A very thought-provoking conversation! (Although I will say that I missed Audrey.” I bought one of Kevin Brannan’s book a while ago, but I haven’t read it yet. Now I feel bad! Having been through the workshop grinder/gauntlet for undergrad and grade, I have very strong feelings about giving feedback to other writers. Before I beta read for someone, I ask what type of feedback they would find most helpful at the current stage of their work in progress. I then ask how they hope readers will respond. In that way, I can focus on what they will find helpful. When my experience of reading the manuscript was problematic, I can then frame my feedback in terms of helping them close the gap between their intent and my experience as a reader. As far as I’m concerned, the Amazon system of starred product reviews is inherently problematic. Many of the “reviews” aren’t reviews at all. They’re rankings. Backing away from my hobby horse now . . .
I’m sorry I wasn’t able to join this chat, but found it quite informative and entertaining to listen to.
I wrestle with the issue of whether we writers should write only positive reviews. Is a thoughtful but critical review worse than no review at all for a writer who has gone through the process of writing and publishing a book? My own practice is to round up my ratings (so 4.5 would be 5 stars and a 2.5 would be 3 stars) and note problematic issues along with a book’s strengths.
On the other hand, damaging a friendship isn’t worth it; in such cases it’s best not to review at all.
If I do not like a book, I do not recommend it to anyone (except the people whom I know well enough to be sure they would like it, because a man’s garbage is another man’s treasure). But it does not mean the reviews comprise only positive aspects. No person and no book ever can be perfect, there have to be things which could have been improved/ differently written. And they can be tactfully mentioned. As for writers being lone wolves or pack animals… it depends from a person to another, because there are different personalities. I guess I am a pack animal. I write and talk about my book, I share in progress quotes on my FB group and page, or theme songs, I discuss with readers, I share inspiration sources, I ask for betta readers…
Writers Supporting Writers 
A very thought-provoking conversation! (Although I will say that I missed Audrey.” I bought one of Kevin Brannan’s book a while ago, but I haven’t read it yet. Now I feel bad! Having been through the workshop grinder/gauntlet for undergrad and grade, I have very strong feelings about giving feedback to other writers. Before I beta read for someone, I ask what type of feedback they would find most helpful at the current stage of their work in progress. I then ask how they hope readers will respond. In that way, I can focus on what they will find helpful. When my experience of reading the manuscript was problematic, I can then frame my feedback in terms of helping them close the gap between their intent and my experience as a reader. As far as I’m concerned, the Amazon system of starred product reviews is inherently problematic. Many of the “reviews” aren’t reviews at all. They’re rankings. Backing away from my hobby horse now . . .
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I’m sorry I wasn’t able to join this chat, but found it quite informative and entertaining to listen to.
I wrestle with the issue of whether we writers should write only positive reviews. Is a thoughtful but critical review worse than no review at all for a writer who has gone through the process of writing and publishing a book? My own practice is to round up my ratings (so 4.5 would be 5 stars and a 2.5 would be 3 stars) and note problematic issues along with a book’s strengths.
On the other hand, damaging a friendship isn’t worth it; in such cases it’s best not to review at all.
LikeLiked by 2 people
If I do not like a book, I do not recommend it to anyone (except the people whom I know well enough to be sure they would like it, because a man’s garbage is another man’s treasure). But it does not mean the reviews comprise only positive aspects. No person and no book ever can be perfect, there have to be things which could have been improved/ differently written. And they can be tactfully mentioned. As for writers being lone wolves or pack animals… it depends from a person to another, because there are different personalities. I guess I am a pack animal. I write and talk about my book, I share in progress quotes on my FB group and page, or theme songs, I discuss with readers, I share inspiration sources, I ask for betta readers…
LikeLiked by 2 people