Well, I’ve had my blog going for a little over a month and I figured that, now that I’m settled and have some constant veteran readers I could reach out for some advice.
I said from the beginning that I am very honest my reviews (as you’ve seen already from some of my 2 star reviews) I’m not one to sugar coat although, I do feel guilty about it because I understand that there is a real, hardworking person with feelings behind that badly written or edited piece of writing. Thus leading to my dilemma. I love to reach out to the Authors I chosen to review (when I can) before putting a review up, letting them know what I do (maybe not all authors wish their writing to be paired with alcohol… BUT, WHY WOULDN’T THEY??), just in case they would like to post the review to their own websites and social media and also to find out if there is any information they want my readers to have to learn about them easier. Worst case I like to tag them in after the fact just so they know it’s out there.
What do I do about my bad reviews though? I feel it’s bad form to inform someone of a 1 or 2 star review. Or tag them in as if to say *THIS IS THE PERSON WHO WROTE THE BOOK I THOUGHT WAS TERRIBLE!* I don’t want to be rude, but I still want to be truthful. I also think that some writers may appreciate the feedback for the future (although, from past experience I KNOW that is not always the case)
Before I started my blog I was helping a young author edit and proofread her book and when I gave her my notes and even though I was going to give her story 3 stars she told me I didn’t “understand” her writing and that she preferred me not to review. Fair Enough. Some people just think that their writing is perfect and you can’t say anything to change that.
So, to anyone who can give ME some pointers (as I am willing to learn and grow and take criticisms) this goes out to writers and readers alike out there! Do I keep my mouth shut and just print the review without saying or tagging? Do I follow the age old adage of “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”? (although, I try to put a redeeming factor in all of my reviews. 2 stars should have had SOMETHING good about it) Or do I just keep doing my thing and tagging and contacting even if it may be bad news?
Please, if you have any tips or feedback on this (or really anything about my blog in general) feel free to comment below! I look forward to your responses!
The BookWorm Drinketh 
I have done exactly the same thing! I always try to contact the author when I post a review so they can see it; but I too have had to leave some not very good reviews. I did not contact those author’s directly, telling myself if they see it, they see it… Great post!
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Thanks for the feedback! It’s good to know other are doing the same! Lol!
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I do the same thing as Angela. I post all my reviews on my blog, Goodreads and Amazon, but if it’s a poor review I don’t email the author.
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That’s what I figured! It’s what I’ve done so far. I’d like to spare their feelings as much as I can… But I also think that readers deserve honesty. Hopefully, the author understands that it’s one person’s opinion. Thank you so much for the feedback! 😁
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Noooo! Don’t tell them!…I know we say we like honesty but some really don’t…School of Hard Knocks…Problem is when you know the author you are caught between a rock and a hard place and in definite need of a G& T ( double)
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Lol! Well, MOST of the author’s I’ve worked with have been ok with my notes, but most of them have been very good at what they do. It would be hard if someone I knew asked me to read something and I had an issue with it. But, I think I’m diplomatic enough to be good about it… I hope. We’ll find out, because, as I said I am very honest! Hopefully the booze will soften the blow.
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I am sure it will/would ..haha
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An interesting conundrum and one all book reviewers face. I try to not give a book a rating of below 3. I wouldn’t finish the book if I didn’t like it. Books that I really don’t like I don’t actually write a review for. You could call it a cop out but I also feel that we are all different and someone else out there might like it so I leave it for others to make their own mind up. .
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I’ve thought of that before… There are too many books I want to read for me to read them in my lifetime (and that’s just books that have been published already!) but, at the same time, I can’t give up on a book because I always have that hope that maybe the end will justify the entire book!! There have been books that I thought I hated and then I reached the end and went “I GET IT NOW!” I guess I just can’t give up hope on a book! (maybe if I don’t enjoy it I can just tell the author that… Maybe they’ll at least appreciate the fact that I wouldn’t give up.) Ha ha!
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