Writing Blog Number 2

20251017 10 Tips For Handling Bad Reviews

Ten Tips for Handling Bad Reviews

Another post adapted from Insecure Writer's Support Group!

Reviews are the lifeblood of a writer. We feel we live and die by them But we are all going to get bad reviews eventually. Hey, I received a death threat from a US reader because of a book. I guess I should be impressed he could actually read.
         Anyway, here are ten ways you can deal with the bad reviews:

1) Don’t respond
Yeah, don’t feed the trolls. Don’t even say a polite thank you. If they just give a crappy review without anything constructive, tell yourself you’ve got their money anyway, and you can’t please everyone. But, no, do not feed the trolls. Not publicly, not by email, not through your publisher. Just ignore the review.

2) Realise it’s par for the course
Everyone gets negative reviews. It’s just part of the process. You can’t please all the people all the time. At least they read your work. And you got their money!

3) Laugh about it
Use it as a source of mirth. Read them out at the pub to your mates with the weirdest voice you can do. Turn it into a joke. Better than crying about it! After all, you got their money.

4) Remember they make good reviews look more honest
A book with only 5-star glowing reviews looks phony. Family, friends, bots, paid reviewers, or even poor reviews removed? What is it? Feels underhanded. But a few negative reviews make the positive ones feel more real because they are not all glowing and good.

5) Some contain constructive criticism
Often two and three star reviews will offer constructive criticism. Look for it. Is there any validity to what they said? Can you see areas where you can improve or issues you need to address? Learn from the bad reviews and write a better book next time.

6) Don’t focus on the negative
If all the reviews are negative, then maybe you can’t help it. But not all are going to be negative, so don’t focus on the bad ones.

7) It’s just one person’s opinion
Look, we all have opinions, and reviews are just opinions. One person’s opinion is negative. It doesn’t matter. It is just an opinion. And you have their money.

8) Don’t let it stop you
Some people find the negative reviews paralyse them, make them afraid to put anything else out there. This is your baby and someone hated it! Oh well; try, try again. Don’t let it hold you back from continuing.

9) Write something else
This follows on from #8 – write more. Another book, short story, whatever. Keep on writing, keep on submitting, and you’ll get there.

10) Kill off the reviewer in your next book
If all else fails, then just do what I do, and have the reviewer’s computer explode, maiming them for life, and it was deemed their fault so they became crippled and destitute and ended up being eaten by the monster. Or is that just me?

So, I hope that helps you feel better about the bad reviews. I like to think the reviews here at WdC are more constructive than just, “This is shit,” but even if they aren’t, these things could be used here as well.

Negative reviews are the garlic sauce on the chocolate sundae of life. You learn to live with them. And at least no-one is threatening to kill you over a book!
         Me? Yes. You? Probably not.