3 Ways to Get Over a Bad Book Review

You can be a renowned Pulitzer prize winning author and still get a few bad reviews, so before you let yourself get too down when you see a low star rating appear on your book, take a step back and breathe.

Now, don’t read the review. Don’t do it. It’s never worth opening up that Pandora’s box. Trust me… Just. Don’t. Do. It!

You opened it, didn’t you? And you read it. Stings like the fires of a thousand Hells, doesn't it? 

See. Told you it wasn’t worth it.

Well, like ripping off a band-aid, the hardest part is over. Now it’s time for healing and doing something constructive with that negative review.

First. Let the pain subside. Then, ask yourself, was there anything of merit in the review?

Not all criticism is destructive. You could find some gems of wisdom to help you in making your writing that much stronger in the future.

Of course, a good majority of what you’ll see in reviews is pure opinion without much to clarify, so you have to take it all with a grain of salt, or two… maybe a margarita glass with salt rim… you know, whatever makes you feel better.

Whatever you do with the review in question, do not publicly call out the reviewer or post the review publicly online. That’s a major no-no. Bad reviews make you want to lash out. Of course they do. You poured your heart and soul into this work that someone shredded in a few paragraphs. Feel that pain, but do it in private, with your author friends, and that margarita. No good comes from highlighting that review.

Put it behind you and move on. There will be more good reviews in your future, best to focus on those when they come in, and ignore anything else. You don't need that negativity in your life.