Critical Critique Conduct: Handling Feedback like a Pro

I'm going to be honest with all of you about something. Though I have multiple books under my belt, most of them self-published, some work in anthologies and my upcoming novel through traditional publishing which I will unashamedly plug: Feathers and Fae from Kyanite Publishing (currently available for preorder direct from the publisher), I often feel like a rank amateur compared to many other authors. It may seem like a lot to some, but to me, it seems like so little compared to the years I have spent writing novels.

On the other side of the equation, is the professionals I have dealt with who are the reason I am writing this blog post. More than once it has been commented that I conduct myself so well I could write a post on how an author should act in the face of critiques, reviews and editing feedback.

After much thought on the subject, I figured it couldn't hurt to lay out a few basic guidelines for authors who may occasionally struggle with how to behave when faced with these situations. I am not saying you need to do this to be successful as an author, but it might help because this is an industry where people talk to each other and how you treated one editor or reviewer or publisher will eventually get passed on to other people.

1 - Don't Be A Jerkface

Insults, rudeness, basically any sort of behaviour that you would be offended at if someone acted that way to you - don't do it. Simple enough, but a lot of us look at our work as if it were our baby. In many ways, it is a part of the writer who created it and when someone says something about our work, many writers take it personally.

It's usually not personal. No one is "tearing apart your baby" or saying that "you suck" (unless they literally said those words). Don't read into things and get defensive and angry. Like with many things in life, the cardinal rule applies. If you cannot say anything kind, don't say anything at all. Not everything requires a comment. 

Being a professional often means you have to shut your mouth when you would rather not so you can consider your response in a calm manner.

 2 - Most Book Reviewers Do It For Free

A lot of book reviewers out there aren't paid. They review books because they love to read and they know that writers need reviews to help sell books. They are often buying these books on their own dime. They aren't getting perks and bonuses and the number of times I've heard of reviewers being threatened, insulted and treated like dirt because an author took offense at the review is horrifying.

If you can't handle a negative review, then you should not be reading reviews. Period. End of discussion. If you are publishing books and stories, bad reviews are going to happen. It is an inevitable fact that every published author needs to deal with.

There are only two good ways to respond to a bad review:

1. Do not respond at all. Don't comment, don't send nasty emails and messages to the reviewer, don't go telling the world how they are a horrible reviewer. If they are a really bad book reviewer, word will get around anyway. This goes right back to not responding emotionally and not being a jerkface as outlined in point one.
2. Calmly contact the reviewer to clarify their review to you. Once again, the don't be a jerkface guideline applies. Really the email should be nothing more than a 'Thank you for taking the time to review my book. I was wondering why you said X or why you only gave me an X star review so that I can improve on this in future work."

And while we are on the topic of book reviewers, for those who accept an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) to review, they are not a low budget editor. Do not send them an ARC if it is not ready to be read and reviewed by someone. Changing a book based on reviews is not a very professional action and that's not what reviewers are for. You are wasting their time and effort by doing this... and possibly making a bad name for yourself in the industry by doing so.

3 - Your Story Is Not Your Precious Baby

Some may find this advice controversial, but when working with beta readers, editors or
reviewers it helps if you let go of the idea that this work is your precious baby. Once you release it into the hands of another so that they may look at it critically, your story has officially become an adult. Let it grow up to be the wonderful story it was meant to be.

There are a few people out there that I know of who don't use beta readers, they believe that this "story baby" they birthed is beautiful and perfect as it is. I believe those people are probably doing their work a great disservice.

As a writer, we can try our hardest to edit and refine our own words, but sometimes you need that outside perspective to see things that you may be blind to. I'd like to believe that I am a half-decent editor of my own work, but I still have my work gone through more than one set of eyes before sending it out into the world. After which it often has one or more editors going over it before the public gets to see it.

Don't clutch your story to your chest screaming "But it's my BABY!". Not only will editors and other professionals consider you hard to work with, they may also consider not working with you again. Speaking of which...

4 - Editors Are Friends NOT Foes

All any decent editor wants to do is make your work and your voice shine for the audience. They are not tearing your baby apart because, if you remember guideline number 3, it's not your baby. It's a grown-ass adult now and you need to let go a little. This is a time for critical and careful thought.

If you hired an editor, then it's your money and feel free to ignore everything they suggest, but then why are you spending that money? Seriously, why?

You are not required to like or even agree with all suggestions and changes. However, compromise is a part of this industry when you ask for professional feedback. If your editor is through your publisher, then you signed a contract that makes that story partially theirs because they are now investing time and money into your work. They only want to see it succeed.

Some people may think that some of these changes are too much compromise and will fight over every single suggested change, but this makes it hard and exhausting on that editor. It may make the publisher consider not accepting stories from that author in the future. Not everyone will like to read this, but this is a business. Treat it that way.

The attitude of "I must preserve the integrity of my work at all costs!" is fine up until the point where you need to work with others so that people can see your vision as well. Commercialism, to a point, is a part of this and if you're not willing to make some compromises, then perhaps traditional routes are not suitable to your goals.

  5 - Stop, Drop, and Walk

If you're reacting emotionally to a critique, suggested edit or feedback of your work then you need to 'Stop, Drop, and Walk'. Stop whatever you are about say or type from leaving your lips or fingertips, Drop everything and Walk away. Hell, go outside and take a nice long walk to cool down.

I hate to harp on this, but writing and publishing is a business and writers need to conduct themselves as professionals. That doesn't mean don't be you. Hell, I'm pretty sure my editor and publisher know I can have a tendency to swear like a trucker, but when it comes to my story and my work I try to retain a level of professionalism so while my tone may sometimes be casual, my attitude is one of considered respect.

If I get a review that has me upset, and it's happened, I count to 10, take a deep breath and then evaluate why it upsets me. Usually it's because I took it personally instead of how it was intended - as a singular point of view from one person of my WORK, not of me.

Basically, you can sum all this up into the first guideline, but it never hurts to be specific and to expand on the reasons behind things so that we can all come to a clearer understanding.

I mean, we're writers, if we can't rephrase our words into something kinder and more professional then perhaps we need these editors more than we think?