When it comes to reader reviews, most of the time I’m fairly unflustered. After having eleven novels/novellas published, my skin has grown pretty thick skin. I’ve learned to accept both positive and negative reviews as just part of the business.
If I’m putting forward my fullest energy and effort with every book, then I have to be content with my best and realize I won’t please every reader with every book. I’m okay with that. And I’m okay with readers being honest in their reviews about what they liked and didn’t like about my books.
It’s slightly awkward, however, to get a negative email from a reader, like this one I got recently: “Jody, you are my favorite author. I have read all your books and can’t wait until the next one comes out. However, the one I just read is not like the rest. It is boring and redundant. I have skipped over some paragraphs just to get through the book. What happened?”
Obviously that particular book of mine didn’t resonate with this reader. But clearly it has with the majority of my readers who have given it high marks. So, although I don’t particularly like getting those kinds of emails, I didn’t let it bother me since I understand how subjective a reading experience can be.
In fact, most of the time, I don’t focus on reviews. I read them sparingly and try to conserve my emotional energy for writing my stories.
However, I have a confession to make. I’ve been anxious about the first reviews on my Luther & Katharina book (releasing in October). This is a book that I wrote about seven years ago. Even though I was anxious to see it in print, nothing happened for a long time. Last year, my new agent was finally able to find a good home for the book with WaterBrook (a division of Penguin Random House).
As I began to edit the book, I realized I’d grown a lot in my writing skill over the years. So I had to do a LOT of rewriting over the ensuing months. I put weeks and weeks into making the book better, checking historical details, deleting and adding thousands of new words, and tweaking the story and characters.
Aside from all the waiting and work that went into the book, Luther & Katharina is also dear to my heart because of the subject. I grew up Lutheran, going to Lutheran schools, learning about Martin Luther, memorizing his catechism, and following Lutheran traditions. In fact, my dad was a Lutheran pastor until he passed away. And in some ways, his passion and fire remind me a lot of Luther.
Even though the book is still a couple of months away from its release birthday, some readers and reviewers are getting Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs). In this case, the ARC is a print copy that is not the absolute final version of the book. Since the ARC was sent out, the book has gone through at least one additional edit. While not the perfect version that will release in October, the ARC is intended to give a sneak peek to a select few reviewers and readers.
Because ARCs are out there, some early reviews are starting to show up on Goodreads. I stumbled across them one day recently and was actually surprised to see so many already. At first I was afraid to read any of them. With a fluttering stomach, I clicked off the site and avoided it for a while. But my curiosity got the better of me and so with trembling fingers, I finally went back to Goodreads and skimmed a couple of the reviews.
I was nervous. My skin felt suddenly thin and translucent. What would readers think? Would they appreciate learning about this inspiring couple from history? Would they enjoy being swept back to the 1500’s while still being entertained by the story? Would they be as curious as I was to know how a wealthy celibate nun ended up with a poor peasant monk?
I’m relieved to say that early readers are appreciating the novel. I’m grateful so far for all of the lovely compliments. But now that I’ve eased my nerves, I’m heading back into the writing cave where I will attempt to regain my thick skin once again!
By the way, I’m giving away 3 ARCs of Luther & Katharina over on my website. Feel free to stop by and enter the drawing for a chance to win this early copy of the book.
How about YOU? How do you feel about giving or getting book reviews?
Jody Hedlund
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I like giving reviews but if I was a writer I think I would certainly have similar feelings as you have expressed when looking at reviews. You just can’t please everyone all the time! Would love to win one of the ARCs or next time be on your advanced review crew! Just keep on doing what you do best. Thank you for sharing with your readers.
Hi Anne, We definitely can’t please all people, even if we’d like to! 🙂 Hope you’re able to head over to my website and enter the drawing for an ARC! Blessings to you!
And may I just say, having read the advance copy of Luther and Katharina, that this is a wonderful book!
Thank you SO much for reading and reviewing the book, Robin! I appreciate your lovely review! 🙂
I get nervous when writing reviews. I want to convey how the books has impacted me and I feel that I fall short in this area. It’s a growing process for me. 🙂
Hi Caryl, I never really thought about readers getting nervous about writing the reviews! That’s good to know! I hadn’t thought of the process from the reader’s perspective! I’m sure there’s definitely some learning involved in how to share your feelings and impressions about a book without giving too much away or being too harsh. 🙂
Jody, Most of us who’ve been published have experienced these feelings as well. Matter of fact, isn’t “nervous author” a redundant phrase? Seriously, nice to read about your experiences. Thanks for sharing them.
I give reviews because I know it helps the authors. I usually like most books that I read and I generally give positive reviews. I don’t always know what to say, I want to say what I like about the book but I don’t want to give away anything, so they are mostly short.
I would love to read this book.
“most of the time, I don’t focus on reviews. I read them sparingly and try to conserve my emotional energy for writing my stories.” This sums me up perfectly! I, too, feel nervous before every book’s release until I see that a few folks liked it. Even seeing that ONE person loves it, is enough for me. After that, I avoid reviews, both the good and the bad — except the ones that I can’t avoid because someone sends them to me directly (like the lady who emailed you). LOL! I’ve had a few people contact me personally both digitally and through letters to let me know what they didn’t like about my novels. If I receive a letter from someone I don’t know, my husband screens it for me. If it’s good, I’ll read it. If it’s not, I don’t. 🙂 Exactly as you said, Jody, most of the time I prefer to focus my emotional energy elsewhere. I do my best to write the book I feel called to write the way I love it. That’s all I can do.
My very best wishes to you with the release of Luther and Katharina! How cool that a manuscript that you wrote long ago is now making its way to bookshelves.
I’m so excited for you, Jody! Finally getting this book published. I know it’s been so close to your heart. I believe that God’s timing is perfect, and it will bless many readers.
I will admit that I read reviews. At least for the first few weeks after a book comes out. My curiosity is too strong. But I’ve learned, like you, to have a thick skin. I try really hard to approach them with objectivity and with a desire not to have my ego stroked but to learn what readers like and don’t like so I can take that into consideration when I’m writing the next book. I admit that the gushing reviews are a joy to read, but even the less than stellar ones have something to offer.
Keep up the great work!
I write reviews but don’t really like to when I haven’t particularly liked a book. I realize that we have different tastes in our reading preferences. In fact, my own mood affects how I feel about a book.
The worst is people who review books they normally wouldn’t read!!! I don’t like reading their reviews. I want to know what a person who does like that type of books thought. For people who just look at the numbers before they read, that could be so deceptive. People who give a low rating because a book is “too
Christian” when it was advertised as a Christian book, shouldn’t be allowed to review it 🙂 Just my two cents! I hope your new book is a success for you AND your readers!!!
I love giving reviews for the books that I like. I’ve never written a review for something I didn’t like. But then, most of the book I read are ones I like.
This book sounds different and interesting. Would love to read it. I know you have worked hard on it. There is a time and place for everything. The time for this book is now ! Thanks for the giveaway. Would love to be a winner.
I love to review books ! If I like the book ,I give a great review! If it is a bad book , I give a honest but bad review !
I feel your pain, Jody. Oh do I. In fact, I was contemplating a similar post when I saw yours! Glad to hear reviews on the new book are positive–always such a relief!
Oh, I can relate to that feeling! I’m excited to read this novel, Jody. You have a talent for bringing life to famous historical love stories.
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