So, as a writer of all things kinky and some things funny, I’m not one to back down from being a little risqué or inappropriate at times. But I read something recently that literally made my jaw drop:
I’m not supposed to answer reviewers?!
I’m still pretty new to this, but apparently it’s actually considered a faux pas to respond to reviews, even positive ones. I’m not complaining, I was just genuinely surprised.
I don’t mean that I would want to argue with a negative review, I’ve always said I take feedback gratefully as I’m still learning. But I’m a naturally chatty person, and I’m always super pleased with any review so I like to say thanks.
But have I been making an awkward situation for reviewers? I wouldn’t want to put them off reviewing my writing! Is this something that’s standard practise or just something some reviewers feel?
Writers: do you answer reviews? And if you are a reviewer, what are your thoughts?
And most importantly- how many times can I slot the word ‘review’ into one post? So many questions!
Rumi said that silence has so much to say. What he didn’t know, is that when K M Strange is around, silence doesn’t get a word in edge-wise.
K M Strange - Erotic Romance Author 
Personally, I always admired the fact that you took the time to respond to your fans. It’s nice to know that you actually read what we say, I’d feel like I was wasting my time otherwise!
Keep doing what you’re doing and do it your way, anyone who thinks interacting with your fans is a faux pas probably doesn’t have any!
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Haha, thanks Kayley.
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I’ve seen defensive, public responses to negative reviews, and it just turned me off from the author. I think that’s where the cautionary advice comes from. But I don’t see any problem at all with visiting a book blogger’s post or a BookTuber’s channel (or sending an email) to say, “Hey, thanks for reading and reviewing,” especially 3-5 star reviews. I wouldn’t say thanks publicly to a negative review, though, because it might APPEAR insincere.
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Some day you’ll be such a big name author that you won’t have time to read and respond to reviews.:-)
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That’s so lovely of you to say. I hope I always have time to respond to people, as long as they want it. You always find time to comment on my inane nonesense, so what excuse could I ever possibly have 😉
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Good thinking Priscilla. I do prefer it when my sarcasm is scathingly obvious! 😂
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