Since I've gotten my galleys for Wild Horses, I've been sending it out for review. I've been lucky, blessed actually, to have gotten some really great reviews. All have been positive, and have made me grin from ear to ear.
Before this, I never paid much attention to reviews. Never cared what someone else thought of the books, movies or music I like. In fact, as far as movies go, I rarely agree with reviews. I go for the big summer movies, and not the artsy ones reviewers love to gush over. I like the authors I like...I could care less what a review says.
But now, I'm gobbling up book reviews like they're candy and I'm a starving woman on a desert island. Authors I've read for years? Gotta see what they're saying about it on Goodreads. And the Amazon reviews. Got to read them. Am I swayed by them? Honestly, I'd have to say no.
But are there people out there who are? Are there people who will read my book because of all the great things the reviewers have said? Are there people out there who won't read it if they can't find a review?
It's nerve wracking.
All I can do is write the best book I can, hope the readers like it, too.
What about you, how much stock do you put into reviews?
Before this, I never paid much attention to reviews. Never cared what someone else thought of the books, movies or music I like. In fact, as far as movies go, I rarely agree with reviews. I go for the big summer movies, and not the artsy ones reviewers love to gush over. I like the authors I like...I could care less what a review says.
But now, I'm gobbling up book reviews like they're candy and I'm a starving woman on a desert island. Authors I've read for years? Gotta see what they're saying about it on Goodreads. And the Amazon reviews. Got to read them. Am I swayed by them? Honestly, I'd have to say no.
But are there people out there who are? Are there people who will read my book because of all the great things the reviewers have said? Are there people out there who won't read it if they can't find a review?
It's nerve wracking.
All I can do is write the best book I can, hope the readers like it, too.
What about you, how much stock do you put into reviews?
Hi, D'Ann,
ReplyDeleteReviews are not important to me as a reader. After all, they're just the opinion of a few people. I form my own judgments. However, as a writer, reviews become very important. Because my recent novels have been published in hardcover first from an independent, reviews mean the difference between book orders from libraries or being ignored. My latest novel DEATH LEGACY is a romantic suspense mystery thriller which received an excellent review from Booklist and several other smaller review pubs.
But that might not be enough to get the word out as far as significant library orders. So the more reviews, the better!
If a book is of a sub-genre I'm interested in and has garnered great reviews, it does matter to me as a reader. The reviews can give me the final bump from maybe to buy--especially if it's a new writer. As a writer, I'm a review slut, I guess. I love reading them, love all the goods, and think too much about the bads. I'm always amazed (and impressed) by writers who don't read or worry about their reviews--I want to be them!
ReplyDeleteGood post, D'Ann!
Thanks for expressing my opinion exactly! I'm loving One More Summer, just downloaded to my new Nook.
DeleteGood Morning D'Ann,
ReplyDeleteWe usually don't want to read something unless it has a good review, but reviews can be misleading. I figured that out from watching several movies that allegedly got great reviews. :(
On the other hand, my book CUB IN BLUE, got great reviews, and one bad review, the reviewer claimed the plot was unrealistic. This was amusing since I did the lazy thing and based it on real life.
I also do reviews for Novelspot.org and refuse to do scathing reviews. I figure if someone had the dedication to write a book, and get it published, they deserve to be treated decently, not raked over the coals for a comma splice or a misused word.
I also realize what I like in a book isn't always what everyone else likes. I just finished a very sweet regency that could have used more action, IMHO, but that didn't make it a bad book. In fact, it fit perfectly into its sub-genre.
Reviews, you do need them. You can get all your friends and fans to like your book on Amazon which also improves your sales. It is a mini-review with a click.
Now all we need are reviewers who are computer literate and not too lazy to post a review...sigh.
DeleteYay on the great reviews, D'Ann! So happy for you! Your books rock so it doesn't surprise me one bit :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the great reviews!
ReplyDeleteAs for me, yes, I read reviews. (I feel like I'm confessing a dirty secret. lol) I've never purchased a book just because of a review, but if I'm undecided, a review will either make me buy a book or let it go. But I'll read all the reviews or at least a good amount to see what patterns I pick up. If everyone has the same gripe, no thanks.
Good post!
I don't read reviews before I read a book, but I do read them after I read the book. Mostly because I want to see if others think the same way I do.
ReplyDeleteI read a book mainly based on recommendations :)
ReplyDeleteAs for receiving reviews, hopefully non are ever mean spirited or down right nasty....in my opinion that's just wrong. I think a review should be informative and if not favorable explain the reasons why it wasn't liked or enjoyed so hopefully the writer can walk away with food for thought. And hopefully it'll be a learning experience that they can take with them to their next story.
The thing to remember is not everyone is going to like your work. Sad, but true :)
Congrats on your wonderful reviews D'Ann!
When I purchase a book it's usually because I've already decided I want it, so I don't bother with reviews. If, however, someone recommends a title to me and I'm not sure I want it, I'll skim through the reviews and yes, sometimes, they influence my decision one way or another.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on all your great reviews D'Ann! That has to feel wonderful!
Well, I guess they're important but it's so subjective. What one likes, another might hate. I've had some really great reviews and some that literally made me cry, and not in a good way. I have come to realize it's just one persons opinion and that I need to move on. As far as reading them for me to buy a book--don't even look at them.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. I put a lot of stock in what people think. I rarely read a story that has poor reviews. Especially if their are many who say the same thing. Even If I LOVE the cover and the blurb I study the reviews if more than 10 percent are unfavorable I will not buy the book.
ReplyDeleteJust like a book, I think reviews are subjective, but I do pay a little attention - especially if the review is for a new-to-me author. But, I'll look for reviews from people or book blogs that I read regularly - but even if a review is 'bad', if the blurb sounds interesting I may still give it a shot.
ReplyDeleteI really don't pay attention to my reviews. If I get a 5 star I'll brag about it :-) But I also know there are going to be horrible one's and middle of the road ones. That's normal. I write in a genre - erotica - where people can get nasty just because they have a problem with the "content" rather than the story. Sad but true.
ReplyDeleteAh, reviews. It's kind of a 4-letter word--if you get a bad one, LOL. If it's a good one, you paste that link all over the net. So in that case, reviews are very helpful to new authors who need that extra push to get them bragging about their book (without sounding like they are doing the bragging).
ReplyDeleteAs a reader shopping for books, if it's a new-to-me author, I do look at the reviews on Amazon or Goodreads, but I read them with one eye narrowed to see if they are from objective readers, or the author's friends, which is pretty easy to tell. If I see repeated complaints about crappy editing, sorry, but it's not for me (I happen to read quite a lot of unedited material when reviewing submissions, so there's no way I'm paying to read it, LOL). Also, complaints about dialogue will usually run me off.
And hey, look at the bright side: a rough review is still much less likely to make you cry than a rejection letter, right? Here's hoping you get none of either anymore. :)
I rarely buy/don't buy based purely on a review. After all, reading choice is subjective and my preferences don't always match the crowd. If I am on the fence, I will skim the reviews, just to see if there is something that might push me one way or another. That being said, I am sometimes influenced by the number of reviews. Theoretically more reviews means more people have read the book. A large number of reviews tells me that the book/author at least has enough going for them to reach a wide audience. At that point, if the book sounds interesting and the average rating isn't super-low, I am in.
ReplyDeleteI rarely buy a book or watch a movie based on reviews. Before I became a writer, I never read or cared about reviews for books. I read what I liked, and if I bought a book and didn't like it, I wouldn't buy another from that author.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that baffles me is books with more 1 star reviews and low ratings seem to be good sellers.
I'm somewhere in the middle. I know I've discovered some great authors because it was a featured book at B&N like Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen--which also had some other recommendation as well--and The Night Circus.
ReplyDeleteA lot of times, I check out the star rating on Goodreads or Amazon, just to get an idea of an author I'm unfamiliar with. I like to read reviews after I've read a book to see if they agree with me more than I want to read it before.
So I can't remember what I wrote late last night when it didn't post but I think I said something like:
ReplyDeleteReading reviews is fun but writing them takes some work. No doubt you will get a ton of GREAT ones D!!
I'm with Sharon. I read reviews after I've read the book. Reviews have never swayed me either way as a reader. As I writer, I love it when I get one.
ReplyDeleteI swore I wouldn't care, but turns out I do. Praise makes me high as a kite. Although I understand this is a subjective business, criticism usually contains at least a grain of truth. It affects me a little, but not for long - I'm busy writing! I can only hope to receive more praise than criticism.
ReplyDeleteAs a reader I will glance over the reviews but still make up my own mind. However, if a book on say Amazon has constant bad reviews just one after another, then I am a little hesitant. That book maybe a waste my money.
ReplyDeleteIf it's just one bad review and the rest are good, then I dismiss the bad review as someone who has a bone to pick.
Janice~
I'm not entirely sure why I have gotten in the habit, but I do tend to read reviews. I suppose it's because I might pick up an obscure book from time to time at a local used bookstore with a mini blurb and want to know more. I can honestly say, whether the reviews are good or bad, if my heart is set on reading a book, I will. There are also times I tend to pick up a few books just because the reviews might not be as stellar. I'm nosy by nature and need to find out for myself why people didn't like it.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't worry about your reviews, D'Ann. You're going to rock them, chickie. Very cool post, btw. :)
Congrats on your awesome reviews, D'Ann!
ReplyDeleteReviews aren't that important to me as a reader unless every reviewer has the same complaint. What others love I often hate and vice versa, so I don't always follow the latest craze in books. As a writer, I know reviews are important. Lol, I love getting a great one. But anything below 4 stars? Not so much, but that's all part and parcel of putting your work out there for public consumption.
I usually thank everyone personally for coming by, but today the day got away from me. Thank you, one and all, for your input. It's deeply appreciated.
ReplyDelete