I recently posted a graphic on Facebook about the importance of leaving reviews. 
I can’t attest to the facts in the graphic. I have no idea how much most authors make, but $5,000 is probably close to the truth. Most of us hear about the JK Rowlings, Stephen King deals which are in the 7 figure range. Sadly, that figure probably represents the less than 1% of all authors. Which is why authors are outraged when we find pirated copies of our books online. Can’t afford the cover price of a book? No worries. That’s why authors support libraries. Also, many authors giveaway free copies of their books online, so PLEASE don’t support theft! Okay, I’m climbing down off my high horse and returning to my topic-REVIEWS.
I have no idea if 50 reviews will get a book mentioned in a newsletter or other promotion. Sounds fishy to me, but it’s possible. Amazon (like Facebook) is constantly changing their algorithms, but I do know that after a certain number (who knows what), Amazon will start including a book in emails and recommendations to readers of similar authors (“If you like FAMOUS WRITER, you might also like LESS FAMOUS WRITER”).
But, I do know that reviews matter. Authors read them and often use them for promotional purposes. Some readers choose books based on reviews. If a reader is choosing between a book with 10 reviews and a review with 2,000 reviews, they may get the idea that 2,000 review book is BETTER than 10 review book. Obviously, no one is reading the book with only 10 reviews, right? Not necessarily.
Do all authors read reviews? No idea. However, most of us do read them. However, I will confess. that I don’t often read the 1 or 2 star reviews. WHY? Because I haven’t built up a hard enough shell to protect my heart, yet. The negative review daggers don’t bounce off me. Not yet, anyway. When I read a 1-star review I often find myself crippled to the point where I wallow in doubt for about a week. I know negative reviews come with the territory, but that doesn’t lessen the sting. Recently, I read a review from an award-winning blogger who loved one of my books. The same day, I read a 2-star review from a librarian who said she found my characters “cartoonish” and she doesn’t like my writing. In fact, if she had known that Kallie E. Benjamin was me, then she wouldn’t have read the book. OUCH! Sadly, I can’t quote one word from the positive review, but the bad review . . . is etched in my mind. In time, I will get over it. Every book isn’t for every reader. There are people who don’t like Shakespeare, Jane Austen, The Bible. So, it’s normal. Does that mean I don’t want a review if its negative? NOPE! I still want the review. Why? Read #3 on the list. “It’s the number of reviews that’s important.” Hopefully, the good will outweigh the bad.
So, I hope that if you’ve read any of my books (or any author), that you will take the time to leave a review, especially if you liked the book. However, even if you didn’t like it, please leave a review. If you’re unsure where to drop those reviews, here are a few sites to get you started.
V.M. Burns Books – Amazon, Goodreads, Bookbub
Valerie Burns Books – Amazon, Goodreads, Bookbub (linked to V. M. Burns)
Kallie E. Benjamin Books – Amazon, Goodreads, Bookbub