In an interruption to usual programming, I’d love to encourage you to review what you read. Several years ago, when I got series about pursuing publication, I began to think about building my author platform. While I want to interact with potential readers, trying to raise my profile while I’m not published, feels weird. What doI have to offer? My answer – book recommendations. I read a lot. A. LOT. So I could share reviews. And my website was born, including a section of reviews.

I am amazed at how many readers don’t review books, so let me walk you through it.

Amazon, Goodreads and BookBub, Oh my!

I review in several different places. Goodreads and BookBub will allow reviews before a book is published, Amazon will not. So I keep a calendar note to remind myself. Did you know that as the number of reviews on Amazon grows, so does the visibility of the book? Higher review numbers mean the algorithm boosts the books in a search and makes it more likely to be suggested. Additionally, the more positive reviews, the higher chance the book will be bought when it pops up as a suggestion.

Recaps Not Required 

The vast number of review readers don’t need to know the full plot. They want to know why you bought the book, and what you loved. Did you boys with the characters? Feel the chill in the air from the mountains, taste the saltwater? Were you astonished by a cover plot twist? Tell people why they should buy the book.

Be Careful with Criticism

Most authors would prefer you say nothing than leave a bad review, but that’s your choice. You have every right to share your thoughts. I’d always suggest finding something kind to say, even if you haven’t loved a story. If you do feel the need to say something negative, make sure it’s fair. If you buy online and the book arrives damaged, that’s not the author’s fault. When a book is traditionally published but has a lot of typos, that’s also not the author’s fault. Also be aware not every author is from your country and sometimes spellings aren’t typos. They’re international differences. And if a book trips a nerve, that doesn’t mean it’s a bad book, jus maybe not the right one for you at the time.

Save Your Words

Finally, a review doesn’t have to be lengthy. You can even just say ‘I loved it’ or ‘Great story.’ And it’s perfectly acceptable to copy and paste your review from site to site. You don’t need to keep reinventing your thoughts.

Importance

Now, let me tell you this – reviews are like hugging an author. Writing is hard. Brutal, sometimes. I guarantee if you’ve ever loved a great book, that author probably got teary and felt overwhelmed or discouraged (or flat out panicked) at some point. A good review means the world. Sometimes the difference between quitting for the day or pushing on. Sharing on social media is also becoming increasingly important. There are lots of sites to do that, including our very own Friday thread for reviews or first lines.

Blue Ridge Readers

And in closing, did you know BRRC has a reviewer team? We have a database of avid readers who want to champion authors. The team members are asked to leave a fair review after reading a review copy of a book. Email us at brreaderconnection@gmail.com and put ‘Blue Ridge Readers’ in the subject line. We’d love to hear from you.

Now – go find your next great read and tell the world all about it.

Meet Debb

Debb Hackett is a military wive, mom to two teens, worship leader and writer. She’s one of the The Musketeers who run Blue Ridge Reader Connections.

You can learn more about her via her BRRC Author page and sign up for her weekly blog, The Word on Wednesday, here.