Today, according to Smashwords, The Silver Ring has been downloaded 1,000 times at the site. What this means exactly, I’m not quite sure. Even though someone downloads it — and with Smashwords you can download a number of different formats — it doesn’t necessarily mean anyone is actually reading it (which, despite what some people may say, I think is the most important part). Sale numbers and download numbers are nice, but even with 1,000 downloads, what exactly does that mean? If people are reading it, are they enjoying it or hating it or just very indifferent about it? The novella has been reviewed twice at Amazon, a few times at Goodreads, zero times at Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble has this thing where you can just put star ratings, and according to the site, it has been reviewed eight times with only one customer review:
Not sure if you can see the customer review there at the bottom right-hand corner, so here it is closer up:
Um, yeah. Everyone always says how Amazon reviewers are the crazy ones, but I think we just found one here at B&N. Personally, I think it’s hilarious … at least from what I can even understand based on the “review” written. Apparently this prissy58 is upset that she wasted her time on a very short book which, mind you, is free. Also, the introduction at the front of the novella states the length, but whatever. I just found this amusing and wanted to share. They say customer reviews are important for potential readers, and maybe that’s true. I wonder if potential readers to The Silver Ring will be turned off by prissy58′s comment. Let’s also hope prissy58 doesn’t download the free version of Through the Guts of a Beggar as that’s even shorter!
Oh dear, though the name ‘prissy’ does make it sound as if the customer expects to be annoyed before they’ve even read anything.
I can admit that I’ve downloaded a few ebooks which I haven’t read. Though, I also have some on my shelf that are waiting to be opened as well.
A small book isn’t too usual either. Most popular writers today have published novelettes.
This is hilarious. I can picture ‘prissy58′ in my head: 13 years old, too much eye makeup, prone to taking ‘arty’ shots of herself with a cell phone camera. Twilight fanatic. Not that bright.
Cate — Good point. Maybe for her one star is the best of the best.
Andrew — I think works like novellas and novelettes are perfect for e-readers. Not too long, not too short, just right.
Samuel — Ha! I’m thinking more like a 58-year-old woman who has three dozen cats in her apartment, she sits outside and yells at the cars passing by, and reads books just to hate them. Oh, and I think she also is prone to taking “arty” shots of herself with her 1989 Polaroid camera
I read it last night before I went to bed. I enjoyed it. Thought the idea was quite interesting. Won’t type any spoliers. A nice quick read and look forward to more from that universe. You have done your job as an author if the readers want more.
Will leave you a good review on B&N to counter that kook, haha.
Shane — Thanks for reading, and for posting the review at B&N. Appreciate it. A few people have told me I need to write more stories set in that universe. At the moment I can’t think of any, but if I do, I definitely look forward to diving back in.