How Reviews Support Authors (and help us write better books!)

*Guest post by Sarah Stonich

You know that new heart-hugging ‘care’ emoji added to Facebook since the pandemic?  It seems like it’s doing double duty these past weeks. As I sit to write this post, my city, Minneapolis is in the news every day. The neighborhood south of where I now live was decimated after peaceful rallies protesting George Floyd's murder were infiltrated and inflamed by outsiders; looters, and misguided bad actors. This murder-by-police has enlivened a movement–one that is spreading from a humble neighborhood to the attention of millions across cultures, borders, and time zones.

Intense times to say the least.

Lots of us turn to books in hard times–some may delve into fiction or fantasy for a reprieve from reality. Others turn to history and nonfiction to find answers to the bigger questions and get further perspectives. For myself, I’m finding solace in poetry, and the bright spots entertaining novels provided in these days of often jarring headlines.

Perhaps one day there will be a book-hugging emoji for booklovers, maybe replace the boring old stars we use on reviews and ratings?

Feeling some book love? 

Writers are always appreciative when readers take the time to post online reviews, much in the same way RayAnne loves (and sometimes dreads) letters and notes from those watching her performance on FISHING!, the first all-women, fishing talk show on public television. Readers might not know the impact their own opinions can have on a book's success (or failure.) As an author, I cannot think of a better way to get books I love into the hands of other readers than by spreading the word. Also, reviews let us know how we are doing!

When readers post reviews and ratings via online venues like GoodReads; Barnes&Noble or Amazon, word spreads. Online retailer Bookshop.org does not yet have a reviewing system in place, but authors are keeping fingers crossed: this organization kicks money back to independent bookstores across the country—supporting indies is the most proactive thing you can do as a consumer and booklover. 

As an author whose career has been boosted every step of the way by independent booksellers, I ALWAYS encourage readers to buy from their local independent bookstores and online sources whenever possible. But when channeling your opinions, reviews are most effective where books move quickly into the limelight via algorithms: “If you love Sophie Kinsella, you'll love Fishing!”

A thousand thanks to Michelle Cornish for offering this guest slot on her blog and for being a champion for books like FISHING!