Nothing shows an author more love than an honest book review. Book reviews matter more than royalties for self-published authors wedging into a super-tight market. But even if you don’t need the street cred to make sales, book reviews are just… nice. If given in the right spirit, reviews offer writers encouragement and advice. And writers need love, people.
Even bad reviews offer a writer something… Maybe it’s a target for her dartboard, but there are worse ways to release frustrations. And some people are just… assholes. Anyone who would call someone’s creative endeavor “stupid” or use a review to bash another human… well, those people have bigger problems–ignore… Haters gonna hate.
But the rest aren’t useless. The negative reviews I’ve received over the years have given me things to consider—once the sting wears off. Even superhero authors aren’t privy to every lens through which someone might read their book. Reviews provide negative feedback we otherwise wouldn’t get. And sometimes, their constructive criticism plays into future decisions. So, even the bad can be good. Um, sort of.
All that said, I’m review-skittish. It’s easy for me to fall in love with a book. But as for reviews, I don’t feel I have much to offer. Like an ant critiquing a behemoth, who am I to say anything? And since Amazon has rules against competitors (that is, writers) reviewing other people’s books (or competition), I’ve shied away from it.
I know how hard it is to do this. So, I’m the last person that should criticize another’s efforts. And I don’t want to say anything that might break a writer’s spirit, even by accident (we’re a sensitive bunch).
But that’s the wrong attitude. If writers need love, shouldn’t other authors be the first to give it?
That love has been on my mind. Thanks to a few book services that offer my book free to expert reviewers (NetGalley & Booksprout), I’ve seen much more of it lately. Sea-Devil, my first Delilah Duffy Mystery, has jumped from a languishing 31 to 70+, and the momentum has trickled to the other books in the series. It’s a good feeling, watching those stars rise and scrolling through the kind of positivity that pushes me to keep writing.
It’s even earned its first editorial review from The International Review of Books:
The story is set on a beautiful island in a small town, filled with colorful characters. When reading the book, I felt like I was right there in the middle of the story. The storyline is peppered with little tidbits, metaphors and quotes that give it a distinct character. Delilah and Sam and very interesting characters, both flawed and both looking for a second chance. It’s the sweetest romance that develops in the midst of chaos. I was on the end of my seat the whole time and couldn’t put the book down. It’s a well-thought-out story, full of unexpected twists and turns.
I highly recommend it!
Not too shabby, huh? And with One Thing Better (my first standalone) coming out in September (Check out the cover reveal here), creating momentum with reviews will be key to a successful launch.
Because writing isn’t like most jobs where paychecks, mandatory evaluations, and day-to-day contact with bosses and coworkers provide ample feedback about your work. Hell, even in my zero-human-contact online job grading essays, the computer lets me know if I’m when/if I’m not doing it right. Likewise, it gives me stats and green dots to indicate my success. Ah, I love a green dot.
But writers don’t get such validation. And certainly not during the excruciatingly lengthy writing process. We wait for everything—a finished book, feedback, book reviews, sales, and, of course, for Reese or Oprah to pick up a copy left at an airport or doctor’s office and fall in love with it. And writer Jessica lived happily ever after with her new BFF & producer… The End.
It could happen, right?
Well, book reviews could do the same thing, eventually. They impact the world’s purchases more than ever before. And if I share more book love, maybe I’ll create book karma for me, too.
In his memoir, On Writing, Stephen King reads 70-80 books a year, and says, “Reading is the creative center of a writer’s life… it creates an ease and intimacy with the process of writing.”
So, read books = write better books.
But, whether you’re a writer or not, reviews are a small way of giving back to the book community for all its given us–an escape, an education, an adventure, a pleasant investment of time. And for writers, inspiration. The best writing-motivation comes from reading.
So, this blog is meant to encourage us all: REVIEW MORE BOOKS. They don’t have to be AP English-sized essays with a works cited page. They don’t have to deliver a book play-by-play, either. Here’s a great article on why & how to write a good one that’ll be helpful to writers and potential readers. I prefer keeping it short and sweet. Here’s what I posted to Goodreads about one of my latest favorites, The Maid by Nita Prose:
A heartwarming story & a thoughtful mystery wrapped into one neat and tidy package. Molly Gray is easy to love for her trusting nature, work ethic, and commitment to clean. She’s a character that stays with you long after you put the book down. A great read/listen!
But if writing a review still gives you anxiety, pretend you’re telling a friend about it. What made you choose it, and what kept you reading?
And don’t forget other venues. Amazon isn’t the only bookseller in town. It’s easy to spread the book love on Goodreads, Google Play Books, Apple Books, and Barnes & Noble.
And I’ll do better, too. I’ll update my Goodreads list and feature some reviews on Coffeebrained, where I’ll offer my caffeinated thoughts on books from a writer’s point of view.
In the loving spirit, share your thoughts on book reviews below. Or just say hello.
For a book to review, get Sea-Devil: a Delilah Duffy Mystery free for subscribing.
