#198. Book Reviews: Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Reader Feedback (With Emily Golden & Rachel May)

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Recorded17 Jun 2025

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Learn how to handle book reviews without letting them crush your confidence or derail your writing dreams.Receiving your first book review can be both thrilling and terrifying at the same time. Whether it's a glowing five-star love letter or a brutal one-star takedown, reader reviews can send even the most confident authors into an emotional tailspin.I recently sat down with book coaches Emily Golden and Rachel May of Golden May Editing to discuss the challenge of negative reviews. Between their own publishing experiences and years of guiding clients through review season, they know exactly what separates thriving authors from those who let negative feedback derail their dreams.Tune in to hear us talk about things like:[03:45] Why book reviews feel so much more intense than beta reader feedback (and the one key difference that changes everything).[08:25] How to separate your novel from your identity so criticism doesn't feel like a personal attack on your self-worth.[11:05] Why trying to "toughen up" actually makes book reviews hurt worse (and what to do instead when they sting).[35:35] The simple boundary you can set with ARC readers to avoid getting ambushed by negative reviews.[40:25] Why we obsess over one-star reviews but barely notice five-star ones (and how to flip this script).[41:45] Whether you should let reviews influence your future writing decisions, and a brilliant way to use feedback as data, not direction.Whether you're approaching your first book launch or struggling with review anxiety, this episode offers practical strategies to navigate both praise and criticism.⭐ Follow & ReviewIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week!🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Anti-Hustle Writing Life Masterclass Golden May Editing Website Story Magic PodcastFREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author!Support the show👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

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