The Importance of Reviews
Hard as it is to admit, reviews have great importance--not just on Amazon, but everywhere. Of course I'm speaking about good reviews. I've been fortunate enough to get mostly good reviews--but not nearly enough.
Does that mean not many people have read my books? I hope not.
I've never been a best seller, but I do have a loyal following. And though I do write for readers who say they are anxiously waiting for the next book, whether it be a Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery (and yes, one is coming soon) or a Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel (the next one is written just waiting for my critique group to hear it all the way through), I also write because I love my characters and want to know what is going to happen to them next.
Since I am their creator, I have to write another book to find out.
Not having many reviews can work against the promotion for a book in a couple of ways--too few and readers wonder why more people didn't leave their opinions.
There are some promotion sites who won't let the author promote unless they have a certain number of reviews, and for one I investigated recently, the required number was twenty!
One of my friends is trying to get 50 reviews for her book and is actively recruiting readers to write one in many creative ways. And she is getting close to her goal.
I'm not sure I could approach the dilemma in quite that way, but it would be nice to see more reviews on my latest books:
Dangerous Impulses written as F. M. Meredith and Raging Water written as Marilyn Meredith.
And on Kindle for only .99 you can try out Deadly Feast.
And if your tastes run more to the horror vein, check out my YA Christian horror, Deeds of Darkness.
Hoping for more reviews, I am
Does that mean not many people have read my books? I hope not.
I've never been a best seller, but I do have a loyal following. And though I do write for readers who say they are anxiously waiting for the next book, whether it be a Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery (and yes, one is coming soon) or a Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel (the next one is written just waiting for my critique group to hear it all the way through), I also write because I love my characters and want to know what is going to happen to them next.
Since I am their creator, I have to write another book to find out.
Not having many reviews can work against the promotion for a book in a couple of ways--too few and readers wonder why more people didn't leave their opinions.
There are some promotion sites who won't let the author promote unless they have a certain number of reviews, and for one I investigated recently, the required number was twenty!
One of my friends is trying to get 50 reviews for her book and is actively recruiting readers to write one in many creative ways. And she is getting close to her goal.
I'm not sure I could approach the dilemma in quite that way, but it would be nice to see more reviews on my latest books:
Dangerous Impulses written as F. M. Meredith and Raging Water written as Marilyn Meredith.
And on Kindle for only .99 you can try out Deadly Feast.
And if your tastes run more to the horror vein, check out my YA Christian horror, Deeds of Darkness.
Hoping for more reviews, I am
Comments
Reviews are important. Many readers look to see what's already been said about a book before they will consider buying it. In addition, librarians order books on the basis of reviews. It's not an ego thing with me nor do I care about fame or popularity. It's a matter of whether or not a book will sell.
The librarians I know certainly know about the practice and discount those "reviews."
And Kevin, you are one of the best reviewers around, but aren't you swamped with books? I'll send you a copy of Dangerous Impulses if you'd like.
Still, feel free to send anything my way.
I'm not one of those people. As a matter-of-fact, I've never read the reviews before ordering a book. Why? Because one man's garbage is another man's gold. Each of us has different tastes and I don't want to let someone else's opinion influence me one way or the other.
Marja