Recently, I wrote an email soliciting members for the Advanced Reader Group of my upcoming novel, Desire & Dessert. In response, a couple of my favorite fans, who are avid readers and wonderfully honest as well, confessed that before I started asking for reviews, they never considered leaving one.
We had a lively conversation about Goodreads, Angie’s List, Yelp, Rotten Tomatoes and other businesses that were started to help individuals discover and evaluate goods and services online specifically through the review process. Clearly, we were united on the importance of reviews.
Get your head out the sand
After this chat, my fans were committed to providing reviews for my books. Then a question caught me by surprise. “Hey Maddy, how do we submit reviews and what do they need to say.”
I was so busy asking for feedback that it never occurred to me that some of you might need some guidance in giving it. I’d been talking about the why of reviews – creating reputation, sharing your opinions with a friend, how sites like BookBub require reviews as an entrance criteria but I never talked about the art of writing one.
Enough about Why – Let’s Talk How
Today, I am talking about the how of book reviews. This how encompasses the where (where to leave a review), the what (what should a good book review say?) along with the how (the technology needed to get the review on the site?)
First, the where. The obvious place to write a review is on that site where you purchased an item.. You are not restricted to this, but on Amazon, for example, you will show up as a ‘verified purchaser’ when you review what you buy there. If you like Goodreads, I suggest leaving a review there as well. They make it easy. You can leave a simple numeric rating – 0-5 stars, without writing a word. If you want to say more, feel free.
You can reproduce your review on many sites. If you take the time to write a review on Amazon, for example, copy it to Goodreads as well.
[bctt tweet=”Get the idea? Look at reviews of books you loved and books you may not have enjoyed as much and see what people wrote. There is no right or wrong in a review. Consider the consequences of your review to the author. Try to be fair if you can’t be kind. #amwriting” username=”madisonmichael_”]
What Should I Say?
I don’t know about you, but I get most of my book recommendations from two sources – Amazon recommendations and my friends. Amazon has that powerful algorithm, studying all my buying behaviors and spitting out a long list of books it predicts I will like. It is remarkably accurate.
Why do I mention this? I bet you have relied on these sources too. What caught your eye or ear? Something that promised a compelling plot, a cliffhanger, or a hot and steamy romance? Perhaps the characters, or something in the story line, grabbed your attention. Maybe you read it was a destined to be a bestseller and you thought you would jump on the bandwagon.
This is the kind of information that makes a good review. “I couldn’t put it down” or “It was a page turner” are good to see in a positive review. “I loved the characters (or the plot, or the ending), also makes great feedback.
You aren’t a professional reviewer; no one expects you to be. A few lines will do. “Sloane was a bitch but I loved watching love and Randall transform her,” might be in a review of Beholden. “I want more of Keeli and Wyatt, can’t wait for the next book in the series,” could constitute a review of Bedazzled.
Get the idea? Look at reviews of books you loved and books you may not have enjoyed as much and see what people wrote. There is no right or wrong in a review. Consider the consequences of your review to the author. Try to be fair if you can’t be kind.
The Sticky Part – Technology
This is easier than you think. Log on to the bookseller of your choice and find the book reviews section for the item on which you want to comment. On Amazon, get there by clicking the line nexr to the stars rating that appears right underneath the title, on B&N it is below the book description. You will find a tab for ’ratings and reviews’ on iBooks .
Once you are in the review section, each site asks if you “Want to leave a review” or “Write a review” or similar language. Hit enter and poof, you can leave your review. Select the number of stars, write a few lines with a one line summary, then hit enter. Easy peasy. You’re done.
Still not sure?
If you still have questions, don’t give up. I am happy to help. I won’t tell you what to write, but I can point you to well written reviews and walk you through the uploading process.
Make this effort. By reviewing a book, you provide valuable feedback to an author, and you may improve an author’s career. That’s a lot of power. Use it.
What to Read Next
Today’s book recommendation comes from Maggie T., a fan and serious reader. Maggie is both an avid reader for pleasure, as well as a proofreader for authors. While she has many authors that she enjoys, I loved what she wrote about Blind Reader Wanted by Georgia Le Carre, this week’s recommendation of what to read next.
“I finished a book last night, so I started a new one this morning. I was quite enjoying, so I thought I would let you know about this book and it’s author. But then I looked at the author’s name, and I realized that I seem to have LOVED every book I have read by her.”
Contest of the Week
Congratulations to Sharon, our winner last week
This week, can you be first to answer this question and win this week’s eBook selection. This week’s prize is an ebook of Disappear by Mary Martinez. Mary was my tours and treats Guest a few weeks ago with her latest release Abandoned.
Why does Charlotte Roche leave Boston for Chicago in Bedeviled?
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- Regan Howe offers her a great job
- She needs to escape her past in New England
- both 1. and 2. above
- She hates her family and wants to be farther from them
You Might Also Like these posts about reviews and reviewers
“How to Write a Killer Book Review in 5 Easy Steps” by Yaasha Moriah
“5 things to know and Embrace about Book Review , Madison Michael, April, 2017
9 Websites For Readers Who Think About Books All Day, Every Day, Bustle, by Melissa Ragsdale, April 2016
When I started writing reviews, I was spending too much summarizing the plot. A friend who has written over 1,000 reviews taught me that readers want to share my personal reactions. But I need to learn to write less than a novel. I might more in that case.
Everybody has his or her own style, and a lot of time it depends on the review site specifications. Erryn writes excellent reviews and I enjoy learning about new books and new authors from them! Thanks for the tips, Madison!