Support for Indie Authors discussion

I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask. But I've accidentally clicked a rating on my own book. I've removed the book from my books list, but it still looks like I've rated my own work. Not a good look. Any help, please?

Yeah, I accidentally did that too. (Although, admittedly I really do think it's five stars.) If you hover over the stars, "clear rating" shows up above them in little blue letters.

Jeremiah wrote: "Yeah, I accidentally did that too. (Although, admittedly I really do think it's five stars.) If you hover over the stars, "clear rating" shows up above them in little blue letters."

I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but no clear rating message. Just says "You really liked it" Very frustrating.

I accidentally rated one of my books just now so I could take screen shots and show you what Jeremiah is talking about. Do you see in the middle shot where you see the word "read" in a box and below it you see my generous rating of this book? Between that are the words "Clear Rating". Those words will appear if you hover your mouse over your rating. When you click on "Clear rating" your rating will disappear.

I guess this is an etiquette question, that I honestly need the answer to.

Is it really a bad thing for an author to give himself a 5 star review. I did it on accident, too, but did not remove it.

I think any author would give his book 5 stars. If it were less he would go back and edit it, right?

Edward wrote: "I think any author would give his book 5 stars. If it were less he would go back and edit it, right?"

I saw an author once rate his/her book three-stars.

Honesty or mistake?

Edward wrote: "I guess this is an etiquette question, that I honestly need the answer to.

Is it really a bad thing for an author to give himself a 5 star review. I did it on accident, too, but did not remove it...."

I think in the realm of reality, you would give yourself the number of stars your readers have given you. So while I put 5 stars of effort into my book, and I think I'm frigging hilarious, I'm a bit biased by the effort and the experiences I poured into it. It's like saying "my child is the most beautiful in the universe." She is - to you. But would everyone say that? ;)

I generally will not buy books from authors who rate their own work. It turns me off. The only reasons I can think that authors would rate their own books is out of desperation to see a rating on their book or to try to fool the public into thinking it actually earned that five star rating. This is actually one practice that turns the general reading populace against Indies. Beyond that, it's kind of stupid. Do I think my books are worth five stars? Yes, because they are exactly suited to my taste. So, what's the point of telling the world "I love my book?" If I didn't love it, I wouldn't have published it.

Gina wrote: "

Honesty or mistake?"

I believe it was an honest assessment. I think the author had more books, and this one was the first. The review may be after the author had grown and hated his/her first attempt at publishing. I'm with Dwayne, just don't do it.

Phillip wrote: "Edward wrote: "I think any author would give his book 5 stars. If it were less he would go back and edit it, right?"

I saw an author once rate his/her book three-stars."

Lol. Well you could not accuse him of not trying to be honest at the least!! lol.

Dwayne wrote: "I generally will not buy books from authors who rate their own work. It turns me off. The only reasons I can think that authors would rate their own books is out of desperation to see a rating on t..."

Point taken. I will remove it. Thank you for the input.

Beth wrote: "Edward wrote: "I guess this is an etiquette question, that I honestly need the answer to.

Is it really a bad thing for an author to give himself a 5 star review. I did it on accident, too, but did..."

Great point about rating your own child. They will always be more special to you than anyone else. In a way, a book is just like that since it is a creation hopefully made with loving intent.

(I think my romanticism might be showing. lol)

Dwayne wrote: "I generally will not buy books from authors who rate their own work. It turns me off. The only reasons I can think that authors would rate their own books is out of desperation to see a rating on t..."

I fully agree too .

Savita and Dwayne.

I understand your point, but think back to when you were new authors, and sort of the desperation or powerlessness you initially felt when trying to market your book.

I would probably feel like you, were it a seasoned author, but if it were a newer author, I think I would feel compassion for him and ignore that he rated his own work.

That being said, it IS clear that you should not rate your own work, because it CANNOT be an unbiased opinion of it, and in the best case, people will ignore it, and in the worst case, it will turn them off.

I don't know. Patrick Rothfuss rated his own book and I thought it was funny: he says he's biased. Obviously. Of course he has close to 600K ratings. :)

Well, yes, Edward. I was a new author at one time. And I did rate a couple of my books at one time. And I was called on it by several readers. I'm passing on advice I learned the hard way. You can take it or leave it. Most months my sales still are nothing to brag about, but I don't believe rating my own books is going to help that.

M.L. wrote: "I don't know. Patrick Rothfuss rated his own book and I thought it was funny: he says he's biased. Obviously. Of course he has close to 600K ratings. :)"

Sure. I get that. He is doing it for a different reason. (He doesn't NEED more reviews. lol.)

You bring up a great point, and it modifies my position a little bit. I guess my point is don't have a hard fast rule about how to treat an author that rates his own work.

If he is a new author trying to find his way, give him a break. If he is more seasoned, but trying to be funny, laugh with him. In other words, try to decipher the motive of the rating. If his motive is clearly nefarious, it is OK to be turned off by it.

Dwayne wrote: "Well, yes, Edward. I was a new author at one time. And I did rate a couple of my books at one time. And I was called on it by several readers. I'm passing on advice I learned the hard way. You can ..."

Hi Dwayne.

I appreciate your input, and I DID immediately take down my rating of my own book. There is no school like experience, and we newer authors appreciate the veterans giving out sage advice.

I would always take your advice - never leave it.

It is part of the journey and it is nice that those ahead of us extend back a hand to help us along.

I don't give it much attention myself but some authors managed to write a 'review' of their own book in a funny way and not-so-serious way which might be a good thing.

Tomas wrote: "I don't give it much attention myself but some authors managed to write a 'review' of their own book in a funny way and not-so-serious way which might be a good thing."

My books are... weird. Twice I've had characters review my books within my books. Never favorable.

See? I think that is awesome! Like when Stephen King interviews himself! Asks some hard hitting questions, and etc.

The thing is, Would you do it under an account made for the character? Or your own account?

The proposition is a little moot for me, as my work so far has been anthologies of my poetry, but I still think it is clever, and it would certainly make we want to know more about the author and his writing!

The reviews are in the books, not on the internet. Some of my characters are aware of me and have low opinions.

Dwayne wrote: "The reviews are in the books, not on the internet. Some of my characters are aware of me and have low opinions."

I like that. I actually have a poem called, "The Fourth Wall" in my book where one of the characters in the poem realizes she is in a poem and gets me to visit my own poem and interact with me.

Fun concept.

What is does the add book/author link above the comment section do? I am a little afraid to click for fear of pimping my own book in violation of the rules. :p

Breaking the fourth wall once in a while can be fun. I do it just once in my book in a sort of 'Lemony Snickett' kind of way, addressing the "dear reader".

Edward wrote: "What is does the add book/author link above the comment section do? I am a little afraid to click for fear of pimping my own book in violation of the rules. :p"

It does what you think it does and even though Goodreads put it there, we ask that our members don't use it in this group. Don't do it. Don't do it! Don't. *shakes finger at you*

Edward wrote: "Savita and Dwayne.

I understand your point, but think back to when you were new authors, and sort of the desperation ....
Edward , I am NOT an experienced author at all . I've just written one book , and that , too , recently . Still then , I feel Dwayne's advice is absolutely correct . We take so much care to make the cover , the blurb and the title impressive . By rating our own book we may just spoil the whole show by sounding a bit ungraceful and immature ( self praise ! ) .
My comment is well-meaning , and not intended to cause any offence to you ! 😊

Dwayne wrote:

"It does what you think it does and even though Goodreads put it there, we ask that our members don't use it in this group. Don't do it. Don't do it! Don't. *shakes finger at you"

I am going to IMMEDIATELY not click on it. It is like having a button that says don't press me. Hahahaha.

Thank you for your time with a newbie author, Dwayne!

Savita wrote: "Edward wrote: "Savita and Dwayne.

I understand your point, but think back to when you were new authors, and sort of the desperation ....
Edward , I am NOT an experienced author at all . I've jus..."

You gave no offense. We are all compatriots on the same journey. Learning as we go. Giving a hand to others as we can. I also agree with you and Dwayne as a rule of thumb, although there could be a rare exception here or there.

I appreciate you taking the time to engage with me.

Edward wrote: "Savita wrote: "Edward wrote: "Savita and Dwayne.

Thanks ( for not taking offense ) , and welcome ( regarding the ' time ' ) ! 😊