Responding to Readers

March 1, 2021 / Motivation and the Writing Life, Uncategorized / 16 COMMENTS

by Elizabeth Spann Craig, @elizabethscraig  

I think writers have a lot of understandable angst when it comes to responding to readers. We care a lot about what they have to say and we don’t want to make a misstep.

And responding to readers is definitely tricky. Here are some different areas where you might run into reader comments and my thoughts on handling it.

Areas Where Readers Often Reach Out

Social Media: I get pinged on Facebook fairly regularly, less so on other sites. I try to respond as quickly as I can and apologize when a comment falls through the cracks. It’s important not to write things that could be misconstrued on social media, so I’ll re-read a post a few times before I send it.

Book Reviews/Book Bloggers:  When book bloggers reach out to me to share a review, I always thank them and will usually share it with a comment on my social media. If they haven’t reached out to me to share it, I don’t comment on the review, but I may link to it on my book page, etc.

Emails: This is definitely my favorite way for readers to reach out. I can give more thoughtful answers and they’re not shared on a public platform. I generally respond fastest here, too.

Reader Comments on Platforms like Wattpad:  If a comment is directed to me, I always respond to it. Sometimes, though, the comments are directed to other readers or even just function sort of as marginalia on the site…for the reader’s own records. If I think a comment from me might function as author intrusion, I leave it alone.

Short Reviews on Platforms like BookBub:  BookBub pings me on these, and I’ll “like” them as they come in, although I don’t comment.

Reviews on Goodreads:  I’m generally wary on this site since in the past it hasn’t proven especially author-friendly. I do appreciate the reviews I get there, but I don’t read them and definitely don’t comment on them.

Customer Reviews on Amazon:  Same rule applies here as on Goodreads. I do read my reviews on Amazon, since they can help inform direction for my books, but I never respond to reviews there.  I do take my best reviews and copy-paste them into a folder on Evernote to brighten up tough writing days.

 

Writer Jody Hedlund made a good point about responding to readers:

“The more visible and relatable an author remains the better. Think about what happens when we’re closed off, silent, and unavailable on our social media sites. People might begin to think we’re stuck up, that we think we’re too good to talk to anyone but our closest circles of friends. Such an aura (even if it’s not true) could send out negative vibes and alienate our readers. Why take the risk? Why not remain humble, available, and responsive?

Yes, it takes some time. But, if we’re not prioritizing our interactions with readers on social media, then what’s the point of it all? Isn’t that why we’re on social media in the first place?”

I totally agree…as long as we’re careful and professional while we’re responding.

For me, this has been the safest approach to handling reviews and reader comments. But I’m curious to hear from you. How do you handle reviews and comments on retailers, book blogs, and social media?

Tips for responding to readers: Share on X

Photo on VisualHunt

  1. Hi Elizabeth – what an excellent, sensible, down to earth post … makes so much sense – especially in your author world, but equally applies to the world in general. I love Judy’s note ‘Why not remain humble, available, and responsive?’ … for us all – though I’m sure many of us embrace these ideas. All the best – Hilary

  2. As a reader and reviewer, I don’t feel slighted if an author doesn’t comment on a review I’ve done. It’s nice if they do and hopefully it means I’ve done justice to their work through my review. However, I understand there’s a lot of work that goes into creating that next installment I’m looking forward to reading from them. I think your take on commenting takes the reader/reviewer into consideration and works.

  3. Shy people are often perceived as stuck up when they are just shy – which is why Jody is right, we have to interact. I definitely don’t comment on reviews though, no matter what they are.

  4. Thanks, Elizabeth, for this advice. It is tricky to be in contact with readers, especially online, where you don’t have smiles, body language, and so on to help convey your message. But I agree that it’s important to respond to most reader comments, especially emails, blog comments, and so on. Those are direct reader comments and questions to you, and not responding to them just feels rude, if that makes sense. It is different with reviews, but I like your idea of ‘liking’ without commenting. To me, that means ‘I read this and I’m glad you read the book and posted.” Even if it’s not a good review, I think ignoring it has more consequences.

  5. Thank you for sharing, Elizabeth. It was interesting to read. I respond to all social media/blog comments except when there’s something offensive I am not sure how to respond to. (I don’t respond to any Amazon/Goodreads comments).I have mostly had good feedback and I am open to objective critical feedback but once in a while, you’ll get a really offensive comment. I had an online author event I posted about on Facebook recently that was titled “Come Home to Your Sensitive Self.” (I also boosted/advertised that post) Someone left me a comment that I was spreading “gay propaganda.” I didn’t respond, reported the comment & it was removed from my feed by Facebook. I did wonder whether that was the right thing to do, partly because I was not sure how FB handles it. But it IS anonymous reporting, which is good. But part of me also wondered whether reporting that person implied that I was cancelling them and not having a conversation with them. I’m not sure if I did the right thing. But I didn’t want to get into an argument with a stranger on the internet or try to convince them when they were obviously aggressive.

    1. Hi Ritu!

      Trolls are a tough one. On my blog, I rarely get them, but do leave them up when I do. I respond, but will say something very bland like, “I appreciate your offering a different perspective. Thanks for coming by.” But I haven’t gotten anything that was offensive, just sometimes someone being hotheaded. I don’t think the way you handled it was wrong at all, but I understand your reservations about not engaging with them. The problem is that it’s impossible to change minds and feeding trolls is often trouble. You could say something very innocuous like “I’m sorry you feel that way.” Tricky either way! I’m sorry you had to deal with that. :(

      1. Thank you, Elizabeth! That’s a great, classy way of handling trolls. Yes, with offensive comments, it does feel tricky either way. I guess there’s no one right thing to do. We have to decide case-by-case & depending on if we have the energy to engage. The more I think, the more I know I couldn’t change his perspective just by having a discussion. I’m just chalking it up to experience for now.

  6. Great tips. I generally don’t read reviews unless I’m tagged in them. I love the idea of saving the great ones for a boost on those tough days – definitely going to do that! Being careful and professional is a must!

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