Authors writing reviews—taboo or not?
Today I hope to hear opinions, from both readers and authors, on the topic of whether or not authors should leave reviews for books they've read.
Howdy. I’m Larissa Lyons and I write spicy (some say sleazy >^..^<) regencies and upbeat erotica. Thanks to Amber for having me today.
So, the topic of authors reviewing books. Is it okay? Tacky? Taboo? This is something I’ve seen come up on a couple of author loops lately. Some folks say, “No, never.” Others chime in with, “Only in genres they write in.” (Which I admit seems almost the opposite of what I’d think.) Still others claim, “All authors are readers first and if I buy a book and read it, I have a right to state my opinion.”
I don’t know...it seems to me the proliferation of reviews (via retail outlets, review sites and forums) has turned downright nasty in a lot of cases. Before I ever wrote my first book, I’d heard that only one in four readers truly like a book. That means 25% of the people who pick up your story are going to love it and want to read everything else you’ve done. Conversely, 75% won’t find you their cup of tea. In the past, when reviews weren’t plastered everywhere, individuals had to form their own opinions, on their own.
When I got my driver’s license in the 1980s, the first thing I asked for wasn’t a car. Or a raise in my allowance to save for a car. Oh no. I asked to borrow Mom’s keys and for directions to the used bookstore, a place I haunted frequently and with relish.
For every 20 books I bought (assuming I had no prior knowledge of the authors) I’d typically love two or three (and maybe consider one of these a “keeper”), thoroughly enjoy 10-12, be indifferent to maybe three, and choose not to finish (i.e., really dislike) the remaining 2-5, usually because the writing was flat and/or the storyline simply didn’t hold my interest. But it never occurred to me to badmouth the books I didn’t like—that’s why there are 31 flavors!
Flash forward to the new millennium and a decade later, to constant Internet access and connections, where it seems everyone has an opinion and doesn’t hesitate to voice it. So now I ask yours—should authors post reviews? If so, with what restrictions, disclaimers or caveats?
Let the discussion begin!
When she’s not debating the merits of reviews or wrangling ornery cats, Larissa’s writing. Info on her latest projects can be found at LiteraryMadness.com.
Today I hope to hear opinions, from both readers and authors, on the topic of whether or not authors should leave reviews for books they've read.
Howdy. I’m Larissa Lyons and I write spicy (some say sleazy >^..^<) regencies and upbeat erotica. Thanks to Amber for having me today.
So, the topic of authors reviewing books. Is it okay? Tacky? Taboo? This is something I’ve seen come up on a couple of author loops lately. Some folks say, “No, never.” Others chime in with, “Only in genres they write in.” (Which I admit seems almost the opposite of what I’d think.) Still others claim, “All authors are readers first and if I buy a book and read it, I have a right to state my opinion.”
I don’t know...it seems to me the proliferation of reviews (via retail outlets, review sites and forums) has turned downright nasty in a lot of cases. Before I ever wrote my first book, I’d heard that only one in four readers truly like a book. That means 25% of the people who pick up your story are going to love it and want to read everything else you’ve done. Conversely, 75% won’t find you their cup of tea. In the past, when reviews weren’t plastered everywhere, individuals had to form their own opinions, on their own.
When I got my driver’s license in the 1980s, the first thing I asked for wasn’t a car. Or a raise in my allowance to save for a car. Oh no. I asked to borrow Mom’s keys and for directions to the used bookstore, a place I haunted frequently and with relish.
For every 20 books I bought (assuming I had no prior knowledge of the authors) I’d typically love two or three (and maybe consider one of these a “keeper”), thoroughly enjoy 10-12, be indifferent to maybe three, and choose not to finish (i.e., really dislike) the remaining 2-5, usually because the writing was flat and/or the storyline simply didn’t hold my interest. But it never occurred to me to badmouth the books I didn’t like—that’s why there are 31 flavors!
Flash forward to the new millennium and a decade later, to constant Internet access and connections, where it seems everyone has an opinion and doesn’t hesitate to voice it. So now I ask yours—should authors post reviews? If so, with what restrictions, disclaimers or caveats?
Let the discussion begin!
When she’s not debating the merits of reviews or wrangling ornery cats, Larissa’s writing. Info on her latest projects can be found at LiteraryMadness.com.
