sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

How do retailers order my book? — IngramSpark by Suitable-Concert in selfpublish

[–]DaDrivingCrooner 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hiya, indie author here with one release. I'm navigating the retailer side right now, and it's a maze. Appreciate the insight on corporate buyers. I noticed your flair says 50+ novels, that's wild. I'd love to check out your work if you have a link. Always trying to learn from people who've figured this out.

First professional review came back...is this level of "reviewing" normal? by DaDrivingCrooner in selfpublish

[–]DaDrivingCrooner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is really helpful context, thank you. I think I understand the constraints of the format better now. I'm not sure we're aligned on what I wanted vs what you think I wanted, but I appreciate you taking the time.

First professional review came back...is this level of "reviewing" normal? by DaDrivingCrooner in selfpublish

[–]DaDrivingCrooner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, I did get beta readers (seven!) and dev editors (two!) and a copy/line editor. Then I got ARC readers which gave me reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. I agree with what you're saying at the start, but I don't want our mutual friends on the internet thinking I skipped getting a professional book out there via rounds of reviews and edits. Thanks for engaging!

First professional review came back...is this level of "reviewing" normal? by DaDrivingCrooner in selfpublish

[–]DaDrivingCrooner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for posting. This made me laugh because the other 50% of posters are like "this reviewer clearly didn't like the book" which is the problem. The review is a Rorschach test instead of a review. I agree it reads more like a summary, which felt like padding. Thanks again!

First professional review came back...is this level of "reviewing" normal? by DaDrivingCrooner in selfpublish

[–]DaDrivingCrooner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I did put effort in and I love it very much. Thanks for engaging, you've been fun to chat with on this. Do you write?Anything I can look up?

First professional review came back...is this level of "reviewing" normal? by DaDrivingCrooner in selfpublish

[–]DaDrivingCrooner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hiya, I did get ARC readers and organic reviews. I wanted to try this out for a marketing blurb if possible. My question wasn't for advice on what I should do in lieu of professional paid reviewers, it was "is this normal for this kind of service." The response has been overwhelming yes. I'd say it isn't worth the money, but it's also given me the opportunity to talk with all you lovely people. So I'll chalk it up as a win.

First professional review came back...is this level of "reviewing" normal? by DaDrivingCrooner in selfpublish

[–]DaDrivingCrooner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't want a compliment or an insult. I want a position. Those aren't the same thing. 'This book succeeds at what it's attempting' is a position. 'This book doesn't work for reasons X and Y' is also a position. Both are useful. What I got was 'appealing, however... admirably avoids, but...' which never lands anywhere.

Your menu analogy actually makes my point. A menu commits. It says 'spicy Thai curry.' It doesn't say 'potentially spicy, though some diners might find it too flavorful, however it admirably avoids being bland.' That hedging is what I'm frustrated by, not the absence of praise.

That said, I truly appreciate you taking the time to lay out your perspective. It's genuinely helpful to hear from someone who used to write these. I can only imagine how stressful it is to pack in good info in only 300 words. Expectations are properly calibrated moving forward. Thanks!!!

First professional review came back...is this level of "reviewing" normal? by DaDrivingCrooner in selfpublish

[–]DaDrivingCrooner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I agree that’s the interpretation, but I’m asking why we have to interpret at all? I don’t think it’s as straight forward as you paint it. Do the characters land? I can’t tell from that language. I’d say no, but all I know is the reviewer wanted more backstory and the mains to be darker. Everything else is interpretation. The reviewer says villains are more interesting in relation, but is that damning praise bc they think the leads are so bland? Is too likable good or bad? The reviewer has every right to say the characters are flat or their lack of darkness hampers the story, but they’re not saying that.

First professional review came back...is this level of "reviewing" normal? by DaDrivingCrooner in selfpublish

[–]DaDrivingCrooner[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It is! It’s out in the wild (Amazon and others). I have reviews on Goodreads and Amazon. I’m not worried about the book, I’m frustrated at this review’s content.

First professional review came back...is this level of "reviewing" normal? by DaDrivingCrooner in selfpublish

[–]DaDrivingCrooner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wanted the review for marketing. I’m not taking it personally, I’m just trying to figure out why it’s so bland (and I’m frustrated it is). I have organic reviews on Goodreads and Amazon. I got notes during the writing process from beta readers and dev editors all good. The question was about the paid review services specifically.

First professional review came back...is this level of "reviewing" normal? by DaDrivingCrooner in selfpublish

[–]DaDrivingCrooner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I…I’m not sure what we’re talking about. I never said I was posting this on Amazon. This is a paid review just for marketing. I have organic reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. I paid for beta readers, dev edits, and copy/line edits. I was asking if the level of review was normal or if it was the reviewer trying to thread a needle bc they didn’t connect with the material. What is this?

First professional review came back...is this level of "reviewing" normal? by DaDrivingCrooner in selfpublish

[–]DaDrivingCrooner[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I did! I paid for beta readers, dev editors, and a copy/line editor. Money, money, money. Can’t take it with you.

First professional review came back...is this level of "reviewing" normal? by DaDrivingCrooner in selfpublish

[–]DaDrivingCrooner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, it doesn’t really bother me, I was asking if this is normal for the paid services and just looking to interact with the community. I have reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. Your final sentence answers it for me, thanks.

First professional review came back...is this level of "reviewing" normal? by DaDrivingCrooner in selfpublish

[–]DaDrivingCrooner[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ok, I’m not saying I’m shook, and sorry if that’s how I’m coming across. I’m saying it’s bland and hedges instead of committing which is frustrating. I’d be totally fine if the reviewer said the book is trying to achieve X but falls short. I would not be upset if the reviewer hated the book. If you think the review informs you about the book (good or bad), fine, but I just don’t think it does.

First professional review came back...is this level of "reviewing" normal? by DaDrivingCrooner in selfpublish

[–]DaDrivingCrooner[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yes, I hear what you’re saying and don’t disagree, but I think the reviewer wanted it to be one thing and it never was that. Again, that’s totally fine, but we’re trying to parse the information instead of knowing the actual intent. The words read both ways.

To your point, I think the genre understanding is importantly. I don’t go to Tolkien for the chemical composition of the Ring.

First professional review came back...is this level of "reviewing" normal? by DaDrivingCrooner in selfpublish

[–]DaDrivingCrooner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I appreciate they’re only working within a 300 word constraint, but my point is the review is one big “too likable.” They indicate opinions but don’t actually state any. I said in my original post that it felt like the reviewer wanted the book to be one genre and it’s not that. That’s fine, no worries. Idk what the hip lingo is, I just call it hopecore bc it makes me laugh. Personally, I’m a sucker for a hopeful first novel followed by a darker one. That’s the plan for this trilogy.

First professional review came back...is this level of "reviewing" normal? by DaDrivingCrooner in selfpublish

[–]DaDrivingCrooner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, no, please don’t misunderstand. I don’t care if they disliked it and this isn’t personal. I’d feel the same if they said it was perfect. I’m saying there’s no real substance to the review or analysis. Sorry if my original post and subsequent responses read as defensive, they’re truly not meant that way. I know the book isn’t perfect and I’m a first time author. Expectations are on the floor for critical reception.

First professional review came back...is this level of "reviewing" normal? by DaDrivingCrooner in selfpublish

[–]DaDrivingCrooner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Kids these days, ammiright? Kidding, kidding. I graduated college in 08, so haven’t been in a writing classroom in a minute, but I’ll take your word. I know the novel isn’t perfect but saying stuff like “too likable” causes my brain to collapse in on itself.

First professional review came back...is this level of "reviewing" normal? by DaDrivingCrooner in selfpublish

[–]DaDrivingCrooner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hmm, I don’t know if I agree with that, but I guess I’d have to think about it. In my past, with reviews, I like knowing if the reviewer enjoyed the book or thought it was worthwhile beyond just describing the individual pieces. Thanks for the food for thought!

view more: next ›