1. Know that it’s part of the process
Guess what? We all get negative and unflattering reviews. Remember, you created art. Art is subjective and not everyone will like your book. You can’t please every reader. Shake it off and move on.
2. Remember bad reviews add validity to good reviews
What do you think when a book has nothing but five-star reviews? You start to wonder, don’t you? Friends and family of the author, maybe? Paid reviews, perhaps? A couple of bad reviews means some readers were honest — which means the rest of the good reviews are probably honest as well.
3. Look for constructive criticism in the review
Is there any validity to what was said? Learn from the bad reviews and write an even better book next time.
4. Refrain from responding to the reviewer
As much as you might want to respond (either politely or with harsh words), don’t do it. Once you’ve left a comment, your negative response will be out there for everyone to see. You might get a few fans to rally to your cause, but most people will view you, not the reviewer, as the villain. Even if you later delete it, the damage is done.
5. Laugh about it
What are you going to do — cry? You might as well laugh about it! Often a bad review is poorly written or so far-fetched, it makes no sense. So turn the tables and have a good chuckle about it.
6. Don’t focus on the negative
We tend to focus on the negative. Even obsess over it! We can have a hundred great reviews and one bad one. Which one gets our attention? The bad one! Who cares?
7. Don’t let bad reviews stop you
Yes, putting a book out there is scary and nerve-racking. We can’t take reviews personally though. We have to believe in ourselves and not let bad reviews stop us. Have you ever encountered a jerk at your work? Did it cause you to give up and stop working forever? No! So don’t let a negative review from someone you’ve never met stop you from writing.