Skip to main content

Reviews and Why Even Bad Reviews Are Good

When I was little my dad used to always tell me that if nothing bad happened we would never have anything to compare the good and would then know no difference. As a kid, I'm sure I rolled my eyes at this or even questioned him, but as an adult--and now an author--I feel this is something we need to remind ourselves of again and again.

See, I have officially been a published author for about a week now, which means I have received reviews. Some have been very, very good. And some have been vomit-inducing. At first I found myself focusing on the bad reviews, wondering how the reviewer saw THAT in my book. Did they not get it? Did I completely jack up all 300 pages? And then suddenly I realized I was focusing on the wrong thing.

Here's the truth: If you write, plan on getting a bad review--or 50. Plan on getting a review so bad you want to curl up and hide. But do not focus on those reviews, because focusing on the bad is doing a massive disservice to the readers that LOVE your book. And those readers are your true audience.

See, as writers, we do not yet know who our audience really is. We think we do. Our editors and publishers even think they do. But until the book hits the world, we have no idea who the book is going to speak to. If you focus on the bad--the readers that may not be your audience--then you are completely missing the joy of those readers that couldn't put your book down, that tweet and message you for info on the next book. THOSE are your readers! THAT is your audience. Embrace them, celebrate your successes with them, and above all else, thank them. They are the reason you write. Feel fortunate. I do.

Comments

  1. I think have to take the good with the bad, and remember to enjoy the accomplishment.

    mood
    Moody Writing

    ReplyDelete
  2. I totally agree with you! But you can always look at the bad reviews as critiques which you can use to make your book better. (:

    ReplyDelete
  3. Such great advice! Readers are different, and thank goodness that's true or all the books would be the same. Truthful reviews help a book find its audience.

    ES Ivy (for some reason my Wordpress login isn't working.)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

YA Scavenger Hunt: Fall 2013!

Welcome to YA Scavenger Hunt! This tri-annual event was first organized by author Colleen Houck as a way to give readers a chance to gain access to exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors...and a chance to win some awesome prizes! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each author, you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize--one lucky winner will receive one signed book from each author on the hunt in my team ! But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online for 72 hours! Go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page to find out all about the hunt. There are THREE contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I am a part of the GOLD TEAM --but there is also a red team and a blue team for a chance to win a whole different set of signed books! If you'd like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full li

HOVER has a cover!

I officially feel like Dr. Seuss with that blog title, but it's true all the same. :)   HOVER now has a cover, and I need your help spreading the word! The official reveal will be Monday, December 3rd, and signups for the reveal will stay open through Friday, November 30th.  Please leave your email address in the comments if you would like to participate in the reveal and be added to my list of super awesome people that I adore. The reveal will include a giveaway to add to the juicy fun!   Can't wait for ya'll to see it!

HOVER eARC giveaway!

To celebrate HOVER's release in just a few weeks, I am offering up an eARC! This book was a blast to write, and I can't wait to share it with all of you. :) For the giveaway, this is all you have to do: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8a539b3/ " rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway