You may be like me and check your reviews daily. And if you see a negative one your heart will skip a bit. Then you read it and you are even more deflated.

Unfortunately, it is only a matter of time before you get a negative review. A few things may make this happen.

1. You did not get your book edited, and there are mistakes.

This was one of my first suggestions if you have read my blogs. I do not think it was a suggestion… I told you that you MUST hire an editor. Amazon reviewers are brutal. They do not know or care that behind the book is an anxious author whose feelings get hurt easily. They do not think of this, and many do not care. So, you MUST put your best product forward. And hire an editor. I have to add that I have heard large publishing houses will edit a book many times, and there will STILL be errors. They are sometimes tough to catch. But if you do make the effort to hire an editor you will at least be personally reassured you tried your best to avoid a mistake.

2. You Self published through KDP, otherwise known as Amazon.

You have put your best cover, manuscript and blurb forward and published! And as you obsessively check for your reviews, one day you see a one star. The reviewer tells the whole world that they are happy they checked the book because although the cover was correct, the inside of the book was a different one. This sadly does happen… it has happened to me personally a few times! One time it was Old Red, and there was a religious book inside about the crucifixion of Jesus. And it was gory. I was horrified, imagine if a child had gotten this? Well, it does happen, and it may happen to you. And when it does, Amazon usually will not remove the review. So it sadly remains, tanking your once wonderful high star rating.

3. The reader does not connect with your book and just does not like it.

I have had this happen myself. Sometimes I don’t like a book I am reading and I struggle to finish it, if I even can. I will rarely, if ever, go on Amazon to tell everyone how I did not like the book, especially since I know firsthand how much it stings.

Unfortunately, readers have no such quandary and will be absolutely brutal in their reviews. Which is why I repeatedly tell you to hire an editor and do whatever you can to make a great product.

I recently had a reviewer post a review that my book was “boring.” She compared it to another book she had read. The book she had read was filled with colorful, busy illustrations with something going on everywhere. My book has simple, vivid illustrations that are certainly not busy. So, it was more of a preference in my opinion. But nonetheless, she took the time to post a negative review. I find it sad that so many will take the time to do that but won’t take the time to do a positive one. I myself try hard to always post a positive review and honestly will rarely post a negative one. Because I know firsthand how it sucks!

But back to the review. When I get a review, especially a bad review, I take time to reflect on it. Scrutinize it to see if it has any truth. If I find the review is correct, I fix or work on the issue. To make a better book. So, I will use the review to help me create a better product.

This review I cannot do much about, unfortunately. They are two different books and honestly, the problem lies with her. I post images from inside the book throughout the listing, and sometimes I even use the word “simple” in my blurb to describe my book. So the buyer missed all of this and just wanted to leave a bad review. And there is nothing I can do.

4. Another author or competitor leaves a one-star review.

This sadly happens too. I am in a wonderful, informative group on facebook where other authors post their successes and tips, as well as issues they face to. One day a well liked author posted about a success he had. He got lots of congratulations and well wishes. The next day he woke up to a few one star reviews. No explanation. After a little research they were able to prove that it was an author in the same group that had done it. So it can sadly happen. Not everyone is happy for others successes. I myself always try to be happy for others as I hope one day I will be in their position.

So back to your bad review.

It has happened, and now you know some of the reasons why. If you get a bunch of bad reviews you really need to revisit your product. Because a low star rating will be tough to get sales.

Overall one bad review isn’t really that bad. It will teach you that you cannot please everyone. And eventually you will get a thicker skin and it honestly won’t bother you as much.

Just hang in there!

And don’t give up!

More blogs to help you self-publish!

1-Do you need help beginning to self publish? Click here!

2-A publisher has contacted you? Are they a Vanity publisher? Click here to learn more!

3-Ready to start your files? Here is a blog that will help you set them up! Click here!

4-Need tips for finding an illustrator for your book? Click here!

5-What is a blurb? Click here for help creating one!

6-Feeling overwhelmed? This post will get you moving… Click here to get started!

7-Your book is done! Do you need an author page in your book? Yes you do! Click here to see the reasons why.

7a- How to upload your book to KDP… the actual platform that you publish from! Click here to visit!

8- Your masterpiece is complete!  How do you get printed copies of your book? Click here for some ideas!

9- If you have published on amazon you need to advertise! Click here for tips!

10- Want to submit your book to a literary agent? Click here for info!

11- Musings on using AI to create your book. Click here to read more.

12- So you got a bad review… click here to soothe your ego.

Need an illustrator? I have illustrated many books of my own and other authors. Please visit my website by clicking here, to contact me or see examples of my work.

If I have helped you and you feel inclined to purchase a book of mine, please click here to visit amazon. Thank you!

I am also available for hire to help you publish! If interested, please contact me at artistmarnie@yahoo.com.