Write a Review
Think about how you shop for things. Maybe you wander the aisles of your favorite store. While I was at Target last week, my son texted me that he wanted a book to read for school. It was recently made into a movie, so I thought it might be on the shelves. But after looking around for a long time, I had to buy it online. It's not that we always want to buy everything online, but often it's the only place we can find it. I imagined if I had picked it up off the shelf and looked at another person in the aisle and asked, "What did you think of this book?" Chances are, they wouldn't have a response. But if you buy something online, you have the ability to hear exactly what other customers thought of it.
If you aren't a regular reviewer, it may not occur to you to write one. But one of the best ways you can support an author is to write a review. It's not to feed our egos. We don't always need that. But it truly makes our book more visible others and helps us boost sales. My book is seasonal, so I have a limited window each year when people are celebrating Earth Day.
If you've been following this blog, you know I have an ongoing contest for families called the "Earth Day Family Challenge". You and your family can participate by doing fun activities that correspond with pages of my book, I Made the Earth. Each activity is worth points and any family with 5,000 points by April 22 (Earth Day) will be put in a drawing for a grand prize. I'll announce exactly what that prize is in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned!
Download your printable copy of the challenge here:
One of the easiest items on the list (worth 500 points) is to write a review of I Made the Earth. If you've already read the book, it would mean so much to me if you'd write a review to so others will find it online. I've created links for places you can review "I Made the Earth". Click on the underlined items.
There are a few places you can leave a review:
Where you bought it (Amazon, Christianbook, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones, Apple Books, Google Play, the publisher's website.)
On your book blog
Bookbub
Social media
Reviews don't have to be long or detailed. Honestly, a short sentence saying you liked the book will help. We often think we have to have eloquently worded synopses or find wonderful passages to quote. Those are great, but not necessary. Think about why someone would want to buy the book and just say that.
This week I reviewed a book called, How to Dance by Jason B. Dutton. It took me a few days to write the review because the book was so good I had to collect my thoughts a little first. In the end, my review didn't do the book justice, but I said, "It’s not an exaggeration that I simply couldn’t put this book down. I have a paper copy and I bought the audiobook so I didn’t have to stop reading it while driving to work, walking the dog or doing laundry. The reader on Audible is great by the way. While reading this book, I was either laughing (it’s very funny) or marveling at the beauty of the writing.
Do yourself a favor and get this wonderful book. I know you’ll fall in love with the characters too."
There are so many joys about being an author. One of the best is hearing from readers. I'm thankful for each and every one of mine.
Blessings,
Shannon