This year, make your opinion heard, it’s very valuable

That’s right your opinion is important!

To me, and every writer out there!

So share it!

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock in an internet dead zone you’ve probably read a few posts recently about writing book reviews. Here on my blog too.

Why, because without reviews a book will die a slow death.

This was something I didn’t understand until after I’d written and published my first book. An author doesn’t just spend time typing a few thousand words on a computer, magically transform it into a book, and then sit back waiting for the sales to pour in. We have to keep giving that baby CPR every day or it withers on the bookshelf vine as surely as grapes during a California drought.

The writer puts a little bit of their soul into each chapter and verse. They lay themselves bare for critique by family, friends and strangers alike. Willing to accept what comes to set free their muse and see their art come to life.

When you, the reader selects our book, that in and of itself is a high compliment, even if you don’t care much for the story. The fact that you take the time to read the book speaks volumes.

Since you’ve already invested the time to read the book, why not take a few more minutes and let the author know what you thought, gently and honestly of course.

I’ve heard many excuses, but the main one is “I haven’t the time.” Well Amazon makes it easy with multiple choice. Here is a breakdown.

So just how long does it take?

Go to Amazon.com and click on book – 15 seconds
Click on book – write a review – 5 seconds
How is the author’s writing? Click on choice – 2 seconds
Is there violence? Click on choice – 2 seconds
Is there sexual content? Click on choice – 2 seconds
How is the story narrated? Click on choice – 2 seconds
Click on the Stars – 2 seconds

For a grand total of 30 seconds.

Now sure I’m pretty fast on the keyboard and so lets double that and stretch it a bit to 45 seconds. That’s still less than a minute to give a review to someone who has spent months writing the book that gave you hours of pleasure or misery.

Of course, if you want, you can go a step further and write a sentence or two describing what you like about the book or characters. Even the book I don’t care for, I try to find something good to say. Still, all in all it shouldn’t take more than ten minutes. Unless, of course, you are like me and begin to shop on Amazon.com for another good book. But that’s another problem. LOL

Click this link and go over to Cow Pasture Chronicles and get more tips on how easy it is to rate a book you’ve read.

The author will be eternally grateful that you took one minute out of your busy day, and I do understand you are as busy as the rest of us, to leave your opinion. If you’re unsure what to write, read some of the other reviews for ideas. If you don’t want to write anything, just click through the multiple choice.

Because believe it or not, your opinion does matter to us.

Have you read a book recently?

Did you leave a review?

If not, why?

Do you find writing a review hard?

If so, just click on the stars?

Take a few seconds now and leave a review for that book you just finished or even one you couldn’t finish.

The author will thank you!

Look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com! And don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.