Originally posted on Goodreads! It has happened. As my friend has called it, "A rite of passage" for any author. If you are an author, I'm sure it is inevitable. The one-star review. My very first and on my most recent story. There has been a great debate over one-star reviews. For me, I fall on the side that a reader has every right to be completely honest. If that means a one-star review, it means a one-star review. Not everyone is going to love or enjoy a book. Therefore, not everyone is going to love a book I've written. After all, even the classics and most popular books receive one-star reviews. I fully recognize that this is easy to say when you've never had a one-star review. Except, now I've received one. And, yeah, it hurts. I don't think anybody really enjoys getting them. But, it doesn't make the review any less valid. As my grandfather always said, "practice what you preach." You have to walk your talk. If I truly believe in reader's being able to be honest in their reviews, I have to believe in it when I'm the one receiving that one-star review. And, I do. Maybe it's a bit easier since I have the protection of the computer screen, but this one-star review also benefits me. 1) It gives me another review on my book. It kind of follows the idea of "any publicity is good publicity." 2) It adds some appeal to my book. If all I have are five-stars and beta readers or friends, the views and opinions of the book appeared skewed. If I have one five-star review and one one-star review, it makes it seem more balanced and genuine. 3) Because it was through K.U. I still got royalties. One-star reviews are going to happen. They are going to hurt, but it's part of being an author. It helps you grow. So, this book wasn't for one reader, but it might be a great read to another. And, if I believe in the reader's right to post an honest review, I believe in the reader's right to post an honest review on my books as well.
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Ellie Lieberman |