Last week I stumbled across a Facebook comment from a reader who said: Gentle reminder for authors: if you can’t handle negative reviews, you need a new career choice.
It was an interesting comment and got me thinking about negative reviews and author reactions.
Obviously most writers would prefer to wow the socks off readers with each book they put out. I don’t know a single author who likes negative reviews. In fact, most authors I know would prefer to get five stars all the time. Some authors even get mildly irritated at four star reviews and have been known to question a friend or family member for leaving anything less than five stars.
However, having reached twenty published books (including three novellas), I’ve realized it’s completely unrealistic to always get five star reviews. Authors only set themselves up for disappointment if they expect mostly positives. I can’t tell you how many authors I’ve heard lament (mostly privately) about how hurt they were by a low-rated review.
And as tough as those reviews can be, I’ve learned to let them roll off my back.
In fact, I’ve even come to the conclusion that getting some negative reviews can be a positive thing. Here are three reasons why authors can benefit from having a mixture of reviews:
1. A mixture of positives & negatives makes the reviews more reliable.
Readers will be more trusting of reviews that contain both positives and negatives versus a whole slew of five-star. When readers see mostly five-stars, they may begin to wonder if the author somehow “stacked the deck.”
The negatives keep the reviews real and more reliable in the readers’ eyes. They rationalize, “If readers can be honest about the negative, then they’re honest with the positive too.” Thus, the negative adds credibility to all the reviews.
2. A mixture of reviews can stir curiosity in the reader.
For example, I once received a two star review that said: “RATED R: Violent/Disturbing Images.” Another time a reviewer gave me a one star for having too much romance: “This was the worst type of historical romance fiction as it had way more romance than I like in any other historical fiction I have read.”
It’s precisely those kinds of statements that can spark curiosity. Someone else reading the review might say, “Hmmm, I like romance. So if that reader thinks it has too much, then it might just be the kind of book I like.”
What one person dislikes might be exactly what another person loves in a story.
3. A mixture of reviews pushes the author to keep improving.
As much as I’d like to write a perfect book, I haven’t accomplished that yet! Negative reviews keep writers from becoming complacent. They remind authors that they still have room for improvement, that they still need to keep learning and honing their skills. And sometimes those reviews even contain morsels of feedback that writers can take away and apply to their next novel.
Negative reviews also keep writers from taking themselves so seriously. With that R-rated review, I chuckled to myself rather allowing myself to be shocked or angry. Realizing that reviews are VERY subjective eases the stress and keeps writers from becoming overly discouraged.
What about YOU? How do you feel about giving or getting negative reviews? Do you think there’s a gracious way to both give and take criticism?
Jody Hedlund
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This is so helpful. The points were all ones I’ve considered in an unspecified way; seeing them laid out is helpful. I’ve struggled with this, but recently came to a place of peace about it.
I write as God places things on my heart. It won’t connect with everyone, and some will even find it offensive (the message of the cross is a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to gentiles), but it isn’t my job to make everyone like it or even me. My job is to just write. 🙂
So thank you, Jody, for the reminder and clarity of good to see in the negative reviews.
I do look at reviews with a grain of salt. Especially the negative ones, I realize they are all subjective. My tastes may be different from someone else’s. For the life of me- I cannot see how anyone could give your books a low rating. You do such thorough research. And “ R” ! What??? I think people need to be taught how to write reviews. Chautona Havig has a couple excellent blogs on what to include in a review. You can voice an opinion without completely being negative. I am a fan of yours so I have given you 4 and 5 stars. I love your writing style! Thanks for this post.
I couldn’t agree more, Jody. Authors have to have thick skin in this business. And as much as I love reading those gushing, 5-star reviews, I have to admit that it’s the critical reviews that push me to make the next book even better. Great post!
I hate to give negative reviews because I select books that I think are ones I will love. However, I also feel that I need to be honest and try to give feedback that truthfully gives a valid opinion that might be helpful. Also, you are so right that “What one person dislikes might be exactly what another person loves in a story.”
But, there is never any reason to be ugly; critical, yes, but not ugly.
Betty has expressed it well. Being cruel or unkind is not the Christian way. If I want to criticize I feel like a bit of diplomacy is very important. Reviews are really a lot like relationships. You can be honest and not be nasty or ugly. If I really, really don’t like a book I won’t comment at all. If there’s just a certain point I don’t like I’ll temper the comment with something positive as well.
Negative reviews are the first thing I look at when contemplating reading a book. If the reviewer is specific in their negative comments, it lets me know if it the book is something I would be interested in or not. For instance, I like a lot of romance, but will not read anything explicit. Reviews can be written in a kind and tactful way without being insulting or rude. I know authors pour ‘blood, sweat and tears’ in writing each book and even though they can’t please everyone, it’s good to remain sensitive when offering opinions.
One of my most enthusiastic readers found me because of the mix of negative and positive reviews posted for one of my books. She said the negative reviews stirred her curiosity and also her anger (because she disagreed on principle with some of the things the negative reviews were saying). She thought, “Hmph! They don’t like the book for THAT reason?! I’ll probably really enjoy it.” And so she read it. She’s been one of my influencers ever since! 🙂
I am so glad to see an article like this from a writer, especially the last point. Some years back one particular Christian fiction author received a lot of negative feedback over a specific aspect of some of her books (having to do with explicit bedroom scenes), but instead of taking that to heart, she just seemed hurt and wounded. Granted, some negative reviews are heartless, some don’t make sense, some are just a matter of taste and individual preference. We should be able to convey whatever didn’t sit well with us or make sense in a constructive way rather than launching an attack. We all have our blind spots, so it helps to have friends who point them out.
I agree with what others have said, too, in that I look for negative as well as positive reviews. If a negative review is specific about what wasn’t liked, I can evaluate that: if it is just a rant, I can ignore it. If all the reviews are positive, I get a little suspicious that all the reviewers are ones that got a free book. I know reviewers who do that aren’t required to write a positive review, but some of them do get a little gushy. I stopped reading one book reviewers blog because she sounded like a cheerleader about EVERYTHING she reviewed, and that just didn’t seem genuine to me.
Readers should be truthful in how they feel about a book, but not try to tear the writer down. As you say no two readers are alike. I review books and as a rule if there is swearing or sex in a book I don’t give five Stars. I strictly read Christian Fiction to get away from swearing and sex. As you mentioned other readers like the reality of those contents in their books. A writer will never please all readers . As readers we chose writers that best fit into our genre. But there are some very rude and mean reviews on Amazon. Don’t forget that there are also some readers of reviews out there that can post some very mean comments to the reviewer also. I once had a person make a negative comment about a review I put on Amazon and though I can’t prove it was that same person but around the same time I started to get lots of no votes on quite a few of my reviews.
If I read an ARC and truly can’t get into it, rather than leaving a negative review I will email the author a private message & explain why I couldn’t leave a 4 or 5 star review. One newbie author was a little upset with me. She sent me an email & said she was so upset that she contacted her editor. The editor told her I was right – she did too much telling and not enough showing. The author thanked me. I will never leave a bad review on an author. If I can’t get into it then I just say in the review that “it’s just not my favorite genre’ but if you like that genre’ then you will love this book.” Authors work too hard and put so much of themselves into a book that they don’t deserve a disparaging review. Maybe a 3 or 4 star with constructive criticism. Fortunately, I’ve not found that to happen very often. I do stay away from certain genre’s because I’m not interested it. No reviewer should ever give a completely bad review without at least telling the good points in the book. Like you said, just because I might not like the book doesn’t mean someone else won’t love it.
I agree with others that what we enjoy in books is different from what others like. I found some good guidelines on NetGalley for writing reviews. I tend to give a higher review if I am on the fence and always try to focus on the positive and not the negative. I may give a 5 star where most others give less and vice versa. We all relate to things differently. I read the negative reviews as well as positive and usually they wouldn’t apply to how I feel. One of my favorite books, Redeeming Love, has some really negative reviews on Goodreads by Christians. I started questioning my own feelings about the book but then noticed a lot of Christian authors that I love and read also loved it as well as other readers. I was really disappointed in an author that writes Christian fiction usually but who wrote a book in a mainstream genre and used some improper language. I do read some books other than Christian fiction but it is my go to genre. I just expect an author who has written Christian to stay away from ugly language. Bottom line, I try to review how a book made me feel honestly and kindly.
I agree, Jody. I look at reviews when I’m checking out a book, unless it’s by certain authors who are auto-buys for me. I tend to get suspicious when all the reviews are 5 stars. If there are mostly a mixture of 4 and 5 stars, and maybe a few 3s, I feel they are more reliable. I usually choose to read books I’m quite certain I’ll enjoy (and from favorite genres and authors), so I give almost entirely 3-5 stars. I strive to be honest, but kind, in my reviews.
I try to be kind even if I have not particularly liked a book. It just didn’t sync with me. Someone else may love it! I belong to a book group and it’s interesting how some will love a book and others couldn’t even finish it.
This is a great article. When I purchase a book, especially from a new author, I tend to read the negative reviews first. People can sometimes be more passionate and detailed about what they don’t like than what they do like. And I agree, their dislike may be something I enjoy.
I review every book that I read. I’ve had to leave a few negative reviews, but I always try to be kind and counter any negative with a positive to give the most fair review I can give. I’m also a writer, so I know the hard work that goes into crafting a story, and sometimes it really is just a matter of what you enjoy as a reader, and not any fault or lack on the author’s part. If I think that’s the case, I say that in my review as well.