It's my own fault and I have no right to complain. I say that straight off because in the first place, I know that's what many of my readers will be saying and in the second, in spite of what follows, I actually believe that statement to be true. I would, though seek to put my side of the story and leave it there.
Eight months ago, I requested a review for my story “Head Count”. The reviewer asked me to forward a copy as a Kindle gift but, as I recall, there is some conflict between UK and US distribution procedures, which meant that for some reason it wouldn't work. In desperation (and, as it turns out, ill-advisedly) I sent a Smashwords copy.
A couple of days ago, the review appeared. It begins: “This is a good enough story with a mystery to solve and a plot complex enough to keep the reader guessing along with an intense ending...”
I know: you sense the “however” don't you?
The rest of the review was (how can I put this?) well, it wasn't glowing. If you'd like to see for yourself, just pop over to the "Head Count page of this site where I have proudly displayed a link to all my Amazon However, you needn't read it here since it is syndicated throughout the known universe and any search for “Head Count” will offer it up for your delectation along with its two (count 'em) two stars.
What was I thinking? Well, I was thinking that Head Count is a good story that has been well received by several independent reviewers. It has its flaws but none that would either detract from the coherence of the story or would be likely to limit the enjoyment of the general reader. Apparently, I was wrong. According to this reviewer, Head Count is, if one refers to his star rating, “a poor book”.
His objections to the Smashwords edition (typos, poor formatting etc) are, I will admit, valid. It was my fault for not vetting that edition well enough. I have updated it several times since I sent it to the reviewer but that's no excuse. The edition was shoddy and I hold my hands up.
However, that (in my view), doesn't condemn it as a “poor” book but the review goes on to suggest that there are a number of plot holes and he quotes one of the “many minor” ones and one “major” one. At first, I was concerned and went back to the text to make sure that he didn't have a point. Thankfully, I could find nothing wrong with the plot points he cited. I wrote to him to ask if he might point out some of the “many” plot holes he encountered so that I might address them.
He was unfailingly polite and replied almost immediately. He quoted one other instance which he believed indicated poor plotting but again, when I returned to the text, I was again able to reassure myself that his view was mistaken. At their worst, these points require only a little clarification in the text and (I hate to say it) perhaps that only for the purposes of mollifying those who might read it as this reviewer did.
Now I know that we have to take the rough with the smooth and, Lord knows, I've given my own fair share of poor reviews but I'd like to feel that if I was to label something “poor”, I might find more to object to than a couple of plot points, which the author was able to refute with some ease.
I know it's my own fault and I have no right to complain. I asked for a review and then got kicked in the teeth. “Live with it”, I hear you say. Well, of course I must but although the review was the result – and I do not doubt this for one moment – of both a full reading of the story and a dedication to the craft of reviewing, I don't believe that the conclusions warrant such a poor rating. So what can I do?
I know: Why don't you buy a copy and find out for yourself? Let me know what you think; perhaps leave a review on Amazon - but only if you like it, of course. If you don't, then keep your phenomenally widely-read views to yourself.
Eight months ago, I requested a review for my story “Head Count”. The reviewer asked me to forward a copy as a Kindle gift but, as I recall, there is some conflict between UK and US distribution procedures, which meant that for some reason it wouldn't work. In desperation (and, as it turns out, ill-advisedly) I sent a Smashwords copy.
A couple of days ago, the review appeared. It begins: “This is a good enough story with a mystery to solve and a plot complex enough to keep the reader guessing along with an intense ending...”
I know: you sense the “however” don't you?
The rest of the review was (how can I put this?) well, it wasn't glowing. If you'd like to see for yourself, just pop over to the "Head Count page of this site where I have proudly displayed a link to all my Amazon However, you needn't read it here since it is syndicated throughout the known universe and any search for “Head Count” will offer it up for your delectation along with its two (count 'em) two stars.
What was I thinking? Well, I was thinking that Head Count is a good story that has been well received by several independent reviewers. It has its flaws but none that would either detract from the coherence of the story or would be likely to limit the enjoyment of the general reader. Apparently, I was wrong. According to this reviewer, Head Count is, if one refers to his star rating, “a poor book”.
His objections to the Smashwords edition (typos, poor formatting etc) are, I will admit, valid. It was my fault for not vetting that edition well enough. I have updated it several times since I sent it to the reviewer but that's no excuse. The edition was shoddy and I hold my hands up.
However, that (in my view), doesn't condemn it as a “poor” book but the review goes on to suggest that there are a number of plot holes and he quotes one of the “many minor” ones and one “major” one. At first, I was concerned and went back to the text to make sure that he didn't have a point. Thankfully, I could find nothing wrong with the plot points he cited. I wrote to him to ask if he might point out some of the “many” plot holes he encountered so that I might address them.
He was unfailingly polite and replied almost immediately. He quoted one other instance which he believed indicated poor plotting but again, when I returned to the text, I was again able to reassure myself that his view was mistaken. At their worst, these points require only a little clarification in the text and (I hate to say it) perhaps that only for the purposes of mollifying those who might read it as this reviewer did.
Now I know that we have to take the rough with the smooth and, Lord knows, I've given my own fair share of poor reviews but I'd like to feel that if I was to label something “poor”, I might find more to object to than a couple of plot points, which the author was able to refute with some ease.
I know it's my own fault and I have no right to complain. I asked for a review and then got kicked in the teeth. “Live with it”, I hear you say. Well, of course I must but although the review was the result – and I do not doubt this for one moment – of both a full reading of the story and a dedication to the craft of reviewing, I don't believe that the conclusions warrant such a poor rating. So what can I do?
I know: Why don't you buy a copy and find out for yourself? Let me know what you think; perhaps leave a review on Amazon - but only if you like it, of course. If you don't, then keep your phenomenally widely-read views to yourself.
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