6 kinds of biased readers

Biased review is something that is forbidden on Amazon. If your family member or close friend praises your book and Amazon noticed it, it will be deleted.

It is an uncomfortable situation. Your friend wants to help you and he likes the book, but Amazon doesn't have a good reaction to hyper-positive reviews.

Some writers will give ARC copies or free books in giveaways to get more reviews. They will expect 4 or 5 stars from people who got the book as a gift from them. But, does it always happen?

What happens if your ARC reader gives you a negative review? He is ungrateful or objective? Or, he is trolling your book?

What kind of readers are possibly biased?

If the author offers you a book and reads your book, so you mutually praise each other.

If the author talks to you about giving him not less than a 4 or 5-star review.

If your editor gives you a review.

If your family member gives you a review.

If a blogger gives you a review when he promotes you and praises your book.

If the reviewer marks all books with 5 stars.

Many times various bloggers or reviewers will offer you paid reviews. Those are strictly forbidden and you might lose your account on Amazon.

It is better to have negative reviews from objective readers, than positive reviews from biased people. Constructive critics are motivational.

Rude or abusive reviews are not in this group, every reader should be cultured and well-mannered.

If your review shows that the reader did not read a book, that is also not useful. Authors want to discuss their books, and readers who have questions are welcome.

Comments

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...

Why the refund is 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...

Five myths about promo sites

Recently I asked for a featured Bookbub deal for one of my books. I got response that my book should be free priced and my expense would be 230 dollars. This is really funny, because I could expect people grab my book for free and give me one star (as it happens when books are available for everyone). To pay such amount of money would be waste and without a purpose. I am mix of traditional and indie author. Having a publisher, but not bestseller books, I am looking for ways to increase my book sales. Promo sites like Bookbub are very expensive and they offer their deals for 25% books from authors who applied for this. I had an insight to author's books who grabbed Bookbub deals. It works will authors who are already selling a good amount of their books. In general, promo sites are not working for favor of indie authors. These are five myths about promo sites: Promo sites give many readers. It is not true, because you will get visibility and many trolls, but not readers. Promo sites...

Rebelious rules by Kristina Gallo

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