As an indie author, one of the most challenging parts of publishing isn’t writing, illustrating, formatting, or even marketing—it’s getting reviews. Despite pouring your heart into your book, navigating the world of algorithms and visibility often comes down to something as simple as a star rating or a few kind words from a reader. And yet, getting people to leave those reviews can feel like an uphill battle.

Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) are often suggested as a great way to generate early buzz and build momentum for a book launch. So, like many authors, I set up a sign-up list, shared it in my newsletters and groups, and waited with hope as readers downloaded their free copies. But here’s the tough truth—only a small percentage of those who sign up for ARCs ever actually download the book. Fewer still read it. And fewer again leave a review. Why do people take the time to sign up, only to ghost the process entirely?

The reasons vary—life gets busy, inboxes overflow, or maybe the book just slips down their priority list. I get it. But it’s a sobering realisation that even free books aren’t enough of an incentive without a deeper connection or commitment. It’s taught me to become a better book citizen myself: I now make an effort to leave reviews for books I enjoy, knowing firsthand how valuable they are.

So how do we change the culture around this? How do we gently remind readers that reviews are more than just nice—they’re vital? I believe it starts with honesty and education. Many readers simply don’t know how much reviews matter. They don’t realise that their ten-word review could help an author be seen by a new reader, make their book visible in search results, or even lead to future opportunities. So let’s keep talking about it. Let’s be open with our readers—not in a guilt-tripping way, but in a heartfelt, "this really helps me" kind of way.

If you’re a reader and you love books, please know that your review doesn’t need to be long, poetic, or clever. It just needs to be real. And for authors out there struggling to get those reviews: you're not alone. Keep going, keep asking, and above all, keep creating.