Review Group discussion
General discussion
>
Rule about posting low star reviews to Amazon.
date
newest »
newest »
This has been a fascinating discussion from start to "here". Overall I think that Mantissa (message 47) and Emma (message 49) sum it up best for the way I feel about book reviews. Bottom line: in these Review Groups we are readers of a finished product and that means as the author you should take it on the chin, and most importantly try to learn from it. So yes, Option 1 has it! There is still "author-pain" but cela vis! I can take it - maybe sometimes it hurts more. :-(
Emma wrote: "You are taking care of your book's potential by making sure it is as good as possible, G.S. and so far it seems to be working. Your reviews are good.This issue is also about personal integrity, i..."
I don't think any one here is endorsing the writing of overinflated reviews, Emma.
I do also wonder how many genuine readers would finish a book they were not enjoying. I certainly would not. In many cases, shoppers on Amazon will avoid even buying something they will not like, as they can read the description and first 10%. If you end up thinking a book is worth only one or two stars after that, you will not buy it. I personally have never chosen a book to read and ended up thinking it was trash. Any one who reads a book through to the bitter end just so they can post a low review is just being petty and mean.
I was browsing on Amazon in romance, and read the first bit of a book involving bondage and discipline. I thought the hero was a total animal, and the way he treated the heroine really bothered me, as if a man did that to me, I'd consider it a serious sexual assault. I really don't know what I'd do if I had to review that book here. Purely as a reader, I found the book shocking and distasteful, yet I could also see that is was quite well written, and there are plenty of readers who enjoy S&M themes. That was a very popular book, but one I would never buy. For my personal integrity, I would not feel comfortable endorsing that book, yet I can also see that some readers out there would enjoy it.
Any reviewing on Amazon not done as buyer and reader, but as an indie author wanting reviews, is artificial. For those really concerned not to fiddle the system in any way, I think the only real option is not to take part in any kind of review swapping, groups or review soliciting.
G.J. wrote: "This has been a fascinating discussion from start to "here". Overall I think that Mantissa (message 47) and Emma (message 49) sum it up best for the way I feel about book reviews. Bottom line: in t..."It is more sales pain that authors are worried about through option 1 and 2...
Am feeling the pain, I've just received my first one star review from the group but hey ho, I'm sucking it up and keeping the smile on my face.
I vote option 1.It's risky and always going to messy because of the lack of genre filtering, but this group was founded to provide honest reviews for indies. Any censorship (or appearance of censorship) of low-star reviews would undermine that foundation.
Thanks Elizabeth, I've added your vote (message 36).
For me, the issue with option 2 and 3 is the filtering aspect. Normally, I choose whether or not to post my review GOOD or BAD. I have read fantastic 5 star books and didn't review, and I have read 1 star books and didn't review; therefore, it balanced out. With option 2 and 3, it is guaranteed that good reviews will post and bad reviews will not, which will skew ratings. That is the part that seems disingenuine.
Option one is the only moral option.I have spent a lot of time improving my skills in writing. I would never have known they needed improving if people had not been honest with me.
An honest, non-brutal, review is much more valuable to the writer than any amount of fluff.
I'm also for Option 1. Negative reviews help people get a better idea of what's in the book. They're usually the first thing I look at on Amazon and have often bought books/goods because of negative reviews. (I.e., if someone complains about there being to many female characters or didn't like it because there was a lot of genre crossing, I'll probably pick that sucker up real quick.)
Odelia wrote: "I was also wondering, for those not happy with this group's policy on low star reviews, if anyone can suggest groups here or on FB where authors can get non-reciprocal reviews without having to get..."to what end? Why?
I'm a bit late to the party here, but for what it's worth option 1 for me too.I put my books into the ring for an honest review, and that's exactly what I expect.
Obviously, there's ways and means.
Constructive criticism is great, preferably with hints/tips.
But outright mean slating reviews is just plain nasty.
Praise sandwiches are always good.
Even when reading outside my comfort zone I try to be objective in my reviews for others. I volunteered to read, so can't moan about what I'm given (as long as it's written well).
I agree; it's OK to be very critical of a book if you have to be, but I don't like nasty reviews of people's work. Say you didn't like it, say politely why, and then move on.
I'm a recent newcomer to the group and what appeals to me is the honesty. The books I've had reviewed have been anthologies, and as is the way with short story collections, some stories people love, some they hate - and it's tough sometimes to pass on that criticism to the authors who have contributed, but I think it's useful, even necessary. That helps people grow, that helps people to appraise the areas in which they might need to develop their writing.On the flip side, as a reviewer, you need to write a review that is true to how you feel, because people read your reviews and may judge you according to what you think about other books. If they're not well written and you gush about how wonderful it is, that can reflect on what you think is good writing.
It's hard receiving critical reviews - but ultimately I think honesty is the best approach. As for the suggestion about not publicly reviewing a work but passing the notes along - well, I've offered private additions to my review to some authors, some of which have been well received, some of which have not. It's a review group rather than a critique group, and so I think option 1 serves the group, and its members, best of all.
Honesty is always the best policy, but giving up valuable time to get 1 & 2 star reviews published on your book page makes no sense. Critique groups should communicate privately. Note: I don't believe it is dishonest to only publish if your review is positive. I'm one of the many who will say something nice or say nothing at all - in all situations, including book reviews.
I'm fine with option 1 because a thoughtful review is a good review - even when the stars are disappointing. The value of this group is thoughtful reviews.
I can't count the number of rants I've seen on goodreads about flippant 1 and 2 star reviews. Even worse - 1 and 2 star ratings with no review.
To GS' point - yes, it's a bit rough to invest the time and not get affirming results. But let's get real - we're indie authors. It's kind of our world.
GS, this isn't a critique group, its purpose is to produce thoughtful, honest reviews of published books.If people want to get their work critiqued rather than reviewed, there are plenty of beta groups on goodreads that hopefully will be about to help you. Everyone knows the score when they sign up for a round.
I know it isn't a critique group, Emma. I'm just saying that anyone looking for a critique would be better off going to such a group. And that because it's possible to get 1 & 2 star reviews here (which are detrimental to sales), it makes no sense to give up your time.Published 3-5 star reviews or a 1-2 star critique offered privately would be more reasonable IMO. And still perfectly honest and fair.
I understand others disagree. I agree to disagree.
low star reviews aren't always detrimental to sales. sometimes they point out aspects of a book that others will find appealing.
1 and 2 star reviews can be extremely detrimental to sales, especially for books that have very few reviews on Amazon to counterbalance them. My own opinion is that if a reviewer can't honestly give a book a 3 star review or more, they should pass on reviewing it with an explanation as to why. However, that is impossible in this review group as we are assigned four books with no real room to "switch off" with other authors/reviewers. We all have different tastes in literature (as with anything else), but when reviewing, we need to push those tastes aside and look at each book as objectively as possible--trying to see why the author felt it was important to share the content of his/her book. Anyway, I can't agree that low star ratings don't negatively impact sales on Amazon. A low rating should be given after only careful consideration (i.e., the book may not have resonated with the reviewer, but are their readers to whom it would appeal?).
Option 1 is fine. I tend to be more forgiving simply as a common courtesy here to fellow authors, given that I'm a firm believer that this is one industry where competition simply does not exist, where camaraderie does in abundance.The book, your book, will do as well or not in accordance with the tastes of the people you're trying to reach, and I simply do not believe a few bad reviews would present anything more than a mere speedbump if the work is meant to endure and become beloved. If anything, you'd have more to brag about when your eventual success does roll around. Quite simply there's too much of luck and personal tastes at play here for you to expect anything else. If it does take off despite a rough start, you'd be vindicated in more ways than you can hope. If it doesn't, that's what the next book is for.
Point being: If you won't even believe in your own work enough not to let a few less-than-stellar reviews get to you, then how can you expect your eventual readers to get behind it? You are in illustrious company. If Dumas, Tolkien, Doyle can handle a few 1-stars years after, surely you won't begrudge yourself for being in that same position now.
That being said, reviewers should give the thing a fair shake. There's plenty of egos involved here, especially where artists are concerned, and a little care should be taken to help instead of hinder your peers wherever possible.
B.Y. wrote: "I tend to be more forgiving simply as a common courtesy here to fellow authors, given that I'm a firm believer that this is one industry where competition simply does not exist, where camaraderie does in abundance."I am so glad to hear this view expressed - sometimes I think that we can forget our unique ability as authors in making a market for each other. We are not only not in competition we actively benefit from deliberate acts of co-operation. Especially within genres - but not exclusively so.
We all know, from our own experience as readers, that a reader will look for more books by different authors similar to the ones they enjoy. As a reader, I am always excited to find a new author - and it does not mean for a moment that I won't be reading every new book by all the other authors I already love.
Also, I know from personal experience that a low star review would not stop me grabbing a book which looked like one I would enjoy.
As for the posting of two star reviews - from my (limited) experience here so far, I can see that reviews have to be honest. But a low star review can also be kind. Even a book I might struggle with, will have something I can highlight that someone else might very well enjoy.
Maybe we should think of any low star reviews we garner as being the epublishing equivalent of the old-school rejection letters from publishers. But with one big advantage - whilst they may sting, they don't ever stop us getting our work out there.
I am SP and need reviews from people who will give me an honest review, good or bad. Anyone willing I can either give you a iTunes Promotion code or a PDA file. I just need the help. I am willing to help anyone else."The Adventures of Cardigan"
Elaine wrote: "I am SP and need reviews from people who will give me an honest review, good or bad. Anyone willing I can either give you a iTunes Promotion code or a PDA file. I just need the help. I am willing t..."You can get a review by giving a review on the one-for-one thread, or you can check back next week when there should be some new review rounds opening
We should always be honest with our reviews. At the same time, we should take the book's target audience in consideration. ie Reader's/ fans of _______ who like ____ & _______ will probably find this a _______ read.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
It deals with exactly the issues you have mentioned.
I don't believe option 1 forces people to publish criticism, everyone still has the option to send a private message with their more critical thoughts if they wish, as well as posting a review.
We'll be sad to lose you G.S. but that's the beauty of being an indie, you can choose, and change your mind. We'll still be here if you do.