Consumer Power, Author Responsibility & Why Book Reviews MATTER

Frank talk about why reviews matter.

Kristen Lamb's Blog

Too many choices!

We’ve had an eventful week or so with my last couple of unplanned posts. In all fairness, I did expect to get some knickers in a twist (which I did) with my post Pay the Writer. As a quick recap, I love used bookstores. They get a lot more of my money than I like to admit *looks up number to 12 Step Sponsor*

You don’t understand. Half Price Books has books ZEN DOODLES. No frigging idea what those are…just that I need some.

I’m not against “discovering” an author there.

But writers? If we promote used bookstores, make sure to remind readers you don’t get paid that way. Discovery must serve a purpose. Exposure must have the follow-up to be effective.

Because if you don’t ever make any money, you have to go work retail. If you work retail, one day you will be asked one too many stupid…

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About Nya Rawlyns

Nya Rawlyns doesn’t write typical romance. She writes emotion as a contact sport, rough and often raw. It need not be pleasant, heart-warming or forever after. What she seeks is what lies beneath—a dance of extremes, the intersect of need and desire, and the compromises we make when pain and pleasure become indistinguishable. ***** She has lived in the country and on a sailboat on the Chesapeake Bay, earned more than 1000 miles in competitive trail and endurance racing, taught Political Science to unwilling freshmen, and found an avocation in materials science. ***** When she isn’t tending to her garden or the horses, the cats, or three pervert parakeets, she can be found day dreaming and listening to the voices in her head.

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2 Responses to Consumer Power, Author Responsibility & Why Book Reviews MATTER

magnoliahillway says:

January 4, 2016 at 7:37 pm

As a reader, I do look for reviews of the item I am about to purchase when it is written by an unknown author (to me.) If it was written by a favorite author, an author I have heard good things about, or a book whose blurb has totally enticed me, then I may blindly hit that purchase button. Atvtimes, thevblurb is more important than the review.

But I do have a criticism. Writers say they are distressed when readers don’t say thank you for a free book sent to them in trade for a review. How about saying thank you for the review? Some of us work hard at wording the review to help the authors sell their books. I am not one who reiterates the whole story. I give my opinion which is more honest and refuse to shy away from any criticism if I find something lacking in the plot or editing problems (which can be really a distraction!) I think writers and reviewers need to treat each other with respect. It helps sell books!

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- Nya Rawlyns says:
  
  January 4, 2016 at 8:12 pm
  
  I always always thank reviewers, even if the review isn’t so great. They took the time to read and respond, that’s what matters. I’m not sure where and when the system broke, but it certainly isn’t working in a “best practices” manner anymore 😦
  
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