Modern Good Reads discussion

I'm not sure this is in the right folder, so please correct me if necessary!

I did a R4R at the beginning of October. It was a pre release, and the author asked to also put a review on Amazon and Smashwords on the release date. The author later send an email that the the book is being released earlier than expected, but the message somehow ended up in my spam folder. Now that I've read it, I replied that I'll leave my review on the other platforms asap.

The author now replied: don't bother, I'd rather see my ratings not go down. My review was a 3.5 star rating, but I rounded it up to 4 stars because I really did enjoy it. My question is: is it normal for an author to request not to post your review when the review is fair and ultimately 4 stars? I honestly felt a little disappointed, but I'm fairly new to the whole reviewing etiquette :).

Thanks!

To my mind, it is not for an author to determine whether a review of their book is posted or not. You, as a reader, have taken the trouble to read and review, and the option is yours. An author has to take the good with the bad, not pick and choose. That aside, many authors would be glad of a 3.5* rounded to a 4*.

I'm an ebook author, my debut novel was released this past April via KDP. I have submitted to numerous book bloggers asking for reviews, and a number have given their honest opinions. I've received a range from 3 to 5 star ratings. It has never, nor would it ever, crossed my mind to ask a reviewer to not post a review, no matter how low a rating or disparaging a review. I write the book, I seek out reviews, and I set the book out there for anyone and everyone to say what they want to say or write what they want to write about my work. That's the way it goes.

I'm greatly surprised, and somewhat dismayed, that an author would tell you not to post the review, especially seeing how 1) you took the time to read the book, 20 took the time and spent the energy to write a review, and 3) a 3.5 star rating is a good rating!

Go ahead, Talitha, post the review anyway. You must always remember: you, the reviewer, do not do a service for me, the author. You do a service for all the readers out there who might consider reading my work and are looking for guidance as to whether or not my work is worth the time and money.

What C. said... Remember your review is for the benefit of otber readers, not the author. The author asked for a read and review handed you control when you received the book.

Thank you so much for your input! I have more confidence now to post my review on the other platforms. I really appreciate you helping me out here :)

To me it is reprehensible for an author to tell you what to do with a review. But I'm a real stickler on this subject.

Talitha you put fair well thought out reviews out there so I wouldn't worry too much.

Marcy, reprehensible is a good word for it. I simply cannot imagine telling a reviewer to not publish a review they wrote of my work, especially after I requested a review!. What is such an author thinking??

Thanks D. Elliot!!

I've posted my review on Amazon and have send the author a message about it. He replied with 'point taken' and that it was poor judgment on his behalf. He's a new author, and I've only been writing reviews for about three months now, so I guess we all learned something today :).

I have to say, I'm glad this is not the standard. Thanks again for the input, I'm really glad I joined this group!

If he's a new author, chances are he doesn't realise the importance of having a bunch of mixed reviews. As an author myself, I can say it would be great to have every reader rate my work as 5*, but it's unrealistic. No rational person would believe such a thing, as every reader is different; not every reader will like the same book to the same degree, if at all.

On Amazon I have some five star reviews that have just one word: that's great, it makes me feel good that someone liked my work so much. However, it does nothing to promote further readers. Much better to have a 3* review that is well written and gives a good account of what a reader liked or disliked about a book. For example, one 3* review says, amongst other in depth analysis, "good, but not my thing". That's fair enough, it may be right for someone else.

Top and bottom, when we put our work out there, it then belongs to the reader.

Talitha, glad it worked out for both of you.

David, wholeheartedly agree. I have only 16 Amazon reviews, some 5, a few 4, and three 3 stars. The three star reviews mean a lot because they were written by people who don't normally read the genre in which I wrote, or who didn't identify with the characters, etc., but they still liked it enough to give it 3 stars.

So, Talitha, what David says is spot on about 3 star ratings.

I know quite a few people who won't touch a book that doesn't at least have a few negative reviews because they will then assume that everyone who has left a review to that point is a friend of the author's.
I used to have a one star review on my debut novel and although I didn't like it, it made it clear to readers that I didn't pay (as some authors do) for all positive reviews on various sites. The person who gave me that review has now closed her account on Goodreads, and while its absence has made my average rating higher, I feel that I've lost a bit of street cred in losing it. Even then, I don't want it back! :-)

Bottom line: the author was unreasonable, rude, and ungrateful. It is difficult to find reviewers who follow through, regardless their opinion. Keep reviewing and let this go. The author changed the rules AFTER you agreed to the review. The stench is on him, not you.

But in regards to Amazon, I'm angry. I have this week received two emails from readers who bought my latest book directly from me (because they wanted it signed). Amazon is denying them the right to post their review because they are my "friends". I have never met these readers, simply received their check and mailed them a copy upon request. I don't even know what sort of review they wanted to post. I would love more honest reviews, but apparently, I'm friends with everyone.

Yes, I've heard Amazon can be difficult to deal with in some of these situations. At least there are other sites where they can post the reviews.

Hi Rebecca,

that's so unfair of Amazon! Contacting costumer service about it doesn't help? I can imagine you being angry about it!!

You're right, a book with only 5 stars ratings does look suspicious ;-). I hope the author won't do it again in the future, only for himself.

Thank you Talitha. I would love the rattle the chains, but Amazon is king, even here.

Rebecca wrote: "Thank you Talitha. I would love the rattle the chains, but Amazon is king, even here."

If your reviewers included a line like "got a signed copy from the author" then Amazon may take that as friendship or financial interest. As far as I can see the only disclaimer allowed is "I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review."

Good idea Cheri. I'll reach out to those affected. I am now aware of four individuals experiencing the same issue. As I said, I don't know what they are trying to post, but I'll advise them to avoid anything of that nature. It feels to me like Amazon is rejecting the reviews because they can't verify the purchase. However, I purchase the copies from createspace and sell a few to people who reach me through my blog. Both the ebook and paperback are exclusive to Amazon, a situation I find myself questioning. If this is the direction Amazon is moving, I will pursue other options which saddens me.

Readers generate reviews and reviews generate readers. If an author writes something worth reading, readers and reviews will eventually and gradually follow.

A few unsolicited, honest, and varied reviews, appearing over time, are much more trustworthy than numerous suspect "tit for tat" or bought 5-star reviews, constantly inundating literary websites.

Never underestimate the intelligence of the reading public. They can usually tell the difference between the real thing and a con job.

Exactly, but if Amazon throws up a gate to those reviewing readers, I have the right to be angry.

Again, these are not paid for reviews, nor are they expected. I make the same request of every person who makes it to the end of the book. "Please take a moment to honestly review this book on Amazon. Good or bad, your thoughts are important to other readers."

I would welcome a bad review. I want to grow and truth is a powerful motivator. I guess I'll not have that opportunity.

One of the best reviews I have right now is 2.5 rounded up to 3 (appreciated!). The reviewer didn't "get" the book, didn't care for the main character, and says it probably just wasn't the right fit for her. Yet she also says she couldn't stop reading, found the characters memorable and engaging, and will definitely be reading the sequel. That's a valuable review, in spite of a lukewarm rating!

Congrats. That's the kind of review we all hope for.

That is a good review. :-)

Rebecca wrote: "...But in regards to Amazon, I'm angry. I have this week received two emails from readers who bought my latest book directly from me (because they wanted it signed). Amazon is denying them the right to post their review because they are my "friends"...."

I use the following disclosure for reviews and have used it on Amazon without a problem. I have also reviewed books not bought from them - they do not reject reviews because they cannot verify a purchase.

If the last names are the same or the addresses from the reviewers Amazon account are in the same area as the author's - they may reject the review as coming from friends or family.

I would suggest the reviewers, who buy books from you directly, begin their reviews with this disclaimer in the future:

"Disclosure: I purchased (book title) by mail on (date). I do not know the author nor have I ever had any communication with him/her about this book or any other subject, except for my written request to the author to purchase a signed copy. The comments that follow are my own personal opinion. I received NO compensation of any kind, or from any one, to provide this review."

If Amazon stills rejects the reviews, I would definitely request an explanation from them on this issue.

Yes, that sounds like a good disclaimer to put in.

Talitha,

I think the author was trying to exercise too much control over the review process, which is problematic. It keeps people from getting honest opinions of the book, and can give them a false impression of the quality of the book and what it is about.

Rebecca wrote: "Bottom line: the author was unreasonable, rude, and ungrateful. It is difficult to find reviewers who follow through, regardless their opinion. Keep reviewing and let this go. The author changed th..."

Wow! I can't believe they did that. My personal opinion is, who cares if a friend reviews a book. Yes, it may be a little unfair to a potential reader because it might involve a biased opinion, but frankly as a reader if I see only a handful of reviews, I kind of assume they could be "influenced." Even a biased review can have useful information about the content. But why would Amazon care? They still sold books, right? How many 'friends' can a person have? Plus this predisposes that a friend cannot write an unbiased review. Frankly, when I see a book with no reviews, my first thought is, "What? This guy has no friends?" LOL.

To me it's a blip. As an engineer one or two data points just aren't enough to make a difference.

Hope this resolves for you.

Talitha,

I agree with Christine. I too add a sentence or two regarding my relationship with the author. Often, it is just, "Got this as an audio book from the library." Which brings me to another little piece of advice for a new reviewer with questions. I make a point to review both the book content and the reader of the book when it's an audio book. I love doing reviews and as I mentioned in another thread, please don't summarize the book in your review!

Keep on reviewing and don't let the author tell you how to do your review. That's for us to do!(j/k).

All reviews are somewhat biased. They reflect the reader's reading preferences and personal opinion regarding what is good or bad, right or wrong, entertaining or boring, etc.

Many independent and self-published authors appear to be obsessed with reviews. The purpose of a review is for a reader to let other readers know what they thought of the book, not the author. If an author ever attempted to contact me regarding a review of their book, I would not respond and would never read another one of their books.

Soliciting, trading, and purchasing reviews is unnecessary. Write something worth reading, promote it through tradtional methods, and people will read it. Then it is entirely up to the reader whether or not they wish to rate and/or review it.

Jim wrote: "...The purpose of a review is for a reader to let other readers know what they thought of the book, not the author. If an author ever attempted to contact me regarding a review of their book, I would not respond and would never read another one of their books...."

I agree completely. I have had a few authors contact me by Private Message. One about a review and two others to spam their book. I do not respond and will report them to support if they persist.

PM is for friends to communicate - not for spamming or questioning a reviewer. Those author's books go immediately to my DO-NOT-READ list and show up in my updates. There are a lot of readers that do exactly the same thing for the same reasons.

I believe it's against Goodreads policy for an author to contact a reviewer. I think it's the reviewer's business what they say about a book, but I do contact Goodreads if they've left a spoiler-laden review for one of my books and haven't flagged it as having spoilers in it. Goodreads can then flag it as a review with spoilers, which is the only thing that really bugs me with reviews of anything.

Buying reviews or pestering specific people about reviewing (unless they've put out a general offer to review) isn't good policy. But that doesn't change the fact that you must have at least 100 good reviews on Amazon to have a chance at most types of promotion that are worth much. That's just reality. It isn't that authors are obsessed with reviews for some strange egotistical reason. It is that reviews are essential and primarily numbers of reviews if you ever hope to have any sales. Just putting out a book and promoting it on the usual sites is next to useless. It does not matter if it is the best thing ever written. In this environment, it will never be found unless it has dozens and probably hundreds of reviews.

That's absolutely right. These days, unless an author has a huge publicity machine behind him/her, there isn't much chance of making it very far.