A Bad Book Review? You Aren't Doomed. Here's Why.Written by Laura Hickey
When you get a bad book review You've just been notified a review of your book has been posted. You're all excited and can't wait to see what has been written. You're clicking onto your book's page when...Oh no! They hated your book! This bad review is going to turn away customers from buying your book. Wait! This isn't end of world. Here's 3 tips to deal when you get a bad review. 1. You can't please everyone! Example: One of my favorite authors is a bestseller but author didn't receive such hot customer reviews. Another example: I was reading some book reviews and one of books had one of worst ratings ever. I clicked link with curiosity to find over 20 customers had reviewed book and loved it. In life, you can't please everyone. Will a bad review discourage future customers? On to my next tip. 2. A bad review doesn't have to mean bad profit. Not all customers look at a bad review as their only guide to buying. In fact, if your review is so awful, they may even buy book to see if it's really as bad as reviewer rated it. There's saying that curiosity killed cat, curiosity in this case could help you. Customers also realize that everyone has different tastes. Maybe reviewer didn't like your book, but who's to say someone different won't? It may be bad publicity, but none less it may help you. In fact, sometimes a customer may have read bad review but only remembers your name and or book's title.
| | When the Editor is NOT the EnemyWritten by Mridu Khullar
They can be mean, unethical and downright unprofessional. But not all editors fit that bill. In fact, most editors would rather give you money that take it, make no changes than rewrite whole pieces two hours before deadline, and accept every piece of crap than start their mornings sending out rejection slips. But step into an editor’s shoes, and you’ll know why that’s not only hard, it’s just plain impossible! Here are most common complaints writers have, and why editors aren’t always guilty of them. Completely Changing your Work An editor I frequently work with was in distress. One of her regulars had just written to complain about his perfectly brilliant beginning being chopped off. “They sometimes don’t get our style,” she told me over lunch. “We need more quotes, we put them in. We need a stronger beginning; we change it. There’s nothing much I can do about it. It’s way we work.” But while this editor was very forthcoming about her reasons, and gave writer an explanation, you’ll usually get no further correspondence. That doesn’t mean that they don’t understand anguish you go through. But they’ve got word limits, voice and style limitations and a dozen other factors to keep in mind. And they simply don’t have time to offer explanations to each writer. Paying Less or not Paying at all Most writers believe (or are led to believe) that editors just don’t want to dish out cash. Sure, if they’re running a small business from home and can hardly pay their bills, they probably won’t. But editors in big offices don’t really care whether you earn $100 or $1,000. After all, they’re not ones paying from their pockets! I was in a publisher-editor meeting other day, and one common concern was raised—why weren’t suppliers (including freelancers) paid on time? A complaint unanimously raised by… editors! An important thing to remember is that while it may appear so to us, editors aren’t really ones calling shots all time. That’s publisher’s job. So hating editor’s guts won’t get you anywhere. While some editors may be creeps, most of them are on your side! So, if you want more money, just ask for it. Chances are editor is only one who can help you get it.
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