Whether you’re an indie author fresh on the scene or a seasoned writer with a collection of titles under your belt, negative reviews are an inevitable part of the journey.
It’s natural to take negative feedback personally, especially when you’ve invested time, effort, and emotion into your writing.
However, knowing how to handle such reviews professionally is crucial for your long-term success and mental well-being.
Embrace Reviews as Feedback Loops
It’s easier said than done, but try not to see negative reviews as a personal attack.
Instead, consider them a form of direct feedback that can help you improve your craft.
Not every critique will be constructive, but buried within even the most scathing reviews might be insights that could make your next book better.
Avoid Knee-Jerk Reactions
Reading a negative review can trigger an emotional response.
It’s only human.
But reacting immediately is almost never a good idea.
Take a step back. Maybe even take a full day before formulating any type of response, if a response is even warranted.
Generally speaking, it’s best not to respond to negative reviews.
Engaging with a reviewer, especially if emotions are high, can escalate the situation and potentially harm your author brand.
There are exceptions to every rule, but proceed with caution and humility if you choose to go down this road.
While it’s best to leave most negative reviews alone, there are certain situations where it might be necessary to take further action.
If a review violates a platform’s policies, such as including hate speech or personal attacks, reporting it is the appropriate step.
The most constructive way to deal with negative reviews is to absorb any useful feedback and let it inform your future work.
Maybe multiple reviews mention a particular issue with pacing or character development.
That’s valuable information that you can act upon.
Look at the Bigger Picture
For every negative review, there are often many more positive or constructive ones.
Remind yourself of your achievements and positive feedback.
Your worth as a person, or even as an author, is not determined by a single review, nor is the quality of your book.
Think about your favourite novel of all-time.
Now go to Goodreads (AKA The Bad Place) and look at the negative reviews for that book.
Some will be scathing, hostile, and toxic.
But your favourite book isn’t for everyone—and neither is yours.
And that’s fine.
Negative reviews are tough to swallow—especially early in your career—but consider them an inevitable milestone on your journey as an indie author.
Dealing with them professionally will not only protect your reputation but also make you a more resilient and, ultimately, a more skilled storyteller.
So take that criticism on the chin, learn from it, and keep writing.
You’ve got stories to tell and an audience that can’t wait to read them.
How do you handle negative reviews? Do you have any tips to share that weren’t covered here?
CherryEdits 