Ask the Author discussion

Today I received a strange review. I'm not quite sure what it means, I think that they're complimenting my latest effort (Death And Disappearances), but I can't be sure. They did however give me the feted 5 stars on Amazon. My question to my fellow writers/readers out there is, what do you think it means, and what's been your experience? Thank you.

This is the review:
"Privy to have a known author amungest bff. He was born with a gift, to make others smile with admiration."

Hey Richard. Sounds like a very positive review to me. As I interpret it, they are saying they are lucky to have a known author among their friends (you), and that your writing makes people smile in admiration because it's enjoyable. So far I haven't gotten any really weird reviews yet, but it could happen at any time lol.

I write romance. Here is my oddest and funniest in its entirety:

I got this for my wife for her birthday. She said it was really good and then jumped my bones. I hope this is a long series.

He wrote another similar review for the next book. I often wish I had his email so I could ask why he stopped buying my books for his wife!

Perhaps he was just too knackered!

Here's one of my favourites, "brilliant!!! very good book is a book for everybody which have or not sense of humor. it imposible to dont laugh. i like it!!!"

Just how genuine is that!

And by the way Jacqueline, what was the name of that book again? I'm short of stocking-fillers for my own wife!

Karl wrote: "Perhaps he was just too knackered!

Here's one of my favourites, "brilliant!!! very good book is a book for everybody which have or not sense of humor. it imposible to dont laugh. i like it!!!"

Ju..."


I think that reviewer is wonderful. I know it's not a 'proper' review, but as a reader, it's one I'd pay attention to since they so obviously enjoyed it.

Another favorite of mine was a one star review from a young lady who advised everyone not to read my book because it was filled with bad language and sex (Side note: my shifter series is pretty tame for the genre) The funniest part was the last line where she said it was a good story!

In other words, she read the whole offensive novel! The next day my sales skyrocketed! Not all bad reviews are bad. lol

Jacqueline wrote:... who advised everyone not to read my book because it was filled with bad language and sex (Side note: my shifter series is pretty tame for the genre) The funniest part was the last line where she said it was a good story!In other words, she read the whole offensive novel! The next day my sales skyrocketed! ... "

Lol Jacqueline. There is something to the saying that sex (or even the hint of sex) sells. :)

Theresa wrote: "Lol Jacqueline. There is something to the saying that sex (or even the hint of sex) sells. :)"

Absolutely! That's why you see so many bare chests on romances! My first shifter books didn't sell well until I changed the covers. Lesson learned!

Jacqueline wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Lol Jacqueline. There is something to the saying that sex (or even the hint of sex) sells. :)"

Absolutely! That's why you see so many bare chests on romances! My first shifter boo..."

There is so much to think about when you consider book covers and blurbs. I am glad changing covers helped you out.

When I skim the free and low cost offerings of the day, I skip those that say it is a "romance" or if the cover has a bare chested hunk. On the other hand I have more other books than I can read so they are no loss to me. Also no loss to the author since I am not their target audience. Different strokes for different folks.

Allen wrote: "When I skim the free and low cost offerings of the day, I skip those that say it is a "romance" or if the cover has a bare chested hunk. On the other hand I have more other books than I can read so..."

Absolutely, Allen. Different covers appeal to different genre readers. With some of the books I write, there's a sexual expectation and it's clear on the cover. Those covers would look silly in a detective novel or a Regency Romance. A cover is the first hint to the reader (as you've shown us) of what they'll find within.

These sound very much like second language English speakers. I think it's wonderful that they are making the effort to write a review in a foreign language.