Authors Please Don’t Nag Book Reviewers

By Sherrie Wilkolaski  

It has come to my attention, on more than one occasion that authors like to nag potential book reviewers during the book review process.  My advice…please stop doing this, it is only going to hurt your potential for getting a review in the first place.  You may also end up with a comment in your review like, “the book was a very good read, but the author was very impatient waiting for me to review his book.”   That is negative.  It says the author is difficult to work with.  

Things you should NOT do when dealing with a book reviewer:

1. Don’t ask when the review will be completed.  Many book reviewers plan in advance, collecting manuscripts to put into their reading queue.  I’ve had authors send a reviewer a book on a Monday and check back with them on Tuesday asking if they liked the book.  Be realistic. You are not the only potential book they will be reviewing.   It is OK to ask when it would be OK for you to check back with them, like in a few weeks or a month.  Be conscious of their schedule.

2. Don’t tell them you hope they like the book.  This is a given. Every author wants every book reviewer to like their book.  It sounds unprofessional.  Instead let them know that you are available if they have any questions about the behind the scenes of your writing the book, character development, etc.  Let them know you’re willing to give them something beyond the book.

3. What do you mean you don’t like my book!  If you pay attention to the flight attendant before take-off, she’ll tell you, “In the event of a water landing, your seat cushion can be used as floatation device.”  Keep that in mind when you get that not-so-good review. It is OK to respond to the book reviewer to learn more about why they are not such a huge fan.  It will help you as a writer.  Take the constructive criticism.  You still want to thank the reviewer for taking the time to do the review.  Be polite and professional.  That type of good will gets around.  The reviewer may even post something about how gracious you were even after giving your title only one star.

4. Don’t tell the review what you want them to say.  This is major no, no.  Don’t do it.

5. Don’t forget to send a thank you.  Not matter what the outcome of your review, be sure to send a thank you to the reviewer for taking the time to read your book and write up a review.  It will go a long way.

Even if you have a review that is not as favorable as you would like it to be, you can always pull out the positive comments from the review and use those on your website, on your Amazon Author Central page, etc.  It’s normal to have a few bad reviews, mixed in with the good.  You need variety to create interest.  How many times have you read a “bad review” and then decided the reviewer was not so bright and you bought that book anyway? 

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Image courtesty of treasuredspotbookreviews.com.