I’ve shared moments with two species of tarantula spider (those are my hands in the photo*). But neither experience can match the terror of waiting for the first reviews of a new novel.
Writing always feels like exposing a little bit of the soul. Reviews can be a bandage, a soothing balm for the wound. Or salt, depending on how many stars they come with.
Your family and friends tell you your book is great (often without actually reading it – hello, mum). But it’s those first reviews from people with no connection to you that truly answer the question, “Is it any good?”
Becoming a novelist brought many new experiences and insights. One is realising just how much reviews mean to an author. When people are kind enough to share their views on your book, so many things happen:
- A positive review or comment is affirming, helping banish the gnome of self-doubt that sits on just about every writer’s shoulders. It encourages you to write more. And there is a particular joy to knowing you have given someone pleasure…that the time they spent with your words was time spent well.
- A positive review at sites like Amazon or Goodreads helps spread the word, which is vital for independent or niche writers who cannot ride the PR machine of a big publisher.
- A review is feedback you can draw on to understand what your readership likes (or doesn’t), provided you remember you can’t be all things to all people.
- A review helps a reader decide if the genre, style, story etc. fits their preferences, ensuring the right match between books and audience.
It’s why I now try to rate and review all books I read. (Just need to find the time to read more books!)
*For the record, the pictured encounter was fairly innocuous since the genteel lady spider kindly refused to make any sudden movements.
My other encounter involved a larger version who insisted on crawling over my hand. Unfortunately, that was not the end of it.
It being an entomology practical at university, I spent an entire afternoon enjoying ever closer relationships with the very worst that the world of insects and related horrors could throw at me. Emotionally exhausted and vowing to switch to an art history or metallurgy degree, I collapsed into the chair at the final observation table, relieved to see nothing but a potted shrub before me.
Closing my eyes, I gave thanks to the deities for their mercy.
(Never trust the deities.)
Opening my eyes, I came face to face with what I now recall as a 30-foot lime-green insectoid monster with jaws the size of a hippo’s. I believe it may have been the inspiration for the film, Alien. Now you know why I live on the sixth floor in a city.
