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Wednesday, December 12, 2018

About Book Reviews

Is having a lot of book reviews important?

By Erika M Szabo

There are a lot of posts circling on social sites among authors. Some seem to have insider information and saying that books that have less than 30-50 reviews are not shown as "related titles" or "inspired by your browsing history" and "customers who viewed this item also viewed."

Some authors report that, although their books have 50-100 or more reviews, they don't see any increase in sales increase or higher rank numbers.

The only thing seems to be true is that the BookBub promo service rejects books with less than 4 point rating and authors report that they reject books with less than 50 reviews as well.

As an author, when a reader posts a review on my books, it's like getting a gift and a needed ego boost to continue writing.

However, as a reader, I'm guilty of not reading as many books as I would love to and not writing as many reviews as I should because I just don't have the time.

When I have time to read, I choose Indie books to support self-published authors and small publishers. But because I have a lot of author friends or belong to groups with the authors on social sites, my reviews often viewed by the Zon as biased and rejected.

I can understand it though because there are a lot of desperate authors out there who would do anything to get reviews. I see many posts on social sites offering review exchange, so no wonder Amazon views every review that is written by a published author suspicious.

Paid reviews are a big no-no.

What is considered payment for a review?

A free book is considered payment by Amazon, so book review bloggers are required to post disclaimers when they review a book they received from the author or publisher. This means a free book must be given before the review is posted with no specifications about what kind of or favorable review must be written.

Amazon also does not permit reviews (or even votes on reviews) to be posted in exchange for any kind of compensation including entry to a contest or sweepstakes, discounts on future purchases, extra products, or other gifts.

No gifts should be given after the review is written, so there’s no appearance of payment for a positive review. If you do offer a free or discounted product in exchange for a review, you need to make it clear that you welcome both positive and negative feedback.

Reviews that come from a paid blog tour are not eligible as customer reviews. I never did a paid blog tour, so I never knew that if you do, you can only quote from the reviews in the “editorial reviews” section of your book.

Trading reviews between authors is strictly forbidden such as “I’ll give you a five star if you give me one” No author should review another with the expectation that the review will be reciprocated.

Some unscrupulous authors may even blackmail others which happened to me once when my book was on countdown sale for 99 cents.
I got a message on my FB page saying, “I gave you a 5-star review. My book is 99 cents, here is the link. If you don't post a 5-star review for me, I’ll change my review to a one-star.”
I was livid and replied, "Judging by the few words you posted, it's obvious that you didn't read my book. This is blackmail, and if you don't delete your review, I will report you to Amazon." Luckily, he just deleted the review or maybe Amazon did, I'll never know.
Don’t fall for or get intimidated by blackmailers. If they do change their rating to one star, the best is to report them to Amazon.

Some believe that no author should be allowed to write a review, but this is an unrealistic expectation. Authors read too, and as readers, they have all the rights to voice their opinion honestly and in an unbiased manner.

I suspect it but I'm not sure about this. I love to read the genres which I love to write, speculative historical fiction with magical elements and suspense. I noticed that when I post a review of books in those genres, it gets rejected as well as my reviews of children's books. I'm just guessing because I write children's books too. However, when I reviewed poetry or non-fiction, the Zon left it alone.

When reviewing books in your own genre or sub-genre or any author's work who might be considered “a competitor”, Amazon’s TOS say “You may not write reviews for products or services that you have a financial interest in, including reviews for products or services that you or your competitors sell.

What is your opinion about book reviews?

http://www.authorerikamszabo.com

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Cindy Smith

1 month ago - Shared publicly

Amazon's policy is terrible. Reviews for any book that is purchased should be allowed and as far as I am concerned, any written for a book given by the author should not be allowed. Some people only review books they have been given and to be sure they keep getting more they are usually so glowing that when I read the same book I wonder what drugs they were taking when they read it!

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Erika M Szabo

1 month ago

I totally agree Cindy!

Cindy Smith shared this via Google+

1 month ago - Shared publicly

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Ruth de Jauregui via Google+

1 month ago - Shared publicly

Erika M. Szabo shares a post about the importance of reviews and the guidelines for posting them on Amazon. An amazing and informative article on #OurAuthorGang today!!

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Tricia Drammeh

1 month ago - Shared publicly

Interesting post, Erika. Book reviews have become overly-complicated. I understand why Amazon has to have rules, but they seem to be inconsistent and confusing in many cases. I think all the rules and confusion have scared people away from reviewing, which is a shame. Like you said, one review can really boost an author's self-esteem. Plus, reviews are helpful for consumers.

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Erika M Szabo

1 month ago

The rules are very confusing and vague. When I published my first book it was a lot more simple. You purchased a book and if you wanted, posted a review. Now with all this cheating and people making it a business to write reviews, it turned into a nightmare.

Ruth de Jauregui

1 month ago - Shared publicly

Great post Erika! Reviews are important, especially for new authors.

One thing I'd recommend to Facebook users -- Lock down your friends list so nobody can see who your friends are (unless they're both friended with you, then they can see each other) and be very careful who you add as a friend. This also helps cut down on scammers and fake profile friend requests. LOL, they won't stop, but they'll slow down.

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Erika M Szabo

1 month ago

Great advice Ruth!

Eva Pasco

1 month ago - Shared publicly

You covered a lot of ground on the subject.

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Erika M Szabo

1 month ago

It is unnecessarily complicated. Amazon created a monster and now trying to deal with it with stricter rules that punishes honest authors as well

Chris Weigand shared this via Google+

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Toi Thomas via Google+

1 month ago - Shared publicly

Today, Erika M. Szabo offers some thought-provoking questions and concerns about book reviews. #OurAuthorGang

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Erika M Szabo shared this via Google+

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Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Guest Author Owen Mullen

Our guest author today is Owen Mullen
By Erika M Szabo

AMAZON

Owen Mullen graduated from Strathclyde University, moved to London and worked as a rock musician, session singer, and songwriter, and had a hit record in Japan with a band he refuses to name; Owen still loves to perform on occasion. His passion for travel has taken him on many adventures from the Amazon and Africa to the colorful continent of India and Nepal. A gregarious recluse, he and his wife, Christine, split their time between Glasgow, and their home away from home in the Greek Islands where the Charlie Cameron and Delaney series', and In Harm's Way psychological thriller were created.

A psychological thriller, suspense

ON AMAZON

When no one knows you are in danger how can you ever be saved…
The Baxter house in the Lowther Hills, in Scotland, has been on the estate agent’s books for decades. Dilapidated and near-derelict, nobody is interested in it. But, for one potential buyer, the remote location and rat-infested cellar are perfect.
For the first year, Mackenzie’s marriage to Derek was ideal. But Derek believes she is having an affair and when she realizes her husband is becoming controlling, she knows she’s made a terrible mistake.
But Mackenzie has a drinking problem so when she threatens to leave Derek and then disappears no one believes she has been abducted.
DS Geddes is handed the case but isn’t convinced anything criminal has taken place until a startling development comes to light.
Has Mackenzie been abducted or has she simply left her husband?
And who has bought The Baxter house and for what purpose?

EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK:
Mackenzie thought about yesterday. The guy in the black coat had freaked her out. She hadn’t told Derek. What was the point? She’d intended to talk to Alec about it and changed her mind. It had been such a wonderful evening she hadn’t wanted to spoil it with something that would probably turn out to be about nothing. When she got home she’d gone on the Internet and researched stalkers, surprised to discover how common they were. Most reports were about men stalking women although –occasionally –it was the other way round. She took comfort from the fact that thousands of people –male and female –had had the same experience as her. Occasionally the stalker turned out to be some jilted lover or former husband. Often the culprit was a mentally unstable stranger; sad and pathetic and harmless. Mackenzie made a decision to focus on the positive: this was the third day she hadn’t had any alcohol. The miracle was she didn’t crave it. The first twenty-four hours had been rough –her head ached, she felt ill and whenever she remembered the show she’d made of herself –of both of them –at Adele’s, she thought she was going to be sick. Her sister was due an apology, no doubt about that, except Mackenzie wasn’t ready to face her. Not yet. The second day was better, only shame remained. Even in such a short time clarity had replaced confusion and she was certain she was doing the right thing. Derek couldn’t possibly be happy. God knows she wasn’t. Hurting him wasn’t what she wanted but he needed to accept the marriage was over, that she didn’t love him. Opposites attracted and so it was with them. The attention of a man, older, wiser, and more worldly than she could ever hope to be, had been flattering. Being with him made her feel special and protected in a way she’d never known. Other men were immature boys in comparison. Derek had been places and done things. Had adventures. For Christ’s sake, even Adele liked him. One morning Mackenzie woke up and knew she’d fallen for him. Within months they were engaged. She would’ve married right away, he’d insisted they slow down. If there were second thoughts, he’d said, now was the time. Once they’d taken their vows she would be his and it would be too late. His one condition –that they hold back physically until after they were married –had taken her aback. She’d promised to respect his wish, a promise she’d broken on the couch in his living room one night after they’d shared a second bottle of wine, most of it drunk by her. Slowly, completely, he’d dominated her until she was afraid she might suffocate with the intensity of it. Afterwards, Derek held her in his arms and told stories of how wonderful it would be when she was his wife. Those stories came true and lasted a year before Mackenzie realised the mistake she’d made.

It began with disagreements over inconsequential things which grew heated, difficult to put behind them. And the sex, so fabulous in the beginning, became infrequent, brief and unfulfilling. Derek found fault with her to the extent she couldn’t please him even with the simplest tasks. It was obvious he was as disappointed in her as she was with him. The generosity he’d shown in the beginning dissipated, replaced by accusations she didn’t understand. Mackenzie had managed to keep her drinking to acceptable levels when she met Derek. For a long time, he didn’t see her drunk. But as their relationship deteriorated, she found herself reaching for her old friend. And her alcoholism was where she’d left it; it hadn’t gone anywhere. Giving in to it was easier than confronting the truth. The avenue was deserted except for a group of young girls in the distance, playing a game. It had been a sunny day and, on most windows, the blinds were drawn against the glare. Who knew what went on behind them? Mackenzie was leaving a sham marriage. It wouldn’t be the only one in this respectable suburb. She dismissed the thought. Other people’s relationships were their business. There was nothing to be gained by speculating. She was headed for a new life and freedom and, in case she forgot, hardly in a position to cast the first stone. Her step quickened when she saw the tail-end of the car at the corner. Without meaning to, she smiled. Some women might disapprove of what she was doing. Others would support her, call her brave. Bravery had nothing to do with it. She had no choice, and, for the first time in a long time, Mackenzie was happy. She didn’t pay attention to the white van at the kerb or register the sound of someone behind her. When she did, it was too late. A hand closed over her face and a sweet smell filled her nostrils. She felt herself being dragged backwards before she sank into unconsciousness. The rear doors of the van closed. The driver got in and drove away. No one saw. Like a leaf falling to the ground, it went unnoticed. Mackenzie Crawford’s new life would have to wait.

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