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HELP!!!
Yes, I know. I've been writing book reviews for years. But am I doing a good job? Your feedback is desired and valued. I have some questions at the bottom.
Allow me to start with some rationale for my reviews, and permit me to start with fiction. I've noticed many reviewers give a brief synopsis that is about the size of a back cover blurb. It's rare for me to give any description of the plot, and if so, it's usually only 2-3 lines. Two reasons why:
- The less I write, the less I spoil. I've read some novels that I don't see how I can describe the plot without spoiling a plot twist (which is a compliment to the story). On the other hand, I've read back cover descriptions that tell about items that don't happen till at least halfway through the novel. (One back cover revealed a plot twist that wasn't mentioned until the next to the last page of the book!)
- I also make the assumption that whoever reads my review is already interested in the book, and probably has already read the back cover. Thus, I don't want to repeat information that was already covered.
For every book, I consider my primary audience to be the prospective reader. Normally, I'm presupposing that I and my review reader share an interest in the book. Thus, if I'm disappointed, I usually mention what I thought might be done better so the reader knows what to expect.
However, I also realize that the author might be reading it, in spite of people warning them not to read their reviews lest they be puffed up by positive reviews or devastated by negative reviews. Some reviewers only write 5 star reviews to avoid the latter, because they don't want to discourage the writer. I won't guarantee a 5 star review - if they didn't do the best job they could, I'm not going to act like they did. That being said, with fiction my percentage of reviews being 5 star is between 95 and 99; they have to "earn" a poorer review.
One item I bring up is Christian content. I've read many one or two star reviews for the reason that the author dared to have a strong faith message. To me, those reviewers have bigotry that needs to be called out.
For me, the hardest reviews to write are music reviews, which is ironic for a songwriter. I find it awkward reviewing each track, and likewise I don't like giving a general review without giving enough details.
So if you want to make my day, could you answer the below questions in a comment to this blog? (I get so few comments, any comment makes my month.)
- Do you read any of my reviews on this blog or other platforms I write reviews on (Amazon, Goodreads, Indianapolis Public Library)? If so, have they ever either created or quenched interest in a product?
- What do you want to know when you read a fiction/movie review? Non-fiction? Music?
- If you're an author/musician, what do you find helpful in reviews of your books/music?
- Any suggestions that you have for me to improve my reviews?
I've read most of your reviews of my stories, Jeffrey, and I think they're solid. I appreciate your time and effort.
ReplyDeleteAs an author, I don't require a lot from reviews. A couple sentences that say that you enjoyed or didn't enjoy in the story is usually enough, with maybe more detail if there was a particular section / quality that stuck out to you. (Good or bad.)
My sense after all these years is that reviews influence sales more with their quantity and percentages (good versus bad) than with the quality of any one review, though one or two standouts will have more influence. (Typically the top reviews on Amazon, for instance.)
As a reader, I know I don't want much about the plot in a review. I more want to know the qualities that someone liked or didn't like in a general sense.
Does that help?
Yes, it does. Very good comments.
DeleteNow, as far as I go, I do pay more attention to the quality of the review. I find one review can make the difference if I read it or not.
Hi Jeffrey,
ReplyDeleteYou recently reviewed a book about Isaac Watts that I'd like to read. I don't remember if I first saw the review on Goodreads or on Facebook. Personally, I don't often read reviews unless I've already read the book (in case of spoilers, and also so my expectations aren't influenced). If it's an author I really trust, I don't read the back cover either. The times I read reviews ahead of time are either like the Isaac Watts one where it catches my interest and I want to know what it's about or it's a new-to-me author and I want to see if reviews mention things that would warn me away.
So when I read a book review, I want to know what you liked and what disappointed you, and yes, what could maybe have been done better. If you found something that didn't sit right theologically, I'd want to know that too--and why, since Christians sometimes have different stances on some nonessentials. Fiction: is it clean? is there a faith thread? is it engaging? are there too many typos etc? does it have a satisfying ending? do you like the characters?
Music reviews: I don't usually read them, but I'd want to know what you liked and why, and maybe who the artist(s) is/are similar to.
As an author: I love to read if the reviewer likes something particular about the book, and it's great if there's a line from the review that I can ask permission to quote. Definitely don't want to see spoilers, but I respect and appreciate when the reviewer kindly expresses any areas that disappointed them or could have been done better. The reviewer needs to be truthful about the full picture and not gloss over things that a reader of the review might need to know. Either positives or negatives, it's helpful to have a few details. I find this as a reader as well as an author. "This is great/horrible" doesn't tell me why the reviewer said it.
Now if you review this comment, you might say "It's too long." :)
No, Janet, it's not too long. I'm not known for short comments either.
DeleteYears ago, I reviewed a book (I don't remember what it was, but I think it was non-fiction) where one person replied that my review (probably a 5 star review) confirmed they didn't want to read that book. I felt that I accomplished something with that review.
Thanks for the good feedback.