Rebelious rules by Kristina Gallo

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Verified reviews should not be deleted

Because Amazon is deleting verified reviews, I introduce it here. While their algorithms tolerate AI reviews, they remove reviews by real readers. Everyone who buys a book has right to write the review. An opposite, someone who did not read a book has no right to rate it or review it. Amazon has a problem when author write reviews for other author, but many authors are readers too. Why we could not read other's work? Goodreads allows people who never read books to rate it, which damages authors. Impersonating indie authors became a tool for revenge. You want to make someone feeling down? Spit on his book. Allowing trolls to express their opinions is a kind of virtual inquisition and it should not be allowed. Don't make a censorship for creators, make it for trolls. Some of reviews from my readers:

The light step - my SF thriller

It is time to preorder my new science fiction thriller. The release date will be 17th August 2026. The blurb: After a devastating ankle injury during a summer holiday in Antalya, British footballer Cynthia Swanson faces the unthinkable—the possible end of her career. While recovering in hospital, she meets Selim Aydin, a quiet and enigmatic Turkish caregiver who will soon change the course of her life. Their connection continues online, where Selim introduces her to a groundbreaking AI project: an experimental implant designed to help people with disabilities. Cynthia refuses at first—but desperation and her relentless ambition to return to the field push her to reconsider. Under the guidance of controversial Dr. Myra Hurley, Cynthia agrees to undergo the procedure, hoping not just to recover, but to become stronger than ever before. But as the line between human and machine begins to blur, Cynthia is forced to confront a terrifying question: how much of herself is she will...

Why is refund damaging indie authors?

I understand someone can be disappointed with a book. It is like I was disapointed with my trousers online and returned it. What makes a difference, my trousers were 40 euros. The book was 2.49 cents. This makes return funny, because what can you do with this money? Some readers don't understand story behind the refund. The author will get minus royalties. - 0.13 c in my Kindle report, that will vanish when someone else buy the book. The situation happens. Someone accidentaly clicked and bought a book. A random customer wants a refund. Maybe it was not a random move. Maybe the customer clicked, bought and did not like the book. When you don't like the book choose another options, instead of damaging authors. Write a negative review. Write negative one star rating. Don't purchase another books from this author. Or, maybe to reconsider and read it, again? If you write negative reviews or rate it with 1 or 2 stars, you are making a favor to authors. You are moving algorithms i...

Why are reviews so important?

I got two new reviews for my books. I did not hope, because I stopped asking for reviews. Respecting everyone's time and effort, I can only let things flow. Reviews are awesome things. It alerts you what you missed in books, what to correct and what to avoid. It motivates you to write more. Negative reviews also have effects: it give cold showers for author. That will also question your ability. Am I that bad? Maybe I overrated myself. When someone praises you, it gives you wind in your back. Indie authors are people who are not world wide recognized, so reviews means a lot. Someone in Netherlands buy my books. Someone in USA reads my books. Awesome, isn't it? If you can get this level of adrenaline, everything is worthy. Ratings from trolls are not reviews. Don't make reviews a bad name. Someone who randomly rates books with one star is not a reader. When you are raised in community where people are not readers, it is hard to explain your passion. Some people discovered ...

Should we respond to negative reviews?

Recently I had a discussion in my social media about negative ratings. There was a situation in Goodreads, where I got two negative reviews on my two books. The point was in the way how the ratings were set up. First rating for my book "Body in the waves" was placed under 5-star review from another reviewer. While the reviewer praising my book, the troll came under to say "This is really bad book." Second rating was described as " Poor author needs writing lessons." Both reviews broke standards of reviewing, because there is no visible evidence that book was downloaded in Kindle unlimited or purchased. It was a clear troll act from a new page, without a profile photo and with a nickname. I reported this to Goodreads and they responded me they are processing this. Meanwhile, I heard from other authors that Goodreads failed to do anything about trolling. In these terms, Goodreads should delete such profiles and forbid the access because of breaking rules. T...

Conversations with people help book sales

Many scammers will advice you about a book marketing, trying to pull your attention. As I am cleaning my inbox from annoying emails, deleting without reading it, I came to the conclusion. These emails have something in common: I did not accept this neither I asked for this. When it happens I sell the book, it is usually on two ways: doing ads or talking to people. The truth is, nobody wants to feel like a tool for buying books. Respect every reader and talk to them as your time let it. To buy a book, people must know you in a way they want to know what they are buying. What kind of product you are selling? People like to refer on their lives in your book, so they expect to find a comfort, advice or adrenaline in your books. What is in your book to makes people feel better? This is what my books bring to reader: The fact things can change for better. I write about relationships and my story has a message: don't let someone treat you like a thing. Fight for your status even ev...

The category DNF ( Did not finish the book)

Recently Goodreads made a new category in reading books. DNF or did not finish is a real status of many books. I have it on my TBR too. I like reading books, but if it takes too much time and I got bored, this will be the end of my reading. When this happens? The plot is expanded. It covers few stories in one, new characters appear, random, unimportant details prolong the story. I got lost in the content and it is not clear, where is the main point? The genre is mixed . If I want to read thriller, I chose a book marked as a thriller. Sometimes, it interfere with love story, horror and other genres in a way that it losts the identity of the book. I don't want to read about marriage and children of two main characters if this is not a romance. Side characters became main characters . If a protagonist died and side characters are in the focus, this is not the same story. The plot has no connection with a reality. I love fiction, but if the book is fantasy, filled with monsters and v...