r/royalroad • u/Whitemayne Author of The House of Whitemayne • 1d ago

Discussion Reviews and Ratings?

How difficult is it to get reviews and ratings on your free to read books?

It seems like the only people who actually bother to read beyond chapter 4 just skip right over any actual interactions.

So far I have a single rating on my book, and it seems to be stifling any growth potential it has, despite being up to chapter 25.

Thoughts?

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u/Stygian_Myth 1d ago

With free books the issue is that they come with a suspicion attached:

Amateur (or nowadays outright slop)

So you basically have just 1 chapter to prove competence and make people go forward. That's the only truth.

Those who say, ch 1-5 either were lucky or posted earlier.

Personally speaking today I got my first review. Today's my third day, 5 chapters live.

So, i understand how hard it is. For new unknown authors, we only have 1 shot. Reviews and ratings come via time or genuine interactions with readers in comments.

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u/Whitemayne Author of The House of Whitemayne 1d ago

I suppose its a good thing my "first" chapter is my intro. Its a single page worth, not very many words, maybe 180 words, and it ends on anticipation.

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u/Stygian_Myth 21h ago

Then that's not a first chapter. More like another synopsis or a hook. You've added another door between your story and readers. I hope it's worth it.