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Why Bad Reviews Are Good

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I don't know how many times I've looked at a book on Amazon and come across a negative review that made me buy the book. I'm dead serious. It's because within the bad review, the reviewer will often complain about things they didn't like about the book, and it turns out those are often things I do like about books! So I buy the book based off negative reviews. Isn't that funny? It's funny because it's true. And that's why I don't care about negative reviews on my own books.

Well I mean I get annoyed if I come across them, at first. I don't seek out reviews because the good ones big me up and make me happy, but then when I read a negative review my first instinct is to feel sad. Then if I look at the bad review again, I realise I just don't care. Then if I see it another time I realise it might benefit my book sales!

There was a negative 1 or 2 star review on all three of my Eve Eden books. All three negatory reviews read the same thing. That the reviewer like the cover but felt the writing was immature. I take this to mean my writing is for a teen audience. Because it is. My favourite genre to write is young adult. And if that means I'm immature, then so be it. Maybe I should seek out books where reviewers say it's written immaturely, then I'd find more books like mine! Which I'd love to read. Also, if anyone knows of "immature" books, let me know. I like books that aren't pretentious. If someone thinks they're written immaturely then it's probably a book I'll enjoy if it's just simply written for the great story that it is, without trying to seem like a proper grown-up wrote it.

I actually know why this reviewer targeted my books back in 2014. It's because I left a negative review of the 9th installment of Derek Landy's Skulduggery book. I, like many others, was heartbroken at the way that book was handled by the author himself, but then I realised an author writes whatever the fuck they want, and if a reader doesn't like it they can review it negatively online. Which is what I did. I gave the book 4 out of 5 stars because there were too many unanswered questions and I felt like Darquess taking off was just a cop-out ending.

Now that Landy's written more Skulduggery books I realise the error of my ways. I'm reading them again with glee. And because Darquess took off in book 9, she could come back. You never know. But Derek's writing evolves brilliantly. Like every good writers' does.

Anyway, the bad reviewer was pissed off at me. They bought all 3 of my Eve Eden books just so they could leave negative reviews. I remember that happening to bully reviewers on Goodreads years ago. Some of them were authors too. They'd get their own books ripped to shreds, but their negative reviews were disgusting and I'm glad the website against Goodreads bullies got rid of them.

I was bullied with the release of my first novel, but that's a blog post for another time. I persevered and I've published 16 titles in 10 years. I just flippin love writing! And I don't care about reviews. You shouldn't either, fellow writers out there. Because you know what they say: all news is good news. Which is total bullshit. Seriously, many people should not be given media attention for very good reasons. So that saying is turd. I was just kidding. But I mean it when I say bad reviews can be good. You never know! Everyone had their own opinion. Even you. You're entitled to it. Otherwise it would be a boring world indeed.

So keep writing and publishing and ignore reviews. Let the good ones and the bad do the marketing for you! And remember, there are no book reviews in physical book stores that you walk into. So think the same of your book being online for sale. It's there for whoever wants to buy it and read it. Forget about the reviews attached to it. Just write.


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