I don't know, honestly, how much impact reviews have on book sales. But I still like getting them, on Amazon or Goodreads, or personal blogs. A good review always serves as a little ego boost that might make you feel good about what you do for a few minutes or a few hours, depending.
Bad reviews, though they serve no real purpose and I am generally unaffected by them, are sometimes entertaining as well. Once in a while, someone who leaves a bad review will actually make some valid points, but the majority of them are just kinda... well, they are what they are.
Here's a little collection of one-and-two-star reviews of my work on Amazon. This is not me railing against bad reviews, I promise; I have enough of an ego that they don't really bother me too much. But if you're a writer disturbed by readers who hate what you do, maybe this will serve as a reminder that ALL of us get 'em, and let's be honest: if everyone enjoyed what you do, odds are you'd be doing something wrong.
Enjoy!
DIG TEN GRAVES-- "Not thrilling or scary, or even remotely shocking.-- I got this book for free for my Kindle, and glad for it. The book seems to be written by a college student going for his English degree."
"I was left with the impression that the author could benefit from counselling."
MILES TO LITTLE RIDGE-- "Not enjoyable.-- the language in this book was offensive and unnecessary for me. often the reviews mention this but I missed it if any did. I didn't compete the book."
"Meh.-- He writes well but he doesn't know his Western history. Get a fact-checker, Lowrance; it would be worth the money."
THE BASTARD HAND-- "Dreadfully dull. Don't waste your time."
"A disappointment. All the characters seem to have an ulterior motive... and none good."
"Yuck!"
"I'm used to more quality literature. But you can try."
CITY OF HERETICS-- "Read till the end but felt. Bit let down. Ok if there was very little else to read, but not the best I have read."
