In the course of foofing about with setting up some Amazon aStores, I came across some scathingly abysmal reviews of one of my slightly older books... and needless to say, it wasn't a pleasant experience. Now, I freely admit that I'd defend a person's right to express their opinion with the last fibre of my being *and* I also freely admit that the book in question isn't one of my best... in fact, it's probably pretty much a pile of pooh. If it were me though, I'd just turn away and not bother to review... but as an author, putting my work out in the market place, I've just got to suck it up and smile if others do choose to review unfavourably. One has to accept that reader reviewers are providing a service to other readers - by preventing them wasting their money on substandard books.
Note to self...
Must.do.better.
Must.raise.my.game
Ah... chocoate beckons...
--
Telly: snooker
Chocolate: Frys Turkish Delight
Mood: fine until I went to Amazon
Writing: brainstorming Gothic Heat
Reading: Passion of Isis
RSI/FMS: sore
Don't forget Portia's Promos - new stuff being added all the time!
9 comments:
I heard on the radio the other day that the guy at the record compnay that signed Kate Bush slagged off Wuthering Heights - which then went on to be at number 1 for about 8 weeks. Reviewers don't always get it right!
Thanks, Val! That's reassuring... although I must admit that all the reviews for this title were below average. Even from someone who usually gives me a good mark.
I accept that not everyone will like everything I write... but it does sometimes seem that the detractors have louder voices than the quietly appreciative readers.
Sending big hugs! Aww, Wendy, I sympathise. I just got a real stinker on B&N that knocked me flat. And I'd only just got my pace back :( All we can do is think about the good ones and read those. For some reason it's the negative words that stick in my head. I think I'll have to print out some good ones and paste them to my eyelids LOL
Ack, sorry to read that you've been dumped on too, Saskia old mate!
We don't know for certain, of course, but don't the tone and style of some of these bad reviews sometimes hint that they're written by [disgruntled] writers rather than genuinely disappointed readers? ;)
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Hi Susan
What's the URL of your review site?
Thanks v. much
WendyPortia
I know nasty reviews hurt, because as authors we feel that someone is attacking one of our "babies", and a part of ourselves. But you know, reviews are so personal. I've read books which have received rave reviews, and personally I think the stories SUCK. So, just go on writing!
The bottom line is an editor found the book good enough to publish and readers found it good enough to buy. You get the last laugh. Keep the chin up:-)
I do find some of the reader reviews at places like Amazon helpful but there are so many that are nothing more than vitriolic attacks not only on the work but on the author. I pay about as much attention to such reviews as I do someone ranting and cursing on the street. Unfortunatley, your attention is drawn to them but then when you realize that all their sound and fury is truly signifying nothing you learn to ignore them.
Try not to take it too personally though I know that's easier said than done. We can't, as much as we may want to, seperate ourselves completely from our writing. If we didn't put something of ourselves in our writing it wouldn't ring true with the essence of who we are.
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