Learning From The Reviews
#125
Yes, last week I did the thing that many writers warn against. I read my reviews.
In fact, it’s something I’ve always done periodically. Usually, when I’m in need of a reality check that what I do in bashing out words on a regular basis actually means something to someone.
All through my writing career, I’ve seen the exhortation of “Don’t read the reviews.” But I find them helpful, even the bad ones. Especially the bad ones.
A bad review can help you learn what triggers an audience reaction, maybe highlight ways that the book was promoted or described that missed the mark, or, in some cases, actually provide great marketing fodder.
Last week I spotted that there was a problem with the cover image mising for the Brabazon book on one of its online listings, so I naturally went to check out if the same thing had happened on other retailer sites. Thankfully, it hadn’t, but I ended up checking out the reviews. And there, among the five-star ones (Thank you folks), was a single two-star review that the reader was
“sorely disappointed. Unsurprisingly heavy on the politics, it is unfortunately very low on technical details.”
Which I found surprising, as right there on the book’s product page, it says the book aimed to be:
“ more than just a technical review. Using a combination of existing documentation, archive material and original research, the author sets out to place the whole story of the Brabazon firmly in its cultural social and political context.”
There is, in fact, another very technical book on the aircraft advertised right there on the page alongside mine. Which got me thinking, how did this reader miss what my approach to the subject was? Could we have messaged that better?
That train of thought led me back to a couple of my favorite one-star reviews from the past.
A one-star review of one of my CARS comics collections started with
“Wonderful story, beautifully told, with great artwork.”
Yet they gave it one star because I had used the word “hell” in an all-ages book. Which I must admit I didn’t remember doing and had to really look to find it. Guess the Disney editors who approved the script missed that one too! - Ah, well. But the start of that review still makes a good pull quote.
One of the first reviews we got for The James Bond Lexicon complained that it wasn’t a series of critical essays but
“just an A-Z listing of things from the Bond novels and movies”
I would have thought the word Lexicon in the book title might have been a clue. - But perhaps we needed to make that clearer on the cover text?
The truth is, you have no control over what your readers’ expectations are; all you can do is do your best work and deliver the best product you can.
And as for reviews, I recommend giving them a read; you never know what you might learn.
Alan
Other Stuff
Welcome new folks
We had a few new folks subscribe to the newsletter over the last few weeks. Welcome and thanks for signing up.
If you aren’t a member of my wonderful group of subscribers yet, then click the button below and join our growing community of readers and commentators to get these missives delivered directly to your email inbox every other Friday.
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Word Slinging
Work on the Casino Royale ‘67 book project has continued apace over the last few weeks, with some excellent feedback on the current draft from my first readers, plus a couple of new chapters written and the first few mini-essays submitted for the “In Defence of Casino Royale ‘67” section.
Lemon Hog Publishing
Exciting news, “Trust Issues,” the first novel in Gilli Kent’s Brightwater romance-thriller series, is now available in both paperback and ebook format on Bookshop.org where we now also have a dedicated Lemon Hog Publishing page.
You can now pick up a copy online in your favorite format while still supporting your local independent bookstore.
Shows Booked in 2026
This week, I received notification that I’ll be on the program for Balticon - the four-day SFF convention here in Baltimore - it will be my first time at this convention, and I’m looking forward to attending in May.
The list of events in 2026 where you will be able to find us is now looking something like this:
March 7-8 - Quantum of Solace Gatherall - PA
March 18 - Studebaker National Museum - South Bend IN
May 2 - Annapolis Book Fair - Annapolis, MD,
May 22-25 - Balticon - Baltimore, MD
July 29 - Aug 2 - PulpFest - Pittsburgh, PA
August 8 - Bookfair - Bel Air, MD
Buy Our Books Direct Online
You can now buy any of our books directly from us via our Forest Comics and Books store on eBay where they are all listed with the same BuyNow prices that we charge at conventions and shows.
Thanks to the folks who have already purchased copies from us over the last few weeks.
Podcast Procrastinations
In the latest episode on the Chronological Christie podcast, we take a look at Miss Marple’s debut on The Murder at the Vicarage
Now available for our Patreon members, a new AGATHA ADJACNET podcast in which we discuss The Truth of Murder TV movie and the true crime it was based on. Come join our growing Patreon family for access to this and other exclusive episodes at Patreon.com/ChronologicalChristie
Over on the Before They Were Beatles podcast, the latest episode of the FORGOTTEN BEATLES series is now live. This time around, covering Berlin rocker Jacky Spelter, and the tragic story of Liverpool’s Rory Storm.
And at the On Her Majesty’s Secret Podcast network, the latest James Bond vs Spy Movie episode is now live. This time around, Jarrod and I jump back to 1979 to compare Moonraker and The Lady Vanishes.
I had fun this last week making a return appearance on The Doctor’s Beard podcast to discuss my enjoyment of the Sixth Doctor adventure, Timelash. - The episode is scheduled to go live on February 21st.
Books Read in 2026
“Batman Off-World” by Jason Aaron & Doug Mahnke
The idea of Batman in space shouldn’t work, yet Jason Aaron and Doug Mahnke hit it out of the solar system with this one.
A year into his tenure with the cape and cowl, Batman is forced to face an extra-terrestrial bounty hunter on the streets of Gotham. Realizing that there is a new aspect of threat he hasn’t trained for, he heads out to face a galaxy of war mongers, slavers, and bounty hunters to learn the skills he needs. Along the way learning his greatest lesson; that Batman’s role is not to instill fear in those he fights, but to inspire hope in those he protects.
It’s a well-crafted tale from a writer who understands the man beneath the cape and what drives him, coupled with suitably spectacular cosmic dynamic art that elicited a few “wow, that’s cool,” moments along the way.
One of the best Bat-tales I’ve read in a while.
********
Over at our online bookstore at Bookshop.org I’ve now added a section listing books read so far in 2026, as well as previous years, so you can pick up copies of any that interest you, while also helping out local independent bookstores.
You can check it out HERE
Where on the Web is Alan?
You can now find links to all the places you can find me online, websites, newsletters, social media, and more in a single LINKS page on my personal website.
As always, thanks for joining me this week. If you know someone else who might enjoy the contents of this edition of the newsletter, or just my ramblings in general, please feel free to share by clicking the button below.
See you next time
Alan J. Porter
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