I’ve had a couple of faithful readers, a.k.a. friends for life, ask me about how to write a book review on Amazon for one of my books, so I thought I would devote a blog post to it. Caution: This post reveals the cowardice of the author, and how writers think about things like reviews.
It’s important to know that good reviews really do help sell books and that’s why just about any author (other than the mega-bestselling ones) will give a reader a gigantic hug (literal or virtual) if you tell her you wrote a glowing review for one of her books. If you write a less than glowing review (which is certainly your choice if you didn’t like the book) it would probably be wise not to mention it. We are often sensitive souls, and while we may take it in stride when you tell us, we will be weeping on the sofa later that evening. And that’s not just the female authors!
Please note that a review can be very basic. I know there are people who write detailed, thoughtful reviews that are absolutely beautiful. John Grabowski, for instance, who frequently comments on this blog, wrote a review of The Secret Sense of Wildflower that left me speechless. Thanks, John. It was so well done that I printed it out and and still look at it from time to time.
However, I don’t often write that kind of review. If I write a review, I usually write short ones. By short I mean 2 -4 sentences. Mainly because I’m busy writing LONG books.
I also only review books that I really love, and books that I can give an honest review and not hurt a writer’s feelings. I HATE to hurt someone’s feelings. Especially writers who have worked for years on a book that just wasn’t my cup of tea. Keep in mind, I write and edit books for a living, so it has to be an exceptionally well-written book for me to love it, as well as a great story. So unfortunately in that arena I live by the motto: If you can’t say anything nice… you know what comes next. Call me a coward if you want. I can be that way sometimes.
So if you want to help out the authors whose writing you love, but get stuck on what to say, here’s my magic tip:
Answer three questions below:
That’s it!
If you answer these questions, you will probably come up with a perfectly fine review, at least for the purposes of Amazon. So here are the questions:
1. What was the story about? Setting, (example: 1940s Appalachia), main character (example: spunky, good-hearted girl) and a little bit of the plot (example: must overcome the obstacle of … to get to a place of ….) Keep in mind, however, you can skip this question if it overwhelms you. And don’t put in “spoilers,” where you give away what happens in the end. Well, you can if you want to, I just don’t see the point.
2. What did you like about the book? The characters, the story, the writing? The message? And so on. Why did you like whatever element you did? Was it believable? Entertaining? If you couldn’t put it down, you can mention that, too. People say this about my books, and it is a great compliment.
3. Would you recommend the novel and if so to whom? Examples: “People who love stories with heart will love this book.” “People who love historical fiction” “People who love character-driven stories,” …
Now if you specifically want to post a book review for Amazon, once you know how to do that, it’s relatively easy:
1. Log into your amazon account.
2. Search for the book title in amazon search box and click on the book to bring up it’s full page
3. Scroll to the bottom of the customer reviews and click the button that says “write a customer review”:
4. Select the number of stars you want to give the review (for example 5 stars is the right hand star), give your review a title (I Loved this Book! or Southern Fiction with Heart, or whatever) and type in your review, answering one or all of the questions above.
I hope that helps. Authors everywhere will appreciate you for your honest reviews.
P.S. A special thank you to those of you who have not only taken the time to read my books but also review them. I’d like to have you over for dinner. Just let me know when you’re available, and set your GPS to the mountains of western North Carolina. 😉
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Discover all of Susan’s books here!
This is great advice, Susan, thank you. I have had quite a lot of experience writing reviews but it always helps to find out how other people manage it.
Best wishes.
Can you send me some info about your book editing services? Thanks.Amelia
Hi Jilly,
I love that you write reviews! I always read the reviews of anything I’m considering buying with my hard-earned $. They really are helpful to readers and writers, alike. Thanks for stopping by!
Best, Susan
Hi Amelia,
You can find my editing services at http://www.susangabrielconsulting.com. Please note that I’m booked solid and not taking any new clients until 2015.
Thanks for stopping by!
All the best,
Susan
Hi Susan–I only write reviews for books I love, never for the ones I thought missed the mark. Reviews should be a little pat on the back to the author and also an honest assessment of the work.
I haven’t posted in some time because I have been in the hospital and then home recuperating. I am happy to report that I am feeling better every day.
Hi Mary,
I noticed that you weren’t around, and I missed you! So sorry to hear that you’ve been in the hospital. I’m glad you are home recuperating now and feeling better every day. Keep it up and take good care!
All the best,
Susan
Great post, Susan.
I hope that you liked my mystery and that sometime I will see a review of it on Amazon. 🙂
I also try to review author’s novels to support them. Yours is a good outline to follow.
Thank you.
Susan Bernhardt
Thanks for reminding me, Susan. I’ll do that soon!
While five-star reviews may be sought by authors to boost their sales, I find I most like books that tend to get three to three-and-a-half stars. I think it’s probably because a really good book puzzled or pisses off about as many people as it pleases. You can’t make everybody happy. Terry Gilliam has said when an edit makes half the audience happy and half angry he knows he has something.
As many people “don’t get” my favorite novels and writers as there are those who love them. And most of the movie “classics” today (Casablanca, The Third Man, Citizen Kane, The Wizard of Oz, 2001) got decidedly mixed reviews when they were released. When you look at the movies that were loved by virtually EVERYBODY back then, with a few exceptions, we don’t care for them much anymore.
Most professional writers I know don’t even read their reviews–the good, the bad or the in-between. I read early ones for Wildflower (2012) and then haven’t read any since. As a writer, I think self-protection is good, and even necessary. A writer’s job is to write. Anything that stands in the way of that, imho, is to be avoided. Unfortunately, mediocre reviews can make even the most talented writers question if they should be writing.
I hear what you are saying about the “classics.” Alas, at any given time, I think most of the world doesn’t “get” the things I value, either. We are odd ducks. Or perhaps I should just speak for myself.:)
> A writer’s job is to write. Anything that stands in the way of > that, imho, is to be avoided.
Amen, sister!
Was just thinking of this after re-watching the film The New World, which I recommend, even though in general Terrence Malick isn’t my favorite filmmaker. But this one, I thought, was brilliant, and though it took somewhat of a critical drubbing when it came out, it’s more recently risen in stature. Note how the reactions are all over the place: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_World_%282005_film%29#Reception
You’re right, John. The reactions are all over the place, yet it won some awards. I haven’t seen this one yet. I will put it in my queue.
Thanks, Susan, I enjoyed your post on how to write an online review.
Hi Tony! Sorry for the delay in posting your comment. I found it in my wordpress spam folder. The software did not realize you were a real person. However, I very much appreciate your realness.
Thanks for stopping by!
All the best,
Susan