What to do if you get a bad review?

[Carol]

I recently got a bad review, the lady gave me a low rating and had some criticism about my writing. Although it hurt my feelings, I'm not letting it get me down, everybody's entitled to their own opinion.

My question is has anybody ever gotten a bad review? If so did it change how you felt about your style of writing?

[Larry]

Carol wrote: "I recently got a bad review, the lady gave me a low rating and had some criticism about my writing. Although it hurt my feelings, I'm not letting it get me down, everybody's entitled to their own o..."

Sorry, but I think the real question is: What did you do to correct the writing flaws (assuming they were correct) pointed out by the reviewer. If they were destructive rather than constructive comments, ignore them.

[Patricia]

Since I just published my first book, I have yet to receive any bad reviews, but I have a plan: my hubby. I plan on having him read it first because I am a wuss, not gonna lie about that. I will probably be a bit of wreck when I get my first bad review. Even if it's constructive.

[Nathan]

There's nothing really to do. I've had 6 reviews total. 3 Five Star, 1 Four Star, 1 Three Star, and 1 One Star. The one star basically said that he/she didn't see where the plot was going so he/she put the book down at the 17% mark. My first instinct was to comment that he/she had no right to torpedo a book they hadn't read, especially when the plot structuring was something complimented several times in better reviews.

In the end I'm glad I remained silent. The thing is, readers have the right to criticize. My book is in the public, thus it's wide open to the scrutiny of an audience. Some will like, some won't, you just have to take it.

[Larry]

Nathan wrote: "There's nothing really to do. I've had 6 reviews total. 3 Five Star, 1 Four Star, 1 Three Star, and 1 One Star. The one star basically said that he/she didn't see where the plot was going so he/..."

You did the right thing. As an author, I understand you rightly have pride in your work. If someone was unable to grasp the plot points and thus gave up on the book, they certainly have the right to make their feelings known. It would have seemed petty if you'd become contentious about it.
I'm sure my current mystery won't have universal approval -- not enough gore and violence for some, too much for others. Such is life.

Best,

[Patricia]

Nathan, Larry is so right. Nothing good comes out of responding to a bad review. Sure, it hurts, but you have to remind yourself not everyone will love it.

[Simon]

My old band received much criticism before. I contested it at the time and found that it was pointless.
People that do not like your work (or have problems with it) will simply not listen to reason.

Also, with my most recently published book, a friend of mine gave me some advice on how I can make the next book a lot better. Taking criticism on board can only make your work better in the long run.

[Scott]

These are just random thoughts on the subject. Foremost, the people who think they have an opinion and dislike something are louder than the ones who sit back, read and enjoy. Now, here is the rest of my list. 1) I think that some people are grammer czars and some are not. Some will argue to the death over a verb choice, semicolon use, others don't. 2) No matter what you do, someone is bound to find fault with it. 3) We should try our best. We should strive to improve. 4) I have yet to find a published book that did not have errors, don't be too hard on yourself. 5) As indies, people are more critical because we have not followed the process. We have not felt the pain of rejection letters, nor have we had an editor gut a book to make it more commercial to the point where it is no longer recognizable. 6) Somebody actually wrote all those bad tv shows and movies we see, and people pay to see them! 7) We are new, and scary. They should be afraid, very afraid.

[Nathan]

Well put, Scott.

[Larry]

Scott wrote: "These are just random thoughts on the subject. Foremost, the people who think they have an opinion and dislike something are louder than the ones who sit back, read and enjoy. Now, here is the rest..."

ROTFLMAO at some of your points. Overall, SO on target.

Best,

[Simon]

I think the message here is that you can't please everybody. Ever.
Mainly because all creative arts are subjective.

[James]

I agree - I've had a few bad reviews and there is nothing you can do about it. It hurts and you get upset, but what can you really do? Some people will like it, some won't. Some will get it, some won't. But you can't be everything to everyone!

[[deleted user]]

I take every review with a grain of salt. I know what I write isn't what everyone likes to read. It's unfortunate that the reader seems to believe if they didn't like a book then everybody will agree. The novel I wrote is about spousal abuse. I had one person review it and they said the main character was self centered. I disagreed when I explained a person who is abused has so many fears and doubts inside their heads that the average person could never understand. The character is not self centered the reviewer just saw her that way.

If I were you people i would read the reviews and take the information and reasoning and ignore any hurtful words...you can't please everyone. There isn't even away to try. All the people who read our words took the chance when they bought the book. It would be like me returning a lottery ticket and telling them I wasn't satisfied with the results i would like a refund.

Valerie Bowen
Author of Tormented For the Sake of Amelia series book 1

[Scott]

Bad reviews are much better than no reviews. At least someone has read the book. Isn't that the reason you wrote it? And if someone took the time and trouble to review your work, that says much more than some little points about grammar or plotting or whatever.

I agree with Larry's point that you could try to take something from the review to improve your next work. But don't take it personally. You're a professional writer - you have published your work and are selling it. Be professional about the craft. And take heart, and pride, that you have an audience! Even if they don't get everything that you're trying to say.

[Larry]

Scott wrote: "Bad reviews are much better than no reviews. At least someone has read the book. Isn't that the reason you wrote it? And if someone took the time and trouble to review your work, that says much mor..."

Scott, thanks for the support. BUT, I have to disagree on the latter part. If a few people don't get your point, they've just missed it and I agree with your premise. If many reviewers fail to get the point, perhaps the author has failed to properly communicate that point to readers.

[Jim]

I let my wife read first because she has this funny quirk where she doesn't have that mental filter the rest of us do. She'll blurt out, "OMG, that is the dumbest word choice...uh...I mean...could you rephrase that?"

It really helps cut down on surprises later. :)

[Keryl]

You want to know what's worse than a bad review? A one star review that just says, "Review to come." It's been that way for over a week.

I've gotten about 20ish reviews over the different sites with about 4 good ones for every bad one, I can take bad reviews, but this... I really hate this.

[Julia]

Sympathies Keryl, that is bordering on mental cruelty. I really hope that if someone does give a bad review to my debut, they are at least a little bit kind, and state why the story didn't appeal to them. Unless adverse comments are justified, I agree with Nathan & co. Ignore. 4 good to 1 bad seems a very good ratio.
Julia

[Larry]

Keryl wrote: "You want to know what's worse than a bad review? A one star review that just says, "Review to come." It's been that way for over a week.

I've gotten about 20ish reviews over the different sites ..."

Keryl, you're correct. That's abuse of the review process. I suggest you contact the site, explain the situation, request that it be removed and the "reviewer" banned from future reviews.

[Larry]

Julia wrote: "Sympathies Keryl, that is bordering on mental cruelty. I really hope that if someone does give a bad review to my debut, they are at least a little bit kind, and state why the story didn't appeal t..."

Julia, as a longtime journalist and publicist, there are traditional guidelines for doing reviews. Unfortunately, many of those fancying themselves as reviewers have no clue as to what they're doing or what the process entails. Still others see it as an opportunity to be nasty without any repercussions as they often are anonymous. It's review anarchy. What it will require is an author who's victimized to bring legal action for defamation. Then gratuitous bitchiness might be reduced.

[Keryl]

Larry wrote: Julia, as a longtime journalist and publicist, there are traditional guidelines for doing reviews. Unfortunately, many of those fancying themselves as reviewers have no clue as to what they're doing or what the process entails. Still others see it as an opportunity to be nasty without any repercussions as they often are anonymous. It's review anarchy. What it will require is an author who's victimized to bring legal action for defamation. Then gratuitous bitchiness might be reduced.

Yikes! Don't want to see it go that far. I'm a hardcore free speech advocate, which includes bitchiness and 'review to come'(two weeks now).

We've all got the right to say what we like, even when it bothers others.

So, no, I can't imagine contacting Goodreads because someone is slow on a review. It's not there for me. It's there for her and her friends, and they are patiently waiting. I very much doubt the reviewer is trying to drive me buggy. My guess is she's barely aware I exist.

Likewise, until a reviewer shows up at my house and starts hassling me, I can't imagine getting the law involved.