Writers and Readers – A Partnership by Mary Simonsen
I think everyone at Austen Authors would agree when I say that we have the best fans/friends in the book business. Because of the internet and social media, we are able to share our love of the writings of Jane Austen with people from every part of the globe as if they were our next-door neighbors. Because of this, a symbiotic relationship has developed between writer and reader. A reader relies on an author to provide a compelling, well-written story, while authors are dependent on readers, not just for the purchase of our books, but for telling your friends about a story you have enjoyed.
Because self-published authors are so dependent upon Amazon for their sales, we have to pay attention to what drives book sales on their site, and it has an array of metrics to measure a book’s popularity. For example, below the title on the book’s main Amazon page is a “like” button. Apparently, if you get fifty “likes,” your book is more prominently featured on other Amazon pages. The tags near the very bottom of the page will place your book on other Amazon lists. For instance, Mr. Darcy’s Bite has “tags” for paranormal and Gothic, among others. If the book does well, it will appear on these lists, greatly increasing the chance of a reader finding my book.
This is where the reader plays a huge role in helping an Austen author or any author whose books they buy. If everyone who visited a book’s page clicked on the “like” buttons and the “tags,” it would be a big help in bringing that book to the attention of other readers. The insert at left shows exactly what you can do to help your favorite authors.
Even more important than “likes” and “tags” are reviews. Last week, I used a program provided by Amazon to offer my novel, Becoming Elizabeth Darcy, for free download for three days. While contacting the different sites that get the word out about free books, I found that many of them would only take my book if I had six, eight, ten, and in one case, eighteen reviews of four and five stars on Amazon! Yikes! Eighteen stars. That’s a tall order, especially if it’s a new title. But these sites insist that most readers will not download a book, even if it is free, if others have not taken the time to review the book.
I’ll be honest with you. I don’t review every book I read, and if I would give a book a one or two-star review, I just move along and don’t do anything. But as far as not posting negative reviews is concerned, I now hold a minority view. It’s like anything else. If you buy something at the store and you are pleased with your purchase, you usually don’t call the seller or customer service to praise the item. On the other hand, if you are really displeased or disappointed, you might very well make that call or write that letter. This natural inclination drives negative reviews, and the anonymous nature of reviews on Amazon allows people to write some pretty harsh stuff. Believe me, I know. I keep a box of Kleenex handy in case I get a one-star review. A few bad reviews can kill the sales of a book.
So what am I asking you to do? If you like a book, any book, please consider writing a review on Amazon, or if you don’t like Amazon, there are other sites: Goodreads, Shelfari, and Barnes & Noble. If you have the time, I/we would appreciate it if you would go the extra step and click on the “like” button and every tag the author has set up at the bottom of the Amazon page. Because most of us at Austen Authors are now self-publishing our own titles or plan to do so in the future, little things make a big difference. Small actions do add up. Thank you for your help.
P.S. My mystery, A Killing in Kensington, is available for free download on 12/5 and 12/6 on Kindle.
Mary Simonsen
Mary Simonsen is the author of several Pride and Prejudice and Jane Austen re-imaginings. She is also the author of two British police procedurals, A Killing in Kensington and Three's a Crowd.
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Reviews are so important for us authors-thank you Mary for appealing on our behalf! And thank you to all our lovely readers who are so generous of their time to write all their wonderful reviews!!!
Thank you, Mary, for writing such a succinct and clear post, educating us about how readers can help authors. I learned a lot from this post!
Thanks for sharing this, Mary. It was through your encouragement that I ever began writing reviews in the first place. Until then, I never knew how much even a short review on Amazon meant to an author. Now, I will also try to remember to tag and like books as well! Glad to do anything to help out authors, especially Austen Authors!
We are fortunate at Austen Authors in that Sharon and Abigail, among others, are extremely informed about how best to get out books “out there.” I didn’t know about the tags either.
Mary, Thank you for sharing! I appreciate you bringing this up. I have learned the importance of reviews and have made a conscience effort to write on Amazon, but have not thought much about the like or tags. Very interesting! And what a simple way for your fans to help support. Just a little click! I am happy to do my part to keep my favorite authors writing! Now that I know, a clicking I will go!
Becky, Thank you for your support. I’m personally in your debt b/c you have written some great reviews for me.
I have to admit I’m guilty of not posting a review for a book that I didn’t care for. I guess I figure the author put their pen to paper I don’t want to offend because my tastes and their vision didn’t align.
I do leave positive reviews, though not as consistently as I should. 
I love my AuAu’s and I will concentrate on doing it for EVERY book!!
Stephanie, When I don’t like a book, I don’t post a review. I figure it was just not my cup of tea. Yesterday I got a two-star review for Becoming Elizabeth Darcy. Here’s the review. Keep in mind the reader got the book for free.
“Not bad but not what I was looking for. It is a good read
not a fan of flash back stuff.”
Becoming Elizabeth Darcy is a time-travel novel. This is clearly stated. What is an author to do?
seriously. People blow my mind. I agree with you about the cup of tea. I will buzz along thru negative reviews on a book, but usually it doesn’t effect my opinion because not every view point is going to mesh with mine. I read a review on a classic novel once that said “boring stuff…needed more heat”. Really? LOL I don’t do Amazon stuff because I have a Nook, but I will start going over and reviewing and “liking” the books I have read on Amazon too. I’m really glad you posted this. You guys are amazing and I really want to help make your efforts and genius worth your while!!
Stephanie, You’re a peach!
Great post Mary. Tagging and liking books is such an easy thing to do. I had no idea about it. I will make sure to do it from now on. You were the one to enlighten me to the importance of reviews way back when and I appreciate it. Thanks!
Lisa, You’ve been so supportive from the very beginning. I really, really appreciate it.
Mary, what a terrific post!!
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You’ve mentioned so many excellent points here — thank you for sharing this. It’s a great reminder for authors to help each other as well readers, too
Thanks Mary, I had no idea about the “likes” and “tags” being so important. I am trying to be a better reviewer, but I have to admit that I read so many books and get distracted, put off the review until I “have time” and end up not doing it. Like you, I don’t like to give bad reviews, but I was driven to on one book (I will not mention the name) but I wrote a VERY detailed review, you would not believe the response of people thanking me for the honest review. With that experience and not with your information, I will make my best effort to be a reformed reviewer, liker, tagger!!
Thanks, Sandy. I did give a one-star review to a very popular series awhile back, and I was absolutely pummeled for not liking it. Scared me off.
Wow, I knew about the reviews and tags, but have always thought that the “like” button was pretty worthless since it didn’t seem to have any bearing on anything. I’ve had people ask me to “like” their book on Amazon and thought to myself, “Sure, but why?” Well, now I know!
I know what you mean about the trauma of receiving a one-star review. I had none for a long time, and then received two within five minutes of each other. I learned a lot about myself that day.
Up voting well-written and fair reviews and down voting the other reviews and comments, and commenting on reviews (especially those that seem unfair, or raise questions) are another way that a reader can help an author out. I have, on more than one occasion, been influenced by a neutralizing comment made to a poor review.
Great post Mary!
Yes, Another way to help is to click on “helpful” and “not helpful.” But I never getting in a tit for tat. I’ve seen that, and I don’t think it’s at all helpful to challenge a reviewer.
I agree to show author love as a reviewer myself I stay away from the negative on reviews. I don’t post them on my blog. However I will rate the book on Amazon. I love goodreads system because it holds reviewers with their name right next too it and you see the entire discussion forum so you can get a better taste of the book plus there is no high archy of books. I always click the like button on a book on Amazon but I never read the reviews of the books I read on Amazon I stay away from Amazon reviews because I find too many to “be bashing” and that is not what I want to read or am about. I do read reviews on goodreads after I read the book. I figure I need to read it bad/good reviews to form my own taste on the book. I have stopped reading several books because of language or sexual content and never posted a review only because I don’t want to write a review on something I didn’t finish, I sit down to write a “neg” review and have a hard time, however if the author or publisher still wants the the review on Amazon I will write it, but I have refused too. I agree to give authors love, in that said you are a wonderful writer. I wouldn’t even look at the reviews on Amazon. Like you though I have been hurt by authors for not reviewing the book, so I see the love as both ways for me. Respect the reader and the author. I love your post a great way to put it!!! Thanks
I think things are different for people who have review blogs. For a while, I was a reviewer for a prominent website, but I found it difficult to write a bad review. So I stopped reviewing.
I agree with you I won’t write them on my site at all. I don’t want to and I figure the site is for fun and uplifting so I stay positive only 3 stars and above.
Mary, thanks for posting this. It helps enormously when readers do these things, but it can feel terribly uncomfortable to ask readers to “like” your book or to write a review. I’ve been discovering that there’s a different twist with audiobooks. Potential buyers pay attention to how many ratings there are. A lot of people won’t buy an audiobook with less than 10 or 20 ratings, regardless of how good those ratings are. In that case, unless you’re going to give a one star rating, you’re helping the author even if your rating isn’t great. And it’s easy – you don’t have to write anything, just click on the little stars in your Audible “library.” But it’s also nice because only people who have bought the audiobook can rate it, so there are fewer extreme ratings.
This is a great reminder. I always review what I read and I even remember to click ‘like’ on Amazon, but I always forget about the tabs at the bottom of the page.
Amazon and those other sites certainly have interesting methods for bringing books to people’s attentions. I always thought the recommends I got had something to do with purchase history.
Thanks Mary and thanks for the heads up about the new Patrick O’Shea being a freebie. I loved the first one.
Thank you, Sophia Rose. Everyone wishes they have readers like you.
It doesn’t cease to surprise me just how little ‘intellectual’ thought goes into some written reviews. Just like in a research paper – topic, support, support, support. Well-written views that don’t flame make me much more likely to read the book, whether it is a positive review or negative review.
My DH said that he read somewhere that 1 star and 5 star reviews are basically ignored by Amazon buyers. Has anyone found this to be true or not?
I tend to read three- and four-star reviews before buying a book. I’ve found that as a writer, I learn the most from three-star reviews. The only thing I learn from one-star reviews is that I have a thin skin.
I am way behind in my reviews. I need to catch up.
Thanks, Ella. Every little bit helps.
Thanks so much for this, Mary. Since I don’t
choose my reading in the Austen world based
on reviews or “likes”, I have often not bothered
to make this effort on Amazon. I shall now. In
the past 2 years, though, I have written a review
of every book on Goodreads, which I use as a
database, so it will not be difficult to start an
Amazon habit.
Thanks, Susan. For non-Austen books, I rely on a few bloggers for reviews, e.g., Diary of an Eccentric, esp. since Anna has an interest in WWII related books.
Very well said Mary. I once had an author tell me that they didn’t need reviews to succeed. That was a shock. We all need some measure of preference before we buy something that we are unfamiliar with. I hope this changes their mind.
Publishing is changing so quickly, we must all bend with the wind. I do all of the items on the your Amazon check list. I hope others will support the authors that they admire too.
Thanks, Laurel Ann. I confess that I do read one-star reviews, but then I click on “see all my other reviews.” I’m very suspicious of reviewers who only review one book that they hated. There’s plenty of room for mischief on the internet.
Wow, I feel so enlightened. Never realized the critical role of reviews, likes and tags. I love Austen Authors and will be happy to make more of an effort to do these things to support you all. I’m glad you took the trouble to explain it to us. Reviews are important to me in terms of deciding whether to purchase a book, but the chance to read excerpts from the books is much more important. And Amazon allows us to catch these “sneak peeks.” So I hope you won’t worry too much over the few numbers of negative reviews. I’d rather email you directly if I feel that negative, as opposed to publishing my comments for the world to see.
I must say that Becoming Elizabeth Darcy, Mr. Darcy’s Bite and Mr. Darcy Bites Back kept me up half the night because I could not put them down until I finished! So the only “negative” you’ve had from my perspective is that I’m missing my zzzz’s! But isn’t becoming this engrossed this a true book lover’s delight??! As Lady Catherine would say, your “arts and allurements” have drawn us in! Ever since reading Pride & Prejudice as a high schooler at 1:00 a.m. with my flashlight under the covers, I’ve been an Austen addict. So I hope you and your fellow Austen Authors will keep up the great work, know that there are many of us out there who love and appreciate the work you do, and who will gladly give up sleep for another chance to dream about our favorite characters.
Now, let me get on Amazon and start tagging, liking, etc.!!
Cheryl, You are a writer’s dream fan. Thanks for everything.
I didn’t know about the likes and tags on Amazon. I always try to review because I know how much they help me decide whether to buy a book or leave it till another time. I am not sure how good my reviews are, even if I like something enthusiasm doesn’t come naturally to me and I find it hard to write negative things because I know that some of these authors will read the reviews and basically a negative review on something they’ve worked so hard on is like telling a new mother that their baby is ugly! I hope I am getting better at writing the negatives. When I read a review that I think is particularly helpful I always try to say that it’s helpful, if somebody has taken the time to review I’d like to show some appreciation for it
The best reviews are the ones that come from the heart. I can take “constructive” criticism. When a review starts, “I don’t usually read this genre…,” I know I’m in for trouble.
This is a great topic, Mary, and a reminder for me to get crackin’ on reviewing things. I had notes for several book reviews on my phone and when I got a new phone the other day, guess what I forgot to save? Yeah…so now I get to redo them. :/
I will download a free book regardless of the other reviews, or even if there are no reviews, if I think it’s something I will enjoy. The only time I let 1 star reviews sway me away from it is if the reviewer says the book was poorly written/unedited for grammar, etc. I hate that, especially if it’s a book I paid for. If someone just doesn’t like the story, or obviously doesn’t “get it”, I typically ignore it. I’ve seen 1 star reviews where the person said they didn’t even bother reading it because the cover was ugly. Or because the title was similar to another work so obviously must be a plagiarized knock off. REALLY?? I’ve never left less than a 3 star review and I can’t imagine I would unless it was really bad structurally; not just because it wasn’t my thing.
I’m glad you told us about the Like button. I always assumed it was a Facebook thing (it isn’t, right?) and I don’t have a FB.
Authors of Austen re-imaginings can be particularly vulnerable. There are those who get quite upset with authors who don’t interpret a certain Austen work in the same way they would have, but that’s what re-imaginings are all about.
I agree with you about the grammar and punctuation. I read my manuscripts over and over and over, but if someone points out an error, I immediately update the file. I’m compulsive about it.
Thanks. You are one of Austen Authors biggest supporters.
Thanks for starting this conversation, Mary. I agree we have the very best readers and fans out there! I had forgotten about the “likes” and the “tags” and will get busy going back to books I’ve recently read to mark them.
reviews are crutial to book sales. I read reviews before I purchase on my kindle. I always read the 3 star entries to see what they liked and didn’t to know if I will.
I agree. I learn the most about a book from the three-star reviews as a reader and a writer.
Thanks, Mary! I always forget to hit the like button, and I never tag them. I’ll have to start doing that, too! Thanks for encouraging me to write reviews! It wasn’t all that long ago that I was afraid to write one.
You are welcome, Candy. I think when you know you will review a book, you take a little more time with it or at least you write down your impressions.
Great Post Mary! I love the logo you came up with particularly!
Barbara
Hi Barbara! I got the logo off the internet after seeing it in my FB stream. I wish I were that clever.
Mary, this is a very interesting post…and the comments! I am a relative newbie in the reviewer’s world, and only post reviews on books that I have won. Mostly because I don’t feel that I have anything earth-shattering to share and really don’t know what the heck I’m doing! I don’t leave 1star reviews, because frankly, if it’s that bad I don’t finish the book! If I don’t like the genre, I don’t read the book. (Life is too short and there are too many books out there!) If I feel that the book is misrepresented then that will get 2stars. I read for fun and I read for the story, I don’t look for hidden meanings or lofty ideals. I had no idea about the like button or the tags, so will click away and start do reviews. Thanks for the heads up on Patrick Shea-you know I love him!
I’m runming behind on my blog reading, so I missed Elizabeth 
It’s easy to get behind, particularly at this time of year. I agree with you about life being too short to read either books that don’t interest you or finish books you don’t like. I had to drop out of a book club b/c all their selections were angst-filled. I like a little angst, but not every book! Hope you enjoy A Killing in Kensington.
Thanks for this post, Mary. It is SO SO helpful, and I truly don’t think most people realize just how much.
Sadly, the negative-Nellies of the world understand all too well, which is why they are swift to post a 1-star “review.” I am convinced there are hosts of people out there who do nothing but go around writing negative comments, whether they have read the book or not. For them it is a sick sort of game.
The problem with rating systems like on Amazon is that once the total star-ratings are averaged, the over all ranking gets established. THAT is what potential buyers look at. If the bad out weighs the good, then a buyer is likely to move along without bothering to read the comments made. I’m not saying a reader should never leave a low rating and detailed review as to why, but bear in mind that your star rating will probably end up holding more weight than the review comments do. I’ve never been one to rant about something I disliked, being more the “not my cup of tea” person, but now that I am an author I would never leave a low rating for a book! I know very well how much it hurts that author, both physically and in the effect on sales.
It is good to be up front about the importance of reviews, likes, etc. I think we authors are too afraid to appear self-serving or rude or egotistical, so we shy away from talking about these issues. I was told, point blank, back when I first got published, that this was a taboo area. Perhaps that trend is changing. I sure hope so! Pointing out the importance and necessity of reviews to our readers is simply passing on information. No guns are being pointed at heads!
I have this daydream of responding to all my one-star review critics with these incredibly witty remarks. Of course, I’d be tarred and feathered, but I can dream.
Mary, after four years of promotion and dismal sales of my books, I’ve come to the conclusion that one author alone can do very little to convince people to buy her book. An author needs tons of help, which indie authors rarely have.
I love your books, so keep on writing them. And I’ve just liked all your books on Amazon.
Wishing you tons of success.
Linda, Thanks so much. I agree it can be lonely out there. There are ways to get the word out, but I’ve found out that it can be a full-time job. Fortunately, I’m retired.
Thanks Mary for the reminder and the info about the tags. I do occasionally write a review, but will make a concerted effort to do so more often as all JAFF readers to root for the success of all you wonderful authors. Thanks also for the heads-up on the tags; that was new to me.
Thanks, Rosanna. It does make a difference.
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I think it’s ludicrous how some reviewers have become like some kind of guru or deity on Amazon. They know that authors need reviews and blackmail them almost. However – true bonds between authors and real book lovers will undoubtedly win out.
As for Murder In Kensington – I LOVE murder mystery books so I downloaded it and will indeed leave a review.
I agree, David. Both on Amazon and in the blogger world, or even at the serious places like PW, reviewers are held up as these “experts” who are indeed untouchable. Never argue with a reviewer! Of course, arguing is a waste of one’s time, but I dislike the reasoning which is that they are universally “right” and their opinion is never to be challenged, even if a bold-faced lie.
Now, obviously the majority of those who review a book, wherever they do so, are kind and honest. But at the end of the day, they are all just people with opinions and personal taste.
I’m not sure how an opinion could ever be considered as a lie. I do agree though that any book reviewer, no matter how well-known, is just a person with opinions and personal taste. There are some reviewers who I trust more than others. I think most of us are familiar with a certain reviewer on Amazon who has reviewed literally thousands of books.
I tend to make up my own mind whether or not to read/purchase a book. I do read reviews but I seldom let them influence my decision. If something sounds intriguing to me, I’m going to read it and decide for myself.
And while I know that no one ever likes to read a bad review of their work, I also do not think it is appropriate to argue with that reviewer or impugn their credibility no matter how hard it may be to resist that temptation. There are pros and cons to being a published author and negative reviews are a risk that one runs when we put our creative talents out there for public consumption.
Thanks, David. I look forward to reading your review.
I always rate the books and leave a brief reivew but I never noticed the “like” button. I will be sure to look for it. I have found some great authors here and want to do what I can to let others know about them. Thanks for the info!
Thanks, Danielle.
Excellent post, Mary! In this age of books overload, it is easy for most readers to not realize how precious their feedback is for every author’s career!
We *desperately* need and welcome your reviews, likes, tags, and comments, dear folks!
I did not know that ‘like’ and tags are just as important to the authors as well. But I admit that I’m guilty of not pasting my review onto Amazon for which I sincerely apologise to all the authors concerned. From now onwards I pledge to post a snippet of my review on Amazon and link it to the full review on my blog.
In my opinion, I think I would be fair to the authors whose books I read but give it a lower rating so I will not mind posting a bad review even though he/she might not like it and bash it. It’s all about a person’s taste and I try not to over criticise the work. So I hope the person will not take it too negatively but learn to accept that different people have different opinion.
I know that there will be people who won’t like my books, but I do have two objections. People who read books in a genre they don’t like and then review the book. And those who write “don’t buy this book.” Otherwise, an author’s work is open to constructive criticism just like everyone else. Your posting “snippets” of your reviews would be so very helpful. Thanks.
Regina Jeffers recently advised me about the importance of reviews for authors. I have never written a review for anyone until recently and have made this my New Year’s resolution. Now that I know about tags and likes, I will include this into my resolution as well. My concern is that I wont do the book justice as I would only feel comfortable writing a positive review. If I don’t like a book, I wont write a review. I go by the adage ‘if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all’. There are some reviews out there that give a full synopsis of the book! I will do my best to go back and write a review on all of the books that I have read recently and going forward. Thank you Mary for the further enlightenment. My collection of AuAu authors’ books is growing steadily and I don’t want it to stop!
Carole, I agree. I had someone review Captain Wentworth, and the review was so detailed that there was no reason for anyone to read the book! I want you to know how much we appreciate your taking the time to post reviews. Mary
Mary, this was wonderful, and so very true. Without our readers and their continued support (and feedback) we’d be drifting out there. We’re so fortune to have such incredible friends here at AuAu!
Mary, this is an excellent post. I wish something such as this was placed on every book review site as a reminder of the responsibilities of each member of the book reading process.