I want to talk about reviews. I have a secret thing I look for in reviews that usually tells me without a doubt, this reader read my book. My author friend, Louise, does the same so it may be there are many of us who do this. I received a review that quoted some of my book. When I was writing it there were a couple phrases that popped into my head that were brilliant, in my humble opinion. When I read them later, I was impressed I wrote them (and surprised). This reviewer quoted two of my favorites, but didn’t mention the thing everyone mentions that lets me know they actually read it. I couldn’t reconcile how they could quote me so well but not mention that thing. I was talking it over with my son and he suggested maybe they were trying to keep any spoilers out of their post and they couldn’t talk about that thing without giving out spoilers. Author soothed; curiosity resolved.
I recently saw a post that spurred an argument in the comments. The fight was whether reviews are for authors or readers. I think they’re for both, for different reasons. For an author it can tell them if there’s a problem with the book. “It’s missing pages 43-51”, or whatever the case may be. For a reader a review tells them if this book will be an enjoyable experience for them. By seeing reviews from other readers, they can gage what the reviewers liked and didn’t like and if they feel the same or the opposite.
Another way reviews help authors is with those pesky algorithms. Let’s say the biggest retailer in the world likes books that have good reviews to be prominent because that will likely mean good sales. When the book pops up more often, then sales increase. More sales equals more reviews which boost visibility again, and so on. I’ve heard rumors that if a book gets a review below 3 stars during its first couple weeks of life, that old rascal, the algorithm, will bury the book. No visibility. That equals fewer sales, which leads to fewer reviews and the cycle repeats in the opposite direction.
In all reality, readers hold the authors success in their hands. If readers neglect to review, the cycle comes to a halt. No royalties because there are no sales, equals a starving author. Please leave a review, especially if it’s above three stars!
When I sent out my ARCs, I gave them instructions, what I wanted to know, when I wanted to know it, and how they could tell me. One of my requests was that they wait until December 20th to post any reviews below four stars. My ARCs went out November 20th for the most part. That gave me a good three weeks from my release date of November 28th. I sent out a reminder on December 18th that if they wanted to be entered in the drawing, they needed to post their review. I got a few reviews over the next two days.
A couple weeks ago, I came across a review that was fairly negative and really brushing up against spoilers in the post. I was upset about the spoilers at first, family said they didn’t think it was really a spoiler. I let it go. I have had a couple ARC readers tell me they would review it with a three or below. They told me exactly why, and in the end the book just wasn’t for them. I don’t begrudge anyone’s taste in art. They didn’t post a very flattering review.
Let me explain, we ask for honest reviews. ARC readers are free to post their opinion, whatever it may be. However, it is customary for ARC reviewers to not post a negative review. They alert the author, like my readers did, and that’s the end of it. It’s just an unspoken rule in the community. Many ARC readers are authors and they understand what a positive or negative review can do.
Back to my story. My ARC reviewer who posted this less than flattering review, told me after the fact she’s a new ARC reader. This was her first review. She’s trying to build a following on Bookstagram (the Instagram book review hashtag). She waited until December 20th and sent me a message asking where I wanted her review posted. Then she said, “You wanted me to wait until the 20th, right?” This alerts me that she’s my negative review poster and she isn’t finished. Trying to protect my book from those evil algorithms, I instantly said, “Goodreads!”
She did exactly what I asked. She posted her honest opinion on Goodreads on December 20th, and marked it as having spoilers so the review doesn’t just pop-up spoiling the story for readers without warning. She ripped my work to shreds. She trashed my writing, story, and characters. She called it a “cringe love story” and said, “If you hate conjunctions this is the book for you! There aren’t any in the whole book. It’s actually impressive.” My first reaction was hysterical laughter. Her conjunction comment is hilarious! It’s an exaggeration for shock value or maybe viral hopes. Who knows? I swear there are conjunctions in my book! I couldn’t and wouldn’t write a book without can’t, don’t or it’s. Not to mention we’re, they’re, wasn’t, and you’re. Lol! Sorry, just couldn’t help myself.
I’m very thankful for the great reviews I’ve gotten. Without them I’m not sure how I would be feeling about a one-star review. With that said, I’m fine. I feel legit now. It’s a little bit of a badge of honor and it will actually legitimize my other reviews. I am including her in my drawing. My husband joked that I shouldn’t, but the parameters I set were that every reviewer who posts gets an entry in the drawing. She posted; she gets an entry. I didn’t say only good reviews, that would make the whole honest review thing pointless. If you get a one star, try to see the positives. A friend suggested I spin it and use it for advertising. “Do you hate conjunctions? Have I got a book for you!” See…positive.
Another thing about reviews is: there are different quality levels of reviews. Seriously, there’s the star rating without a comment. The ‘Loved this book, it was great!’ one liner. Finally, the coveted story summary, with quotes and multiple reasons why someone should read this great book. The last couple reviews I’ve gotten are the Story Summary variety. Best reviews ever, I mean-I want to frame them-good!
I puzzled over this for a few days. It finally dawned on me! I had a few reviews where I couldn’t find the poster's name on my ARC list. These ARC readers and reviewers are from BOOKSIRENS!! It’s the ARC format that charges a small fee and $2 an ARC reader. They advertise your book to potential ARC readers, then if their reader downloads your book, you pay $2. If your ARC sign-up reader downloads it, they charge you nothing. I was able to limit the number of readers to 50, for a maximum cost to me of $100. You guys, these ARC readers write fantastic reviews! I think it’s well worth my investment! Yay, finally, I didn’t waste money on something book related. I still love the readers I found, they are wonderful people who have been very kind. But I may start on Booksirens next time.
At the time of this writing, I have 6 reviews on Amazon, 11 on Goodreads, 2 on Instagram and 1 on Bookbub. All of them are pretty great 4-5 stars. Except that 1 star, it’s there too. I’ve sent out 104 ARCs and Booksirens has had 3 downloads. Let’s say 107 ARCs have gone out, for 20 reviews. Some of the twenty are posted on multiple platforms and counts twice here. That puts me around a 21% review ratio. I was told that 10% is average. On that bar I seem to have done well. It was a lot of work, and worrying for such a low percentage of reviews. I did get a spike when I sent out that reminder. I may send another one this week before the drawing on the 31st. All food for thought as I finish up the next one.
As always, thanks for reading!