If you’ve ever wondered how authors feel about book reviews, let me open the curtain a little. It’s a tender subject for many of us. Reviews can encourage us—or puzzle us—and sometimes they simply don’t show up at all.
The Hidden Cost of a Few Words
Reviews are often presented as the golden ticket to success on sites like Amazon or Goodreads. But behind those little stars are hours of work and, often, expense. I’ve paid professional reviewers—wonderful people who read carefully and write beautifully—and those thoughtful words cost $50 or more per title. They’re valuable, but as an independent author with over twenty books, that kind of investment adds up quickly.
When Silence Speaks Loudly
I once sent out fifty free eBooks of ‘Dinosaur Land’ (re-titled ‘The Foster Pact’) on Goodreads, full of hope and gratitude, thinking I might get even a handful of reviews in return. Not one came in.
That’s the reality many authors face: a book can touch hearts and still not gather written reviews. People mean to write them, but life is busy. Many of my readers are older, and I’m deeply touched when they simply tell me in person, ‘I loved that story.’ Those words mean every bit as much to me as an online rating.
The Mystery of the Low Star
Once, a reviewer gave me a one-star review—without a single word of explanation. At first, it hurt. Writers pour their hearts into their stories; we can’t help but feel it when someone disapproves. But over time, I learned to accept that reviews—good or bad—are part of the conversation. They remind us that stories reach all kinds of readers, and not everyone will connect in the same way.
Why Reviews Still Matter
Even with all the ups and downs, reviews remain helpful. They:
- Make books more visible to new readers on Amazon and Goodreads.
- Offer reassurance that a book has been read and enjoyed.
- Encourage writers who work mostly alone, wondering if their words found a home in someone’s heart.
But what matters most isn’t the number of reviews—it’s the sincerity behind them.
A Reader’s Gift
If you’ve read one of my books and it made you smile, laugh, or think differently about life, a short note—just a sentence or two—can make a big difference. You don’t need to be a critic or use fancy language. Simply saying, “This story touched me,” or “I loved the characters,” means more than you know.
And if you’re another writer reading this, please take heart. We write for connection, not numbers. Whether a reader speaks the words in person or types them online, the message is the same: “You moved me.”
That’s worth far more than five stars.
— Diane Green
www.DCGBooks.com