Do you have a published book? Have you ever had it reviewed? Did you like the review? Did you thank the reviewer for the review?
Most authors seek reviews because book reviews sell books. Reviews in appropriate publications alert readers to the fact that this book exists. Anywhere from ten to ten thousand people might read that review. And depending on the content of the review, anywhere from 0 to a thousand people might purchase it or borrow it from the library.
Reviews are valuable in that they reach potential readers who might not otherwise know about your book. They give an objective perspective of the book. Reviews aren’t ads, they are opinions, so readers are more apt to buy into a review than they are any promotional hype.
But authors are not always happy with reviews of their books. Some reviewers seem to be looking for something to criticize. Authors often disagree with the conclusions of some reviewers. And we also tend to focus on any tiny comment that seems to be critical even when most of the review is complimentary.
Writers are not typically all that good at taking criticism. We become somewhat defensive when someone from our critique group points out something that doesn’t work in our story. We get our hackles up when our editor suggests changing something we happen to LOVE. And we don’t like it when a reviewer makes a negative comment about our amazing, fantastic book—our baby.
How do you handle the small (or large) critical comments in reviews for your book? Or do you even notice them? Maybe you don’t consider them criticism. Perhaps you see these comments as opinion, perspective and guidance for your readers.
I suggest focusing on the positive comments from reviewers. But pay attention to the negative comments, as well. If many readers and reviewers are making the same comments, maybe you should consider doing a rewrite. If the positive comments are all similar, perhaps you should use this focus in your promotional material.
Reviews are interesting animals. Authors crave them, resist them, love them, hate them, believe them, discount them… It all depends on your perspective and that of the reviewer. The bottom line is, however, reviews do get your book the exposure it needs.