{"id":3279,"date":"2021-03-30T21:01:16","date_gmt":"2021-03-31T04:01:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nomadauthors.com\/blog\/?p=3279"},"modified":"2021-03-30T20:20:59","modified_gmt":"2021-03-31T03:20:59","slug":"jl-peridot-perilous-matter-of-reviewing-books","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadauthors.com\/blog\/2021\/03\/30\/jl-peridot-perilous-matter-of-reviewing-books\/","title":{"rendered":"JL Peridot: The perilous matter of reviewing books"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s hard reviewing books. Even when all I did was read, and the only opinion I had to worry about was my own, it still took work. Sometimes you just want to enjoy the emotional experience of a book without having to put it into words. Publishing a review thrusts you into the public eye, turning your raw feeling into something that can influence another person\u2014that\u2019s one heck of a responsibility!<\/p>\n

As an author, things get complicated.<\/strong> It\u2019s often hard to share a raw opinion, especially if it\u2019s not overwhelmingly positive, knowing there\u2019s another writer out there just like you, who may be hurt or confused by what you have to say. \u201cSuck it up, buttercup\u201d is unhelpful on both sides, even though we authors are generally advised to grow a thicker skin and accept we can\u2019t please everyone. The thing is, we\u2019re all human\u2014fallible, vulnerable, sensitive\u2014it\u2019s what makes us able to relate to each other and create good stories for our readers.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also the matter of reconciling the technical self with the emotional self. What happens if you can\u2019t stand the way an author writes, but the story\u2019s so good you end up enjoying the book? Or what if the story is dreck, but perfectly written? What\u2019s your criteria for adding up those stars then?<\/p>\n

Then there are the times when things get uncomfortable.<\/strong> Early in my career, I agreed to participate in a review swap. In case you\u2019ve not heard of these, it\u2019s when the two (or more) authors agree to read each other\u2019s books and leave a review, usually on Amazon and Goodreads.<\/p>\n

I got right to reading, but found I couldn\u2019t connect with the characters or the story. And when I wrote to the author privately to let them know, they responded asking me not to post a review because they only wanted 5-star reviews associated with their book.<\/p>\n

Now, I understand the desire to write a 5-star book. I can appreciate that publishing is a business no matter how romantic the story, and that practices like this are common and accepted in some circles. But something about this exchange didn\u2019t sit well with me.<\/p>\n

As a writer, it made me feel like I chose a dishonest line of work. As a reader, it made me lose trust in the indie publishing sector, where we may lack the readership numbers needed to outshine these minor manipulations. I used to wonder why many reviewers state explicitly that they were giving \u201can honest review\u201d. After this incident, I stopped wondering.<\/p>\n

These days, I avoid review swaps, review requests, and any kind of review-related transaction. I\u2019ve learned that I\u2019m a \u201c<\/a>mood<\/a> reader<\/a>\u201d<\/a> and, as such, it would be unfair of me to promise a fair review if I\u2019m emotionally incapable of delivering one.<\/p>\n

Likewise, I don\u2019t expect any of my writer friends\u2014even close ones\u2014to read or review my books. Reading fiction is a privilege and a pleasure<\/strong>, and I think sometimes we authors lose that in the deluge of our work.<\/p>\n

If, like me, you\u2019ve grown weary and wary of book review culture, here are a few alternative ways to support an indie author whose stories you admire:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Recommend instead of review.<\/strong> A book may not be for you, but you might know someone who\u2019s looking for that exact read.<\/li>\n
  2. Include the book in literary discussions.<\/strong> Need an example in a blog post or forum discussion? Consider citing a lesser-known book alongside the customary bestsellers.<\/li>\n
  3. Give that author a boost on social media.<\/strong> Even if you\u2019re not sharing your in-depth opinion of their work, this helps them reach a wider audience and achieve stickier brand recognition.<\/li>\n
  4. Engage with their online content.<\/strong> Social feed algorithms are diabolically good at helping bigger names overshadow smaller players. Every like, reply, save, repost and follow can help your favourite newcomer gain visibility and connect with more readers.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    About JL Peridot
    \n\"JLJL Peridot writes love stories and more from her home beneath the southern skies. When not chipping away at her current WIP, she\u2019s chomping down on a new favourite book, watching Netflix, and chilling real good.     Subscribe<\/a> to<\/a> JL<\/a>\u2019<\/a>s<\/a> mailing<\/a> list<\/a> for banter, updates, teasers and the occasional microfiction.<\/p>\n

    Website: http<\/a>:\/\/<\/a>jlperidot<\/a>.<\/a>com<\/a>
    \nBlog:     http<\/a>:\/\/<\/a>jayelle<\/a>.<\/a>pink<\/a><\/p>\n

    \"Chasing<\/a>Chasing Sisyphus<\/h2>\n

    Bounty hunter Adria Yuan is hot on the trail of her final hit: a notorious hacker wanted by the city’s elite. With the reward, she can pay for her brother’s surgery and finally get out of Basilica City. Trouble is, her line of work’s not exactly legal, and she’s barely staying ahead of the cops who want her target, too.<\/p>\n

    Detective Rhys Carver may be a little unorthodox, but he’s a good cop. Born and bred in Basilica, he does his part to keep his city clean. As clean as it gets, at least. And with Adria suddenly in his sights, it’s going to take more than falling in love for him to let her go.<\/p>\n

    As the pair close in on their mark, they are unwittingly drawn into a high profile conspiracy that could thrust the whole of Basilica into chaos. Can Adria and Rhys set aside their differences, and their desires, to save the only home they know?<\/p>\n