Why authors want your reviews - even if they're bad

There's a ton of talk about marketing books - especially as self-published authors. What's the "right" way to do it? What's the method that will gain thousands of followers overnight?

I wish I had a straight answer for you. But the one thing that remains true across the board is that the best seller of books is word-of-mouth. It's people reading and talking about our books. It's someone bringing a copy to book club on a whim.

We've all probably heard the saying, "Any exposure is good exposure." Well, that's kind of why authors want your reviews.

The power of a review

Of course, we all hope our books will be huge successes that everyone immediately falls in love with. We want our stories to be life-changers that only receive good publicity. But the reality is, that's not going to happen.

Even classics like Shakespeare and Jane Austen have lovers and haters.

We can't please everyone. But we can please some.

Think about the last time you purchased something online. Did you read the reviews? Did you check that there were any reviews?

People trust people - no matter what they're saying.

Positive reviews are great. It's like a friend telling the world why they love your work. But have you ever considered too many positive reviews?

I know that, personally, if I look something up and it only has 5-stars and good things that all sound the same, I start to get suspicious. Surely, someone somewhere has tried the thing and not liked something about it. But what didn't they like? Is it something that matters to me (like the functionality or quality)? Or is it subjective (like colour or smell)?

In the same way, having reviews on books - both good and bad - help to temper reader expectations. The more people are talking about our books, the more a potential reader can choose for themselves whether or not our work will be something they're interested in picking up.

This also increases visibility.

The power of the internet

Whether you love it or hate it, the internet is here to stay. And it means there is huge potential for international exposure - it also means there's way more competition.

The more reviews a book has, the more it's being talked about, and the more algorithms will begin spitting it back out to potential readership.

It brings a whole new meaning to "talk is cheap".

This potential for growth also means an increase in community. I've seen international fanbase meetups - friends who came together because they both read one book they both loved. People who never would have gotten in touch if that first touchpoint hadn't been made.

This also promotes the potential for continued audience engagement on future releases. (If they liked one, maybe they'll like another. Maybe they're more likely to hear about a small release because of the circles they now run in.)

And for readers, it's one of the easiest ways to support an author that doesn't involve spending money. Borrow the book from a friend or the library and review that way, if possible. (Trust me, we really appreciate it!)

The dark side

I know there's been a lot of discourse recently on an author's role in reviews. I'm by no means the final word on this, but I do personally feel that reviews are the readers' space. It's nice to check in and see what people are saying about our work every once in a while, but we shouldn't linger. We shouldn't promote drama or try to convince others why they should love our book if they didn't love it the first time.

It's hard to put so much of our soul into something so public, but ultimately, we can't please everyone. (Just like Jane Austen.)

Handling public criticism

Maybe the hardest part of this whole thing, though, is that knowing and feeling are two very different processes. I know that not everyone will have nice things to say about my work. I've been fortunate enough not to have anyone be outright rude about their dislikes.

That doesn't make it easier to hear someone say they don't like my books.

Personally, I find this criticism a lot easier to hear in person. For whatever reason, I feel very little when friends who are close to me say they don't like it. But when I read that someone didn't like my characters or my setting online, it hits a little deeper.

What helps me is to remember that it isn't personal. That there are plenty of books I've read and haven't loved but that doesn't make their work any less good - it just wasn't the book for me.

A bad review doesn't mean a bad writer.

(If only I could convince my nervous system!)

But this is also a big reason why I tend to avoid reading any reviewing spaces at all. Because at the end of the day, I write for myself. I don't need the external validation to tell me my work is good when I know it's the way I want it to be. That's also a big reason I self-published!

So, on the days when I can't help but see a bad review cross my screen, I try to look at it objectively. Can I see what the person is saying? Can I understand their viewpoint? Do I agree (because sometimes, I do! It just wasn't what I was trying to get across in that particular story)?

Putting on my editor hat when reading negative criticism has saved me many a time.

And honestly, at the end of the day, I'm just happy anyone has read my work at all.

Books will find their readers given enough time.

So, here's hoping that your books are well-discussed and well-loved.

Happy writing,

Erin