You don’t have to be a social media addict to know that
every day someone posts information about their new book. They may be friends
of yours, or writers you like. They may be your publisher on your behalf.
Here’s the question: do reviews sell books? Who knows?
Sometimes I buy books to support a friend I may only know on Facebook.
Sometimes I buy books because I love the author. I do read reviews but they
don’t necessarily make my decision for me. Sometimes they do.
I’m not talking about “official” book reviews published in
journals, I’m talking about the “from the heart” reviews on Amazon, when
someone finishes a book and can’t wait to tell everyone about it. These
are easy to write and can be done quickly. As I’ve said before, please support
your local independent bookstores, but if you’ve ever bought anything on Amazon, you are a customer
and can write a review.
click for more info |
You all know my friend Susan Tepper, whose novel “What Drives Men” came out last year. Susan is brilliant about asking people to put
reviews on Amazon. She’d read “that after 35 you get pushed up somehow on the
Amazon chain and they will do certain things. For instance, my novel was
run as a sponsored ad on Facebook a lot, and ran for several weeks. I can only
assume it had to do with the # of reviews”.
We may complain about the ads in our Facebook newsfeeds, but
don’t you find it amazing that something you were looking at on Amazon shows up
on Facebook that same day? And I do look at them, I admit. I think it’s a fact
of life, so let’s do what Susan does and use it to our advantage.
Reviews can be short, or they can be long. My review of
“What Drives Men” said:
“Susan Tepper is a skilled and
masterful magician. I could not get “What Drives Men” out of my head, the
equivalent of not being able to look away. While diverting our attention with a
mad and crazy journey in a borrowed car, with “borrowed” kids, weather,
waterfalls, and geography, she slowly, quietly, out of our sight, builds a
beauteous redemption for a man who could previously only keep guppies. It took
me a few days to “get it”, but I loved thinking about it and I will continue to
do so for a long time.”
This was actually very short, even though it looks long
here. Other reviews were much longer, but I said what I wanted to say.
Simon Perchik’s book “The Gibson Poems”, published by Cholla
Needles, has five reviews. One review says:
“Even if you have read many of
Simon Perchik’s poems in other collections, you will find much that is new and
fresh here. You will think you are reading about something familiar and a
surprising insight will reward you. This book simply adds more beauty and
insight to often everyday subjects. You’ll be glad you didn’t pass this one
up!”
Now that didn’t take long to write. Simon writes beautiful
poetry every single day and people should know about him.
This is not an ego thing. This isn’t like looking yourself
up on Google. This is looking to see who read your book, who took their time to
write a review, and what they thought of it. I must confess I often forget to
write reviews. I also forget to read my own. There is something so humbly
gratifying to know that not only did someone pay money for something of yours,
but they took the time to let other people know. Bless them.
You probably know that Cholla Needles published my “Slices of Alice & Other Character Studies” the end of 2018. This is a book that my
mom bugged me for ages to publish. Rich said “your mom is right”. Really? I
thought it was such a departure for me as a writer, it was hugely important to
know what people thought. Holy cow, there are four reviews! And they’re good!
Showing once again that moms and publishers know best.
The Hard Part – What
if You Don’t Like a Book?
Remember, this is not a commissioned review for a journal,
this is a voluntary review on Amazon. It’s not anonymous; some people put their
full names and others don’t. Mine are written as TA, mostly because I feel what
I’m writing is not about me.
All writings are reviewed by Amazon staff before they’re
posted, and mean writings aren’t approved. But if you’ve just spent hard-earned
money on something you didn’t care for, you are allowed to say.
As the chicken in our family, I admit that I probably would
not say anything at all. I probably would not buy another book by that author
and move on.
click for more info |
I asked Jeff what he does. He’s more articulate than I am
and he’s written more reviews than I have. He’s a brilliant writer who stands
well on his own, and has no reason to take anyone off at the knees. If he
doesn’t care for a book there’s a reason. He says don’t get personal when
describing the writing in total, a specific piece, or the author.
Jeff also says to offer the readers an alternative. For
example, if a book is about a particular subject, and you find the writing
flat, or lacking in something, suggest other books or authors you think tackle
the subject in a more satisfying way. This can be done gently, always keeping
in mind this is not about you. This is about people spending their
discretionary income, who are looking for opinions.
Back to Positives:
- Susan Tepper has a new
chapbook out – “Confess” from Cervena Barva Press.
Described as “elegiac and lyrical”,
it has a lovely, welcoming, wonderful cover. Take a look. Please be sure to add
a review once you’ve read it.
- Simon Perchik is just back
from a warm weather vacation in Costa Rica. He said he wrote every day.
Keep your eyes open for Simon’s poetry written in Costa Rica in the upcoming May Cholla Needles issue. I
know there are Young Writers And Artists and Poetry Month - Local Writers issues coming up, as well as the brand new March Issue #39. And Dave Maresh's The Future is Out To Get You. And I’ll bet
money that somewhere in between those newest poetic joys you’ll find Simon. Cholla Needles has recently put into book form "The D Poems" which was previously only available only in e-book form. Simon's latest book is "The Rosenblum Poems."
- Jeff Alfier has a new book
out – “The Shadow Field” from Louisiana Literature Press.
Described as “a decidedly
impressionistic collection about revisiting old roads and the wanderings
of an elegiac kind”, the gorgeous cover photo was taken by Jeff. Take a look.
Please add a review once you’ve read it.
- I don’t know everything
going on so I’ve only included information about the people I talk about above.
If you have a new chapbook or book just out, please add it to the comments
below. Likewise successes with art. I check for comments all the time and
I will publish the information. Writing and art is hard work. I know one
of our fiber artists sold a piece before a show even opened. I know one of
our artists has two years of commitments /commissions on her plate. Everyone
deserves to be congratulated.
Tobi Alfier's most recent collection of poetry is Slices Of Alice. She is also co-editor with Jeff Alfier of the San Pedro River Review. Don't miss Tobi's columns on the craft of poetry: insert your email address in the "Follow By Email" box to the right of this article and you'll be notified every time a new article appears.
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