My new blog pledge: one Smashwords review per week

[GraceKrispy]

Originally Posted by alvico

I've read and reviewed 28 Indie books in the last few months and rated all of them either 4 or 5 stars. All my reviews are honest. I'm discerning with what I read, checking out a sizeable sample before I decide to purchase. If I read a sample I don't like, I don't review it, but simply move on. If that makes me a less than credible reviewer, I should probably just stop reviewing...

If I see a reviewer with a profile like yours (all 4 and 5 stars-- and there are many like that on smashwords), I don't discount their reviews out of hand. It's the glowing "this is the best book ever" all 5 star reviews that I ignore. I do pay more attention to reviews that give specifics about books though, versus just "I loved it, what a great book!"

[khalleron]

As a reader or film-goer, I consider a review 'good' if I can tell enough about the book or movie to get an idea whether I would like it or not, independent of whether the reviewer liked it. A clear understanding of the work's nature is what I look for.

Different people like different things - I trust a reviewer if his/her work is honest and clear. Stars aren't as important to me as an honest assessment.

[Steven Lake]

Alvico, the point of my statement was coming from a professional reviewers standpoint and was generally pointed at people who actually want their reviews to carry a lot of weight with them. If your reviews have a lot of detail with them, like khalleron pointed out, then that will easily outweight the lack of harsher reviews, as it still provides a beneficial service to prospective readers.

[Darqref]

Originally Posted by alvico

I've read and reviewed 28 Indie books in the last few months and rated all of them either 4 or 5 stars. All my reviews are honest. I'm discerning with what I read, checking out a sizeable sample before I decide to purchase. If I read a sample I don't like, I don't review it, but simply move on. If that makes me a less than credible reviewer, I should probably just stop reviewing...

I would suggest that you take this statement, refine it a bit to make it shorter and possibly more clear, and use it as a signature block at the end of your reviews, or maybe there's a place to put it in your reviewer profile. In any case, the idea is to make your policy clear to other reviewers, and then they won't be put off by any lack of unfavorable reviews.

[BearMountainBooks]

Many reviewers have a similar policy as Alvico. It's my current policy because I don't have time to read through stuff I don't like. When I reviewed for a review site (bookspotcentral) I had to review anything I requested as well as some things sent. One of the main reasons I stopped was because Lord, there is not enough time in the day to read something I don't enjoy. That's not to say the things I read were bad, but sometimes they were just not my thing. I gave 2 through 10 stars at that time, but I"ll never do that again. Too many good books waiting.

Maria

[meromana]

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

Many reviewers have a similar policy as Alvico. It's my current policy because I don't have time to read through stuff I don't like. ... Too many good books waiting.
Maria

Yes, this. I try to give a lot of detailed feedback in my reviews so that they are valuable to potential readers, but I just don't want to spend my *unpaid* time reading stuff I don't enjoy.

(another) Maria

[ficbot]

New review is up! Non-fiction this time. Enjoy!

[M T McGuire]

Originally Posted by khalleron

As a reader or film-goer, I consider a review 'good' if I can tell enough about the book or movie to get an idea whether I would like it or not, independent of whether the reviewer liked it. A clear understanding of the work's nature is what I look for.

Different people like different things - I trust a reviewer if his/her work is honest and clear. Stars aren't as important to me as an honest assessment.

That sounds bang on. I've just written a review for a fellow Smashwords author. I felt terrible giving him 4 stars for one of his stories. It was much better written than anything I can do and he'd given me 5 for my book. In the end, though, I didn't like it enough to give it 5, although I'm certain sure other people would.

You see what a tizzy I'm in? And yet I truly believe you are right, the stars aren't important, it's whether or not you write something positive, constructive and honest. Which I hope I did.

Cheers

MTM

[GraceKrispy]

Originally Posted by M T McGuire

That sounds bang on. I've just written a review for a fellow Smashwords author. I felt terrible giving him 4 stars for one of his stories. It was much better written than anything I can do and he'd given me 5 for my book. In the end, though, I didn't like it enough to give it 5, although I'm certain sure other people would.

You see what a tizzy I'm in? And yet I truly believe you are right, the stars aren't important, it's whether or not you write something positive, constructive and honest. Which I hope I did.

Cheers

MTM

I am so with you there. I do give stars, but if readers look at my smashwords page and can see why I may rate a book with a certain number of stars, that helps explain me a bit. Usually as I read a book for review, books just strike me as being worth a certain number of stars. Someone else reading the same book may have the same comments, but think it's worth a different number of stars. I think I put more weight to originality and writing style than I've seen some other reviewers do. Writing style can make or break a book for me. If I find myself thinking about the writing style and what I don't like about it, or rewriting it in my head, while I'm reading the book, that's not good. I can't get into the story that way, I can only think of how I'd revise it if it were mine.

[meromana]

Originally Posted by GraceKrispy

I think I put more weight to originality and writing style than I've seen some other reviewers do. Writing style can make or break a book for me.

Interesting--I'm the same way. It seems most reviews I read put the emphasis on the story itself, which is certainly an important part of any book, but the writer's style is more important to me. I love clever phrasing, rich vocabulary, and lush language. Action may pull me into the story, but words will keep me reading on.

--Maria

[M T McGuire]

Originally Posted by meromana

Interesting... but the writer's style is more important to me. I love clever phrasing, rich vocabulary, and lush language. Action may pull me into the story, but words will keep me reading on.

I agree with that too, the book I was writing about was written with a real eye for words, how some are funny together, for no particular reason. How there is a texture to the way they are put together which is an important part of writing... well.. to me anyway!

Cheers

MTM

[meromana]

Originally Posted by M T McGuire

I agree with that too, the book I was writing about was written with a real eye for words, how some are funny together, for no particular reason. How there is a texture to the way they are put together which is an important part of writing... well.. to me anyway!

Wow, we're geeking out now. I thought I was the only one. I get such a kick out of it when writers use clever little puns or alliteration or other types of word play that, to me, add a whole other dimension to the writing. Then it's not just a story anymore.

--Maria

[ficbot]

Hi everyone. New review is up. A cozy from Brian Kavanagh. Enjoy!

[GraceKrispy]

Originally Posted by meromana

Interesting--I'm the same way. It seems most reviews I read put the emphasis on the story itself, which is certainly an important part of any book, but the writer's style is more important to me. I love clever phrasing, rich vocabulary, and lush language. Action may pull me into the story, but words will keep me reading on.

--Maria

Yes, it's the words that make me wish the story would never end. The action can only take me so far. I somehow think it's also easier for someone who has beautiful prose and mediocre storylines to improve than someone with great storylines whose writing reminds me of the essays my 4th graders used to write.

But it really does take both, and when both writing and plot are outstanding, it gives us a little taste of reader heaven.

[Steven Lake]

Silly question. Does anyone know of any reviewers who would consider doing a review of a mixed genre short story anthology? I'm looking for a review of my Dreamland Articles novels.