You just finished reading an amazing (or perhaps not-so-amazing) book, and there on the last page you find the author’s sweetly worded request (down-on-her-knees plea?) for a review. You quickly flip to the next page because … well, she’s the writer, not you! It’s so much easier to close the book right then and move on to the next novel waiting in your Kindle or on your nightstand.

Why are reviews so important to authors? A review is kind of like the tip you leave at a restaurant for good service. We invest weeks, months, and sometimes years in order to bring our stories into being for your reading enjoyment. Even not-so-positive reviews add to both the author’s and the book’s credibility. Just remember to share your opinion with kindness and consideration for the hard work the author put into this book.

And yes, even one review can make a difference. As Dr. Seuss puts it, “To the world you may be one person; but to one person you may be the world.” Your review may be the one that nudges another reader to pick up the book she didn’t know she needed to read.

You can still post a review even if you didn’t purchase the book. Even if you borrowed the book from a friend or your local library or picked it up secondhand, you can leave a review. Just mention where you received the copy you read.

You can do it! You don’t have to sound like a professional reviewer. In fact, the best reviews are conversational, one reader sharing her thoughts with another. A couple of sentences will do the trick. Please encourage an author today and submit your completed review on Amazon, BookBub, Goodreads, and/or other sites you frequent. You’ll make someone’s day!

Is your conscience nagging at you yet? If so, here’s a fun guide, MadLib style, to make writing a review as easy as filling in the blanks. Just click here to download the PDF.