tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3641922538902105929.post776753753224584269..comments2023-11-02T05:25:21.247-07:00Comments on Katy's Words: The Writings of Catherine (Cathy) Astolfo: How to Write a Review #2: Star WarsCatherine Astolfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16322797077215536857noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3641922538902105929.post-11781707608581655752014-02-14T14:12:35.616-08:002014-02-14T14:12:35.616-08:00Great article but nothing is ever black and white....Great article but nothing is ever black and white. You said for instance that '2 + 2 = 4. No debate.' In actual fact 2+2 can equal 10 or 11 depending on whether your number base system is four or three rather than the ten you assume.<br />(Sorry - can't help it. I used to teach math and I'm a bit of a smart...)<br /><br />As to those one star reviews being given by competing authors, they most certainly occur. You see creating a few sock-puppet reviews on a competing author's book will drag down their average star rating which effectively prevents them from advertising on some of the better known sites. There's a risk involved though. If Amazon gets smart and traces such a rogue through their IP address they risk a complete ban on all their books at Amazon and possibly legal action too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3641922538902105929.post-59545117772621846642013-05-21T02:36:10.173-07:002013-05-21T02:36:10.173-07:00I've only once written a review for a book I r...I've only once written a review for a book I rated one star. That book was full of spelling, grammar and formatting errors. It was full of scientific gaffs, had an awful cover and it's title included the words 'The new bestseller'. Despite that it had an intriguing plot and was clearly written by a very young author. Although my review pointed out the problems I finished it with words of encouragement to the author. Very much 'a good effort but...' review.<br /><br />Now I <i>do</i> read the one star reviews. They basically fall into two categories. A detailed explanation of what's wrong or a short and often poorly written 'This book is rubish' type, (note the spelling), which can be safely ignored.<br /><br />It's interesting to take a look at the reviews of a book such as 'Fifty Shades of Grey.' Today it has 8,501 five star reviews and 5,414 one star reviews. There are about 2,000 of each of the other star ratings. If ever there was a book which you either love or hate this has to be it. If you actually read a few of the reviews it's immediately apparent that the five star reviews are short and full of spelling and grammar mistakes but the one star reviews are long and detailed, explaining exactly why the reader disliked the book. The one star reviews are, in fact, a lot more entertaining than the book itself and virtually compel the reader to buy the book just to see if they agree.<br /><br />It seems there is a purpose for one star reviews when the book promotes such feelings of anger that the reader (probably a less successful author) feels compelled to vent their anger and frustration at such a poor quality book achieving best-seller status.John Chapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06575901336277340191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3641922538902105929.post-76423536088171394362013-03-02T06:37:11.133-08:002013-03-02T06:37:11.133-08:00The five star ratings my books get seem more deser...The five star ratings my books get seem more deserved if the reviewer has doled out 1 or 2 stars to other novels.<br /><br />Yet, a lot of indie books are very poorly written and still garner more stars than they deserve.<br /><br />You are right when you suggest reading the review. The stars at least give us a way to sort the reviews we want to read.<br /><br /><br />John Kovacichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05079458527340280304noreply@blogger.com