Views and reviews

I loathe those ghastly reports that WordPress sends round every year, or to be more precise I loathe the flurry of them that dominates people’s blogs.

Who cares how many times I filled Sydney Opera House? Unless you want to say ‘Hurrah!/Boo! I got more/less hits than her’ it is of no interest to anyone else.

I was, however, mildly surprised to see that the top three popular posts on Roughseas, both for hits and comments, were all about writing.

Last year I wrote about reviews, and what a reviewer wanted.

For this post, I thought I’d ask a couple of authors (neither of whom I work for), for their views about reviews and reviewers.

Three of the best authors I’ve blogged about last year were (in chronological order of the reviews I wrote):

1. TB Markinson
2. Susan M Toy
3. EJ Simon

Why?

Every one of them provided extra info, answers to questions, and extra photos that I asked for. It helped that I liked their books, obviously. Whether or not they found it a pain isn’t relevant, if they did, they didn’t let it show.

While EJ was part of a commercial book tour, the other two authors simply offered free review copies via their blogs.

As TB and Susan were so helpful before, I thought I’d pester them again with a few nosy questions.

TB:

T B Markinson

How do you decide who to send free review copies to?

To be honest, I’m not picky. If someone shows an interest in reading one of my books I’m more than willing to give them a copy in exchange for a review. Even if they don’t typically read books like mine, it’s important to me to see how different readers react to one of my books.

Do you have a core circle of reliable reviewers?

I do now. In the beginning it was tough getting reviews on Amazon and on Goodreads. It takes time to build relationships with reviewers. Luckily I had a blog well before I thought about self-publishing. Many blog buddies have volunteered to read my books and to leave reviews. I wouldn’t be this far without them. And I’ve been fortunate to meet many book bloggers who enthusiastically support Indie writers. I really enjoy my email interactions with many of the reviewers. I’m always trying to find more core reviewers since it’s vital to have tons of reviews.

How do you react to negative reviews?

Ah, yes, the question people love to ask. It’s never fun to read a negative review. Some make good points and I do listen. Some are attacking me (I write lesbian fiction). I won’t lie, it hurts. But we have a saying in our house, “Pick yourself up and wipe off the dirt when you stumble.”

I never confront a reviewer who has written a negative review. Even if they are attacking me and not the book. Responding would draw unwanted attention and would put me in a more vulnerable situation. I read the review. Determine if they make good points. And then move on. There’s not much more I can do, really.

How often do you monitor sites for reviews? Do you Google your name/book title/s regularly?

I keep track daily for sales and reviews. Knowing the numbers is helpful for future projects and launches. I do Google myself and book titles, but probably not nearly enough. There are so many daily tasks I have to complete in addition to writing that some things fall to the wayside like this one.

Do you comment on blogs that review your books? Do you reblog/pingback reviews?

I do comment on blogs, thanking the blogger for writing the review. I keep it simple. I also try to remember to email them saying thanks, no matter if it was positive or negative. Everyone has busy lives and I appreciate anyone who has taken the time to not only read one of my books, but to review it as well. I have done a pingback or two but have stopped. Not sure why. And I don’t reblog. I’m not a fan of reblogging, not just reviews, but with all posts. Unless of course someone requests reblogging then I love to help out.

What do you look for in a review/reviewer?

I never expect a good review from anyone, not even my best friend. I look for several things: those who will post on Amazon and/or Goodreads, give their honest opinion, and who are timely with reviews. Most book bloggers have a review policy on their blog about how to request a review and what types of books they read. Always read this and follow their directions. These policies are helpful in determining if I should ask them to read my book or not. And I do prefer reviewers who are respectful, even when offering constructive criticism. That’s helpful. And a piece of advice to authors: always be respectful, even when being attacked. It’s not always easy to walk away without saying what you want to say, but it’s best for your career. Think long term. And remember, reviewers talk to each other.

*******

My review of TB’s latest book:

Claudia Must Die by TB Markinson

I like TB’s style. It’s sparse, succinct, and dry. Claudia is her fourth book to date and is the second one she published in (Dec) 2014, which, it seems to me is good going.

With Claudia though, TB has broken away from her comfort zone of primarily romance novels, and written a funny, witty, touching, clever, black crime noir meets Pink Panther type of story, as Claudia goes on the run and one mishap follows another.

For me, it’s my favourite out of her four books and if you want quirky, humorous with action, and wonderful cock-ups, this hits the mark. Add road trips, gradual development of characters and relationships, and you end up with a good read. Aside from the satire though, there are some deeper moments, should you choose to find them. And it has a fine, understated ending.

Claudia Must Die is a good read that I recommend to anyone who likes something different, funny, and well-written.

Link to how Claudia was born.

An excerpt from Claudia:

The assassins were not trained killers—after all, how many were? Perhaps unsurprisingly, the two brothers had fallen into the trade. Before they became assassins, most of their free time was spent playing video games and hanging out at the only 7-Eleven in town, drinking Slurpees. Their sleepy Texas town didn’t offer much for young men who wanted more from life than playing video games and drinking Slurpees.
All of the adults they knew hated their jobs—if they had one—and loathed their responsibilities. Life had become a disappointment to everyone in this shithole town near the Mexican border.
Then, one day, a man approached the brothers in the 7-Eleven parking lot. He offered them a job. It was not a factory, nor anything of that sort. They simply had to deliver a package, which they did.
For more than a year, they worked on and off for the guy. After they had earned his trust, the man asked the brothers if they owned any guns.
Boyd Woolf, the eldest brother, laughed. “Mister, we were born with guns in our hands. This is Texas.”
The man smiled, but there was no joy in his expression. “Good to know.” He handed them another package.
Two weeks later, the man showed up without a package. Instead, he handed them a picture, an address, and a wad of cash. “Take care of it,” was his only instruction.

*******

Susan

Thanks for the invitation, roughseas, but I’m going to attack your questions on reviews from a different angle. I have never been all that concerned about sales of my print and eBooks, so racking up reviews on sales sites is not a priority. The main reason authors like to see plenty of reviews posted to Amazon is that the more reviews the higher the book’s rating, which presumably leads to increased sales. Do authors really believe readers read all those reviews or are impressed by them? As a reader, I certainly don’t, and am not.

I used to promote the “Best way to thank an author is by reviewing their book” idea but have backed away recently. I realize that not every reader is comfortable with posting their opinions online and, again, I certainly don’t review every book I read so how can I expect others to do this for me? Nor do readers owe authors reviews as a means of boosting our books’ popularity … and sales.

We can only hope that when a reader enjoys our books they will tell their friends or even tell us directly. A couple of my readers have contacted me personally, to tell me they’d read and enjoyed my novel. Neither wanted to post a public review but were quite happy with the idea that I quote them anonymously on my blog. Those quotes gave me far more promotion and attention than any number of 5-star reviews on Amazon.

Specifically, though, in reply to your other questions:

How do you decide who to send free review copies to?

I’m not organized in the way I send out review copies. I either wait until someone asks for one, or offer free review copies on blogs where I’ve been interviewed or reviewed, or receive reciprocal promotion from authors I’ve promoted on Reading Recommendations. I stumble upon review blogs rather than actively search for them.

Do you have a core circle of reliable reviewers?

For my first novel, I did not have a core group of reviewers, but now have a solid list of readers interested in reviewing the second one.

How do you react to negative reviews?

As for negative reviews, I’m pleased (or possibly lucky!) to have only received one. I would never respond to a negative comment at all and hope my future readers will weigh that one negative review against the many more I’ve received that are very positive.

What do you look for in a review/reviewer?

I have learned to pay attention to all comments made about my first novel and keep in mind what was liked, not liked, while I write the second. In fact, that’s the biggest benefit I see in all reviews – they give me an idea of the strengths and weaknesses in my writing, the characters, the storyline, so I can improve in subsequent books.

That’s what I look for in a review – an honest assessment of how well, or poorly, I did with telling the story (all aspects of the story). I also appreciate an honest reading. When someone begins a review by saying, “I don’t usually read this genre,” (as though they’re stooping to my level of writing, giving it a try but not expecting much out of it) I know I’m not going to receive a constructive review.

Likewise, if a reviewer gives my novel a 5-star rating and says nary a critical word (I like to think my book is perfect, but I’m not that delusional!) I consider them to be unrealistic and just too nice to tell me the truth. The only author who consistently receives 5 stars from me is Richard Ford, and I can only hope to ever be that good a writer! While flattery is lovely, I would prefer receiving a whole raft of 4-out-of-5s with one comment in each as to some aspect I can improve upon.

Do you comment on blogs that review your books? Do you reblog/pingback reviews?

I always thank the reviewer directly and reblog, share, and promote the review. I will comment, if a question is asked or a blog reader makes a flattering comment. Many of my readers, fans and reviewers have come to me through comment exchanges I’ve had with a blog’s readers. I always continue to promote these blogs to my own readers and follow them so I can read other book reviews they post. Also, if the reviewer is an author, I offer reciprocal promotion on Reading Recommendations.

How often do you monitor sites for reviews? Do you Google your name/book title/s regularly?

I do check Goodreads ratings and reviews regularly, but only because I’m in there every day to enter Giveaways from other authors. I occasionally think to check Amazon. I don’t bother with the other sites. I created a document posted on my blog’s info page that compiles all reviews and lists links to blogs and sites where I’ve been interviewed or received a review. I set up Google Alerts for my name and book titles early on and receive notices by email. I try not to be obsessive about checking for mentions of my name online. It is still exciting though when I discover either my name or book titles listed somewhere new. I don’t think you ever get over the thrill of that!

*******

Susan is currently working on One Woman’s Island, which is the second in her Bequia Perspectives series set in the lush Caribbean island. The first in the series is Island in the Clouds.

Friendship and islands off Bequia – the island in the clouds

An excerpt from One Woman’s Island:

Not having made any previous plans as to where I would spend the rest of that morning, I drifted down the road towards the Harbour and wandered around town a bit. I could have gone back to Miss Hildie’s, but I’d forgotten to pack a book.
Then I saw a woman tending to one of the stray dogs that always hang around the streets. She was sitting by the side of the road, a large open bag beside her, plastic gloves on her hands. She sponged a liquid onto the hide of a mangy mutt that complacently sat between her legs. The dog was whinging a bit, but holding steady.
This must be Solfrid, the expatriate woman Melanie had mentioned. I decided to be bold and say hello. She was speaking a foreign language to the dog, a language I didn’t recognize, but whatever she said was obviously soothing and possibly understandable since the animal looked up at her with big round trusting, brown eyes.
“Excuse me. Are you Solfrid? Melanie Halliday suggested I seek you out.”
Solfrid’s face broke into a large smile. Melanie’s name certainly did seem to have a lot of clout on Bequia. It had definitely been opening doors for me.
“Ah, just give me a moment longer with my friend here and then we will have a talk. I always like to meet Melanie’s friends.” She turned her full attention back to the dog.
When Solfrid finished, she took off the plastic gloves, buckled a new flea collar around the dog’s neck then opened a plastic container of dry kibble. The dog appeared to be used to the routine and wagged its tail. Solfrid stood up, said a few final kind-sounding words in her own language, patted the dog’s head, and turned her full attention to me.
“Now we meet formally. I am Solfrid,” she said, her voice assertive. She held out a hand for me to shake, the grip just as assertive as the voice, even though she was missing an index finger. I liked the woman right from the beginning. She seemed so sure of herself.
“Would it be possible to go somewhere so we may talk,” I asked, “perhaps even have a drink together?” I must have sounded like an alcoholic. It wasn’t even ten o’clock yet.

Many thanks to TB and Susan for their considered answers, time, insight, and courtesy. Thanks also to Susan for a lovely selection of Bequia photos, all Bequia images are hers.