This one punched me in the gut. You know, like the scenarios
in that commercial for insurance. Life
comes at you fast. My first one star review knocked me on my butt. Although
I never cried, I indulged in a pity party for a few days.
Does this mean I’m a real writer now? I didn’t think my book
garnered enough attention to elicit such a negative response from a reviewer,
especially a fellow author. Why would one author so thoroughly reject another
author? We all know how difficult it is to take rejection. We’ve all been
there. So why the harsh review? Why post the review on every social media site
available? If I read a book that, in my opinion, is poorly written, I will
decline to post my thoughts publicly out of respect for my fellow author.
The book never reached the New York Times Best Seller list.
Heck, it’s never even reached the Amazon Best Seller list. The topic isn’t
controversial. Yes, the book has some flaws. What book doesn’t? There is no
such thing as the perfect book. If I had to do it over again, I’d adjust a few
things. But then… I’ve learned a lot from being edited and from being an editor.
I had some concerns. How would this extremely negative
review impact my sales? My reputation as a writer and an editor? My chances of
ever signing a contract with an agent? My motivation to continue writing? My
courage to request more reviews?
From this negative experience, I’d like to share a few thoughts
that might help other authors survive the one star review with dignity and
class and just maybe give some reviewers a few hints about writing a credible
review.
Some advice for writers.
It is far more beneficial to the up and coming author to form alliances with other writers than to make enemies.
I’m going to admit it. My first reaction was the impulse to
seek revenge. Retaliating would have accomplished nothing except to start a war,
and from my personal experience, revenge is an empty pursuit and offers
fleeting satisfaction. Revenge, anger, and hatred are bitter poison pills one
swallows with the futile hope of injuring someone else. It is far better to
avoid Negative Nancy than to engage her in useless debate over the merits of
her review.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion.
I remember when my eleventh grade American History teacher
told me I was entitled to my own opinions. What a revelation. I’ve been
opinionated ever since! One harsh review is one person’s opinion. The opinion
might have merit and it might not. A series of critical reviews all commenting
on the same flaw deserves more attention from the author than a single negative
review. What have I learned from my reviews? I know now that subtleties are
lost on some people. I need to be obvious about how I close my suspense
plotlines, especially in complicated plots with several different threads
pulling together near the end of the book.
A good agent considers an author’s entire brand.
A writer friend had some great advice. Would I really want
an agent that would reject me based on one negative review? If I ever make it
to the NYT Best Seller list, I’m likely to get tons of negative reviews. In the
long run, one bad review means nothing. I’m going to continue to write no
matter what.
One negative review doesn’t impact sales.
My sales actually jumped a bit right after the review
posted. Go figure that one! :) So I’m moving on. And…my book could use a few more reviews. Play nice…please. From
everything I’ve researched, read, and observed, writers with multiple works
published by the same publisher generate more sales than writers with a ton of
5 star reviews. I am going to admit it. I want my books to sell, not because I
anticipate getting rich, but simply because I want others to read my work.
There is no greater thrill for this writer than when a fan asks when my next
book will be released.
Some advice for reviewers.
If you haven’t read the book, please don’t write a review.
Writers work too hard requesting reviews to receive a bogus
review. I love it when it’s obvious the reviewer actually read my work. I don’t put much stock in a review if it’s
questionable the reviewer ever opened the book. I’ve read so many reviews that
appear to be generated from review services, not legitimate reviewers. $5 for 5
great reviews reads just like what it is. You get what you pay for. Most savvy
readers can tell the difference.
When reviewing someone’s baby, please be aware there is a person behind the work, a person who may not take rejection well.
As a writer, an editor, and a member of critique groups,
I’ve reviewed other people’s work for years. The old adage works here. If you
can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. The “sandwich” review
helps take the sting out of critical comments. Layer one—say something nice.
Layer two—discuss the plotline. Layer three—make your critical comments. And I
do mean critical, not mean-spirited. Layer four—say something nice.
Slamming a fellow author’s work doesn’t increase your book’s chances of climbing the best seller charts.
This type of competition is petty and wasted effort. With
tons of aspiring authors out there vying for attention, dissing a fellow author
accomplishes absolutely nothing. Slamming another author reveals lack of
knowledge about how the publishing industry works and tarnishes the shine on
the author-reviewer’s own brand.
Thankfully, I survived this experience, but not without
going through the five stages of grief. I learned a lot in the process, and
hopefully it has made me a better, more aware writer.
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