The Nature of Review Bombing

It’s essential to differentiate between a single negative review and review bombing. The latter involves a coordinated attack where a group inundates a product with hostile reviews, often unrelated to the quality of the work—essentially, it’s a digital tantrum.

A friend of mine experienced this firsthand when his book launched amid a public dispute. The opposing party had a considerable online following, and soon after his release, his book was overwhelmed with negative ratings. Despite having his own loyal readership, this wave of hostility complicated matters for him.

Though fake reviews shouldn’t significantly impact sales, they still necessitate explanations.

Publisher: “Why does your book have a thousand one-star ratings?”

Author: “Oh, it’s due to a feud with a guy whose followers retaliated.”

That’s a cringeworthy conversation to have, regardless of the truth. Most publishers prefer to sidestep such controversies, making the experience all the more daunting.

The Power Shift in Publishing

Over the past two decades, technological advancements have drastically transformed literature’s journey from creation to consumption. Initially, this democratization seemed promising—everyone had a voice. However, what began as a benign shift has morphed into something akin to a horror show.

Consider the death threats I mentioned earlier. Some folks justify these actions as “free speech,” while they vehemently oppose anyone who disagrees. If provoked, they may even resort to review bombing my work.

What was once known as “word of mouth” has become the predominant form of publicity, and the quickest way to gain traction is through deceitful claims. The more outrageous, the better.

Thus, vague groups now wield the power to determine the fate of literary works.

Writers Under Siege

Many writers have advised me to tone down my expressions and avoid offending anyone. They share their own bland writings as examples. Upon reading them, I often remark, “It’s offensive how hard you’re trying not to offend anyone.”

Then the lectures begin. It seems that acknowledging the impossibility of pleasing everyone is taboo. I believe some individuals genuinely deserve to be offended—those who exploit the vulnerable or benefit from corrupt systems. If your work isn’t ruffling some feathers, perhaps you’re not pushing hard enough.

Writers should strive to drive societal progress.

However, many writers are primarily motivated by profit, and it’s often those with financial interests who are most likely to take offense at my words.

The Paradox of Visibility

There may come a day when I awaken to find my book flooded with one-star reviews. On that day, I’ll celebrate, for it would indicate that I’ve “made it.”

Early in my writing journey, I understood that once a manuscript is released, control shifts away from the author. However, I was unprepared for the extent to which groups could unite with malicious intent to undermine my work.

This isn’t “cancel culture,” which typically results from genuine misconduct. Rather, review bombing often arises from actions like casting a person of color in a traditionally white role.

We often tell writers to “develop a thick skin,” but true understanding of this concept only comes with experience. I once thought thick skin was necessary for interpreting constructive criticism, but I now realize it’s essential for deflecting dishonest attacks.

In today’s literary world, writers must navigate a complex landscape of criticism. They must evaluate the critic’s qualifications, assess the honesty of the feedback, and determine its relevance.

One of the clearest indicators of impact in this environment is the volume of negative reviews. Getting review bombed signifies that someone is threatened by your work—they recognize your reach and retaliate to regain control of the narrative.

Creating Meaningful Work Despite Backlash

You can’t hope to craft something significant without incurring the wrath of others. Review bombs are an unfortunate reality we must contend with.

Never Rely on Star Ratings

Negative reviews can emerge from personal grievances, such as an author correcting a reader’s misconception. While it’s crucial to treat others with respect, even kindness can’t shield you from retaliatory reviews.

Sometimes, people might feel humiliated when corrected on factual errors, like believing they could charge a phone in the microwave—a dangerous myth. The internet is rife with misinformation, and it’s our duty to address it.

You cannot let the fear of review bombing dictate your writing. Ironically, the triggers for such backlash can be entirely unexpected.

The best strategy is to encourage potential readers to examine multiple reviews before forming an opinion. Dismiss one-word reviews, whether they’re negative or positive. Perhaps the most constructive action is to contribute your own honest reviews, engaging in the discourse rather than remaining passive.

Ultimately, we may be witnessing a growing awareness among readers that reviews aren’t always trustworthy. The alternative is for people to disregard reviews entirely and form their own judgments. If that’s the next step in our evolution, I welcome it.