My experience of the last few months has changed my mind about responding to reviews of my novel on blogs.
This is a biggie.
Not so long ago, a discussion of this very same question occurred on the main email loop of ACFW, a major writer's organization. Many well-known writers weighed in. A goodly number of them said Never Ever! respond to any review of your own book.
I took that as a guideline. After all, it made sense that an author should never argue with a negative review--that's unprofessional.
But it didn't feel right to me when some readers wrote fantastic, encouraging reviews on their blogs and I held myself back from commenting. Intuitively, I wanted to thank them, each and every one. But I kept saying to myself: "Don't do it. So-and-so big name author said she never does it and it's not professional, even for the positive reviews."
Well, times, they are a'changin'.
I was already planning to post on this topic when I ran across an excellent discussion of social media on Mike Duran's blog last week.
This discussion galvanized my half-formed plan into action. Yes, I'm coming to believe that for many of the reasons Mike and his commenters propose, the "rules" are different.
Should we comment on highly negative reviews of our work? No, I think that's a bad idea. Such a comment has the potential to embarrass the poster, and that's not right. People should be free to give bad reviews in peace. ;-)
However, we live now in a much more connected world, a world of instant dialogue. If we can have more fulfilling, immediate contact with our readers by thanking them and acknowledging their kind reviews, how is that a bad thing for either author or reader?
I've changed my mind. I value my readers and I think this world of social media is constantly reshaping our opportunities to show readers that we appreciate them, and what we do is all about them. I'm seizing the day.
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25 comments:
Love this Rosslyn! And I agree - how could that be a bad thing?? Ignore the bad ones. Reach out to those who give good ones.
I agree--and as someone who writes positive reviews from time to time, I always love when authors thank me...
'Rules' really chap my hide, no end. Just be sensible, confident and courteous and everything else has a way of falling into place.
You handle yourself extremely well, Rosslyn. Your intuition, I would venture, is an eminently trustworthy plum line.
With my writing - or just life in general - I've always believed in thanking and reaching out to people. Why would it stop with a good review? Connecting is so important.
Loved this post.
I agree, Rosslyn. If someone gave me a compliment in person, I would thank them.
This is fantastic, Rossylyn. It's hard to thank readers if we don't go where the readers are. If that means visiting these positive reviews and saying, Thank You, then I say, "Do it." And the rules are definitely changing every single day.
Social media is creating new rules. People want to hear from you. There will always be some who don't like what you write but I'm sure the majority will be very positive. Responding with a comment will be so appreciated.
I read a book this past week and couldn't put it down. I wrote a review on Amazon and I'm now the author's friend on Facebook. She has three other books that I'm now looking forward to reading.
I still need to read yours!
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Katie, absolutely!
Faith - It's good to hear from someone who reviews. Thanks for your comment.
Suze - Your comments always make me smile. "Chap my hide." :-) A few things have been chapping my hide recently, too. But that's a subject for another venue.
Loree - Thank you! I think that's a great perspective.
Susan, true. And the gap that used to exist between persons in faraway places is narrowing, so internet dialogue has become more personal.
Heather - exactly! Thanks for commenting.
Debbie - It's so good to see you. I'm surprised that just as my editor predicted, I've arrived at the point where negative comments don't really bother me personally. Once I saw the huge diversity of opinions out there, I began to wonder at it and relish the wide variety for its own sake. And I've also been blessed with mostly very nice reviews, which helps. :-)
I don't see anything wrong with responding to good reviews. In fact, I think the reviewer would be thrilled to hear from you! :)
I think encouraging positivity is good. It doesn't mean that you're not willing to give equal time to other aspects of truth, but negative public feedback feels like it's in a different category than the positive. Aren't we more likely in general (I hope) to compliment our friends rather than saying negative things to them publicly? And isn't this a good thing? We usually reserve more critical comments for more private moments. So, to me, this seems a very logical approach.
Terrific post! I think you're right about connecting to readers by expressing thanks for a positive review.
Sarah, Roxane, and Stacy, thank you for leaving comments!
Roxane, I totally agree with your logic. :-)
Rosslyn, I love your sensitivity and graciousness. Not many people would offer peace to the author of a negative review. And it doesn't surprise me you seek to acknowledge those who support your writing. Once again, your blog is a blessing!
Dotti :)
One of the advantages of the internet is being able to connect more easily -- less effort to send an email than to write and stamp an envelope. It can mean a great deal to someone to hear a reply.
Hey, congrats on your book! Amy
Dotti - I love to see your sweet face in the comments section! I'm off to visit your blog...maybe there will be an update on your book. :-)
Amy - So good to hear from you! I need to catch up on your news too. I'll be headed in your direction (cyber direction) as soon as I finish tonight's blog post!
Good topic Rosslyn. Personally, I believe that it's unprofessional not to acknowledge positive appreciation of your work. Absolutely don't get into spitting contest with negative. Everyone has opinions on what they read. Unfortunately, some love to broadcast it in the most snarky way they can.
Sia McKye's Thoughts...OVER COFFEE
Sia - very interesting! I wonder how many will begin to share that opinion that not responding to reviews is unprofessional, which is a complete flip-flop from before the age of social media? And yet, it's an issue that only arose with the internet. No writer would have dreamed, as recently as 1990, that we would ever live in a culture in which hundreds of people might review your book or send you a quick email or tweet and it might be seen as unprofessional not to respond. This is why the job description of the writer has changed radically in the last few years. A writer used to be someone who spent 90 percent of her job time crafting good work and ten percent marketing and responding to readers. Now, the balance can swing to about 60 percent of writing time for every 40 percent of marketing time. I believe the new job description will really change who is willing to be a professional writer. It's not that writers don't love readers--it's just that the contemplative, introverted type of writer won't be comfortable with that kind of lifestyle.
I, for one, am very glad you decided to respond to positive reviews! I definitely don't expect to hear from authors, but it always makes my day when the author of a book I've reviewed stops by to say thanks.
So thanks for making my day today :-)
I'm starting to do a lot of reviews, and I have to say that I am always thrilled (and nervous!) when an author responds. I always end up re-reading my review, worried that I said something really stupid. Most of the time, I didn't. :)
But I have had some authors respond to my reviews in a way that makes me look for more of their materials. When I post about something that really struck me for whatever reason, and they give me some little nugget as to why that went into the story... I don't know. You "authors" become "people" -- and that is a good thing.
I also tend to remember the authors who comment. And, to be honest, it means that when I get a chance to review another of their titles, I tend to go for it.
I never expect an author to comment. But I do love when it happens.
Hey Rosslyn - I am a blogger who recently reviewed your book. I certainly didn't expect a response from you, but I was super excited when I got one. You posted the nicest comment on my blog and replied to my tweet. Since I'm fairly new to the world of Twitter, that made getting a response even more exciting. :) From a blogger/reviewer's perspective, I never expect to get a direct response from the author or publicist, but it's really fun to connect a little more personally after reading someone's book.
I completely agree! As a reviewer, I really appreciate it when the author takes the time to read and comment on my reviews of their book. It builds a personal connection that wouldn't be possible without social media, and getting to know the author in this way entices me to read and review more of their books, too. Kudos to you for seeking out and personally thanking your readers for their support :)
I think it's a nice thing to do! I review lots of books and only very occasionally does the author ever comment on the review I write. For me it is nice when one, such as yourself, does leave one. It acknowledges that we took the time to not only read but promote the book and that you took the time out of your day to see and care what we had to say. I appreciate that and love it when I know the author read my review of their book. It makes it seem like your review actually matters and helps out.
I'm on both sides of the fence as a small, independent publisher and blog reviewer. I agree, I always advise my authors not to respond to a negative review, but I also love to hear from authors who like what I've written about their book. Even if it is just a retweet on Twitter - the personal connection means a lot.
Becky, I'm glad you like getting responses. And I'm glad you stopped by! :-)
It's so good to have you all come by and comment--thank you!
Debra - One of my favorite things about the new interaction between authors and readers is the fact that we get to see one another as three-dimensional people. I'm blogging on that today.
Brooke - Welcome to Twitter! I resisted it for a long time, but now I see why it's so useful and different from FB. And thanks again for reviewing--it means so much.
Jenny B. And oh, does it help out when reviewers praise a book! The market is so very crowded but until I published a book I didn't realize how hard it is to get out the word.
Nicole, it's so cool that you're an indie publisher. I'm watching the indie publishers with great interest as I think you are the wave of the future.
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