The Nicest Thing You Can Do For an Author

A Literal Literary Loser Shares the Love

My good friend Kyra Davis Lurie’s book comes out TODAY. “The Great Mann” is a post-World War II African-American retelling of “The Great Gatsby.” We talked about it — as well as fun topics like interracial marriage, cultural appropriation, racism, antisemitism, secret world histories and more — on this History Through Fiction podcast:

I blurbed Kyra’s book:

“Kyra Davis Lurie sprinkles Hollywood fairy dust over a classic tale of careless people and boats beating against the tide. Shining a spotlight on an aspect of African American history few know, much less believe, ever existed.”—Alina Adams, New York Times bestselling author of The Nesting Dolls and Go On Pretending

Kyra blurbed my book:

Go On Pretending hooks you on the very first page then takes you on an emotional ride through history with generations of unique and highly engaging characters. An epic drama not to be missed!—Kyra Davis Lurie, New York Times bestselling author of The Great Mann

That’s what we in the writing business do. I really loved “The Great Mann” and was happy to tell anybody who asked (and those who didn’t; as you may have noticed, shy and retiring, I am not). Kyra told me she really loved “Go On Pretending.” (I’ve known her since college; shy and retiring, she isn’t, either.)

Reviews really matter to authors. Not just for the ego boost, but for the sales. (You know what really boosts egos? Sales!) I’ve definitely purchases a novel because an author whose work I enjoy praised it. Odds are, if I like their work, I will also like the work they like.

Reader reviews also matter. That’s why Amazon has the option to share your thoughts, and entire sites like Goodreads exist. A recent Goodreaders review of “Go On Pretending” read: Bit of a wild book. Lots of history of socialist and/or events. Interesting!

I’ll take it! Do you like Lots of history of socialist and/or events? Then check out “Go On Pretending!”

And if you enjoy it, please consider leaving a review. Any review. Anywhere. Because, in the end, that is the nicest thing you can do for an author. I know it’s a bit of a pain. You have to, first and foremost, remember to do it. Remembering is hard.

You then have to log onto the site in question. And that requires clicking buttons and things. Who has time for that? You’re a busy person, I get it!

Then you have to think of words. I’m a writer, believe me, I know how hard it is to think of words, especially when you want them to be the right words, and you don’t want to sound like an idiot and you want to get your point across and nothing looks as good on (virtual) paper as it sounded in your head.

You have to decide whether you want to use your real name and risk getting spammed and/or belittled, or if you want to come up with a clever pseudonym. Or maybe you want to skip the clever pseudonym and just be basic. And then that sends you into an existential spiral about whether you are, in fact, clever or basic, and what sort of legacy are you leaving behind with these reviews?

Like I said, I get it: Writing a book review is hard.

But here’s the thing: Authors really, REALLY appreciate it.

It means the world to us that someone not only took the time and trouble to read the words we sweated over for the good part of a year, but also then went the extra mile of commenting on them.

I’ve had 20 books published and that part of the process is still a thrill. Every. Single. Time.

So, please, if you have a minute, share your thoughts. Preferably where other people can see them. (Why should the thrill be limited to the writer? Share the thrill with the world!) Check out “Go On Pretending.” Check out “The Great Mann.” Read whichever genre you like, read whichever writer you like, read early (and late), read often (or infrequently; you do you), and, when you’re done, let the author know what you thought!

And let me know what you thought of this post, below. Do blurbs and reader reviews influence which book you buy and read?