed out in other people's work. :) But I've learned from it too. I'm sure we'll all grow and improve as writers at the end of every round.
My Round 2 Review of Scavenger Girl by Jennifer ArntsonAmazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Rajeev wrote: "@George You can't please everyone. In my own book, I'm guilty of some of the things I have pointed out in other people's work. :) But I've learned from it too. I'm sure we'll all grow and improve a..."@Rajeev I appreciate your advice. I am a book editor by day and have been for 10 years as well as having taught lit and writing at the high school and university level. Having said that, I thought the idea of a review group was to "help" each other get reviews and build positive relationships with other authors. You know, follow each other, recommend each other's books, help each other get our books in front of more people. Uplift each other, be supportive. You are right, you can't please everyone nor should you, as a reader, expect to like everything in every book. That is why I give 5 stars and pick out what I really liked to put in my review for that exact reason. As a reader and reviewer, I don't expect to like everything about a book, no one should, but we are reviewing to "help" each other, not critiquing. But that is just my opinion. I just review as I would like to be reviewed in this special setting. I have read every review posted by our group and I was baffled at the number of 3 stars given out. If we are critiquing writing styles, that seems like a different beast best left to other platforms. Just my opinion. :)
@rajeev your Amazon review is on Amazon.in Can you please post it to Amazon in the US or UK please. :)
George wrote: "Rajeev wrote: "@George You can't please everyone. In my own book, I'm guilty of some of the things I have pointed out in other people's work. :) But I've learned from it too. I'm sure we'll all gro..."Like you, I also give reviews as I would like to receive them. Rajeev gave my book 3 stars and explained what he didn't like about it. Sure, it stung a bit a first, but I vastly prefer that kind of review to a glowing but disingenuous one. When I hear what he doesn't like about it, it gives me a chance to make changes to the book to improve it. Or, if not in this book, maybe I can avoid the same mistake in a future book. Or maybe I decide that what he likes and what I like are just two different things, but at least I had the chance to improve as a writer.
If he hadn't liked my book, but decided to give it a glowing review anyway, then at best I get a temporary boost but remain blind to my faults as a writer. It's even worse if I know that he only gives glowing reviews. Then how do I really know if he liked it? Even if he genuinely loved it, I wouldn't know for sure. So even an attempt to uplift me has backfired.
For me, I think it boils down to this: None of this works without honesty. But I don't think being honest is mutually exclusive from
being uplifting.
Not everyone is going to love my book and likewise, not everyone is going to love my reviews. All I can say is that I have tried to be honest with both and I'm an expert at neither.
Two things:(1) The reviews here are supposed to be honest, as is made clear in the sign-up post (see 11 on that post). It is not acceptable to protest what someone put in a review on this thread. If you have a problem with it please contact the Mod of the round (see 12 on the sign-up post).
(2) As The Zon has changed it's policy about allowing people to post in every store, some people can only post in their local store. This is a chance to get books some exposure to new markets.
Allen wrote: "George wrote: "Rajeev wrote: "@George You can't please everyone. In my own book, I'm guilty of some of the things I have pointed out in other people's work. :) But I've learned from it too. I'm sur..."Well, again. Not my point. You are talking about ego and yourself. I don't care one way or another if someone likes a book I wrote or not. What I am talking about is helping each other to have our respective projects appear in more search results. If the intent of "honest" reviews was to help the writer improve, I have yet to see constructive criticism to do so. Writing groups is where people give constructive criticism before a book is published, but again, I saw no constructive comments, just judgments.
E.M. wrote: "Two things:(1) The reviews here are supposed to be honest, as is made clear in the sign-up post (see 11 on that post). It is not acceptable to protest what someone put in a review on this thread. ..."
Okay, you are the mod. I just think we can be honest and focus on the positives of our fellow authors' works instead of being judgy.
George wrote: "@rajeev your Amazon review is on Amazon.in Can you please post it to Amazon in the US or UK please. :)"I'm sorry, George. Amazon doesn't allow me to post on US and UK sites. In fact, nowhere except amazon.in. I stated this before joining the group and Emma said that it was ok. I have another profile on amazon.com but they will allow me to post reviews only if I buy 50$ worth of goods from them in a year. It's a materialistic world out there. :)
Regarding reviews - The mod of course has the last word and it's better not to get into an argument about negative things said in the reviews because it's bound to happen to any book that an author lets out for the world to read and evaluate.I agree with George that we should try to uplift each other but Allen has a valid point when he says that a glowing 5 star review written for the sake of being encouraging to a fellow-writer actually backfires in the end, making him (her) overlook things that he might otherwise correct next time and come up with a better book.
I've had some very scathing reviews of my book on amazon where someone went to the extent of saying that my protagonist was ''a pile of goo.'' I was bothered by it for a while but there were several mostly-positive reviews too, so that creative person with the pile-of-goo comment actually helped me see the stark realities of putting a book out in the market.
We need to.cease the conversation on this thread. If you need to continue, could you please do it through PM. As regard to reviews, we're not here to mollycoddle each other. The reviews need to be honest and constructive, which so far they have been. Any critical reviews need to be sucked up, as not everyone is going to like what you put out.. So let's get on and enjoy the rest of the round and if have any problems PM me. Do not use this thread for anything other than posting your links....thank you.
Here are my reviews of Trust a FewHow are you not with a publisher? The reading public would eat this series up and I'm sure your other books are just as good... but I will soon find out gonna start book after I tackle my last book to review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
I just posted my review for I, Charles from the Camps.I'll tell you all now. This is the best book I've ever read.
Bravo, Joel. I hope one day my book can move someone in emotion a tenth of what you did in me.
I've posted to Amazon, but it's pending approval. I'll like the GR one here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Wow George! Your review and comments here made my day and knocked me out! Thanks so much and I'm beyond thrilled you enjoyed my book so much. To answer your question, the sad truth is I would have no idea where to begin with finding a publisher. Besides which I think having gone the indie route means mainstream publishers won't look at the books anymore.
Oh, BTW people, I just mentioned this to the two groups I'm presently modding so thought I'd put it here too. Be aware when posting links to Amazon that you need to delete everything after and including the letters 'ref' in the URL. If you don't, Amazon knows anyone clinking on that link is in some way connected with you as that information is your personal account linked information.
E.M. wrote: "My last two reviews - both enjoyable reading! Thank you everyone for a great round :)Sophie Lost and Found
Goodreads
Zon UK
Zon US
Revenge!
Goodreads
Zon UK
Zon US"
Thank you for the review E.M. I appreciate your thoughts.
E.M. wrote: "Oh, BTW people, I just mentioned this to the two groups I'm presently modding so thought I'd put it here too. Be aware when posting links to Amazon that you need to delete everything after and incl..."Good to know, thanks!
Below are links for my review of The Wrylin by Allen LambI gave this a 4 star rating because I enjoyed the story and characters so much, contrary to how the review reads. The ending was abrupt and unexpected. I guess overall I wanted more from the author. If I didn’t like it so much I wouldn’t have been so critical. There has never been a novel that I’ve felt this way about. It’s like – if I didn’t love you so much, I wouldn’t care.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
I have posted all four reviews. These are the links to the reviews of An Act of Self Defense by George Verongos.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
Rebecca wrote: "I have posted all four reviews. These are the links to the reviews of An Act of Self Defense by George Verongos.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/custome..."
Thank you for the nice review, I appreciate it, Rebecca! :)
George wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "I have posted all four reviews. These are the links to the reviews of An Act of Self Defense by George Verongos.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.amazo..."
You're welcome. :)
Here are my round two reviews of the Wrylin.Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
My review for Revenge!: A Natalie McMasters Mystery.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.amazon.com/review/RFKKZ8U...
Thanks so much for your review, A. R. I hope you will read the 1st Natalie McMasters book, Stripper!
And...done! Thanks for a great round everyone!I just posted my review for Toska, you can find it here on GR:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon, is pending approval (why am I always having to wait for them?)
Here are my review links for I, Charles, from the Camps by Joel D. Hirst.Stick a fork in me...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
Here is the link to my review of George Verongos' An Act of Self Defense.Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Act-Self-Defen...
Here is the link to my review of George Verongos' An Act of Self Defense.Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My Round 3 review of Scavenger Girl: Season of Atchem by Jennifer Arnston:Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.in/review/R332RPKP...
Here are my reviews of #uncensored: inside the animal liberation movement by Camille Marino.Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
My Round 4 review of Scavenger Girl: Season of Atchem by Jennifer Arnston:Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Scavenger-Girl...
That's all for me this round.
Allen wrote: "Here are my reviews of #uncensored: inside the animal liberation movement by Camille Marino.Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer..."
hey allen, i sincerely appreciate your being gentle :) and i greatly value the insight. there's a documentary series coming out next year that chronicles my decade as an activist (and if that doesn't help my book sales, nothing will lol). but i'm preparing myself for the potential backlash and it really helps to get a feel for how it might be received. so thank you
Thomas A. wrote: "My Round 4 review of Scavenger Girl: Season of Atchem by Jennifer Arnston:Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Amazon
https..."
Thank you so much for the lovely compliment! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
Rajeev wrote: "My Round 3 review of Scavenger Girl: Season of Atchem by Jennifer Arnston:Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon: https://ww..."
Rajeev - thank you so much for the review (the first one in India! How cool is that?!) I nearly cried when I read your comparison of the caste system in that area. So much of my book was inspired by the people who suffer under the law. You're the first to make the connection, at least publicly.
Thank you for taking the time with my story. I'm thrilled you enjoyed it :)
Jennifer wrote: "Rajeev wrote: "My Round 3 review of Scavenger Girl: Season of Atchem by Jennifer Arnston:Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Ama..."
You're welcome, Jennifer. Your writing is very smooth and I'm sure you toiled a lot in polishing the book to achieve the professional finish that gleams all over it.
The kind of severity of the caste system that I mentioned in my review existed about 3000 years back but yes, the connection wasn't lost on me, so vivid and realistic your portrayal was. You know, in modern India, we seem to be having a reverse caste system so far as getting into govt-funded colleges and getting a government job is concerned. 49.5% jobs are reserved for the so-called backward classes when a majority of them are not so backward any more. :)
I hope you write a ton of bestselling books.
Best regards
Rajeev
Camille wrote: "Allen wrote: "Here are my reviews of #uncensored: inside the animal liberation movement by Camille Marino.Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.c..."
Good luck!
Thomas A. wrote: "Here is the link to my review of George Verongos' An Act of Self Defense.Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Thank you for the compliment, Thomas :)
My review for Erotic Muse on Goodreads. I will get the Amazon one posted here hopefully tomorrow when it clears. My internet has been a bit slow lately.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review Group
Books mentioned in this topic
The Erotic Muse (other topics)An Act of Self Defense (other topics)
An Act of Self Defense (other topics)
The Wrylin (other topics)
Revenge! (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Allen Lamb (other topics)L.N. Denison (other topics)
Thomas A. Burns Jr. (other topics)
Rebecca Winkler (other topics)
A.R. Kingston (other topics)
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Reviews were posted on Amazon and GR, although Zon is awaiting approval by the powers that be.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...