How to Solve a Problem Like Reviews
Writers have to beg (or at least force the issue)
Writers always learn the hard way.
As the author of five books and the editor of several more, I’ve learned the hard way. The hopeful inner voice of every writer says ‘Surely, readers will discover my book and be so impressed that they leave a glowing review.’
Unless they have a marketing plan, those hopes are almost always dashed. There are perhaps four reasons people would leave an Amazon or Goodreads review on a book:
- To contrast the existing poor reviews because they LOVED it.
- To contrast the existing good reviews because they HATED it.
- Because they have a personal connection to the reader and want to help.
- They are seasoned reviewers who gain meaning by leaving thoughtful and trustworthy reviews.
Authors must learn this lesson the hard way: no one wants to review your book.
OK, maybe the few reviewers from the fourth category might, but they have 4,503,456 books ahead of yours on their reading list.
It’s certainly true that authors can’t attract more reviews from readers who fit into the first two categories. We can’t control readers’ reactions to our work.
