Readers Unable to Review My Book On Amazon

[Eileen]

Christopher wrote: "This discussion is upsetting. My debut novel has been out a week. I sent an announcement to my mailing list. A number of recipients have emailed that they’re reading the book. I don’t know who will..."

You can't stop someone from reviewing it, but Amazon can pull the review if it figures out you are related to them somehow. Even if you aren't related and it suspects you might be, it will pull it. I have had that happen.

I'm not really sure how Amazon expects indie authors to get their first reviews if not from friends or family. What is really annoying is when I've seen an indie book that I have read and found to be somewhat lacking (basically it was famous author copycat/fan fiction) and it has over 50 reviews, most 5 stars, but most also saying almost nothing about the actual book except they loved it. Seemed a tad suspicious.

[Peter]

Getting neutral parties to review your book is definitely one of the hardest parts of being an indie author. I’ve sent dozens of requests for reviews of mine but only three ever responded and just one agreed to read and review. Fortunately a few customers I don’t know have actually left reviews on Amazon and that helps, and I just finished a promotion that got a ton of downloads so I’m hoping for a couple more will leave reviews.

[Christopher]

Eileen wrote: "Christopher wrote: "This discussion is upsetting. My debut novel has been out a week. I sent an announcement to my mailing list. A number of recipients have emailed that they’re reading the book. I..."Thanks, Eileen. I know I’ not alone, yet I feel lonely. Seems like a good time to change my name to Smith or Jones!

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

Closing this thread as it's getting off topic and discussions about reviews like this are against the group policy, anyway.

Write a good book. Write another. And another. Eventually, you'll get reviews.