Your Opinion Is Greatly Appreciated. Thank You. Did you notice that? If you missed it, take another look before we go on.
Even when the feedback provided is unfavorable, it is still appreciated. It really is!!!
Of course, positive feedback is always the best.
With Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing, KDP, it is easy for anyone to self-publish a book these days. Of course, just putting your book out on Amazon does not mean anyone is going to buy it.
Any first-time indie author will tell you the two most nerve-racking things when self-publishing is: 1) Selling your first book (Mom does not count) and 2) Waiting for your first review.
Money In The Bank Your First Book Sale
The only thing that beats seeing a book sold in your KDP back office is getting an email from Amazon with the subject title “Amazon Accounts Payable.” Five days later, if you have a Direct Deposit setup, you logon your Bank Account and see “Cha-ching” money in the bank.
Achieving your first book sale is an incredibly rewarding milestone. It proves that all the hard work you put into researching, writing, and self-publishing your book has paid off. Make sure you celebrate that sale. You do not have to go to a 5-Star Restaurant, although kudos to you if you do. Heading out for ice cream is just as rewarding, in my opinion.
Book Reviews Are Your Best Friend
Now that your book has finally sold, the last remaining and most nerve-racking step is your first book review. Of course, you believe you wrote a bestseller, the best book ever published. However, will your first reader agree? And if they do not, will your book ever sell a second copy?
Nobody ever wants a negative review, but as long as the feedback provided was in full honesty, do not get too bent out of shape even if it is not perfect. If the review is 5-Stars and praising every aspect of your writing, that is “Awesome Sauce!” On the other hand, if the feedback is negative and the critique does not provide any real specifics, my guess is the person is arrogant and likes to complain. Some people are just that way, so do not sweat it.
What you should be looking for in the review is whether or not the reviewer provided details about your book or writing style. Does the analysis point out issues with the book? Did things not make sense? Where there chronological problems? Where there issues with character development? And hopefully, they do not point out a bunch of spelling or grammar errors.
Remember that the review is a “personal opinion” of a single individual. Some people like steak, while other folks like fish. Even if the person writing the review loves the genre your book is in does not mean your book will resonate with them. Others in your genre might fall head-over-heels for your book.
All reading experiences are about perspective and interpretation. One can only say what they like or do not like about something. Some people will relate to the review, and others will not. The critical thing is whether or not there is sufficient information provided in the review for you to either improve your next book or the second edition of this book.
Always remember all book reviews are an author’s best friend. Of course, if a review is a glowing 5-Star review, then you should do the happy dance. Absorb everything in the evaluation, sit back, and smile.
Speaking Of Reviews
Make sure you head on over to the Books Of All Kinds blog and check out my first official book review by an actual blogger. Books Of All Kinds is my first blog review, and it covers my books Alphabet Stuff With Nuff, Saving Money Makes Cents, and Teamwork Makes The Dream Work. The reviews were positive, thank God, and they also provided some insights that give me good ideas on how I might want to market these books to my niche of readers.
You can also click on any of the book links above and check out additional reviews my specific books have gotten on Amazon. A few individuals have picked up copies and left positive reviews. Another plus, although one was only a 4-Star review. The 4-Star review was titled “An Alliteration from A to Z,” which is something I would have never thought of and gives me another great idea on how to market this book to my readers. It just goes to prove that a non-perfect review is perfect in the end.
By the way, if you read any of these three Nuff books and have not yet left a review, once again your opinion is greatly appreciated, and I “Thank You” for leaving your review now!
Review: Alphabet Stuff With Nuff – Paperback or Kindle version.
Review: Saving Money Make Cents – Paperback or Kindle version.
Review: Teamwork Makes The Dream Work – Paperback or Kindle version.
P.S. If you decide to leave a review on one of my books or book by another author, please write your review for yourself. When writing your review, asks yourself the following question, “How did this book make me feel?“
Do not worry about what other readers, and especially the author, will think. Honestly, your review will not be helpful to the author or other readers if you scrutinize every word you put down on paper. There will always be other readers whose opinions are different than yours. You cannot please everyone, so why start trying to now.
By the way, I am one hundred percent positive you are not the only person in the world who liked or will not like a particular book. There is a whole bunch of people out there, exactly like you, who have or have not connected with a book for whatever reason, and your review might be the exact thing they need to hear to feel like they are not alone.
P.P.S. One last thought. If you are one of those arrogant types of folk who likes to complain about everything every chance you get, please do not leave any author a review. Rambling complaints only stress out new authors and irritate book lovers.
