As I move closer to my own publication date, I’ve been pondering my own review strategy. Will I read them? Will I ignore them in case they’re mean and unhelpful? 😬
It got me thinking, what if reviews were always helpful?
If you’ve never thought about how book reviews can help both authors and other readers, here are three ways you can make your reviews shine:
1. Use the Sandwich Method
Start with a compliment, weave in a criticism, end with a compliment. It doesn’t have to be so simple as that, but wrapping criticism in kindness makes it so much easier to bear—and it starts other readers off on the right foot. Your review is for other readers as well as the author. The first thing you say matters!
2. Be as Specific as Possible.
Vague comments about how you didn’t like the whole thing are worthless as a review. If the other and other readers have no clue why you hated it, how do they know you just weren’t in the mood? Maybe your cat died that day. 🤷♀️(I will assume a heartbreaking loss happened recently when I see reviews like this for my books 😅) A specific critique, on the other hand, encourages growth in the author and a thoughtful decision from other readers.
3. Remember that the Enjoyment of a Book is Subjective.
I often resist hyped up books because frankly, some of them fall flat for me. I’m not the right reader for them, and that’s ok. They’re still (usually) good books, but I don’t need to struggle my way through a story told in a way I don’t appreciate. Any negative review I write would make it clear that my personal tastes affected my rating.
Do you already write reviews using these tips? Do you have anything to add to this list?
#yafantasyauthor #bookreviewing #bookreviewtips #authorslovereaders #sheriyutzy
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