I am someone who reads book reviews and considers them for about two nanoseconds before ignoring them. IMO some book reviews are promos, others are negotiated by savvy representatives, and there are also those driven by the biases (conscious or otherwise) of the the reviewers. I remain cautious about reading reviews before I, myself, give a book a go. That’s just me. We are all very different from one another and take what we want from what we read; our perceptions vary, sometimes our mood determines how we feel about a piece of writing. These days reviewers themselves compete for readers so that could be a greater motivation than critical evaluation of the book itself.
No, I am not bitter.
Yes, I have received less than stellar feedback.
I can be bitter sometimes, but not today. Ha Ha
I seldom ask for feedback but my books seem to have found their way onto random forums. Some facts: 97% of the reviews and feedback I have received to date are anonymous. Here are some snippets:
- “Stop using the word nihilism!”
- “Chapter One goes on and on and on …”
- “Meandering …”
- “Wouldn’t scare a mouse …”
And that’s it. Some reviews seem to have been removed since I last looked (FYI I rarely search).
Here is some feedback directly from readers:
- “I think you need to say more.”
- “The narrator’s POV was interesting.”
- “You are saying too much all at once.”
- “Meh.”
- “I don’t like reading.”
- “You should write for children instead.”
80% of people I have given my book to or who have purchased it, have not provided feedback. I am stoked that some took the time.
Before I go about my daily writing exercises, just to drop a huge recommendation for a recent read – On the Greenwich Line by Shady Lewis (translated by Katharine Halls). Awesome prose, satire at its best. Solid and in-depth take on the life of migrants. One of the few times I wished the book went on for longer.
Wishing you all well with your creative pursuits!
Until again
Olivia & Bailey
P.S. Bailey reads all my stuff and I do take on board her feedback.
O. S. King 