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One of my free short story collections has been doing really well, it made it to deep into the top 100 free on Christmas and is still hanging out around there. It includes a free 5-chapter preview of my zombie novel and has really helped that book's sales.
The problem is all the 1-star reviews. Kids seem to love it, but adults (who don't read the description) are posting a lot of 1-star zingers.
I know that's part of having a popular book, but today I got a 1-star where the customer complained that it was a ripoff because she really wants to read the Zombie novel, but doesn't want to buy it (it's on sale for 99 cents right now). She said it really upset her and that she's "so mad!!!!!!!!!" (explanation points are her's).
I broke down and replied:
"I am very sorry to have upset you so much. I put the extended preview so people can check out the book before buying it--that way they don't waste their money on a book that they don't like.
However, if you e-mail me at: mikejware (at) gmail.com I will be glad to send you a free copy.
Again, I am sorry the preview made you so mad.
-MJ"
Honestly, if she doesn't have the money to buy the book, I really do still want her to read it. I am glad to send her a free copy. I've done so in the past to people from countries that can't buy from Amazon.
Like many of us, I don't write for the money. The money is just a way that I can justify spending more time writing--it's an ends to a means. But I know a cardinal rule is to NEVER reply to negative reviews.
Did I just shoot myself in the foot?
The problem is all the 1-star reviews. Kids seem to love it, but adults (who don't read the description) are posting a lot of 1-star zingers.
I know that's part of having a popular book, but today I got a 1-star where the customer complained that it was a ripoff because she really wants to read the Zombie novel, but doesn't want to buy it (it's on sale for 99 cents right now). She said it really upset her and that she's "so mad!!!!!!!!!" (explanation points are her's).
I broke down and replied:
"I am very sorry to have upset you so much. I put the extended preview so people can check out the book before buying it--that way they don't waste their money on a book that they don't like.
However, if you e-mail me at: mikejware (at) gmail.com I will be glad to send you a free copy.
Again, I am sorry the preview made you so mad.
-MJ"
Honestly, if she doesn't have the money to buy the book, I really do still want her to read it. I am glad to send her a free copy. I've done so in the past to people from countries that can't buy from Amazon.
Like many of us, I don't write for the money. The money is just a way that I can justify spending more time writing--it's an ends to a means. But I know a cardinal rule is to NEVER reply to negative reviews.
Did I just shoot myself in the foot?