A publisher told me recently that it looks suspicious if all the reviewers of a book have given it five stars, because it looks as though only friends and family have logged their opinion (and perhaps without even reading the book). Apparently, a mix of scores looks more authentic. What do you think? Is this true?My prize-winning short story 'Scoring an Own Goal in Tennis' is free to download from the Amazon Kindle store for the next five days. I hope you like it - and if you do, please leave me a review. How many stars you give it is up to you.
I received a mix of 4 and 5 star reviews for my latest story collection on Goodreads and then got a one star with no comment! Think that’s taking it to the other extreme!
ReplyDeleteWell, that's just rude! Mind you, I'd just be happy if people would leave a review - any review.
DeleteI've heard that a mix of star scores looks better too. Perhaps that's just as well for those of us who can't manage 100% 5*! I admit to only giving 5* to books that absolutely blow me away
ReplyDeleteIt's good to get any kind of reviews, isn't it, Sally?
DeleteIT's a strange one that, Julia, and I'm not sure it's absolutely true - especially if there are more than 20 4* and 5* reviews. Surely they can't all be known to the reader. I know from experience that the novel I've had most 4/5* reviews on has only a few names I recognise and family don't tend to leave any reviews! Other authors have even more top reviews.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure either, Rosemary. Perhaps people don't leave reviews of things they don't like.
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