Recently, I read a news article about a general-market author who offered a negative response when a reviewer gave her four instead of five stars for her debut novel. She attacked the reviewer, calling her a name I shall not repeat here. The author expressed she was upset that the reviewer had ruined her perfect five-star rating. The author’s response resulted in a barrage of retaliatory one-star reviews, and the publisher pulling her book.
As you’ve seen me post here, a book with only five-star reviews seems suspicious. Did the author merely share the book with intimate friends and loving family members?
Every day, I read one-star reviews. Many are justified, while others are brutal. We must remember that angry people believe authors are a safe place to release emotions. The reviewer may not have liked the book but could also be using the platform to vent. Authors would do well to consider this when reading reviews.
Remedies?
Don’t read reviews. While this is a guaranteed way not to be upset about one-star reviews (unless a frenemy lets you know about those), the discipline not to read any reviews is almost impossible to practice.
Learn from negative reviews. Everyone receives negative feedback simply by existing. Our job is to separate the helpful from the not-applicable and act accordingly. To share a story, for a brief time in high school, I wore a bright orange hat with a wide, floppy brim everywhere. One of my friends said, “I hate that hat.” While that comment didn’t make my day, I kept wearing the hat for several more months until I tired of it. So just because someone comments, you don’t have to act on it. Conversely, a review about a book’s errors or suggestions about pacing may help you become a better author next time, especially if that review reflects a strong consensus about your book.
Never react to an unsolicited review in public. Scream, cry, and vent to friends in private. But do not react to a review in public. Don’t thank people for nice reviews or even show humility by thanking them for bad reviews. The exception is when you are working with a reviewer to promote your book. Then it’s proper to thank that reviewer in public for kind words when appropriate. But regarding formats such as Amazon and Goodreads, where anyone can always comment on your books for any reason, don’t respond. By remaining neutral, you protect yourself and keep your fans out of any fuss.
Praise and slander are part of our industry and part of living. The less drama we live, the more peaceful and productive our lives will be.
Whether or not you like my book,
I really cannot say I care,
and I never ever look
at reviews placed anywhere.
The work said what I meant to say
at the time when it was written,
but today’s another day,
and it’s no good to be bitten
by a relic from the past
when already I’ve moved on.
My involvement is not meant to last,
and readers who revile or fawn
are by themselves at windmills tilting;
Elvis already left the building.
YESSSSS! ‘Love this one, Andrew–great point of view!
Linda, thank you!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
I think it’s sometimes tempting to read
Best Way Forward
Ignore All Comments
Andrew, I love the way you think. Thank you for a proper perspective. Each day is a new gift from God and should be savored as such without baggage from the past. Grace, peace and prayers, always.
Judith, thank you for this. Long before I started writing, working in a kinda lethal field, I learned that if I didn’t bury yesterday, it would bury me.
Andrew, I love seeing so much well-deserved support for you here!
Judith, I appreciate your comment. Free up from baggage as quickly as possible, in every area of life, to savor each day. Thank you!
Such thought-provoking advice, Tamela, and so timely for me! Besides our books in print, I think it applies to our speaking opportunities, too. Yesterday I spoke to a lunch meeting speaking of a civic organization with about 50 attendees, and it was odd from the beginning: the person who invited me and made the arrangements by phone and email never greeted me or introduced himself. I still don’t know if he was even there. No one invited me to sit with the officers at their front table, so I took a seat by a former colleague in the back, then had a long walk to the podium when I was introduced. As I spoke, only about half the group seemed to be fully engaged and only two people thanked me at the end. I have never had an experience like that before. Sometimes a negative response to our words is the back of heads as our listeners leave the room instead of negative words in print! I considered emailing my invisible host to say I was sorry I didn’t get to meet him, but after reading your post, I realized how hard it would be to make something like that not come across as accusatory in an email. Thanks!
Linda, for you.
Sometimes folks are well-intentioned,
sometimes they are jerks
who should by name not be mentioned,
’cause that is not how Jesus works.
He always said, ‘A certain man’,
alluding not to the dude’s name,
for He knew His Father’s plan
was not to stoop to laying shame,
but rather illustrate the point
that humans are quite prone to fail
when they reach the meaty joint
at which the plotline tells the tale
of how important it can be
to live moral consistency.
What a profound gift, Andrew! Thank you!
Linda, your comment moved me deeply.
Andrew, wonderful!
I love when my posts are well-timed! Thanks for letting me know!
Thank you, Tamela. You always have good advice and share so graciously. My sainted grandmother would be proud of you. And so am I, as if I had anything to do with it. (Grin)
Awwww, well, aren’t you lovely to say so!
Criticism of your work, no matter where or who is comes from, carries it’s own special little insight into learning how to deal with life in general.
Criticism of your work wheather its writing or cooking, no matter where or who it comes from, carries it’s own special little insight into learning how to deal with life in general. Pay attention, mull over their words and learn.
Firt and foremost: Criticism of your work no matter if its writing or cooking, no matter where or who it comes from, brings to you it’s own special little insight into learning how to deal with people, places and things. Pay attention, mull over their words and learn.
Above all: Criticism of your work, writing or cooking or knitting, brings it’s own special little insight into learning how to deal with people, places and things. Pay attention.
A bit of advice from my 105 year old grandmother:
Criticism brings it’s own special little insight into learning how to deal with people, places and things. Pay attention.
True, we can learn from both praise and criticism.
I believe it was Harper Lee who said, “I would advise anyone who aspires to a writing career that before developing his talent he would be wise to develop a thick hide.”
That wisdom seems to apply to lots of careers! Thanks for sharing.
What a profound gift, Andrew! Thank you!
Great article Tamela, wise words of wisdom. Thank you for sharing.
I appreciate your wise words, Tamela. And AMEN to less drama.
I recently read a post by Tiffany Yates Martin where she maintains that reactions, whether positive or negative, should be perceived as good because at least the work evoked a response. I’m not sure I will ever be able to fully embrace that approach to criticism, but I think there is some truth to it. I’m more of cry my eyes out to my husband and eat dark chocolate kind of girl.
I agree that while harsh criticism is hard to take, the fact someone felt passionate enough about your work to comment does matter! Your words touched that person’s heart and mind. Sometimes I think negative reactions tell us more about the person commenting than they do about the book or writer. As many wise people say, “Hurt people hurt people.”
Another opportunity to pray for someone!
Tamela, thank you for your words of wisdom. It’s so easy to be hurt, offended; and yet, hanging onto those feelings or responding in kind buys us nothing but additional stress. How much better to look for any nuggets of truth in the criticism, release the rest to God, and move on in peace.
Wise words, Carol.
Thank you Tamela,
Reviews are confusing. I was getting all five star reviews on my first book, so I started asking friends to write four star reviews! My second book has all five star reviews, and even though I don’t know most of the reviewers, it looks like I’ve stacked the deck. Are there subjects that people are uncomfortable critiquing? I even paid for a “professional” review, but they failed to offer any constructive criticism. I’m close to finishing a third book. How can I become a better writer if reviewers only say “nice” things? Help!
Charlie, thanks for adding insights and questions here. I see your dilemma.
I looked up your books on Amazon and see that you are writing books for people seeking answers to specific questions. Though the questions are timeless and many people ask them, many won’t think to look for a book to find answers. They may go to online forums or friends instead. However, those who find your books feel you have done a great service. Congratulations!
Based on what little I can discern from looking at your Amazon profile, I’d say that it’s not the writing you need to improve, but your discoverability. You’re well on your way. In fact, I can’t count the number of times I’ve shopped for certain current books on Amazon and found zero reviews. So the fact you’re receiving reviews at all is something to celebrate. Keep building your platform. The more people who discover your book, the more varied reviews you are likely to receive. And the more books you will sell!
Thank you for the advice. I’m new to this industry. I’m functioning as a sponge, taking in all I can hold.