This is the Egret of Regret.
Now, onto the favor. Please rate the books you love. (Mine, any author’s… just… rate the books you love.) I was minding my own business (read: doing admin work on Amazon) when something came to my attention.
Wait… 2,319 ratings/reviews? Not 4.2*?
I live in a dark hole in the ground, where I eat food and pretend life doesn’t exist outside of my little hole. The inside is well lit, it’s comfortable. I’m more than a little pudgy, and often don’t wear shoes.
Yes, I’m saying I’m a hobbit. Why deny it? I’m short, I’m plump, I’d rather stay home, and I absolutely do not want to go on an adventure today.
Amazon is making me go onto an adventure today.
It seems their plan to merge goodreads and Amazons ratings has come to fruition. Much like an oversized bird, I have stuck my head into the sand on this issue.
I have the Egret of Regret (as pictured above) right about now. The Egret of Regret is where the rating-bombing mean-spirited “book lovers” of goodreads flood Amazon and make the jobs of authors harder.
Ironically, the readers of goodreads, in a rare exception, actually pulled Booked for Murder’s ratings high enough it isn’t a complete wash. I honestly have no idea what to do about this. (What? Goodreads actually had a higher rating than Amazon for this book? Whhhhaaattt?)
Color me very confused, but it is what it is. That’s where the good news ends. Just about every other book has had its ratings brought down, on average between .1-.2 points overall.
That hurts. That makes the books harder to advertise. ALL authors, except the ones with large, rabid fanbases (or a lot of sock puppets), are going to be hurt by this. The books with the sock puppets and rabid fanbases will be fine.
It’s just everyone else who will hurt.
So, I have to basically turn around, dump out all of my advertising plans, and start over from scratch. Some books with higher ratings no longer have those ratings, so chances are, the books simply won’t sell as well. Very few books kept a 4.8* rating or higher. It is what it is.
I’m not one of those super popular authors who can just exist and hit a bestseller list. (I wish. That’d be very, very nice.)
Then, to add insult to injury, my KU author friends just received very bad news; their pages read has dramatically dropped in terms of payments. Most will be losing thousands of dollars a month, and the ones who aren’t making thousands will be losing a hefty chunk of their earnings.
It’s painful to watch.
If you love a KU author’s books, please read their titles, and if the books are great and your budget allows, after you return the book, please buy a copy. That’ll throw some extra pennies into their jar and help make up for the losses they’ll be facing in the next few months.
I found out about that this morning, and while I’m not in KU, my heart hurts for the authors who are in KU and are working so hard to make ends meet.
The blows just keep on coming, but hey… for fans of Booked for Murder, maybe it has a chance to redeem itself, as goodreads somehow helped it claw its way back to 4.3* rating.
Time will tell on that one.
Now, if only goodreads hadn’t done a marvelous job of screwing everything else up.
Insert huge sigh here.
Looks like tonight is going to be one part working on Dead Weight and one part reevaluating my career to figure out where to go from here, what books to advertise, and how to handle the changes that probably should not have happened.
Goodreads… is just a toxic place, and the last thing authors needed was its toxicity seeping into Amazon’s ratings.
Sure, one of my books got lifted up.
The rest got pulled down, and some of them, significantly enough I may have to rethink plans for series continuations and so on.
Because yes, ratings and reviews really do matter that much.
So, if you love a series, please take the time to rate it, even if you can’t find the words to write reviews. It really does matter.
Now, I’m off to either throw up or cry–or possibly both.
This definitely comes from the department of “I didn’t need this right now.” Thus the Egret of Regret.
While I am not the best person a writing a review, I have been constantly trying to leave 5 stars on your books. And I loved this book and immediately pre-ordered the next one when it became available. I intend to get the third when that one comes to pre-order. I enjoyed the characters and the complexity of the plot. The way you describe your characters falling for each other is really fun and funny.
i have been rating your books since i have heard about the issues that ratings can cause. i have to say I have enjoyed every book of yours I have read. Of course, some are more favored than others, but all were really well written and good entertainment. look forward to each and every one. also like them in audible because I can do many things at the same, driving, sewing , clean house, etc.
I’m traveling but taking the time to rate your books this week while on the road. I LOVE THEM ALL.
Is it a problem if the reviews and ratings on Goodreads and Amazon are identical? And is LibraryThing also involved?
They are doubling down on them, so no, I don’t think it matters.
Try connecting with Gordon and Ilona Andrews. They manage to have a group of rabid readers (called The Book Devouring Horde). They are very generous in their support for other authors.
I simply do not impose on other authors. When I share authors, I do so because I want to. <3 But yes, they're one of the authors with a huge, rabid fanbase, who will be fine / not affected by the goodreads import.
Rating on Amazon: sheerness? Flavor? wth? I’m rating a book not a dish.
LOLOLOL, I definitely appreciate the laugh right now… but yeaaah… uggghh.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard of goodreads, but it sounds like the Wattpad of book reviewing. It straight up stinks that your books, and books of other authors, would be brought down by what sounds like a petty review site.
Yep, that’s precisely what it is.
Amazon bought goodreads a while back, and we saw the writing on the wall, they’re just actually flinging the shit into the fan now.
I am not able to review every one of the books I have read under the Susan Copperfield or R J Blain titles as the would be ALL of them. However, I will say, of all the hundreds of books I read, your are some of the ones I have reread time and time again. I have reread all of your books at least four times. However, since you have shared with us the nasty behavior of Amazon, I am trying to buy your books from Barnes and Noble as Nook books. I hope that Barnes and Noble treats you better than does Amazon.
You can just rate them all, you need not leave text reviews. You can just scroll and rate like a champ on goodreads en masse.
And yes, as a general rule, B&N treats authors MUCH better than Amazon does.
I have enjoyed all the books of yours that I’ve read, which is most of the Blaine books (I still have a few to read, but I own the books and will get to them) and the Copperfield books, which I really, really enjoy. I’m sorry this change impacted you that way. I look forward to your next boo/k, whatever it is.
Vampire of Montana, Susan Copperfield, drops on the 28th. 🙂
Whilst I’m ecstatic (I forgot how to spell that for a bit, lol) for Booked For Murder, 😭😭😭😭 for the rest.
Can you explain what the “pages read” means? I prefer to use KOBO and in there monthly reports on my reading they have referred to the number of pages I have read in the last month. Do you get paid for every time I turn a page?
In the case of kobo, if you are reading under the kobo plus program? i get paid per time spent reading one of my books. If you bought the book outright, all fiscal transactions are complete.
Pages read is a kindle unlimited payment method, where authors are paid a fraction of a penny per page read.
I have to say, I didn’t know that it was possible to rate without a written review on GRs – when I get up tomorrow morning I’ll definitely be investigating further…
Sorry, just to clarify – I live in London, and it’s currently 02:52am…
Yes, you can! Type in the author’s name and just tap the stars/shelve the books and off to the races you go!
I am so sorry to hear this. I have always enjoyed your books and your humor has helped me through some difficult times.
I review for NetGalley and Book Sirens and leave quite a few reviews on GoodReads. I had no idea that it was toxic.
Normally you would be able to do a comparative; on average, good reads reviews rate .5 to 1 star lower than commercial site readers. So most people will rate 4* instead of 5. The way people review also tends to be meaner. A LOT of authors (myself included) steer clear of goodreads because reviewers get mean.
Like say you should go die for writing a book they didn’t like mean. It’s sad.
I just posted reviews for all of your books that I have read. I had no idea how much the reviews drove things. Sheesh. Sorry you are having to deal with all this.
Long time reader first time commenter lol I buy all of my books on iBooks 👍 Amazon is a soul sucking leach for authors so I avoid buying books there! I do use kobo and B&N, I’m interested in trying kobo+…that being said I am a Patreon supporter since I want to make sure that all the money for the books goes to you. I will go forth and add my reviews to Amazon and double check that I’ve put my reviews on the books in iBooks. I absolutely love your books I’ve lost count how many times I’ve reread them it holds me over till the next book drops 😉 the worlds you create are awesome. I’ll recruit some minions to help rate the books too. Is it only the ratings on Amazon that’s effected?
Thank you!
And ratings super matter, reviews DO matter, but less than the knee jerk “Oh look, a BUNCH of people loved this book” ratings. Add in that people filter by ratings often, and it can get rough in a hurry!
I bailed on GR when they were automatically linking what I was reading to my FB. I was like nope! Peace out. What I read is MY business unless I CHOOSE to share it.
So sorry to hear of this. I have gone through to add reviews for all the books I have read. I just love your books and have read them all. Your books are my go to for re-reads. Wishing you all the best!
I really didn’t realize the ratings mattered so much as I never read them when choosing a book to buy or read. I love GoodReads mostly for the fact that I can keep track of which books I’ve read as life is too short to re-reread. I hate writing reviews unliess I really have to but I will try harder to leave a review on books I love/like. I hope it helps.
And people wonder why I never buy any ebooks from Amazon! I have a Kobo, and pretty much purchase all my books on their website – and when I’ve finished, I always give a rating, but rarely write a review, mainly because ratings give me the best idea of whether a book is worth purchasing or not, so I tend (rightly or wrongly) to assume that is the same for most readers. And to be perfectly honest, many of the reviews are so badly written that even when endorsing a book they can seriously put you off – especially the ones that give a blow by blow account of the entire book! (Which is not a review, people – trust me on this one).
But what really makes me angry is that awful sense of entitlement where it’s deemed to be acceptable to criticise an author’s book just because they didn’t write what was expected or wanted by their readers. (I had an email recently from an author that I read apologising for just that. I wrote back and told her it’s her world not ours, and we ought to be jolly grateful). We are privileged to be allowed to share a world that has been created by pretty talented people, and we ought to be thankful for that – not carping about every little plot point, or every little typo. Without these wonderfully creative people, our lives would be considerably poorer.
End of rant!
WTF now!! We love your books!!
Off topic.. I luv your humor and I adore your royal states series and the mad cap fun of your Bernadette Franklin books . I enjoy pretty much all of your different series. I’m really looking forward to Vampire of Montana hopefully still coming out this month!! Thank you for being you!!
Yes, it is. On the 28th.
Will do. I have put it off honestly for way too long. a couple of years ago, i was hospitalized for a month with covid-19 pneumonia. since then I have had pneumonia 4 or 5 times and have just been housebound. Your books from the mag Rom Com to my most favorite Jesse Alexander . I reread you every couple of months they all take me Away! I really love Jesse Alexander’s world and the open equality in it. Crossing my fingers to be able to read another Jesse ! Thanks very much for your talent and willingness to write about so many different types of people!
I am not a normal/typical reader/buyer of books so my response is not to be seen as normal. My 100.000 plus book collection before the bank stole my hose as well as the time spent in living [not reading] the books won’t make my response “standard” by any means. That being said, i buy everything you publish which puts you in my top ten. That is not easy to do. Based on the comments on this site I’m not alone.
Just left 32 five star reviews (32 books). Certainly hope that helps.
Thank you so very much <3 <3 <3
Thank You for all of your work! You create great periods of happiness and escape for so many. Be well.
Forty-six reviews. Took a while for some to show Love your stuff.
As someone who generally avoids rating books, because I don’t really care if goodreads or Amazon “suggestions” are better for me or not, I’m going to have to change my policy.–and start rating everything. Thanks for the heads up!
I love your books and at least rate them every time I get a new one. I also tell everyone and their brother (or sister) they HAVE to try at least one, I usually say “try Playing with Fire, you’ll laugh your ass off”. I also add that I got a new book or audiobook on Facebook and tell everyone that I’m not to be disturbed until I get through the book at least once 🙂
Although I am sorry Good Reads brought down your review points I am VERY Happy the score for the Vigilante Magical Librarians increased. As a Nurse who wanted to be a Librarian I love this series and the characters! Hope you do write book 3 as I at least am eagerly waiting for its release.
So, how does Google Play Books compare to other vendors? Do you have a vendor you would prefer we patronize?
My favorite vendors are Kobo and Barnes & Noble. Google… is rough. Not my favorite. Honestly, I dislike google even more than I dislike Amazon in some ways. Google is a PAIN to use. So I often don’t even do preorders at Google; don’t get a lot of sales there. I still make it accessible though because some like it.
I think Smashwords (which is new to me because ownership changed) pays the highest, but Barnes & Noble and Kobo are in a even race for being just PLEASANT for me as an author. <3
And Kobo Plus is now in the US, so I really love that people can get my books for a very affordable price.
Well, Amazon will not let me leave a review??!! from my account. Why??
I have no idea, unfortunately. I do know there are limitations for reviewing on Amazon. (Review on goodreads if this applies to you is all I can suggest.)
1: You have to have spent $50 on physical products in the last year.
2: … I know there’s something else but can’t remember. Sigh. But if Amazon won’t let you review, reviewing at places like B&N/Kobo/Apple/Google is also HUGELY helpful.
I always rate but don’t always write something. I do use KU and always try to read all books to the last page, that I borrow for that service, regardless of liking or not liking them. I know writers get paid for each page. I think alot of people just don’t realize how much writers lose if they don’t read the whole book. I wish there was a better system. 🙁
Kobo plus has the better system. They pay out of the pool based on 30 minutes read. Amazon doesn’t even track the pages read right and etc. Kobo? Doesn’t care how slow or fast people read… their system just evaluated how the person is reading, and distributes the money based on that.
But… people should not be forced to read books they aren’t enjoying. Life’s just too short.
Gee. I’m going to go back and put up reviews now! I read a number of authors (who doesn’t?), but there are only 4 authors in my “don’t look, just buy – and pre-order when possible” list, and you are one of the 4. I’m so glad that B&N is nice to you as an author, because it is my favorite platform. Just something about the way that books feel on that app as opposed to Kindle (which I do have, but it’s subtly jarring to read on).
Reading and re-reading your books has gotten me through a really tough tax season (I am a tax preparer, weep for me in April!), and I will be showing my appreciation with appropriate reviews. Thank you for your output up to this point, and thank you in advance for all you will write in the future. (And even thank you for the scavenger hunt for new pen names …)
I have a Japanese Kindle, so I am stuck buying all my books on Amazon. I am one of those horrible people (ye gods the complaints) that don’t have social media, don’t tell everyone what I’m doing, and only recommend things when asked. I don’t pay attention to reviews as I do not know the people doing the reviews, and cannot be sure our tastes match. One of my pet peeves is when the description of a book starts with “fans of this author/series will love this!” because whether I like that series and author or not, I go into the book with a preconceived notion of what I am about to read. I hate that. I have read many a book that is the only one by an author that I like and the rest of that author’s work is not to my taste. That all being said, I didn’t realize that reviews had gained so much power as to affect earnings. I apologize for not rating my books and I will make sure to do it going forward.
I rarely write out a review, but I generally have been doing a star rating on good reads when I finish books (unless I didn’t like it). I’ll go through this week to make sure I have left a rating on all your books I’ve read.