The Backlot Gay Book Forum discussion

Please, if you don't like a book (we all have different tastes) don't leave a one-star dump and run. Say a few words why, or just don't bother at all. Irritating to all authors, I'm sure.

Agreed, but be prepared. A one-star review is usually not a literary critique.

I'm lucky enough to have had perhaps two or three over my eight published books. I'm calm about it today, but I was bloody annoyed yesterday when I saw the latest.

Actual 1-star reviews can be very helpful. It's been my experience that the reviewer often points to something that other readers immediately respond to by saying, "I want that!" I know I'm not the only author who's had that experience. And I'm not the only reader who responds that way.

Just like on Yelp or Google, everyone recognizes sour grapes when they see them, so the 1-star reviews that are just that don't bother me. Much.

1-star drive-by ratings (whether here or on Amazon), on the other hand... Well, Garrick said it best.

I will leave one star reviews, but the book has to be pretty gosh-darned awful and I either mark it as did not finish and/or leave a reason why. Sometimes it's hard to write a review that's one star because I feel like I'm excoriating the author no matter how impersonal I try to keep it and that bothers me. I don't write books, but I write enough to know that having your writing critiqued is like have a complete stranger say awful things about your child.

On a happier note, I investigated your books and now I have The Cricketer's Arms on my to read list.

Great and thoughtful post!

Jane, I hope you enjoy The Cricketer's Arms, it's the first in the series, and I've just finished writing the third, which will see the light of day in September.

Regarding the one-star dump and run, it surprised me because it was for a book that averages around 4.6 stars. Upon reflection, I think the buyer didn't read the blurb and didn't realise it was a gay book. (It's about men at war).

There's that saying among writers, dozens of 5-star reviews, but you always remember that one in which the reviewer picked out a typo on page 288.

Take care.

I don't even like to leave 3-star reviews. Which means "I liked it OK"
Helpful criticism is, I guess, good. But hey, I want books I love to get read more and more.

Ulysses wrote: "I don't even like to leave 3-star reviews. Which means "I liked it OK"
Helpful criticism is, I guess, good. But hey, I want books I love to get read more and more."

And this writer is extremely grateful for your wonderful reviews. Readers may not be aware how much a well-written review means to the author. Thank you, Ulysses.

And this writer is extremely grateful for your wonderful reviews."

I will adamantly double-down on this. Beyond grateful!

Ulysses wrote: "I don't even like to leave 3-star reviews. Which means "I liked it OK"
Helpful criticism is, I guess, good. But hey, I want books I love to get read more and more."

Your reviews are always awesome. i admit to a tendency to buy books based solely on your recommendation - we seem to like many of the same ones (partly since we're from the same era, i'm sure, lol). if you give it at least a 4* i can be assured it's worth a read, so i buy it and squirrel it away for when i need a "good" book. I keep meaning to thank you for taking the time you do with your reviews - i am very appreciative!

I am so overdue for one of those books that is so wonderful that I have to slow down while reading to savor every word of it—and that is exactly what Eloghosa Osunde's Necessary Fiction offers. It's sent in present day Nigeria, mostly Lagos, and features a wide range of gay/lesbian/queer/nonbinary characters. Most of the characters come from families wealthy enough that they're not concerned with making a living, but those who are not prove to be ingenious in figuring out services that seem to become essential as soon as they're offered/invented.

My ***** review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A small-press entry that I reviewed: Lamb: A Novel in Snapshots by Troy Ford for my fellow elderqueers or those who want to know what coming-of-age meant fifty years ago.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Imagine being 17 forever...and your boyfriend too...Exquisite Things by Abdi Nazemian does the work for you so go enjoy!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...