tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576243017172545196.post3850811624252451264..comments2023-06-03T08:10:11.954-07:00Comments on Rants 'N' Ramblings: About ReviewsBridget Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00266949188499763952noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576243017172545196.post-19766456024677349422012-01-10T19:27:12.504-08:002012-01-10T19:27:12.504-08:00Yes, exactly Jimmy!
We never know how word about ...Yes, exactly Jimmy!<br /><br />We never know how word about our book will spread. Word of mouth is just as valuable as any written review. If someone takes the time to pass word along to a friend, we achieve the same goal.<br /><br />Congrats on things working out for you!Bridget Bowershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00266949188499763952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576243017172545196.post-61470604840767522562012-01-10T18:54:47.519-08:002012-01-10T18:54:47.519-08:00So true, Bridget. Well put! I had one poor review ...So true, Bridget. Well put! I had one poor review from someone who simply did not enjoy the book. She mentioned why and, although disappointed, I simply thanked her (I knew her) and left it at that. A few weeks later I got a note from her. She mentioned that although she did not care for my novel, she mentioned the book to a friend she thought might enjoy it. The friend loved it, and she just wanted to let me know. I thought that was great and reaffirmed for me the fact that I should avoid burning bridges at all costs.<br />Thanks for the post and best of luck garnering those reviews.<br /><br />-JimmyJames Garcia Jrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576243017172545196.post-90844006221196510632012-01-10T16:42:25.656-08:002012-01-10T16:42:25.656-08:00Thanks so much for stopping in to comment. I appre...Thanks so much for stopping in to comment. I appreciate all the encouraging words. As a writer it is hard sometimes to want to put yourself out there and push your book.<br /><br />Keep up the reviewing and reading. Even if all writers don't say it, it is appreciated.Bridget Bowershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00266949188499763952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576243017172545196.post-34249266131032753102012-01-10T15:18:26.347-08:002012-01-10T15:18:26.347-08:00I agree. If a book doesn't tickle your fancy, ...I agree. If a book doesn't tickle your fancy, don't say anything. Better to not say a word than be mean about it just for the sake of being mean.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576243017172545196.post-38366843594191051542012-01-10T15:15:31.745-08:002012-01-10T15:15:31.745-08:00This brings to the forefront another aspect of rea...This brings to the forefront another aspect of reading and reviewing. As a writer, I so appreciate those unsolicited reviews. When someone has read my books and likes them, and then takes a second to post a review for me, it makes me feel very good to know they took time to let me and others know. So I try to post a positive review when a book in particular touches me. If it doesn't, I don't say anything because it might just not be my cup of tea.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576243017172545196.post-25120464683206033872012-01-10T15:13:43.878-08:002012-01-10T15:13:43.878-08:00As an active reviewer and site owner I have to say...As an active reviewer and site owner I have to say BRAVO. I KNOW that reviews are hard to come by. Reviewers only have so many hours to devote to reading and there are way more books out there than what we can read. <br /><br />That being said, no author, indie or otherwise should ever feel that submitting their book to a site is begging. That is what review sites are here for :) We LOVE to read :) We need to read. <br /><br />All I can say to all the authors out there is keep your head up and don't worry about a bad review. Everyone will get a few but what you need to remember is that YOU are following YOUR dream :) Your story is published and out there for the world to read...and that takes courage :)<br /><br />Hugs to you all and NEVER give up :) Solicit the HECK out of those review sites and blogs...it WILL pay off :)Seriously Reviewedhttp://www.seriouslyreviewed.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576243017172545196.post-1153712999402654692012-01-09T19:47:38.363-08:002012-01-09T19:47:38.363-08:00Thanks!
I know I how easy it is to want to correc...Thanks!<br /><br />I know I how easy it is to want to correct something so wrong, but yes it is best to refrain.<br /><br />I'm glad you enjoyed the post. I agree that there is always something you should be able to say positively about a book. I mean if you managed to finish it, there had to be some reason you did.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping in to comment.Bridget Bowershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00266949188499763952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576243017172545196.post-29555973125678206932012-01-09T19:41:11.943-08:002012-01-09T19:41:11.943-08:00Well said! I have to agree, although the temptatio...Well said! I have to agree, although the temptation to defend oneself against a malicious review is pretty strong at first. Especially when the reviewer has said things that are patently false. But it is best not to respond because the reviewer has every right to an opinion (even if it's wrong...lol) and the freedom to express it. Plus, like you say, tastes are different and no book will be liked by everyone.<br />Some reviewers will give a bad rating to the book if the plot didn't turn out the way they wanted it to. This is petty. When I leave reviews, I try to point out the positives about the book. Even if the subject matter is not to my liking, I can still appreciate good writing, good proofing & editing, and good character development. <br />I have heard that a few bad reviews are actually helpful to an author. That way the good reviews don't fall under suspicion of being planted by friends. <br />Good post, Bridget!Wodke Hawkinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10528226211040437072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576243017172545196.post-29503200429128758362012-01-09T17:47:01.251-08:002012-01-09T17:47:01.251-08:00So very true, I don't leave reviews for everyt...So very true, I don't leave reviews for everything I read either. There are various reasons for it, but I can't expect others to do more than I do myself.<br /><br />I try to leave reviews for Indie authors, but even then, if it is something I just couldn't relate to for whatever reason.Bridget Bowershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00266949188499763952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576243017172545196.post-80855911078817923402012-01-09T15:41:23.558-08:002012-01-09T15:41:23.558-08:00I found your point of view as to reviews similar t...I found your point of view as to reviews similar to mine. Being in the same boat (having trouble getting/asking for people to review), I get ecstatic over the meager reviews I've received and must be content with them. After all, a writer can't force a review, nor can we live or die by them either. I'm preparing myself for that day when someone rips apart my work, but if they pay the price for the book, I really have to keep an open mind when it comes to a negative review. <br /><br />I personally have read hundreds of books by mainstream authors I didn't like. Did I bother to leave a negative review? No, I did not. In fact, the last book I read by a well-known author was purchased on Amazon and I did NOT share how awful I thought it was, nor would I.<br /><br />Having said all that though, not every writer can please every reader. And the reader does have the right to leave negative comments. But I don't think an attack on the individual is at all called for.<br /><br />As a new indie writer, I have to remember less than 1% of sales actually result in a review. Therefore, I celebrate the sales and try to content myself with the positive comments I do get.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576243017172545196.post-6872915394820783392012-01-09T14:11:21.860-08:002012-01-09T14:11:21.860-08:00Thank you, M.C.!
It was definitely not a rant. I&...Thank you, M.C.!<br /><br />It was definitely not a rant. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I think a lot of authors feel the same way. We don't want to offend anyone, and yet we all want to get those reviews to help prove our work.<br /><br />If you figure out a solution, be sure to share it. I'm sure there are many that could use the advice.Bridget Bowershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00266949188499763952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576243017172545196.post-80648399856475827272012-01-09T13:28:50.010-08:002012-01-09T13:28:50.010-08:00Very well thought out and eloquent example of the ...Very well thought out and eloquent example of the "razor's edge" of the review world. <br /><br />I am having a hard time getting reviews, and there seems to be some anxiety on my part as well for asking for them. You voiced a lot of my concerns and fears. <br /><br />Enjoyed the rambling, because I assume its not a rant. LOL.<br /><br />M C MooreM.C. Moorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09336593506239985475noreply@blogger.com