March 20th 2018
I’ve been writing much of this time. A novella series and it’s about ready to roll out the first of every month. I’ve written an overview of the next few months of stories (twelve months of stories expected). One a month starting April.
I’ve done all my usual writing due diligence: effectively told a solid story, checking for grammar and spelling errors. Kept the work under 13,000 words. Satisfying cliffhanger to keep the stories rolling. Keep readers interested.
So what’s wrong? Well, nothing really. Here’s where I have to divide myself compared to the author I used to be.
As you can see, my college pursuit is still going strong. I’m very proud of the Presidential Award. Very proud. When I started all of this, I promised to focus on the school work. The creative work wasn’t working. But, as you can also see, I am naturally drawn to writing. It’s who I am.
The problem in the earlier years of writing, I was constantly frustrated that I couldn’t get anyone to review my work. I didn’t then … and I don’t now … have the money for marketing. As you know, I am not ‘social’ enough to work the social networks.
The last novel couldn’t get anyone to review my book — no matter how many ‘query’ letters and emails I submitted to reviewers. Either rejected or no response.
The book before that did get reviews, but not enough. They were all positive and great reviews, but it just couldn’t get to enough people. To this day, it’s just 9 reviews — but when I gave it away free, there were thousands downloaded. The numbers don’t add up.
This morning, I’m poking around to find places to submit the first book of this series for a review and I’ve decided to to stop.
I think what’s bothering me is the arrogance of these reviewer sites. Send a query letter for the privilege of having them read my work. When last checked, these reviewer sites are nobody of influence. People I know that do read books don’t read their site. Mostly just the same authors they review visit them.
My point is, I can’t go crazy pandering for reviews anymore. It comes dangerously close to me ‘begging’ some nobody indie website to ‘please read my work’ only to give them license to yay or nay my book before it even gets to actual readers.
Again, my hate for people’s idiocy can’t justify begging to another human being to read and review what I write. Still, it’s the ‘point’ … creative seeking approval of others for his or her art. It’s why we post things. Showcase our work, etc.
Am I writing for others or am I writing for me? The answer is complex, but I can say I am writing for me to keep myself sane — with the hopes someone(s) will like my work along the way. What gets me is I have been a proven, well-reviewed author just not enough reviews and I don’t understand that.
So, to keep things balanced since I’m essentially writing for my own psychological expression and creative release — I’ve chosen one service that doesn’t seem to put the author through pathetic hoops to jump and will submit a finished version to them, keep my head down and just keep writing. If reviews come by readers, great. I’m done chasing it because, yes, I’m done with people but getting approval from others wastes time when I should be solidifying the work itself.
Do I worry that I will not get any new readers without connecting to social sources? Yes, but I don’t beg. The course of action now is about intrinsic gravitation. The readership will come if I keep writing. Need an example?
You’re reading this journal … right now.
myJournal 