Katherine Rawson

I’ve recently experienced this with my first published work and, it sucked. I can’t deny it. There is a little bit of me in everything I write. I take it personally. I’m human.

Here are some things I’ve come to realize.

Not all reviewers are alike. I follow a pretty standard guideline for reviews I leave but others might do something different. I pretty much feel 3 stars or more is good and 2 stars or less is something I would actively warn people about. Here’s my guide, in case you’re curious:

• 5 stars: this book will stay with me forever and I may read it again (and again)
• 4 stars: thoroughly enjoyed this book and will recommend it to anyone who asks
• 3 stars: this book was good, kept me engaged and entertained the whole way through
• 2 stars: couldn’t finish, wouldn’t recommend
• 1 star: hated it, can’t believe all those 5 star reviews!

Mean People. If they have something bad to say, they’re going to say it. Believe me, by the time my book gets to a reader, I’ve toiled over the names of places and characters. They’ve become my home and my dear friends so when some anonymous person on the internet knocks me for the names I chose, it feels petty and, it hurts. With mean people, I’m reminded of this quote:

“As for literary criticism in general: I have long felt that any reviewer who expresses rage and loathing for a novel or a play or a poem is preposterous. He or she is like a person who has put on full armor and attacked a hot fudge sundae or a banana split.” ― Kurt Vonnegut

Genre Jumpers. People often branch out, and sometimes, that’s not a bad thing. I take great care in marketing my work as mature Romantic Suspense. If Romantic Suspense isn’t your preference, then frankly, I’d rather you didn’t read my book. Some of my characters use explicit language because they’re meant to be mature, contemporary individuals with distinct personalities. They engage in candid conversations about topics like sex, they fall in love, and, at times, they even find themselves in situations involving violence. The silver lining here is that readers can typically identify the genre jumpers. While their reviews may be quite critical, they often serve as a beacon to the target audience, saying, ‘This is precisely what I expect in a Romantic Suspense novel for mature adults.’

Tea. There’s black, green, white, and herbal tea – tea for all times! I will never be everyone’s cup of tea all the time. But, I can be someone’s cup of tea sometimes and that’s great!

Good Reviews. I will read the good reviews as needed to remind myself that I don’t suck.

Purpose. Reviews by purchasers, at least I hope, are not for the writer. They are for other readers. That being said,…

Improve. As difficult as it may be to take my lumps, there is likely something I can take away from a bad review that will make me a better writer.

Ignore. Once I’ve gotten what constructive feedback I can, I won’t read it again. And, whatever I do, I will not respond.

Dealing with bad book reviews can be a daunting experience. After dedicating my heart and soul to my creation, it can be disheartening to receive negative feedback. However, it’s crucial to remember that not all reviews will be glowing, and learning to handle criticism gracefully is a vital skill for any writer.

I set out on this publishing journey for me. When I find myself feeling down or questioning my abilities, I remind myself of the fantastic feeling I had when I saw my book on Amazon for the first time. It was a moment filled with pride and joy, accentuated by the excited squeal from my daughter. Her enthusiasm and the happiness she derived from my accomplishment make every challenge in life worthwhile.