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Originally Posted by J. Strnad
If you can't say something nice....
No, actually, if you didn't like the book and can say why, that's a fair review. If you like everything, you'll have no credibility, because not everything is great or even good.
If the author can't take it, he/she is in the wrong business!
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Originally Posted by Vintage Season
If you would rather remain silent, you certainly have that option... but speaking as a MobileRead author who has published on Smashwords, I can say that any honest review is welcomed. If you dislike a story, for whatever reason, and can put that reason into words, you might save someone else with your particular mindset from making a poor choice. Or they might be looking for precisely the sort of story you dislike, and your negative review could convince a new reader to take a chance anyway!
- M.
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Originally Posted by AnemicOak
To me a review from someone who disliked a book can be as valuable, if not more than a positive review. Especially with all the self published and small press stuff out now. Some of it is quite excellent, while some isn't very good and there is just so much of it being made available it's often hard to choose anything. If folks choose wrong enough they just may quit trying. Reviews are one of the ways to sort through it all. Just because a review isn't positive doesn't mean it can't still be respectful.
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Originally Posted by HistoryWes
Thank you for posting this thread. For writers, feedback and reviews are appreciated more than anything else as indicators that someone, anyone, has taken the time to read and think about what you've written. Spending months or even years pouring over a manuscript and then publishing it, even offering it as a free download, the writer puts a huge amount of himself (or herself) into his creation. I know that when someone takes the time to post a review, or even send me feedback in an email, I REALLY appreciate it.
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Ok, I'm really, really glad to have read all of the above. I have reviewed every book I've read from smashwords (so far) and each book I read gets reviewed as soon as I have a minute, while my thoughts are still "fresh." I plan on reading way more books and reviewing them as well.
I don't write long reviews, because I don't like reviews that make me feel like I'm reading a summary, I just want to know what the tone of the book is, and what elements were exciting for people (and what was not so exciting). I've seen a few reviews that include spoilers and that annoys me to no end.
I haven't rated them all 5 stars, but for every book, I've commented on something I've really liked, and for anything under 5 stars, I've commented on something that just didn't sit right with me (hence the lower star rating). It's (of course) all my own opinion, but I just can't rate books 5 stars if I don't think it's 5 star worthy. I was reading elsewhere when someone commented that it was better to give more leeway to Indie authors, but I don't get how that's helpful (guess it's the teacher in me??).
I want to be honest, and I hope that authors do appreciate it. I know how hard it is to put your heart and soul out there and see what falls, especially if it isn't complimentary. But I do love to read, and I so appreciate the free and discounted values out there as I try new authors. With one exception, I've truly enjoyed each book so far, and have been pleasantly surprised by several of them.
There have been several books I've looked at (not necessarily the ones I read and reviewed) that have had outstanding reviews across the board, and I've looked up those same books on Amazon and seen quite different reviews. That got me thinking "oh, geez, am I only supposed to give 5 stars to the books on smashwords??" But I know, for me, I'd want honest feedback about whether someone liked it. And I'd decide whether or not that critique held merit.
Just this past weekend, I've read several awesome stories I never may have read without smashwords around, and smashwords is my new favorite "bookstore." I've done a lot of searching, bought many books, downloaded many free books, and kept a "wish list" of books I think I'd like, and I'll add those as I read others.
And therein ends my thesis...
just been thinking about this very topic today!