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Reviews
Of course every author wants to know how reviewers liked his or her book. Once the reviews come out, however, it can be a shock when the author finds out the book didn't get received or read the way the author expected.
What does the author do about a bad review?
First, take a deep breath. Most authors have received instructions on what to do after receiving a review (say thank you if at all possible to the reviewer in private and nothing in public). That's generally the best and only advice you need on the public handling of all reviews.
What do you do in private after the crying or voodoo dolls or cheers? Well, you can see if the review seems to hit good and bad in a constructive way. There isn't much you can do about this book now, but if enough reviewers mention an issue that needs work, try not to repeat it or, better yet, improve on it in another book.
If you have a bad review, what do you do to save the sales on your book? Nothing. Most e-book sales are made within the first few weeks and most reviews don't come out that quickly. So reviews probably don't directly boost sales, though even the worst reviews usually don't really hurt sales long term. Getting your name out can help with other books or help create some buzz in general. The only thing that might hurt is getting into ugly name calling on a blog -- that would create the wrong buzz.
So what else should you do? Nothing much about this particular book. Reviews that come out quickly for a book usually mean the book is "hot" or the author is. That's gratifying. Reviews that come out later may help sales of your new book or your back list. If the reviews are bad, swallow hard and try again. Appreciate the review as one reader's opinion of your story and use it as a tool to improve. If the reviews are good, use what you think the strengths of the book are to write your next book and improve.
So what do you do about reviews? Short answer -- keep learning -- and keep writing.
Treva Harte
www.Trevaharte.com
What does the author do about a bad review?
First, take a deep breath. Most authors have received instructions on what to do after receiving a review (say thank you if at all possible to the reviewer in private and nothing in public). That's generally the best and only advice you need on the public handling of all reviews.
What do you do in private after the crying or voodoo dolls or cheers? Well, you can see if the review seems to hit good and bad in a constructive way. There isn't much you can do about this book now, but if enough reviewers mention an issue that needs work, try not to repeat it or, better yet, improve on it in another book.
If you have a bad review, what do you do to save the sales on your book? Nothing. Most e-book sales are made within the first few weeks and most reviews don't come out that quickly. So reviews probably don't directly boost sales, though even the worst reviews usually don't really hurt sales long term. Getting your name out can help with other books or help create some buzz in general. The only thing that might hurt is getting into ugly name calling on a blog -- that would create the wrong buzz.
So what else should you do? Nothing much about this particular book. Reviews that come out quickly for a book usually mean the book is "hot" or the author is. That's gratifying. Reviews that come out later may help sales of your new book or your back list. If the reviews are bad, swallow hard and try again. Appreciate the review as one reader's opinion of your story and use it as a tool to improve. If the reviews are good, use what you think the strengths of the book are to write your next book and improve.
So what do you do about reviews? Short answer -- keep learning -- and keep writing.
Treva Harte
www.Trevaharte.com
