Some authors just cannot take a bad review.
I cringe at some of the comments authors leave for reviewers and readers on sites like Amazon or Pop Syndicate for people who don't give them a five-star review.
These authors are rude, obnoxious and insulted that anyone dare say they just weren't that into them. It seems they expect everyone who reads their work to get down and praise the Lord for such wonderful prose - and stroke their "tender" egos like Mommy would.
As a book reviewer, I've experienced the bad when it comes to snarky authors wanting rave reviews for what I consider subpar work.
One author pitched me HARD to review her book - several times. It was self-published nonfiction about a murder near the author's hometown. I like true crime, so I thought I'd give it a try - even though I typically do not accept self-pubbed submissions.
A few weeks later, the author contacted me to find out if I'd gotten the book. The hard sell was still there, which made me a bit uncomfortable. I'd already said I would review it. Then, the author sent me another e-mail, stating flatly that if I didn't like the book, "I'd better not see a bad review of it online."
I was absolutely furious. This author wanted so badly to be reviewed before, but did not want to accept any negative consquences of a review. I had not started the book, but I knew after these multiple e-mail exchanges that no way would I be objective. I sent the book on to another reviewer.
On Amazon, I've seen several authors post horrid responses to readers who didn't like their work. Several of these authors had five-star reviews, but could only focus on the one or two people who didn't like them. One author was incensed that one of the readers didn't finish the book (the reader said they just couldn't trudge through it any longer).
Someone doesn't like your work, who cares? There could be a variety of reasons for it. The reader/reviewer could be:
- tired of the genre.
- tired of your recurring characters.
- having a bad day.
- too overwhelmed to care what you write.
- just not that into your book.
Not everyone is going to like you. Don't worry about it. Build relationships with the readers and reviewers who DO like your work. Allow your fans to stick up for you. That has more weight than you jumping into the fray intent on defending your publishing honor. Also remember that fans and reviewers may like some of your books, but not all of them. I certainly don't have any one author who produces work that are keepers all the time. Even my FAVs let me down a time or two. It happens. Don't ax a book reviewer from your ARC list for one bad review. Wait and see if there is a trend before you start chopping.
HOT TIP: There may be times when you need to stick up for yourself. If someone leaves comments that are untrue and damage your character or brand, go to the Web site to find out if you can have those comments removed. Before you pursue, ask other writers what they think of the comments first, or consult your publicist.
I've even seen some relatives of authors weigh in on Amazon, commenting on negative reviews. Makes me glad my elderly parents aren't internet savvy!
I agree. Really, there's nothing to be gained, and several things to be lost by responding to bad reviews. In the end, it doesn't matter how absolutely amazing your book is, someone WILL hate it. Just ask all time bestsellers like Stephen King!!
I once wrote a five-star review of someone's book… and had them lambaste me because I mentioned one thing I didn't like! And it was a book I raved about! Wow, did that convince me never to pay money ever again for anything by that author.
It hurts to get a bad review; back when I was freelancing I got both good & bad reviews, so I'm familiar with that feeling. But I think any time an author gets a bad review, she needs to take a step back and think about the fact that there are books she doesn't like, too, that other readers do. No two people have exactly the same tastes; it's inevitable that some people won't like your work simply because of that.
I'd probably be tempted at some point to respond to a review, but not attack them for their opinion (unless they got personal, then I just don't know if I could help myself). It doesn't seem like a good idea to respond to bad reviews at all, just reflect on the books I've read that I didn't like.
Of course, we'd all love to receive nothing but raves, but the world isn't like that. Not everyone likes the same thing.
Good thing, too. Otherwise you'd all be after my husband!
Thanks for a thought-provoking post.
Absolutely. There's no percentage in responding to a bad review, especially if you are rude about it. If it hurts your feelings, just go sulk for a while then read the good reviews for a pick-me-up.
As to the untrue/damaging statements, yes, address them, but do so by calling your publicist. Have her (or him) suss it out and see if they really need removing. Sometimes what you see as slanderous isn't really so if you look at it objectively. And, in the hot tip department, there are plenty of times when negative reviews can garner more sales for a book than a positive review. It's human nature to see what all the fuss is about. *lol*
There is actually a flip side to this – For reviewers, be professional, not nasty, and don't make the review personal (i.e. drawing conclusions about the author's lifestyle or mental state from a piece of fictional prose.) You are reviewing the book, not the person. Of course, pro/responsible reviewers already know this.
Great post Angela! It is so important to remember that a review is only one person's opinion and that tastes vary widely. I've read books I could barely get through that many others have given 5-star reviews and I've been blown away by books that others felt were only average.
I've only had one author get defensive at my blog over a review. I think partially that is because I approach each book with objectivity. The other main reason I believe this has been the case is that I write reviews that discuss the highlights and areas where the book fell short of my expectations without trashing it. As Emily says above, this is the flip side of the author/reviewer relationship.
I've never seen the purpose behind a snarky review. I can't say I've ever come across a book that doesn't have even one redeeming quality. A good reviewer can discuss all aspects of a book without insulting the author or his work.
Cheryl