How to Write an Amazon Review

You’ve just read an amazing book, and you want to tell somebody about it. You could call a friend, of course, and I suggest you do. Word of mouth is the best marketing. But you could also write a review of the book on one of the sites that accepts reviews. This could include GoodReads, BookBub, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, iBooks, and/or Amazon. Any of these are fine, but I’m going to tell you how to write a review on Amazon.

In the last few days, I’ve walked three friends who read my newly-released, debut novel, Who She Is, through the process of writing a review. They hadn’t done it before, and it isn’t obvious unless you’re a book nerd like me. Here’s the thing to know. Posting a review on Amazon will make the author deliriously happy, not only because of the review itself, but because it increases the chances that more readers will be interested in the book. If you’re like most people, you’re attracted to books with lots of high reviews. Also, having a bunch of reviews opens up a host of marketing opportunities for authors.

Okay, you’ve read a great book and you decide to write a review. Congratulations! That is a huge step. Only one in two hundred readers take the plunge and actually write a review. Think of that! You are becoming the one.

Here’s how to do it. Go to the page for a book you like. I’ll use my novel, Who She Is, as an example. Open Amazon and type “Who She Is” in the entry box. A list of items with similar wording will pop up, but there will only be one novel with that title (mine). Click either on the title or the book cover and you’ll be taken to the book’s special page.

Once you’re there, scroll down the page, past some other books, the editorial reviews, product details, more about the author, sponsored products, and then you’ll see “Customer Reviews.” This is where you will start your review.

Just below the “Customer Reviews” title, you’ll see a bar graph with the ratings the book has already received. To the right of that is a gray, rectangular box that says “Write a customer review.” Here’s a screenshot of it, with a circle and arrow so you can’t miss it.

Click on the box. Up will pop the book with my name and five empty stars. You can click on how many stars you want to give the book.

By the way, you don’t have to use your real name when you write reviews. Some people are fine with being identified, but others feel freer to write reviews under a pseudonym. In the upper right-hand corner is your name with the caption “Your public name.” You can change it if you want. Changing the name won’t change your Amazon login information, or anything, really. It will just allow you to post reviews under whatever name you choose.  

Now, how many stars should you choose? My personal belief is that you should only review books you like. Authors work really hard to write and publish a book, and not everyone will like any book. Out of respect, I only review books I can give at least three out of five stars to. You will make your own decision about that.

When you click on the number of stars you want to give the book, a box will appear in which you can write your review. Reviewing a book on Amazon isn’t like writing a book report for school. If you’re feeling uncomfortable with the process, you can write “I liked this book” and that will be good enough. Of course, if you say something about the book (for example, what you liked or how it made you feel), that’s gravy. Again, what matters most is that you do it.

As you’re writing, a box will appear that asks you to give your review a title. Anything is fine. I often just write, “A fun read,” or “Good book.”  

Click “Submit” and you’re done. Congratulations! You’ve become the one in two hundred people to write a review. I can assure you that the author will be extraordinarily grateful.

A few things to know. You don’t have to have bought the book from Amazon to leave a review. You might have borrowed it from a friend, gotten it from the library, or bought it at a bookstore. Amazon doesn’t care about this, as long as you write an honest review.

After you’ve submitted your review, you will receive an email from Amazon telling you that your review has been accepted, and then it will be posted on the book’s page.

That’s it. I suggest you leave a review for every book you like. It’s a closure thing for me. I read a book, write a review, and feel satisfied that I’ve made an author’s day, just as they made my day by writing a book I enjoyed.  

Happy reviewing!

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Diane Byington is the author of Who She Is, a women’s fiction/historical fiction novel that features female friendships, family secrets, and the 1968 Boston Marathon. She has published short stories and essays in literary journals and social work professional journals. Most recently, her essay, River Magic, is included in Nature’s Healing Spirit: Real Life Stories to Nurture the Soul by Sheri McGregor. Diane divides her time between Boulder, Colorado, and Tavares, Florida. When she isn’t reading or writing, she enjoys spinning and weaving, kayaking, and creating terrible paintings with acrylics.

Find out more about her on her website http://www.dianebyington.com/ 

About WHO SHE IS

“Faye’s character and her concerns are nicely drawn, the twists of plot are unpredictable and different, and the story line is thoroughly engrossing. . . . Readers will appreciate Who She Is for its multifaceted approach to life and one girl’s discovery of who she really is (and can be) in the face of bullying, betrayal, and abandonment.” D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

“The characters are gritty and real, and the tumultuous late 1960s are depicted vibrantly. This is a tale that sheds light on exactly how much women have had to overcome in order to participate in such simple things as high school sports. A worthy, engrossing read.” Aimie K. Runyan, Bestselling Author of “Daughters of the Night Sky”

In the fall of 1967, Faye Smith’s family moves to Florida to work in the orange groves, and she has to start a new school… again. She tries out for the track team, knowing her mother would never approve because of Faye’s epilepsy.

When Faye discovers she has a talent for distance running, she and her friend Francie decide to enter the Boston Marathon, even though women aren’t allowed to compete. Desperate to climb out of the rut of poverty, Faye is determined to take part and win a college scholarship.

After the school bully tries to run her down with his car, a strange memory surfaces—a scene Faye doesn’t recognize. Her parents insist that it’s a symptom of her epilepsy, but Faye thinks they might be lying, especially when it keeps happening. To get her life on the right path, she’ll need to figure out what her parents are hiding and never lose sight of the finish line.

Tags: featueed, women writers

Category: Contemporary Women Writers, How To and Tips