I’m a book blogger who’s in a lot of groups for readers and authors on Facebook. You would be surprised to find out how much we all teach each other. Same goes for Twitter, though maybe not as much. I have been keeping tabs on what bloggers find frustrating. I know I’ve written a few in a previous article, but I found a few more. I thought I’d share them with you, so you don’t make the same mistakes and alienate all your readers/fans.

My biggest advice that I can give you as a book blogger is that you should be careful what you say to a book blogger. We all discuss things with each other in groups and on Twitter. If we find an unsavory author who treats people unkindly, we definitely let everyone know. You’d be surprised at how far and fast that news travels.

If a book blogger/reviewer gives you a low rating and explains why they did in their review, please don’t bash them and tell them they don’t know what they are talking about and point out all the positive reviews that you have. You know that saying, you can’t please everyone? Well, that’s true, and not everyone is going to love your book. My best advice would be to ignore it or to ask them for any suggestions on how to improve for your next book. Remember, if you bash them, especially by email, they will show that email to their groups and you will lose a lot of reviewers that way.

Here is another thing you shouldn’t do; please don’t tell people they can’t join your Facebook group/page unless they pay for your book. We have the latest post going around showing someone doing that, and we are all shaking our heads and laughing. Needless to say, that person will be losing a lot of members and reviewers. We shouldn’t be forced to pay. And if you think about it, just because a member didn’t pay for it (say a library book) that doesn’t mean they can’t help you. If they love your book they will tell everyone; that’s free advertising. I don’t know about you, but as someone who’s writing a novel on an extreme budget, free advertising sounds wonderful.

Finally, don’t lie when you ask a reviewer to read your book. Some authors like to claim they are bestsellers. Trust me, that is a big no-no. We do our homework, meaning we check up on claims like that. Plus, that isn’t always a plus. Some book bloggers only do indie authors, so they may not do bestsellers.

So, in conclusion, the main theme here is please be kind and courteous. I can’t believe I have to even discuss this, but it’s not like the old days. Sadly there are a lot of rude and disrespectful people out there. Remember, we are giving you free advertising. Reading your book, writing reviews, and sharing on our social media all without pay. That is a lot of work, and a few authors don’t seem to grasp that concept. The kinder you are to people the kinder they are to you. It’s a win-win.