The Awkward Art of Asking for Reviews
For authors who would like to harvest reviews for their book, here are some thoughts gleaned from my 48 years of writing and publishing.
I'm not talking about professional, independent reviewers who can summon amazing insights about any book. Some are like Olympic judges scoring a diving competition where a final score is based half on degree of difficulty and half on execution. Bookwise, an overall theoretical score of 80/50 means the author rates quite high in complexity of concept, but average on storytelling. A score of 50/80 would signal the reverse. This is helpful information to readers who like to handicap their expectations before turning a single page.
I should also mention small marketing companies that assist in getting your book to groups of hand-picked reviewers. This approach, in my experience, can garner thoughtful reviews. However, there are a number of "review packagers," charging significant fees, with quality control issues. Reviewers are sometimes assigned genres they have no familiarity with, or they speed read your book and miss key points. When you get back a review that bears little resemblance to what you believe you actually wrote, as if AI has had a hand in this, consider that ChatGPT may be the future of mass reviewing.
The reviewers I'm focusing on here are friends and acquaintances you want to respect and trust, and who know something about the craft of writing and storytelling. Before you enter this twilight zone, here are ten points to consider:
1. If friends give you an enthusiastic "yes, of course I'll review your book," they need to know how long it might take to finish your 100,000 word opus. Attention spans are not growing longer and time seems to be shrinking for everyone. If possible, set a deadline to finish your book that's both comfortable to both author and reviewer. I tend to go with two months. I have friends that have been promising me a review for a couple of years. When I run into them at Trader Joe's, they often remind me that my novel is next on their list. While the person is well intended, the "waiting forever" strategy rarely bears fruit.
2. Sometimes the best thing a would-be reviewer can do is be straight with the author. An upfront "I wish it were otherwise, but I can't help you" is far better than an endless protraction of good intentions,
3, Take the time to explain to someone that writing is your passion, perhaps even an addiction, and maybe a career. You would greatly appreciate their feedback, hopefully in the form of a review. It's okay to mention another obvious thing: What writer or artist doesn't need some kudos or validation, especially in a profession where one can labor largely alone and in silence for a year or two. Then, once published, you find yourself in survival-of-the-fittest waters, as two or three million other authors are scrambling for reviews. The numbers game, the sheer weight of popularity, feels to be irretrievably embedded in our reading culture.
4. Ask the person you're soliciting that if they're not sure they can find the time, can they possibly read just ten pages? Again, set a deadline, like a couple of weeks. Pulling potential reviewers in early increases the chances of them finishing your book. Another hint to help to facilitate the effort? Send them specific links to your book on Goodreads and Amazon. Make things as easy as possible.
5. If the moment feels right, remind your friend that you're not a seller on Amazon looking for five stars about their coffee maker. A book is not a commodity. A book is your investment in yourself and your talents. You want to. be taken seriously, without being considered pushy or begging. You hope your friends can relate to something in their lives that is as important to them as your creativity is to you.
6. Tell potential reviewers they don't need impeccable writing or grammar skills to complete a review, Two or three sentences will be fine, as long as they're honest words. Many readers shy from posting because they're afraid of disappointing the author, or embarrassing themselves by being compared to other reviewers. Assure them that their writing skills don't matter as much as content.
7. You might offer your friends a topic or two that other reviews haven't covered. Suggest they share their opinions about your ambiguous, complex main character, for example, or how the surprise ending worked for them. The last thing you want is for someone to regurgitate the plot. You've already provided that on your book jacket or your Amazon or Goodreads page. Again, you want to read honest thoughts and feelings. I've read lots of reviews, and written a few, too, and it's the sincere ones that inspire others to pick up the book.
8. When you finally receive a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or wherever, thank the reviewers! They took time out of their busy lives for this.
9. Be reluctant to ask anyone in your immediate family to review your book. Unless your relationship is exceeding strong and open, no good will come of this.
10. I know writers who make the mistake of 'nudging" potential reviewers who are "running late" on their promises. They usually don't like a reminder any more than they do a dinner time call from the police officers' benevolent league. Try not to take this reaction personally. If your friend is suddenly on the fence about reviewing you and your work, be mindful there could be many reasons, and they may not have to do with your book.
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4/5/2023 author post....FINAL
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Michael FrenchMar 31, 2023, 3:12 PM (5 days ago)
to P, me
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Art TuckerApr 1, 2023, 1:04 PM (4 days ago)
Hi Michael! Please resend it with corrections.Many thanks!Art and Polly
Michael FrenchApr 1, 2023, 1:07 PM (4 days ago)
to me
Will send later this afternoon. Thanks.
Sent from my iPhone
On Apr 1, 2023, at 1:05 PM, Art Tucker <artotem@artotems.com> wrote:
Great, thanks!
Thanks!
Great!
ReplyForward
Page
2
/2
Page 1 of 2
THE AWKWARD ART
OF ASKING FOR REVIEWS
This is for authors who would like to harvest reviews. I don’t know many who don’t
wish for that. Some suggested guidelines gleaned from my years of writing and publishing
books…
I’m not talking about paying for reviews from talented professionals, who often give
you and your readers amazing insights. There are also small marketing companies that assist
in getting your book to groups of hand-picked reviewers. Yet other companies, charging you a
lot, provide mixed results, according to writers I’ve talked to. The reviewers sometimes have
no familiarity with your genre, don’t like your main character, or speed read your book. When
you get back a review that bears little resemblance to what you actually wrote, and you suspect
AI has had a hand in this, consider that this may be the future.
So what reviewers am I taking about? I refer to friends and acquaintances you respect,
trust, and hope they want to read your book. Before you enter this twilight zone, here are
some things to consider:
1. If the person you approach gives you an enthusiastic “yes, of course I’ll review your
book,” please remind them how long it might take to finish your 100,000 word opus.
Attention spans are not growing longer and time seems to be shrinking for everyone. If
possible, set a deadline to finish your book that’s comfortable for both you and your
friend. I tend to go with two months. I have friends that have been promising me a
review for a couple of years. When I run into them at Trader Jo’s, they often remind me
that my novel is next on their list.
2. Sometimes the best thing a would-be reviewer can do is be straight with you An
upfront, “No, I wish it were otherwise, but I can’t help you” is far better than an endless
protraction of good intentions.
3. Take the time to explain to your friend that writing is your passion, perhaps even an
addiction, and maybe a career. You would greatly appreciate their feedback, hopefully
in the form of a review. It’s okay to mention another obvious thing: What writer or
artist doesn’t need some kudos or validation, especially in a profession where one can
labor largely alone for a year or two. Then, once published, you find yourself in what
feels like survival-of-the-fittest waters, as two or three million other authors are also
scrambling for reviewers. This competition will only grow. The numbers game, the
sheer weight of popularity, feels to me deeply embedded in our reading culture.
Page 2 of 24. Ask the person you’re soliciting that if they’re not sure they can find the time, can they
possibly read just ten pages? Again, set a deadline, like a couple of weeks. Hooking a
reader/reviewer early increases the chances of someone wanting to finish your book.
Another hint to help facilitate the effort…send along links to your book on Goodreads
and Amazon. Make things as easy as possible.
5. If the moment feels right, remind your friend you’re not a seller on Amazon looking for
five stars about their coffee maker. A book is not a commodity. A book is your
investment in yourself and your talents. You want to be taken seriously, without being
considered pushy or begging. You hope your friends can relate to something in their
own lives that is as important to them as your book is to you.
6. Tell potential reviewers that they don’t need impeccable writing or grammar skills to
complete a review. Two or three sentences will be fine, as long as they’re honest
words. Many readers shy from reviewing because they’re afraid of disappointing you,
or embarrassing themselves in being compared to other reviewers. Assure them their
writing skills don ‘t matter that much. Because they really don’t. However, yours do.
7. You might offer your friends a topic or two that other reviews haven’t covered. Suggest
they share their opinions about your ambiguous, complex main character, for example,
or how the surprise ending worked for them. The last thing you want is a plot
regurgitation. You’ve already provided that on your book jacket or your Amazon or
Goodreads page. Again, you want someone’s honest thoughts and feelings. I’ve read
lots of reviews, and written a few, too, and it’s the sincere ones that stay with you.
8. When you finally receive a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or wherever, thank the
person! They took time out of their busy lives for this.
9. Be reluctant to ask anyone in your immediate family to review your book. Unless your
relationship is exceedingly strong and honest, no good will come of it.
10. I’ve made the mistake of “nudging” potential reviewers, even in good faith, when
they’re late on their soft commitment. They usually don’t like a reminder any more than
a dinner time call from the police benevolent league. For whatever reason, if your
friend is on the fence about reviewing you and your work, be mindful of the favor
they’re doing for you.
post 4:5:23.docx
Open with Google Docs
Page 2 of 2
I'm not talking about professional, independent reviewers who can summon amazing insights about any book. Some are like Olympic judges scoring a diving competition where a final score is based half on degree of difficulty and half on execution. Bookwise, an overall theoretical score of 80/50 means the author rates quite high in complexity of concept, but average on storytelling. A score of 50/80 would signal the reverse. This is helpful information to readers who like to handicap their expectations before turning a single page.
I should also mention small marketing companies that assist in getting your book to groups of hand-picked reviewers. This approach, in my experience, can garner thoughtful reviews. However, there are a number of "review packagers," charging significant fees, with quality control issues. Reviewers are sometimes assigned genres they have no familiarity with, or they speed read your book and miss key points. When you get back a review that bears little resemblance to what you believe you actually wrote, as if AI has had a hand in this, consider that ChatGPT may be the future of mass reviewing.
The reviewers I'm focusing on here are friends and acquaintances you want to respect and trust, and who know something about the craft of writing and storytelling. Before you enter this twilight zone, here are ten points to consider:
1. If friends give you an enthusiastic "yes, of course I'll review your book," they need to know how long it might take to finish your 100,000 word opus. Attention spans are not growing longer and time seems to be shrinking for everyone. If possible, set a deadline to finish your book that's both comfortable to both author and reviewer. I tend to go with two months. I have friends that have been promising me a review for a couple of years. When I run into them at Trader Joe's, they often remind me that my novel is next on their list. While the person is well intended, the "waiting forever" strategy rarely bears fruit.
2. Sometimes the best thing a would-be reviewer can do is be straight with the author. An upfront "I wish it were otherwise, but I can't help you" is far better than an endless protraction of good intentions,
3, Take the time to explain to someone that writing is your passion, perhaps even an addiction, and maybe a career. You would greatly appreciate their feedback, hopefully in the form of a review. It's okay to mention another obvious thing: What writer or artist doesn't need some kudos or validation, especially in a profession where one can labor largely alone and in silence for a year or two. Then, once published, you find yourself in survival-of-the-fittest waters, as two or three million other authors are scrambling for reviews. The numbers game, the sheer weight of popularity, feels to be irretrievably embedded in our reading culture.
4. Ask the person you're soliciting that if they're not sure they can find the time, can they possibly read just ten pages? Again, set a deadline, like a couple of weeks. Pulling potential reviewers in early increases the chances of them finishing your book. Another hint to help to facilitate the effort? Send them specific links to your book on Goodreads and Amazon. Make things as easy as possible.
5. If the moment feels right, remind your friend that you're not a seller on Amazon looking for five stars about their coffee maker. A book is not a commodity. A book is your investment in yourself and your talents. You want to. be taken seriously, without being considered pushy or begging. You hope your friends can relate to something in their lives that is as important to them as your creativity is to you.
6. Tell potential reviewers they don't need impeccable writing or grammar skills to complete a review, Two or three sentences will be fine, as long as they're honest words. Many readers shy from posting because they're afraid of disappointing the author, or embarrassing themselves by being compared to other reviewers. Assure them that their writing skills don't matter as much as content.
7. You might offer your friends a topic or two that other reviews haven't covered. Suggest they share their opinions about your ambiguous, complex main character, for example, or how the surprise ending worked for them. The last thing you want is for someone to regurgitate the plot. You've already provided that on your book jacket or your Amazon or Goodreads page. Again, you want to read honest thoughts and feelings. I've read lots of reviews, and written a few, too, and it's the sincere ones that inspire others to pick up the book.
8. When you finally receive a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or wherever, thank the reviewers! They took time out of their busy lives for this.
9. Be reluctant to ask anyone in your immediate family to review your book. Unless your relationship is exceeding strong and open, no good will come of this.
10. I know writers who make the mistake of 'nudging" potential reviewers who are "running late" on their promises. They usually don't like a reminder any more than they do a dinner time call from the police officers' benevolent league. Try not to take this reaction personally. If your friend is suddenly on the fence about reviewing you and your work, be mindful there could be many reasons, and they may not have to do with your book.
Conversation opened. 6 messages. All messages read.
Search in mail
52
Chat
Spaces
Meet
Compose
Labels
Inbox52
Starred
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18 of 414
4/5/2023 author post....FINAL
External
Inbox
Michael FrenchMar 31, 2023, 3:12 PM (5 days ago)
to P, me
One attachment • Scanned by Gmail
3
Art TuckerApr 1, 2023, 1:04 PM (4 days ago)
Hi Michael! Please resend it with corrections.Many thanks!Art and Polly
Michael FrenchApr 1, 2023, 1:07 PM (4 days ago)
to me
Will send later this afternoon. Thanks.
Sent from my iPhone
On Apr 1, 2023, at 1:05 PM, Art Tucker <artotem@artotems.com> wrote:
Great, thanks!
Thanks!
Great!
ReplyForward
Page
2
/2
Page 1 of 2
THE AWKWARD ART
OF ASKING FOR REVIEWS
This is for authors who would like to harvest reviews. I don’t know many who don’t
wish for that. Some suggested guidelines gleaned from my years of writing and publishing
books…
I’m not talking about paying for reviews from talented professionals, who often give
you and your readers amazing insights. There are also small marketing companies that assist
in getting your book to groups of hand-picked reviewers. Yet other companies, charging you a
lot, provide mixed results, according to writers I’ve talked to. The reviewers sometimes have
no familiarity with your genre, don’t like your main character, or speed read your book. When
you get back a review that bears little resemblance to what you actually wrote, and you suspect
AI has had a hand in this, consider that this may be the future.
So what reviewers am I taking about? I refer to friends and acquaintances you respect,
trust, and hope they want to read your book. Before you enter this twilight zone, here are
some things to consider:
1. If the person you approach gives you an enthusiastic “yes, of course I’ll review your
book,” please remind them how long it might take to finish your 100,000 word opus.
Attention spans are not growing longer and time seems to be shrinking for everyone. If
possible, set a deadline to finish your book that’s comfortable for both you and your
friend. I tend to go with two months. I have friends that have been promising me a
review for a couple of years. When I run into them at Trader Jo’s, they often remind me
that my novel is next on their list.
2. Sometimes the best thing a would-be reviewer can do is be straight with you An
upfront, “No, I wish it were otherwise, but I can’t help you” is far better than an endless
protraction of good intentions.
3. Take the time to explain to your friend that writing is your passion, perhaps even an
addiction, and maybe a career. You would greatly appreciate their feedback, hopefully
in the form of a review. It’s okay to mention another obvious thing: What writer or
artist doesn’t need some kudos or validation, especially in a profession where one can
labor largely alone for a year or two. Then, once published, you find yourself in what
feels like survival-of-the-fittest waters, as two or three million other authors are also
scrambling for reviewers. This competition will only grow. The numbers game, the
sheer weight of popularity, feels to me deeply embedded in our reading culture.
Page 2 of 24. Ask the person you’re soliciting that if they’re not sure they can find the time, can they
possibly read just ten pages? Again, set a deadline, like a couple of weeks. Hooking a
reader/reviewer early increases the chances of someone wanting to finish your book.
Another hint to help facilitate the effort…send along links to your book on Goodreads
and Amazon. Make things as easy as possible.
5. If the moment feels right, remind your friend you’re not a seller on Amazon looking for
five stars about their coffee maker. A book is not a commodity. A book is your
investment in yourself and your talents. You want to be taken seriously, without being
considered pushy or begging. You hope your friends can relate to something in their
own lives that is as important to them as your book is to you.
6. Tell potential reviewers that they don’t need impeccable writing or grammar skills to
complete a review. Two or three sentences will be fine, as long as they’re honest
words. Many readers shy from reviewing because they’re afraid of disappointing you,
or embarrassing themselves in being compared to other reviewers. Assure them their
writing skills don ‘t matter that much. Because they really don’t. However, yours do.
7. You might offer your friends a topic or two that other reviews haven’t covered. Suggest
they share their opinions about your ambiguous, complex main character, for example,
or how the surprise ending worked for them. The last thing you want is a plot
regurgitation. You’ve already provided that on your book jacket or your Amazon or
Goodreads page. Again, you want someone’s honest thoughts and feelings. I’ve read
lots of reviews, and written a few, too, and it’s the sincere ones that stay with you.
8. When you finally receive a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or wherever, thank the
person! They took time out of their busy lives for this.
9. Be reluctant to ask anyone in your immediate family to review your book. Unless your
relationship is exceedingly strong and honest, no good will come of it.
10. I’ve made the mistake of “nudging” potential reviewers, even in good faith, when
they’re late on their soft commitment. They usually don’t like a reminder any more than
a dinner time call from the police benevolent league. For whatever reason, if your
friend is on the fence about reviewing you and your work, be mindful of the favor
they’re doing for you.
post 4:5:23.docx
Open with Google Docs
Page 2 of 2
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