My book has been out for five and a half years now, and it's only because of the Wide World of Amazon.com that it's still selling as well as it ever did. (Keep in mind here that it was published by me, by my own press, and any moderate success it achieved was through my own efforts). In keeping track of my sales, I'm on my Amazon page pretty regularly, and so I notice quickly if a new review gets posted. One was posted today, and not a particularly good one.
It's already a rainy day here, pushing into the tail end of two almost solidly rainy weeks, and so spirits are a little low anyway, but it's never nice to get a less-than-stellar review. If I didn't already have a solid number of good reviews notched on my belt, I'd really be feeling this one--particularly as the reader said she actually fell asleep while reading it--but mostly it's just sliding off me. It's important to remember--for all writers, published and yet-to-be published--that everyone's tastes are different. I've felt less than enthusiastic about whopping best-sellers, and books that I've love-love-loved were not very well received.
It helps a bit--just a bit--that I was reading Jenny Crusie's blog last night and noticed that after a glowing review from Publishers Weekly for her August release, she received one of those less-than-stellar reviews from Kirkus. In fact, in the words of Cher from Clueless, the Kirkus review was 'way harsh,' and I'm sure it hurt, just a little bit. Still, if Jenny Crusie is still getting the occasional bad review, that gives the rest of us hope, doesn't it?
What I need right now is a flash mob to show up in my front yard dancing to Right Back Where We Started From by Maxine Nightingale...but I think it's too rainy.
Thursday, July 08, 2010
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11 comments:
Kirkus are quite often harsh and quite often for no reason. They are the Simon Cowell of reviews.
"... that everyone's tastes are different." So true.
The danger of these Amazon anybody can leave a comment reviews is that anybody who doesn't like you or maybe even the competition can leave a scathing attack. There's gotta be a better way.
(Btw I will order your book tonight.)
Having some trouble with insomnia, David? ;)
Seriously though, I'm not sure it'll be up to your hard-boiled standards, being a romance and all.
Alyssa, A good story is what I like and I'm sure that's what you have written. Of course, to bad it wasn't short stories.
Oh dear, try not worry about that. I am sure it is great!!!
In fact, just to be sure, I am going to order a copy and when I am finished reading it I will leave a review which is sure to be stellar.
If I was closer I would certainly be dancing in your yard haha.
Chin up! The sun will soon be shining.
Ugh. I'm sorry, Alyssa.
But you are right. It is mainly a matter of taste. It's almost unpredictable what does and doesn't speak to a person.
That is a shame, David. :)
That is so sweet of you, Jill!
Thanks for the good thoughts, Stacy.
I have read your book and liked it very much. I don't know if you knew that because I don't post on amazon because well some of those people are just not nice. In fact I even put it on my top shelf to read again and very few books ever make it to the top shelf at my house.
Also, that reminded me about what you want for a birthday present. If you haven't seen it yet try out the video for 1234 by Feist. It's super cheesy but always makes me smile.
You've got a good attitude Alyssa ... just let it slip away. Hard to do though, I know. In my experience - things like that will keep popping back into your mind. The only way to keep it away is to have another thought to replace it with. So go find one of the good reviews, memorize it, and whenever you think of that crummy one, push it away with the memorized sweet one.
oxoxoxox
Denalee
Don't get too down. Better to have a book to be reviewed than not, eh?
a copy of your book on my kindle! Can't wait to start reading it.
Aw, Jill, you are so sweet! If you like it, you can counter the only other Kindle review I've gotten--yesterday's. :)
Thanks for the suggestion, Sarakastic--I need to reboot my computer before I try out your suggestion because right now I'm not getting audio.
Thank you Denalee and Quindome for your kind words! :)
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