I know, it’s old discourse. But seriously, reviews are for readers.
A tale as old as time, or at least as old as the first author seeing a review of their book and spiraling (either publicly or privately—hopefully privately): “reviews are for readers.” As an editor, I field a lot of emails and messages from authors who, for some reason or another, stumble on a review of their work which cuts them to the quick. Now that I am a soon-to-be-published author, I have experienced this from a writer’s perspective as well, so I think I am very qualified to say: DON’T READ YOUR REVIEWS.
I know it’s hard. I know the temptation is there, that it’s so nice to hear nice things about your work. But as nice as those nice things are, hearing about why someone doesn’t enjoy your book more than outweighs the positive feedback. The tiniest of critiques can feel like a kiss of death. It’s almost better to get a scathing review, because if it’s bad enough it’s easier to dismiss. Here’s the thing, though: reviews do not matter.
I mean, sure, technically reviews matter. Algorithms and retailers care. Sometimes good reviews will lead to more advertising for the book. But are they helpful to you, to your writing craft? I feel strongly that they don’t. By the time a reader is reviewing, the book is drafted, edited, vetted by author and agent and beta readers and editors and maybe even legal or sales or marketing or any number of people involved in the publishing process. The opportunity to make changes to the book has passed you by. It’s out there, in the world, and that’s okay.
I know there will people who say, but what about the next book? Isn’t it helpful to know how readers are responding so you can cater to the haters? No. Why would you want to do that? If someone really disliked (or even mildly disliked) your book, what are the chances they’re going to be the audience for your next one? Pretty slim. If I read a book by an author I don’t enjoy, I just won’t pick up the next. You won’t win me back by writing a story you think I might like better than the first. That’s like following around the person who broke up with you, pleading for a second chance. I’ve moved on. There are so, so many other books in the world I’m not about to shell out money or time to try another one without a strong endorsement from a trusted friend.
Does a bad review (or a bunch of bad reviews) make you a bad writer? Nope. Maybe your writing hasn’t resonated with the people your book was marketed to, but that’s not a fault of the writing (and it’s not even always the fault of the marketing or the package). Books need to find their readers, those people who read and love and champion them to anyone who will listen. Sometimes that alchemy of matching reader to book isn’t as successful as you want it to be. But wallowing in the negative reviews isn’t going to magically find you new readers. You don’t have to flagellate yourself or atone for the book by reading about every perceived flaw.
One last thing, if you feel even one ounce of love or respect for your editor: If you can’t ignore the reviews, then please, please, please save your drama for your group chat. Do not engage with bad reviews; don’t quote them or reply or call anyone out or crash out on the internet. Authors can overcome lots of hurdles, but a public display of terrible behavior is much more difficult.
Anyway, I partly wrote this as a reminder to myself. The book is done. I’m writing other things. The book will come out and it will work for some people and it won’t work for others. Hopefully it finds an audience, but if not, well, I can’t rewrite history. So I’m going to try my very best to ignore the reviews and just write.