I absolutely agree with all of this! I actually hadn't reviewed any books before becoming an author -- it's just not something I had not thought about. After becoming an author and reading ARCs for others, I knew right away that there was no way I could be negative, even for books that just weren't for me. I stayed committed to reading and left a review, but knowing that even if I didn't like the book, I knew how much it took that author to develop their ideas, to write them, to spend hours editing and revising, finding beta readers, then either querying or learning how to self-publish, and last, getting that book in front of readers with various forms of marketing. None of this is easy (except maybe the writing part, which I think is fun). I believe in supporting writers and authors, so leaving a negative review is not within my comfort zone. But like you, I've seen other authors (and one particular aspiring author) who has trashed books, but done in way that they think they are being helpful, when they're not. Thanks for this video! 💙
Absolutely!!! I am now very selective when requesting ARCs for that reason, I don't want to feel like I'm being dishonest and I don't want to skip out on the responsibility and just not post. Thankfully I've had a good run with the ARCs I have read. Thank you for always being a positive light in the author community
That's actually why I've rarely reviewed books on my channel when it was an author channel x) If you can't be nice in your review (especially as an aspiring or an indie author), then don't review the book. It takes so much work from an author to create a story. And yeah, I do believe in karma too :)
I really liked this video, in part because I'm planning my booktube channel 💞 I decided earlier that I'll never post a review of a book that's not at least 3.5 stars. I want to be honest in my reviews, but I don't want to be one of *those* people either 🤦🏼♀️
Thanks for this video I have only made a few reviews for books I have read. None of them were negative. I just abandon the books I don't like, unless I bought it then I force through it. And sometimes I find things in it I like
Glad you enjoyed this video. Agreed, I usually know what I like and if I can tell I won't like it within the first 30 pages I DNF and don't review. Glad so many like-minded nice authors are out there :)
I just want to say 2 things. 1) Great video. You say things that need to be said. 2) Mea culpa. I've been watching your videos for a long time and thought I had subscribed already! Well, I am now. Keep up the great work.
As a reader, I don't leave less than 3 stars. I never have even before becoming an author. I love 90% of the books I read. If I don't like it, I just assume it's not for me. Usually memoirs. I keep reading them and I hate them. That's on me, not the author. As an author, my first line in the description (after the hook) said "this book is about [battle unicorn, not trying to self promote 🤣]" 2nd review I got was a 3 star that said "this book was about [battle unicorn]. I didn't like [battle unicorns]. It wasn't fun to read." and i wanted to rip my hair out, like... why did you read it then?!?! But at least they gave me a 3 star review so it could have been worse 🤣
I used to ask my writer buddy, "Do you want me to tell you the truth, or tell you what you WANT to hear?" We agreed on the truth, which often didn't feel good because (a) it meant more work for him, and (b) I wasn't putting on a fake front to coddle his sensitivity, thereby being disingenuous to either of us. And let's face it; creatives are almost always inherently more sensitive. At one point, he wanted my feedback to be "2 positives, for every negative." That's one short step away from a participation ribbon, imo. To his credit, I witnessed him craft his writing like a sculptor until he got the stories built up or hewn down to their essence(s). With the surge in self-publishing comes a LOT of bad and unqualified writing and "being nice" or ignoring that only helps perpetuate the tsunami of crap. Writers should take the criticisms and learn, or take them and quit, but don't ask or expect good readers to fall silent and let others stumble into your incompetence and be disappointed in perpetuity.
I think there's an art to writing a good review that you're missing. If there is a problem, by all means, point it out so maybe the author can learn from it. But there is a way to do it that doesn't totally trash the book or the author. I rarely review, but when I do, I point out what I liked and what I had a problem with. That's what your friend probably wanted when he asked for the 2 positives to a negative. What did you like? Why? So the author also knows what's working...not just what ISN'T working.
I think this is the arts 🎭 and the arts depend on the emotions. If the reader feels satisfied with the ending of the story and everything makes sense in the plot, then the story is a good story for the reader. Personally I find that a lot of fiction writers miss out on something, and I point it out and people get defensive about the author. Dude, an author’s not perfect. And fiction is made up. Sometimes authors miss out on some aspects of reality because they are trying to go for a light hearted story without much thought. But me… I tend to poke holes at the work of fiction because there’s always something that gives away it’s fiction.
I don’t know, is this a business or a hobby cause if I tell you your characters don’t have a purpose maybe give them more to do now I’m a bully. But if I lie and said it’s the best book since Harry Potter and everyone in the comments are saying the same thing about the characters( they have no purpose )then again I’m in the wrong for not telling the truth and I’m a terrible person/ friend there is no win win. A person can give advice and it’s up to the individual to take said advice and do something about it.
I absolutely agree with all of this! I actually hadn't reviewed any books before becoming an author -- it's just not something I had not thought about. After becoming an author and reading ARCs for others, I knew right away that there was no way I could be negative, even for books that just weren't for me. I stayed committed to reading and left a review, but knowing that even if I didn't like the book, I knew how much it took that author to develop their ideas, to write them, to spend hours editing and revising, finding beta readers, then either querying or learning how to self-publish, and last, getting that book in front of readers with various forms of marketing. None of this is easy (except maybe the writing part, which I think is fun). I believe in supporting writers and authors, so leaving a negative review is not within my comfort zone. But like you, I've seen other authors (and one particular aspiring author) who has trashed books, but done in way that they think they are being helpful, when they're not. Thanks for this video! 💙
Absolutely!!! I am now very selective when requesting ARCs for that reason, I don't want to feel like I'm being dishonest and I don't want to skip out on the responsibility and just not post. Thankfully I've had a good run with the ARCs I have read. Thank you for always being a positive light in the author community
That's actually why I've rarely reviewed books on my channel when it was an author channel x) If you can't be nice in your review (especially as an aspiring or an indie author), then don't review the book. It takes so much work from an author to create a story. And yeah, I do believe in karma too :)
Right??? Glad to have so many author friends who believe the same thing and put the positive energy out into the world
I really liked this video, in part because I'm planning my booktube channel 💞 I decided earlier that I'll never post a review of a book that's not at least 3.5 stars. I want to be honest in my reviews, but I don't want to be one of *those* people either 🤦🏼♀️
That is so smart to plan that out. Can't wait to check out your reviews and recommendations when they are posted :)
You make a good point. If I don't like a book, I don't leave a review. There's no need to be mean.
It's always good to have a policy in mind because occasionally they happen 🤷♀️
Thanks for this video
I have only made a few reviews for books I have read. None of them were negative. I just abandon the books I don't like, unless I bought it then I force through it. And sometimes I find things in it I like
Glad you enjoyed this video. Agreed, I usually know what I like and if I can tell I won't like it within the first 30 pages I DNF and don't review. Glad so many like-minded nice authors are out there :)
I just want to say 2 things. 1) Great video. You say things that need to be said. 2) Mea culpa. I've been watching your videos for a long time and thought I had subscribed already! Well, I am now. Keep up the great work.
Thank you for watching and for subscribing!!! :)
Great video, you are so right, life is too short to continue ready a book we don’t like. I’m subscribed but have never commented here. 😊
Thank you for subscribing and commenting 😁😁😁
This! 👏👏👏 If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
Just like mamma said!
As a reader, I don't leave less than 3 stars. I never have even before becoming an author. I love 90% of the books I read. If I don't like it, I just assume it's not for me. Usually memoirs. I keep reading them and I hate them. That's on me, not the author.
As an author, my first line in the description (after the hook) said "this book is about [battle unicorn, not trying to self promote 🤣]" 2nd review I got was a 3 star that said "this book was about [battle unicorn]. I didn't like [battle unicorns]. It wasn't fun to read." and i wanted to rip my hair out, like... why did you read it then?!?! But at least they gave me a 3 star review so it could have been worse 🤣
That is such a bummer. And I agree, if I don't like it. I DNF and move on
Yes! I will only mention books I enjoyed on my channel.
Such a good policy!!
I used to ask my writer buddy, "Do you want me to tell you the truth, or tell you what you WANT to hear?" We agreed on the truth, which often didn't feel good because (a) it meant more work for him, and (b) I wasn't putting on a fake front to coddle his sensitivity, thereby being disingenuous to either of us. And let's face it; creatives are almost always inherently more sensitive. At one point, he wanted my feedback to be "2 positives, for every negative." That's one short step away from a participation ribbon, imo. To his credit, I witnessed him craft his writing like a sculptor until he got the stories built up or hewn down to their essence(s).
With the surge in self-publishing comes a LOT of bad and unqualified writing and "being nice" or ignoring that only helps perpetuate the tsunami of crap.
Writers should take the criticisms and learn, or take them and quit, but don't ask or expect good readers to fall silent and let others stumble into your incompetence and be disappointed in perpetuity.
I think there's an art to writing a good review that you're missing. If there is a problem, by all means, point it out so maybe the author can learn from it. But there is a way to do it that doesn't totally trash the book or the author. I rarely review, but when I do, I point out what I liked and what I had a problem with. That's what your friend probably wanted when he asked for the 2 positives to a negative. What did you like? Why? So the author also knows what's working...not just what ISN'T working.
PREACH!!!!
Right?
Authors/writers should never review others' books. Ever! It's unfair to readers. But I did like the vid.
I think this is the arts 🎭 and the arts depend on the emotions. If the reader feels satisfied with the ending of the story and everything makes sense in the plot, then the story is a good story for the reader.
Personally I find that a lot of fiction writers miss out on something, and I point it out and people get defensive about the author. Dude, an author’s not perfect. And fiction is made up. Sometimes authors miss out on some aspects of reality because they are trying to go for a light hearted story without much thought. But me… I tend to poke holes at the work of fiction because there’s always something that gives away it’s fiction.
I don’t know, is this a business or a hobby cause if I tell you your characters don’t have a purpose maybe give them more to do now I’m a bully. But if I lie and said it’s the best book since Harry Potter and everyone in the comments are saying the same thing about the characters( they have no purpose )then again I’m in the wrong for not telling the truth and I’m a terrible person/ friend there is no win win. A person can give advice and it’s up to the individual to take said advice and do something about it.