I can’t speak for all authors, but I can for me. I don’t have to have all 5-star reviews. Not going to happen as some reviewers refuse to give 5-stars and reviews will vary. That’s normal. What I do like to see is:
1. Appreciating for the 100+ hours I put into a book with research and writing and hours of editing before sending to my editor and the hours of expanding and correcting when it’s returned to me.
2. Whether or not they liked the book and why.
3. What did the reader especially like?
4. A review of reasonable lengthCan I take constructive criticism? Yes, as that helps me become a better writer. How can I improve if I don’t know what a reader dislikes about my book?1. You can just attack my book, but that doesn’t help me become a better writer. It also doesn’t help other readers checking out reviews either. And it doesn’t make you look good.
2. If there is something actually wrong in my book, please point it out so it can be corrected. If there is something horribly wrong, please email me at Gianna@GiannaThomasPandP.com because if you attack me, it’s slander. 🙁
3. Legitimate complaints I will not object to. Just treat me the way you would like to be treated.What I hate seeing in a review:1. Lies – One review for another author said her book was a bodice-ripper and full of violence. Out and out lies. Book was so clean it squeaked.2. Spoilers – I hate when spoilers are mentioned with no warning. Reviewer has just insulted the other reviewers and me. If you have to do spoilers, mention it ahead of time. And if you mention who the murderer is, I will hate you forever.3. A review on Amazon that goes on forever. For cat’s sake, don’t write a novel.Why are reviews important to an author?1. Reviews help us to know where we’re at with our writing. Do the majority of our readers enjoy our books? And are our books basically free of grammar, punctuation errors, etc? Please remember, no book is completely free of errors. Don’t nitpick it to death.
2. Reviews can affect sales. Good reviews can help with sales; bad reviews can hurt sales.
3. Reviews are also important if an author is posting their books on a number of ‘for sale’ sites. Some sites will not accept a book with less than a 4.0-star rating. That can hurt an author.These are just some of my thoughts. Authors, please feel free to add your thoughts about reviews.
Although a writer of sweet+ Regency romance, Gianna Thomas, a native Texan, doesn’t hesitate to tackle some of the grittier events in life. Even back in Regency times, the world of that day experienced war, hatred, prejudice and crimes against women. And, we even see those things today. It seems that people don’t change.Romance, especially Regency romance, really appeals to Gianna, and she loves writing about it whether Pride and Prejudice variations with Darcy and Elizabeth or love stories involving dukes and duchesses. And she is a prolific reader of Regency romance as well.Gianna discovered Pride and Prejudice, and its many variations, what ifs and fan fiction. She was totally fascinated by the variety of plots that eager authors had utilized. After reading nearly 400 variations and fan fictions, Gianna now had P&P plots running through her head. She finally decided that they needed to be put to paper (today, on the computer), to see how they would develop. She has an absolute ball in writing about Darcy and Elizabeth and is pleased with how things developed. Her goal will always be to entertain and touch hearts. Hopefully, with her first rendering, Pride and Prejudice: Darcy Chooses, she achieved that goal.More recently, Gianna started looking beyond Pride and Prejudice, with her first foray into Regency Romance generally, with The Four Lords’ Saga Series. She is finding that she loves all the lords, their ladies, and their families, and writing about them is one of the most fun-filled adventures she’s ever been on. There are four books in the initial series, then there will be other novellas/short stories concerning the lords and their families. There’s nothing better than to read and write about handsome bad boys who change their wicked ways for their ladies. And the four lords fit the bill perfectly. Join the many who will learn why four confirmed bachelors decide, unexpectedly, to seriously consider marriage after escaping parson’s mousetrap for years. You will love the reason why.And for P&P fans, never fear. There will be more Darcy and Elizabeth as well, mostly in the form of novellas and short stories.Learn more about Gianna and her Regency Romance writings on her website http://www.giannathomaspandp.com and on her page at Amazon Author Central at https://www.amazon.com/author/giannathomas. Also, please visit with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gianna-Thomas/1659543077608079. And please ‘Like’ her page.
