S.R.Claridge writes Mystery and Romantic Suspense novels. Her work has been said to have the energy of Dan Brown, the mystery of Mary Higgins Clark and the humor of Janet Evanovich. Claridge novels will take you to the edge of your seat, keep you guessing until the very end and ultimately warm your heart. It is on the pages of every S.R.Claridge novel that Mystery and Sensual Suspense collide.

For more information on bookings, interviews and upcoming releases, please visit the author website and Facebook fan page.

Monday, February 18, 2013

No Such Thing As Bad Publicity

5 Reasons You WANT Negative Reviews

By Author Rainy Kaye

 

We all strive for excellence in our work. Sometimes, though, others don't think we measure up. It can be annoying, heartbreaking, or downright infuriating. Others will remind us that not everything is everyone's cup of steeped leaf water, and we'll eventually put down the chocolate, or wine, and get on with our existence.

 But could it be we actually need negative reviews? Yes!

Here are five reasons why:

1. Congratulations! You're real. In the throes of self- publishing and sock puppet reviews, it's important to establish a piece of work—and the creator behind it—is honest. One of the surest ways to do this is by receiving negative reviews. Since nothing is universally loved, not even Harry Potter, then a book with only five-star reviews is bound to raise a few eyebrows.

2. Marketing: You're doing it right. When a book is first born, it usually finds itself passed around from one loving supporter to another. And that's okay. Eventually, though, your baby will have to find its legs and start exploring the world. That means it will be outside the safety of the village, and into the wild. And some things out there will want to have it for breakfast. In short, if your book hasn't garnered a few negative reviews, you haven't sent it out far enough.

3. Welcome to the classroom. Before publication, a book should have been revised, beta read, and edited. Even with all that, your manuscript likely only saw less than a dozen people. Once out in the world, it—hopefully—will reach hundreds, or even thousands of readers. Among all the voices, some might ring true with thoughts and opinions no one had considered before. Don't dismiss constructive criticism just because it was accompanied by a one-star.

4. Anyone with even the slightest bit of knowledge about marketing will tell you that word of mouth is the best way to promote anything. This means you need people to talk about the book. Negative reviews often generate conversation among readers. No need to get involved. Just let it run its course. Engaged readers pique curiosity along the way.

5. It's good for the soul. Praise is nice. If you managed to see a book through from start to finish, you've earned all the bubbly feedback. But even Shakespeare had critics (and now entire classrooms pick his work apart). Sometimes it takes a negative review or two to keep us grounded and, therefore, real to our fans.

No one likes negative reviews. It's okay to be privately hurt or even angry about them. Rant to a friend, take it out on the punching bag, or indulge in a whole gallon of ice cream (not the fat free kind, either). Just keep in mind that in the end, you need negative reviews. They're part of being a real writer.


********************
Thank you, Rainy for that wonderful advice.  No author wants to see their work torn apart….but as the old adage says, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity, as long as they spell your name right.” 
Remember...every field of arts and entertainment is subjective to the viewer, listener or reader.  Some people will love your work.  Others will despise it.  You job is just to keep them talking about it.  ~

 

 

 

 

 

3 comments:

  1. Completely agree with this post, and I'll even add another reason: A good 1-star review will point out what the reader doesn't like about the book. This is helpful for readers with similar views - and also helpful to me. If my book contains content that doesn't appeal to some readers, it's better for them to know that before buying rather than after.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I often look at the negative reviews first because some of the things the reviewers don't like are the very thing I want.

    Malcolm

    ReplyDelete
  3. Not all books with only 5-star reviews are to be looked upon with suspicion. I only say that because I don't have any 3-or-lower-star reviews, and only one 4-star. Not trying to toot my own horn or say my books are better than yours--I'm not, and they aren't. But they are good, and I don't want people looking at them with suspicion just because someone who may not have liked them didn't review them. Just sayin'.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.