Just this week I was copied on an email from one of my clients, Jill Eileen Smith, to her publicity manager at her publishing house. They were talking about a stellar review she received on her newest book, The Ark and the Dove. Jill thanked her for sharing the review and wrote this: “Honestly, I rarely read reviews—protecting my heart from hurt or pride.” That was something I had not considered. I knew bad reviews could ruin a writer’s day, but had never consider the reverse. Let’s look at the alternatives.
To Read Reviews
Reading reviews of our books can be beneficial if our skin is thick enough to withstand the pain of a bad review. We can learn from thoughtful reviews and potentially up our game for the future. Of course we have to be able to slough off the frustrating Amazon reviews that complain about the delivery of the book or the length of time it took to receive the book.
We can get an idea of where our readers want us to go in the future. “I wish she would go deeper into Minerva’s story. I can’t seem to get enough about her.” Or, “Author has a way of explaining complicated theological issues. I wish he’d tackle the Trinity.”
Major reviews like Library Journal, Publisher’s Weekly or New York Times are important peer reviews and good or bad they demand attention.
Not to Read Reviews
If you are unable to read reviews because, whether good or bad, they loom too large in your psyche, perhaps you could have a writing partner or friend go through them and give you a few points or trends. In my opinion, few writers should avoid great reviews for fear of getting a big head— there’s way too much negative stuff in this writing life. A few attaboys might just be the antidote to all the negative.
What About Contest Reviews?
In my experience you need to take into consideration the level of expertise of the judges. If the judges are newer, unpublished writers they may still be too slavishly following “the rules” to understand stylistic writing. If the contest level is being judge by published authors you can probably take their comments more seriously. If your submission is being judge by professionals, you might want to spend a little more time considering these reviews. It’s up to you. But don’t let any review sink you.
All in all, I love Jill’s sensitivity, caring for her heart. Decide for yourself— to read, or not to read, that is the question.
Let me know your thoughts. And I don’t mind if you quote some passages from reviews that either made you cringe or smile.
Resurgence in Book Clubs
Yeah, I read reviews and try to learn from them. It takes time to gain the ability to sort out which reviews are from folks who simply don’t like your style and those that have info that can help you grow as a writer. It can be discouraging, even after reading a glowing review, to read how someone truly loathes your work, ha! So, proceed with caution.
However, I know that many folks loathe fabulous books. I myself loathed The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and I know that many adored it.
My best friend and I always make each other read a book we love that is a stretch for the other person. She reads literary and I read everything except literary. She almost always hates the books I send. Artemis Fowl, Cinder, The Hunger Games, Red Rising. Hates them! I enjoy the sentence-by-sentence beauty of the books she sends, but am never compelled to read. Once I shut the book, I don’t feel the urge to open it up again. I’m just not passionate about the stories. The Night Circus, The Fault in Our Stars, Catcher in the Rye, A Gentleman in Moscow, A Man Called Ove. I appreciate the beauty and artistry of the writing, but have to force myself to read the next chapter every time.
Separating the reviews of folks who will never love our work no matter how skilled we become out of the equation as we try to learn from reviews is so important.
I read my reviews. Good and not so good. If the review is from someon i know, like a three star but the text doesnt look like that. The text is a glowing review. Then i send a note thanking them for the review and i ask what would have made the story a five star in their opinion. Luckily I haven’t had a scathing one. I review everything I read. I’m tickled when the author chooses to take something I said and use it in promoting their book. I feel like I must have truly understood what they were saying.
I guess I really do not care
what the little people think.
They won’t impede my savoir faire,
nor will they drive me unto drink
with their inane criticism
or their faintly fawning praise.
To coin another witticism,
there’s no way they might amaze
me with the words that they might choose
in an attempt to reach my core.
They serve only to amuse,
for I have seen it all before,
’cause that’s exactly what is found
on a middle school playground.
As an author of cozy mystery, I cherish each positive review. Discouragement is an everyday event to most authors, and a positive review really helps keep up one’s spirits in a world where our stories are often lost amongst a zillion other Amazon novels. Thanks Black Cat buyers and Mrs. Odboddy enthusiasts!
I stopped reading reviews (except those sent by a oublisher) long ago. A great review can result in the sin of pride. A searing review can result in the sin of feeling abject failure. For me, it’s vitally important to avoid both.