Publicly: Ignore them completely.
Privately: Complain like hell to anyone who will listen.
And to cheer yourself up, remember what the great Oscar Wilde used to say:
How to Deal With Bad Reviews
Nathan Bransford | Writing, Book Editing, Publishing
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Nathan Bransford
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He was eloquent, fo sho.
There was also a study done that bad reviews can actually improve sales on a book too for a bit. I read that someplace and wish I still had the link. 😛
Or you can read Hilde's Top 10 thinks to to with a rejection letter and apply it to your reviews.
http://thepenandinkblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/hildes-top-ten-things-to-do-with.html
"reading a book is so subjective. Just because one reviewer hates it, doesn't mean they all will. It's one person's opinion. it should not be taken personally."
There's a lot more to it than that. I used to think the same thing. But then found out how competitive the world of online book reviewing really is. Many of these reviewers are constantly looking for ways to promote themselves. Some even have adds and make money. It's often more about politics than anything esle. And making money.
I think the best medicine is time and perspective. Time heals all wounds, as they say, and perspective allows us to step back and put criticism in the context it belongs. Away from our ego. (Even though it would feel as if one has been mortally wounded at the time)
The world doesn't revolve around a bad review, and it won't end either. And if getting a bad review is the worst thing that's ever happened in your life, then you are one lucky person.
Sometimes a bad review can sell more books than a good one.
I got a bad review in School Library Journal (ouch, ouch!), but I survived. I didn't think the review was fair so I wrote a polite letter explaining why. Next time, I'll write the letter, but won't send it! The bad review was tempered by the great letters I've received from kids…and a couple of other nicer reviews…
Love it!
Margaritas and singing the explicit version of Cee Lo Green's "Forget You" works in many, many, situations too…
Privately of course…
Krista D. Ball, funny! Cats are awesome.
Except – except! – when the "reviewer" steps beyond the story, and takes the writer to task for something she said in the Q&A, passing judgment on their life? Given that publishers ask writers to include these interviews, and one may say a provocative thing or two, it puts a writer in a very tough spot.
Also, what of "reviewers" who are bloggers, and fully admit to sloppiness, being rushedness, or just basically glancing at work you, the writer may have spent twelve years on.
While I appreciate your advice, the publishing industry's kowtowing to – for example – bloggers, who bring not much to the table except SEO value (and are often only looking for content to slap up on their advertising driven endeavors), is nauseating.
Oscar Wilde didn't live in a time when a "review" would go live, and then – vis the wonder of linked twitter feeds, metastasize all over the net.
The guy who wrote this article:
http://www.theawl.com/2011/04/how-to-tell-a-playwright-you-didn%E2%80%99t-like-his-play
Should really read THIS article.
Because this article is far more helpful. And it has Oscar Wilde, which is a semi-automatic win.
(And seriously, that guy won't last two seconds on youtube)
Now if you'll excuse me, I feel the need to complain to my pet Tribble.
RAmen!
Haha! So true! Some reviewers don't like your book–okay–but mean spirited reviews are a different story. I'm going Sheen on this one: WINNING!
That's what I do. I don't respond to negative reviews. You can never do it and not come across as whining. Better to say nothing at all. Everyone gets bad reviews, it's the nature of the beast of putting your writing out into the wild and letting anyone and everyone read it.
HA! Thanks for the laugh. Excellent advice.
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Simple, but invaluable advice.
The study about the impact of a bad review on book sales (referred to in another comment) can be found here:
http://www.stanford.edu/~asorense/papers/Negative_Publicity2.pdf
Here's another reference to the study:
"Is all publicity good publicity? Are all reviews—even bad ones—good for books? The answer, according to a new study by the journal Marketing Science, depends on whether the writer is well known or unknown. The study examined the impact of a New York Times review on the sales of more than 200 hardcover titles. For books by established writers, a negative review led to a 15% decrease in sales. For unknown authors, a negative review increased sales by a healthy 45%."
Makes you wonder if debut authors should solicit bad reviews. (Just kidding.)
Cheers,
Sheryl J. Dunn
Chief Thief (a.k.a. CEO)
http://www.shelfstealers.com
publishing great books the majors missed
Indeed!
I've decided if I ever get to the point where I get reviews…I'm not going to read them – good or bad. I think they would be terribly distracting.
I was WONDERING who first said that phrase! 😉
I don't think I've ever responded to a "public" review, good or bad and I've gotten both.
But a bad review is more helpful, (once the sting is gone.) I take them more seriously than a good one (depending on how well the bad review is written.) I know I can learn something there.
The same way we learn more from reading bad writers than we do good ones.
Another strategy in addition to all of the worthy advice above: if the reviewer is also a writer, go and read his or her 1-star reviews. I haven't had an official review yet, but I have got rejection letters from published writers, a few that seemed a bit harsh. I e-mailed a thank you for the personal response and feedback on my work, then had a good laugh as I read the 1-star reviews of that person's work… and then got back to the writing.
I believe he also said "Living long is the best revenge."
What about, "Drink heavily"? Surely that belongs on the list.
And Kristen, I have to disagree — my cats have been awesome!
Hahaha best Oscar Wilde quote ever. 😉
For Aussie-based readers you can watch an interview with Ken Follet here (http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/view/742120) talking about bad reviews … and other writer-type stuff in general.
Sorry overseas viewers, address above is geo-restricted to Australia.
Lol… Oscar Wilde knew somethin' 'about the haterz…
What have 'ya.
I heart Oscar Wilde!
LOL
And don't forget chocolate. 😉
Professionalism. Always. Remember that what goes on the 'net, stays on the net. That's not always a good thing. Not everyone is going to love your book. That's just the way it is.
Michelle Muto
AWESOME!
I love it! You nailed it better than I could have said it.
Fine post, Nathan.
I have three responses to bad reviews:
Ignore, as per OW (99% of the time)
Swear that I'll fight for the free speech rights of all, whether or not they like my book (which can make human critics feel not-so-fresh, I think)
Write something akin to Toby Wolfe's BULLET IN THE BRAIN (which is about a critic running his mouth and thereby bringing about the lovely title event)
I had the misfortune of being given a book in the late 80's (thank God I didn't have to pay for it), by one of the bestselling authors at the time. I ploughed through two chapters of total s**t before calling it a day. I remember thinking, bloody hell, I was writing better stuff than this in fifth form; I need to find his agent NOW! Lah de dah de dah. Lah de dah de dah. No punctuation other than full stops; not my cup of tea, I'm afraid.
I never did get to read a review of that book, shame really. It was another chart topping bestseller though! 😉
If by a bad review you mean the reader didn't like the book, but gave constructive criticism, then I say take it in, and realize that not everyone will love your work. A successful author once told me, never argue with someone who's read your work, and criticizes it. However, if the review is simply mean-spirited, without any helpful suggestions, then I agree, ignore it, and feel sorry for the reviewer. It must be hard to be such a jerk.
Perfect!
I would say to ignore even in private. I've heard too many third-hand stories of writers who complained about a bad review "privately"; it never remains private and inevitably the writer comes off looking juvenile for not just sucking it up and moving on.
Excellent (and concise) advice. I'm going to link to this post in a blog of my own. Thanks, Nathan.