How to Handle Negative Book Reviews
One of the hardest parts of being an author is being hit with negative book reviews. Especially as a new author. Negative book reviews can be absolutely devastating. Authors pour their heart and soul into their books, sometimes spending months or years crafting, writing, and polishing up a story and bad reviews can cut deep. In this article, we'll discuss How to Handle Negative Book Reviews and how to use them as an opportunity to improve and grow as an author.
1. Know That Negative Book Reviews Are Inevitable And Part Of Being A Writer, So Be Prepared To See Them
We've all been there and have had the heart-sinking moment of reading a negative review. It's one of the most disheartening experiences for any author to receive negative criticism about their book - especially on public platforms like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Goodreads for all the world to see.
Even New York Times Bestselling Authors get attacked with vicious book reviews tearing their books to shreds. Art is subjective and you cannot please everyone.
Everyone has their own opinions. If no one dislikes what you are saying you probably haven't taken a stand for something. People take offense and have wildly different views on everything and it is best to take a deep breath, try and put it behind you, and continue writing.
Do your best to not take reviews personally. Remember this is just the opinion of one person. Do not let bad reviews hold more weight over you than all the good book reviews you receive.
2. "DO NOT RESPOND" To The Reviewer
Our number one piece of advice to new or even experienced authors about bad book reviews is "DO NOT REPLY." Absolutely under no circumstance should you respond to the reviewer. As much as you want to respond to defend yourself and your book, it is best to not engage.
There are trolls just waiting for online keyboard battles and it's useless to try to change people's opinions. You may think that defending your book is the right path but it often damages the reputation of the author and looks unprofessional. As much as you may want to write a heated reply, take a deep breath and walk away for a bit.
3. Ask Yourself If There Is Any Positive Constructive Criticism That Can Be Taken Away From This Review
Are there any lessons or constructive criticism that can be taken away from this negative book review? Perhaps this bad book review could be a learning opportunity. Looking at book reviews objectively can sometimes be beneficial to helping you improve as a writer.
Sometimes people point out genuine plot holes or have good critiques of things that you might have missed. Is my story moving too slowly? Is there not enough action in my story? Are the characters properly motivated? Are my characters behaving out of character at certain points in my book? Were there errors with the story timeline that didn't make sense? Sometimes taking into account what others say can help you improve the next book that you write.
4. Know That There Are Trolls Out There And Some People Can Just Be Outright Cruel And Heartless
"Some men just want to watch the world burn."-Alfred Pennyworth, The Dark Knight, 2008
There are some nasty malicious people out on the internet and sometimes they personally attack writers with their reviews. Instead of just reviewing a book and talking about the book itself, these trolls make wild statements and assumptions about authors that are just untrue. Ranging from attacking authors' looks, their families, their beliefs, and who the author is as a person. These trolls are angry and hostile and use derogatory, hateful, and abusive language with just pure malice to tear people down.
You know yourself as a writer and what you stand for. These angry people making wild statements about who you are as a person do not know you. Unfortunately, the more successful you become as an author, the more likely it is that you will become the target of trolls. Do your best to not let these malicious haters get to you! Keep writing!
5. Understand That Some People Might Completely Misunderstand the Plot or Point of the Book Entirely And Nothing You Say Or Do Can Help Them Get It
Some people just don't get it and they never will. It's not up to authors to argue with people who don't connect with their book. There are people out there that hate your favorite movies. Those same movies that may make you laugh, cry, or be filled with inspiration may not affect someone else at all. If someone doesn't get your story or doesn't emotionally connect with it, that's okay. There are tons of people who will connect with your idea. Don't waste time arguing over the details of your book.
6. Ask Yourself - Why Does This Negative Review Hurt So Much? What Are My Triggers?
It's good to sit down and analyze why this bad book review hurt so much. What are your triggers? Is there a bit of truth in that book review that is affecting you? Do you have a problem accepting criticism in general or in other areas of your life? Even if the criticism is unfounded, does it make you feel insecure? Why?
7. Allow Yourself To Process The Review, Maybe Have A One Day Pity Party, Then Move On
We are human and sometimes negative book reviews bring us down. The main thing is to not let them keep you down. It's okay to take one day and have a pity party, snuggle up in a cozy blanket, watch some movies that make you happy, have a glass of wine, and wallow for a bit. Go call up a trusted friend and vent. After that, you have to put that review behind you. Get back up in the saddle and WRITE.
First, you might want to write a list of all the things you have accomplished in your life. A list of all the things that you are good at both personally and professionally. If you have any weaknesses in your writing, also know that you have the power and ability to learn, grow, and develop better writing skills each and every year.
Do not allow the comments of others to keep you down. Keep going!
8. Do Not Post The Negative Review On Social Media To Vent About It To Your Audience
Absolutely, do not rant or go off about your bad book review on social media. You may be thinking you are letting off steam to your fans, friends, and family but in reality, you make yourself look unprofessional and you could potentially set yourself up to be sued if you are bad-mouthing a reviewer. Defamation of reviewers can definitely bite you in the butt. Things posted online are forever. Just do yourself a favor and do not post bad book reviews or talk about them publicly on social media at all.
9. Vent to Other Trusted Writer Friends Privately Over Coffee
Negative book reviews can hurt. Sometimes it is best to go vent to a trusted group of writer friends that also understand that hurt. Meeting up privately with some trusted friends to talk and vent about your bad book review can help you heal and move on. Often these trusted writer friends can help point out if the review had any hints of truth that you can improve upon with your next book or let you know that the reviewer is way off and that you need to forget the hurtful comments that were said.
10. Write What You Would Say To That Reviewer In Your Private Journal Or A Letter That You Put In the Paper Shredder Afterward
Sometimes a negative book reviewer can completely irk you where it's best to write your angry reply of what you would like to say to that person down in a journal or piece of paper that will never see the light of day. You are a writer, of course, you will want to write out your feelings. It's good to write out all the things you would like to say, get them out of your system, and then you can move on. But do not send the letter.
Sometimes it can be healing to print out those nasty book reviews that got you down and to cast them into the fire. Let it burn and let it go!
11. Not All Book Ratings Are Actually From People Nowadays, Many One Star Ratings Are Actually From Bots
Sadly, nowadays, not all book ratings are even from people. There has been a huge problem with bots going and leaving one-star reviews on authors' books. If your book is suddenly hit randomly with a bunch of one-star ratings with no text and until that point, most of your reviews were pretty positive, it is possible your book is getting spammed with bots leaving ratings. If it is bots it may be possible to have them removed.
12. Re-read Good Reviews That You have Received On Your Book
Don't let the bad book reviews hold all the power over you. Go read your positive book reviews. Someone out there loves your book. Don't forget about all the positive reviews you get just because of a few bad ones. It's easy to focus just on the bad and forget about the good.
13. Go Read The Negative Book Reviews Left On Books Written By Your Favorite Authors
Feeling down about the negative book reviews left on your book? Go read the negative book reviews on your favorite books of all time. Go read the negative book reviews on your favorite authors or even reviews of your favorite movies of all time. This gives a perspective that even the stories that are the best of the best and authors that are top-notch all get torn apart too. There is no pleasing everyone. Everyone has different opinions. Stories that are absolutely amazing to one person can be completely hated by others.
14. Try Your Best to Avoid Reading Negative Book Reviews In The First Place
Easier said than done right? It's best to not even read your book reviews in the first place. Reading book reviews often just brings authors down. It's best to keep working on improving your writing ability.
15. Start Your Next Book! Do Not Let The Opinions Of Others Keep You Down!
The best thing is to let go of the bad comments of your last book and start writing your next. Look to the future. Keep writing, keep learning, and study the craft. Take classes, go to conferences, or read a writing how-to book to improve your skills. Make your next book an even better book!
If you have any questions or would like to leave a comment below, we would love to hear from you!
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