How (and Why) to Post a Book Review on Amazon

These days, reader reviews are essential to the successful marketing of a book. The more reviews, the better. In fact, many traditional book publishers have started doing what indie publishers have done for a long time—adding at the very end of the book a request for reviews. The fact is that only an estimated 1% to 3% of readers will bother to post a book review. That’s okay. Obviously, if a reader doesn’t enjoy sharing with other readers his or her opinions about a book, there is absolutely no “obligation” to post a review.  Still, reviews are important to the community of readers—and to the author. Some writers may feel uncomfortable asking for the favor of a review (I doubt that any of us relish making such a request), but it’s not so very different from a product manufacturer requesting feedback on customer satisfaction. There is a lot to be learned from the reviews of astute readers—things that can actually help improve an author’s future work.

There are certain book lovers who derive real pleasure from sharing thoughts about their latest “read” with others. (If you are one of them, hooray for you!)  I have also encountered many readers who say they would be happy to post a review on Amazon but simply find it too confusing. They are not sure where exactly to start.  (These are almost always readers of print books, rather than Kindle, since Kindle makes it easy to directly submit a review at the close of the book.) Readers may also be unclear about whether they had to have purchased the book from Amazon in order to post a review there. (You do not have to purchase the book from Amazon).  Finally, some readers may not feel up to the task of writing a real “review”—which is why I like to emphasize that a review need not be lengthy or complicated.  A couple of sentences may be enough to assist prospective readers in determining whether this is a book they would enjoy.

I provide, when appropriate, the following “tip sheet” at my book readings and speaking engagements. Maybe it will help you or someone you know.

How to Post a Book Review on Amazon

–It is not necessary to have purchased the book from Amazon, but you will need to have an active account on Amazon.com. Log in to your Amazon account.

–In the white SEARCH bar at the top of the Amazon page, enter the book’s title. When the book page comes up, click on the book cover. This will take you to the main page for book. Then click on PAPERBACK (unless you ordered the Kindle format; if so, click on KINDLE).

–On the next page, scroll down to the Customer Reviews section (it’s a long way down, past the sections for Editorial Reviews, Product Details, More About the Author and a few Amazon promotions). Finally, you’ll see a box on the left that says “Write a customer review.” Click on it.

–On the next screen, you will see the book title and five gray stars. Rate the book by clicking on the last star of the rating you want to give the book. Five stars is the best rating. If you want to give the book five stars, click on the fifth star only.

–A text box will appear below the stars. Write just a sentence or two, or more if you want to, saying how you feel about the book. You may be asked to add a headline for your review, such as “Great Historical Fiction,” “A Must-Read Novel,” or “I Recommend This Book.”

–When you are done, press the SUBMIT button. You will see a thank-you message. New posts may take a day or two to appear online. You can always go back and edit or delete your review.

That’s it! Happy reading . . . and, on behalf of authors everywhere, thanks for your review!

What WATER FOR ELEPHANTS was to the circus, TEMPTATION RAG is to ragtime . . .

“Bernard’s resonant novel is about the birth and demise of ragtime . . . A lively tale in which romance and creative passions abound.” —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 

Seventeen-year-old May Convery, unhappy with her privileged life in turn-of-the-century New York City, dreams of becoming a poet. When she meets the poor but talented Mike Bernard, a young aspiring concert pianist, she immediately falls in love. But it’s not long before Mike abandons May and his love for serious music to pursue a career in ragtime, soon winning the coveted title Ragtime King of the World.

Within the confines of an unhappy marriage arranged by her parents, May struggles to salvage her self-respect as a woman and an artist. After a chance encounter, she befriends Abbie Mitchell, a young African American soprano of extraordinary talent who is married to the tempestuous violinist and composer of ragtime operettas Will Marion Cook. Through May’s unusual friendship with Abbie, she meets J. Rosamond Johnson, one of the most successful African American musical theater composers of the era. A relationship begins that will force May to confront the bitter realities of racism in America and, eventually, the shameful secret she has kept hidden for years.

Mike’s life without May appears to be a success. He is the first solo ragtime pianist to record for Columbia Records and a top draw at every big theater in New York City. But that isn’t enough. His rivalry with the charismatic Ben Harney, the self-proclaimed Originator of Ragtime, consumes him. It is only when Mike meets the naive young Ziegfeld girl Dolly Zuckerman that he starts to remember what it feels like to care about someone other than himself. But love is more fickle than he imagined, and so is the public. When his fans begin to tire of ragtime, quick to embrace the modern new music of jazz, Mike must grapple with the painful realization that he is yesterday’s news. Bitter and alone, he finally faces the ultimate question of what, if anything, really matters. It is then, under the most uncomfortable of circumstances, that he and May happen to meet again, their unexpected contact rekindling confused emotions that have lain dormant for nearly thirty years. Can they make peace with the past that still haunts them? Or is it too late?

The world of ragtime is the backdrop for a remarkable story about the price of freedom, the longing for immortality, and the human need to find forgiveness, From vaudeville’s greatest stars to the geniuses of early African American musical theater, an unforgettable cast of real-life characters populates this richly fictionalized historical saga.

Temptation Rag is available from Amazon and other book retailers.

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