There’s a lot of talk lately about reviews and how an author goes about getting reviews. Historically, only those who did not have a personal interest in the author gave what was considered a legitimate review.

But what about now? Why shouldn’t friends and family review an author’s book? We all know that on Amazon and other sites, that’s what’s happening. There’s a lot of suspicion that self-published authors personally manage—and gasp, even write—their own reviews. A big tip off is if they have a abundance of five-star reviews and absolutely no one- and two-star reviews.

Take The Help for example. Kathryn Stockett’s novel is indisputably a hit. Her overall rating on Amazon is 4.6, which is very high even for Amazon. Her 5,811 reviews break down this way:

5-star: 4,585
4-star: 698
3-star: 219
2-star: 125

Does she have any one-star reviews? Yep! A whopping 184 people didn’t like her book at all. Read more

According to Chautauqua’s website (http://www.ciweb.org/), “Chautauqua Institution is a community on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York state that comes alive each summer with a unique mix of fine and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship and programs, and recreational activities. Over the course of nine weeks, more than 170,000 visitors will stay at Chautauqua and participate in programs, classes and community events for all ages—all within the beautiful setting of an historic lakeside village.”

Theodore Roosevelt described Chautauqua as “typically American in that it is typical of America at its best.”

You enter Chautauqua through an imposing gate by showing your “pass.” Very few cars are permitted on the “grounds,” so you as you walk the brick streets, you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time.

Physically, Chautauqua is dotted with picturesque cottages, most of which have been brought back to their former glory. It’s nothing short of charming. The avenues are named after people who were instrumental in the development of Chautauqua. Read more