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Bad Reviews and the Star Rating System
Renee wrote: "Alexandria, I like how you summed that up! There have been so many times that someone else has opened a facet of a book I completely missed. That's like getting a present of a key to a door I did..."
Thanks Renee :D
I like the door key analogy...It's amazing how sometimes our own life experiences will have everyone interpret the characters, and situations completely differently. Once you discuss, rereads are like remodeled versions of the same place.
Do I ever tell an author the real truth, in private? Generally, no, because it takes so much time and I don't have a relationship with them. However, today I got a thank you note in the mail! Wow! However, I do tell one publisher when I find a few typos and may even call them. I assume they have caught them already but sometimes not. That publisher is Dogwise, who I have to put in a good word for!
OTOH, I once wrote about some serious flaws in a dog training book and sent it to the publisher. Got a reply back that they thought it was perfect as it is. Gosh! And I thought I would get a free book for being so helpful! This trainer is very well known and on TV (not Victoria Stillwell and not Cesar Millan). I was disappointed int the quality of the instruction like I am for a lot of dog training books but this one book had some real flaws.
I guess I don't communicate with an author after I finsih the review because it is over and done with - I have spent so much time reading, writing in the margins, highlighting, turning down pages let alone drafting and finalizing the review, that I want to move on to something else! But if an author would ever ask me after a review for my real opinion and helpful hints, I would be happy to speak with them for a while.
That is really good of you, Skye. You're going way beyond the call of duty.
Skye wrote: "Do I ever tell an author the real truth, in private? Generally, no, because it takes so much time and I don't have a relationship with them. However, today I got a thank you note in the mail! Wow! ..."Sounds more like a full blown critique than a review, I hope someone is paying you for all your work
Agree with Bec, Skye. You've definitely gone above the call of duty. For me, I try to keep it short and sweet, the good and the bad (if there is any). Or, as I put it, what I like and didn't like.And I've always thanked my reviewers by mail. Good review, so-so or pan, I thanked them. I think that's only right.
I think Skye has made an unintentional point about why some of us rate, but don't review. I don't have the knowledge to review some books. It's easier to see in nonfiction, but it carries over into other books as well. Die hard Regency romance readers are sticklers for dress, vocabulary, and social customs of the times. On the rare occasion when I read one, all I can say is I liked it, or didn't.I've read thousands of books that aren't recorded on GR and when I come across something I've read, I'll rate it. I may remember that I loved (or hated) those books, but it's been so long, I can't remember why. In my current reading, I simply don't have time. If a book has a good number of reviews, then my 4 stars means I agree with most of the 4 star reviews. I assume the same with the books I've written.
Sure, as a writer, I want to know why that reader gave my book 2 stars, but as they're under no obligation to tell me, there's nothing I can do about it. Why worry? I appreciate anyone who takes the time to write, good or bad, but I also appreciate those who just say "I read it and here's my rating."
Sky wrote:"The purpose of a review is to sell books, especially if the author or publisher sent the book.I'd agree that this is the author or publisher's purpose. My purpose as a reviewer, though, is to share my thoughts on the book with potential readers. I don't think of my words as oriented toward someone's marketing goals. On my blog I have a policy of not reviewing books I would give less than a three star on GR. The reason I do this is to lower my stress. If I get forty or so pages into a book and feel a bad review coming on, I prefer to spare myself reading the rest or writing about it. So far nothing I've been sent for my series of New Mexico Mystery reviews has been disappointing.
I review on GR because reviewing makes me think more deeply about what I read.
It's not strictly a review blog. The reviews are a new feature. I'll be doing the third one in a week or two. I follow them with interviews with the authors.https://amberfoxxmysteries.wordpress....
The most recent review/interview pair still shows in the blog post sidebar, and the prior pair in the archives from October.
I'll need to tell my sister, the dog lover, about your blog.
“Sometimes you are the pigeon, sometimes you are the statue.” Claude Chabrol
Wow, there's a lot of comments here, I apologise for not having read them all. From my perspective as a reader/reviewer, I really don't like giving a book a two star and I have considered taking Amber's approach of just not reviewing it. I'd really like to not finish some books, books I'm not enjoying take me longer to read and push all my reviews that publishers are waiting on back. But if I've been supplied a review copy I feel I have to do the author and publisher the service of the full review. I do work very hard to temper my criticism with positives, who might like it more than me, elements that I enjoyed even though they were outweighed by elements that I didn't. I very often wonder if I missed something in the book and someone might point that out to me in comments. I feel like a negative review is also instructive to the publisher, particularly if I've picked up on actual errors rather than just bits I didn't like.
As a writer (though not a novelist), I understand how hurtful negative reviews can be. But this is one person. There are millions of readers who all have different tastes and expectations. Putting your craft into the world means it belongs to the world, in some ways. You can't control what others think of it or what they say about it.
Amber wrote: "Sky wrote:"The purpose of a review is to sell books, especially if the author or publisher sent the book.I'd agree that this is the author or publisher's purpose. My purpose as a reviewer, though,..."
That seems to be a sensible criteria
I wonder if anyone here has sent a negative review only to the author or publisher in private and what their response was. I don't generally point out typos and incorrect addresses/phones, etc., that I see in books because I assume they have been caught after publication and because once I did and received a snide remark from the publisher of an well-known author's instruction book!It would take time to write privately to the publisher and it may be moot. A good publisher would thank you for your time and expertise and perhaps send a freebie - if not, they obviously don't want your comments, even privately.
I don't do private bad reviews. (I got burned out last summer on my last two-star and decided at that point not to push through a book I disliked that much again.) I do keep notes on any typos or other problems and send them to the author. When I found some in a traditionally published book, the author told me there was nothing she could do about them, it was up to her editor (who obviously got so caught up in a tense scene that she stopped editing) and publisher. Indies can fix little things like that right away, though. Of course, if book was riddled with errors I'd have stopped reading it. In a good book, indie or traditionally published, I don't find very many, but I assume people still want to fix them.I may in the future send a message to an author if I stop reading his or her book, but only if the author gave me the e-book with some curiosity as to what I might think about it.
Skye wrote: "I wonder if anyone here has sent a negative review only to the author or publisher in private and what their response was. I don't generally point out typos and incorrect addresses/phones, etc., th..."Skye, I just recently sent a message to an author about an ARC sent to me. I'm still waiting for a response. Normally I would just post my opinion and keep it moving. She is Goodread's friend that I like, so my emotions are involved (hate when that happens). If she doesn't reply by today, than I'm posting as is.
It seems like it's totally different for you because it's your actual job, versus my reading hobby thing. Plus your reviewing technical stuff, while most of my reviews revolve around romance, and how something affected me on an emotional level.
I haven't reviewed many books due to the time constraints I'm under and the fact that I'm also trying to write and promote my own work. (That sounds selfish, yes?) but when I do give a review, I try and see both sides of the coin. I know that the author has worked as hard as I have in trying to put out the best possible story. Even if, IMO, it isn't great, it's not like they typed crap. They tried, and that is commendable and always has to be taken into account.At the same time, though, I have to look at the story from all angles, not only grammar, punctuation, consistency in tense and POV usage, but also pacing, character development, and so on. It won't help the author if I praise a story when it clearly isn't good by any standards i.e. one huge wall of text, narrative only, no dialogue, poor or no punctuation...and yes, I have seen that, mainly in indie works. And it certainly won't help the reader if they're going to lay down their hard earned money for something they probably won't like.
As a sidenote, does anyone here do reviews for friends?
Jesse wrote: "I haven't reviewed many books due to the time constraints I'm under and the fact that I'm also trying to write and promote my own work. (That sounds selfish, yes?) but when I do give a review, I tr..."Jesse, I've done it but starting shy away from accepting ARCs from friends. I haven't read one until my current situation that didn't at least deserve a 3 before. I'm going to honestly 1 star something, and it feels wrong because I know them.
I have done a review for a friend before, but it was a couple years ago before I had published my own work. I don't do it very often, because it can be awkward when you know the person, even if you try to make it clear that you are reviewing as a reader and not as a friend.
I review 'technical' books (on dog training) and dog memoirs which I love. I have reviewed for friends. One book I didn't like so I just summarized it! The author didn't know the difference and thanked me for it.
Having been an editor, I really don't like to chat online with the author/publisher about a book's weaknesses because there are probably too many. And I am like the Navajo's - they purposely make a mistake in every blanket they weave. If they ever weave something perfect, they know they have nothing left to learn, nothing left to accomplish and their time on Earth is up.
So, I accept a certain number of typos but when they get to interfering with my reading speed or cause me to remember others or to misunderstand, then I have to say somthing.
Skye wrote: "I review 'technical' books (on dog training) and dog memoirs which I love. I have reviewed for friends. One book I didn't like so I just summarized it! The author didn't know the difference and ..."
When it's an indie, I kind of go in expecting a couple (key word) of editing mistakes. I'm not going to go all crazy because a word or two is off, or something. Now if it's repeated, and making it hard to understand, then that's a problem other readers need to be alerted to. Plot holes, poor research, unrealistic dialogue, and dumb characters I'm supposed to root for are the things that drive me crazy as rule. If the story is engaging, I'm apt to overlook a lot.
I don't really do *reviews* for friends, but I do a good bit of beta reading and some rough editing (not line editing — usually). I haven't found it difficult, probably because I'm fortunate in my friends, lol! Not only are they good writers, they're writers who are always striving to be better and want to serve the story, not themselves. They do the same for me.
We're honest with each other, but never cold or cruel. It's not a competition! I can honestly say that they've helped me develop as a writer and I hope I've done the same for them.
Renee's comments (poost #235) sum it up perfectly, IMO. Serve the story and not yourself. Easier said than done, but yes, totally agree.Honesty is hard, though. You don't want to hurt their feelings or even lose a friendship over a poor rating (I've heard of that happening--a lot) yet, if you don't offer advice/criticism/suggestions, you're not helping them improve.
Excellent points also made in posts #231-234.
I'm with Renee. Beta read rather than review for real friends.I won't review the work of anyone who has reviewed mine.
Jacqueline wrote: "Skye wrote: "Also, new reviewers sometimes get a 5star and a 1star mixed up. I have seen this on Amazon quite a bit, where other reviews give a low rating because the shipment was late! "I've had..."
That is very interesting. I never considered that a reviewer might actually reverse the grading scale. Thanks
Christine wrote: "Here we go again - authors telling readers how to review a book. It is very important reviewers follow the author's instructions (the stuff authors believe are important) or their reviews are usele..."Thanks for your inpmes as authors we get too involved in the process and very OCD. It is good to hear from the real world some t. LOL :o) Rory
I've written a few low-star reviews and mini-reviews on here this year, and I figure that as long as I am clear about what I disliked about the book, these low reviews may actually be as helpful for other potential readers of the book as other people's low-star reviews were for me on other books. If the only reviews for a book are from people who enjoyed that book, and my taste is not similar enough to theirs, I may hate the book, and have wasted my time and money on it when I could have known better.I really try to give constructive feedback, not just what was wrong with the book, but also what worked. I also try to mention in my reviews what demographics of readers might enjoy the book, and why, even if I didn't enjoy it. I've had more thank you notes from authors I wrote 'low' reviews for than from all the rest, too (and only 1 vocally disgruntled author so far). This next year I'll be reviewing my half-brother's books, which should be an interesting test of my reviewer's ethics and guts, but I think honest, fair reviews are important no matter whose books we are reviewing.
I've just been browsing through the reviews for my old books, the ones published by Mills&Boon back in the 80s and 90s. To be honest, there are several of those books which I don't think are too great - I didn't think they were at the time, but I was struggling with the constraints of word-count and producing enough books per year to keep M&B interested. A couple of the comments were a bit snarky, but several of them made very valid points, which I will find helpful when looking at what I am writing now.
Jamie wrote: "I've written a few low-star reviews and mini-reviews on here this year, and I figure that as long as I am clear about what I disliked about the book, these low reviews may actually be as helpful fo..."As both an author and a reader, I applaud the way you review books, Jamie. You clearly understand that a review which simply states "this book is awful" or "this book is great" provides no useful information for readers or writers. As a writer, I welcome specifics on what was liked/disliked. both types of feedback help me to improve my writing/story-telling skills. As a reader, these same specifics help me evaluate not only if I might possibly like the book, but also if the reviewer's comments were relevant to rating the book. Keep up the good work.
There are a couple of different types of raters. Some rate like professionals, on the merits of the produced work. Others rate based on whether or not they liked the book, regardless of how well it is written. The good thing about reviewers on Goodreads is you can check profiles, and get an idea about what your target audience should look like. Solicit additional reviews from readers who appreciate the sort of stuff you write.That said, reviews and ratings that are not as effusive in their praise as you think they should be may be informative to you as a writer. Listen and, maybe, learn.
Good comments by Joel in post #243, but I'd also add that even the best critiquers/raters may have inherent biases against certain types of books. I've never met anyone who's truly objective in their critique, and I'm certainly not although I try to be.Having said that, I do agree that it's better to pay attention to those raters who pick/highlight certain points. Whether it's the narrative, the characters, the descriptions...even the dialogue tags, if they point out where they found difficulties and if others do the same, then you know it's something that you have to work on the next time around.
Been a while since I've been active on here, slowly but surely I find my way back. When I was active on a more regular basis I participated in a thread about why people don't read self-published authors. I'm certain a number of you remember this, is it still alive btw? I actually learned a lot - some of which was scary - from that thread. It seems that the ease of self-publishing has opened the floodgates to many people feeling their emotions are more relevant than the work. A number of people complained that bad reviews of their work were unfair, that they didn't have the money for an editor so how dare people comment on their lack of editing. People complained that it was mean, cruel, rude, offensive, insulting that readers didn't like their book, characters, plot what have you. I don't know whether or not to suggest anyone here go back and find that thread (it would take a long long time to read). It was frustrating and eye-opening. I learned how childish authors can be, how serious readers are, and how important it is as a self-published author to be seen and heard outside of your book and promotions.I've left ratings, like someone above said, of books I read a long time ago but can't remember enough to write a review. I personally don't like reviews that are summaries, well I don't ALWAYS care for them. My reviews vary; if I just love the book it's most often a short review versus if I really don't like it I can get pretty detailed about what I think is wrong FROM MY PERSPECTIVE.
When it comes to my own book first of all I want reviews period, the more the merrier. Of course I want positive reviews, 3 stars and up, but that's not my call. I did what I wanted when I wrote and published the book. Publishing it made it fair game. And it's not that I like writing less than stellar reviews and possibly breaking someone's heart but that's not what this is about. If I take the time to write a review - which takes me some time most of the time - I'm not doing so in an attempt to cater to the author's emotions. When "professionals" get emotional over bad reviews we call them unprofessional. Why is it okay for self-published authors (and I am one) to get all emotional about what people have to say about the work they made published? You put yourself out there in an industry that people take seriously, that is a career. Whether or not you're a "professional" once you publish publicly I reserve the right to call you unprofessional for getting all emotional about someone saying something you didn't like about your book. It's this kind of behavior that sets SPAs apart in a bad way. We're often considered unprofessional and many of us do act unprofessionally. If you take your work seriously it'll show and maybe people still won't like it (go read books by professionals on their writing life and you'll find most if not all of them were rejected at some point, like Janet Evanovich). But if you're not serious it's going to show and readers just might be offended because they take THEIR READING seriously.
Look at other professions. If you want to be a model be prepared for people to tell you all about your flaws and what you have to do to make them work for you. Doctors and veterinarians probably have bad reviews from clients who thought they were a little prickly or didn't like that they called their fat dog fat (people don't like that one at all).
Read the "Complete Guide to Self-Publishing", know what you're getting into. Work hard. Brace yourself and just know you did your best. If you didn't then well, that's on you.
I have to jump back in a minute quick here. I wasn't yet hip on Jen Warren's new blog (I kind of fell off the face of the earth as did my participation in the group that used to be on GR. SOrry for that.) I agree with Christine, Jen has put a lot of work into creating a resource for readers and SPAs. To attack her blog for errors is like jumping to conclusions. Now if you read through and find error after error in both spelling, grammar, etc. then maybe there's something to that. But do take into consideration that some people post and write using various devices, some of which like to auto-correct which turns out to actually "auto-screw-up". I applaud her efforts to build a place where people can reflect, provide feedback, and find great new authors who show passion for their craft. I've found several new authors I will now follow thanks to her group The Source (& now I will visit her blog).
I may get hasty with my reviews or comments when the work is just...careless, which A LOT of self-published work is. I don't disagree with trading reviews or exchanges. I think these can be extremely useful and can generate reviews and visibility. However by nature of human beings this is of course going to be flawed when emotions get involved. I like places like the Source & Story Cartel because I welcome the chance to help out a fellow author, even if that winds up meaning I give a negative review. You asked for my opinion inadvertently when you published your book, be prepared to hear something you may or may not like.
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I wouldn't mind some feedback on what you think of my writing.
Hi eLPy,I totally agree with your last two posts, and couldn't have said it better, myself. I am an SPA and don't get emotional over bad reviews, but have had someone get emotional over my review, even though I gave them five stars. I also have had a great time doing review exchanges and found them very beneficial. My cousin told me how to document a review exchange, so that was helpful. I was also careful to have a writers' group help me edit my newly to be released sequel, and paid a member of that group to proofread it for me. Then I checked her proofreading. I did find two errors she missed in the whole book.
Carol wrote: "I wouldn't mind some feedback on what you think of my writing. "The time for feedback is before you hit publish. That's why it is so important that writers use critique partners for feedback. You should polish your work long before you expect readers to part with their cash for your novel.
I have no problem whatsoever with a non-review rating, whether it’s 5 stars or 1. Anyone who takes the time to read one of my novels and spends two seconds to rate it is okay with me.My favorite 1 star review was one word: B-O-R-I-N-G. What more need be said by this reader? It wasn’t for her.
Willow wrote: "Just wondering if I should keep writing."If you want to write, write. Don't let readers that give you one or two star reviews dictate your life.
Yes, one or two star reviews can hurt the ego a little. But, the reality is nothing we write is going to please everyone. Take the bad reviews with a grain of salt. Find some humor in them. I haven't had many reviews on my stuff yet, but my favorite was a two-star that seemed upset that the story didn't go the way she thought it should. So, it wasn't predictable? That was actually my goal. To that reader it was a disappointment. To me: mission accomplished.
Here's something to do if you're discouraged by negative reviews and low star ratings: Look up works by your favorite authors, ones you would give four and five stars to. Whoever they are, I can guarantee they have their fair share of one and two star ratings, but you think they're great and they inspire you. Right? So, keep writing. The one and two star reviewers may never care for your work, but sooner or later you will find someone to give you four and five star reviews.
Whether you should keep writing depends on why you write. If you're hoping for instant fame and fortune, probably not. If you enjoy writing and want to work on getting better at it, then you should continue.Looking at the reviews you have, there seems to be a theme to the low reviews. You can either blow the readers off, or you can take their critiques and attempt to either enhance the books or by applying the criticisms to improve the next book you write.
I know that a dialog I had with a reviewer who gave me a very thoughtful and constructive critique has helped me to improve my writing.
Willow, FWIW, keep doing it if and only if you love writing. You can't let a negative review hurt you. Sure, it cuts, and depending on the kind of personality you (general 'you' and not you specifically) it may cut really deep into your psyche. But you have to consider two things. One, it's just that person's opinion, and two, you may have slipped up somewhere in your writing. If two or more people notice the same thing, well, work on it. If one person writes 'Ick" and nothing more, then let it go.
I wouldn't blow any reader off, even ones who left a so-so to poor review. And I certainly wouldn't write back to them with something snarky, even if their post was snarky. If I did write back I'd thank them for their comments and move on. This is not only a time for you to learn, but also to learn about a business adage. The customer is always right...even if they're wrong. :)
Keep writing and keep striving to improve.
Jesse said: The customer is always right...even if they're wrong. :)I'd modify that a bit: The customers may not always be right, but they're the ones with the money. If you're writing for yourself, then reviews don't matter. But it you want to be a commercial success, then you have to give the readers what they want.
Everyone keeps saying not to have a dialog with reviewers who have written a negative review. I have a different point-of-view. I have engaged off-thread via Goodreads with a number of my reviewers. It's been a positive experience. Of course I agree with Jesse - keep it positive, thank them, and never get snarky no matter how snarky they are. What I have found is that all of the reviewers have valid issues. Many negative reviewers like a different sort of book then the one I wrote. Others didn't like some of the choices I made. These conversations are great. As a writer it's fun to interact about my books. Since I have no interest in being all things to all readers I prioritize the comments and focus on the reviewers who like the type of book I wrote but found something lacking in my choices. Since I'm writing a series I can give them what they found missing in a later book.
B.R. wrote: "Jesse said: The customer is always right...even if they're wrong. :)I'd modify that a bit: The customers may not always be right, but they're the ones with the money. If you're writing for yours..."
I agree - with some reviewers. Especially if their review is constructively critical. And especially if their criticism hits issues that I'm secretly insecure about.
Anita wrote: "Everyone keeps saying not to have a dialog with reviewers who have written a negative review. I have a different point-of-view. I have engaged off-thread via Goodreads with a number of my reviewe..."As a reader and reviewer I do not write reviews for the author - I write reviews for other readers. If you need someone to critique your work do it before you publish.
An author has no business contacting a reviewer. (see the guidelines in the author program) I'm not comfortable having any writer contact me about a review. Any time a author has contacted me - I ignore them the first time and report them to GR if they persist. I also place their books on my DO-NOT-READ list.
Not so long ago writers were stalking and injuring reviewers (Kathleen Hale, Richard Brittain)- I have no intention of taking any chances. A friend and fellow reviewer has disappeared from this site and changed her personal contact information because of threats to her personal safety by writers because she did honest reviews.
The fact you are openly contacting reviewers makes me wonder. Are you are so special you don't need to follow the guidelines set out by this site, or the consistent advice of your fellow authors? How do you feel about respecting the privacy of the people who write your reviews?
A review is nothng more than a reader sharing their opinion of a book with other readers.A review is not a personal message addressed to the author and should not be interpreted as such by the author.
Astute, intelligent readers are well aware that many reviews have been solicited, purchased, or reciprocated, so they seldom allow them to influence their personal purchasing decisions.
You're going to get a lot more. If you're lucky, that is. If people read your book, they will have an opinion. It may be good or bad, but if they are moved to leave a review, it will help you. If it's good, you get to feel good about it, and pay attention if they say why they liked it.
If it's bad, that's even more valuable. It might not be fun, but hopefully they'll tell you why they didn't like it.
Consider it. I'm not saying do everything everyone says, no indeed. But at least consider what they said with an open mind.
If it's just some jerk complaining or a personal attack, ignore it. Most people are smart enough to see through that.
I have a one star review from someone who doesn't like even the mild swearing in my books. Well, that's of value to other readers, because anyone that sensitive to blue talk doesn't need to be reading my westerns. So it stands as a warning to others. I am a glass half full kinda gal.
She also is sensitive to shooting and saloons, but that's a topic for an entirely different sort of discussion. ;-)
Don't sweat it. I see a listing with all four and fives, it makes me suspect the author either paid for them or put their mom's bridge club up to it. Because books are entertainment, and entertainment is subjective. And that means, someone out there is going to hate your work. It comes with the territory.
You're no writer if a few bad comments can stop you writing. And I suspect you're a writer. :-)
B.R. wrote: "But it you want to be a commercial success, then you have to give the readers what they want."It's a good thing commercial success is not one of my main goals. I have no idea what readers want. I write the kind of stories I'd like to read. I'd probably go crazy trying to figure out what others want. Even if I could, I doubt I'd be able to deliver.
Regina wrote: "I have a one star review from someone who doesn't like even the mild swearing in my books...She also is sensitive to shooting and saloons, but that's a topic for an entirely different sort of discussion."
One has to wonder if there's anything typical to westerns that she does like, then.
Jim wrote: "A review is nothng more than a reader sharing their opinion of a book with other readers...."I respectfully disagree with this. The purpose is not only to share my opinion but to sell books (or tell enough about it that someone will not waste their time and money on a certain book) and to accomplish more, in addition.
I need to tell enough, report objectively, about the plot, organization, style, etc., of the book to whet someone's appetite to get it. I also need to analyze it to a certain extent. I need to do a whole lot more than merely summarize it, though. If something is done well, I need to say so and tell why and the effect it has.
A review tells an author one thing. If the author is on the right track, then continue. If the author is on the wrong track, make a change.
A book is not an apple that one buys often if one likes apples. A book is generally bought only once so everyone is the first and last customer. If someone doesn't like a book, it merely remains unread. If he likes the book, he doesn't exactly buy a dozen more of them! (but, he does have a voice and may buy the book for gifts).
A good book has two things - a good story/plot/information plus magic. I define magic as that thing that causes me to put aside other things to finish reading it - this usually means it is a 24-hour book for a novel or memoir. I have read books that are well-constructed in that they use complex sentences and other constructs, make no grammatical errors, there are no or few typos, etc., but just don't have that magic.
This comment is somewhat disjointed but it is early in the am and the box I am typing in is quite small. . . . so, let the slings and arrows fly!
Since this topic is about ratings, consider this: I just discovered a new 5-star rating on my book. I don't know the person who rated it; she's the wife of a cousin of mine whom I've never met, but he is a Facebook friend of mine, and our last names are the same. I identified her on my family heritage chart (genealogy). She hasn't bought my book; she hasn't read my book. The 5-star rating is totally bogus, and I didn't ask for it, but I'm sure she thinks she did a good thing, and I don't want to hurt her feelings. However, to an outsider it looks like a puppet account that I might have created to give my own book a great rating. I didn't. As an author, what would you do?
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There have been so many times that someone else has opened a facet of a book I completely missed. That's like getting a present of a key to a door I didn't go through and I get to go back and re-read with that.