It's a celebration day, y'all!!
Today is the release of my 19th book, Authentically, Izzy!
I am so excited to introduce the world to this unique, fun, and uplifting book - so I'm DEFINITELY doing a giveaway today for a paper copy of the book AND two candles made for Authentically, Izzy by Wick and Sarcasm.
This process of sending a unique style book out into a much broader readership has been a learning curve for me...maybe a little test too. Because, as many of you know, not every book fits every reader and some people are more likely to say what they don't like in very colorful ways than others do :)
Now, since Izzy is being published with Thomas Nelson, I have a much broader readership early on than I usually do...which means...I've also gotten a whole lot more variety in those reviews too.
Unique Book (epistolary) + broader readership = plenty of variety in opinions
It took a while for me to get published. The Seekers can attest to be hanging around on Unpubbed island for a while before I got the call. And my journey has gone from very small press, to indie, to medium press, to large press, with all sorts of bumps, bruises, hard work, and successes rolled up together.
But God's used all of the detours and tough stuff to teach me lots of things in life and on this writing journey and I believe it's helped me better handle the various reviews/thoughts people share about my books too. I don't think I would have handled all those negative reviews as well 7 years ago when my first book came out, but now (even though some still sting), I celebrate several things:
1. We are free to share our opinions.
Isn't it great that we live in a place where we can freely share our thoughts, interests, likes, and dislikes. Even though it can sometimes feel like we don't have as much of that freedom, we really still do. My preference is for people to share their thoughts respectfully and kindly, but we still have the opportunity to share our thoughts.
Btw, I get the fact that not every book fits every reader. Isn't it great to have so many options so we can read books that we enjoy! Variety IS the spice of life ;)
2. My book is published so that people CAN read it and share their opinions.
I have another book out in the big wide world! What an honor! With all the hard work that goes into writing and marketing a book, it's such a wonderful opportunity to be able to have it, as imperfect as it may be, out and in print. It's a celebration and joy! It's also a vulnerable experience EVERY SINGLE TIME! But we sign up for all of it, as authors, so we have to be able to handle all of it. LOL. The good, the bad, and the indifferent.
3. What can I learn from what people share?
Not every author reads their reviews, but I do. I've learned so much from what readers have to say. Reading reviews is not for every author, and I TOTALLY get that, but if I've seen a pattern in reviews that I incorporate into changes for my stories to make them better, I'll consider those words. We can grow a lot through being stretched by different opinions and new ideas.
4. I have readers!
I LOVE readers!!! Not just because they buy my books, but because they're just some of the best people out there. We can speak the same bookish language and celebrate the beauty of books! One of my delights as an author is to engage with other readers both online and in person. And...without readers, we wouldn't have anyone to enjoy our stories at all, would we?
Or...
How do you handle less-than-stellar reviews of your books?
Leave an answer in the comments below to be put into the drawing for the giveaway!!
(And check out the cute video for a "teaser" about Authentically, Izzy available NOW!!
Let's party!
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Pepper Basham is an
award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor.
Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her
native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her
stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where
she is a wife, mom to five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a
lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus. Her novel, Hope Between the Pages,
is a finalist for the prestigious Christy award. Pepper loves connecting with
readers and other authors through social media outlets like Facebook
&
Instagram.
You can learn more about Pepper and her books
on her website at www.pepperdbasham.com
Thank You very much for this blogpost;)
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
DeleteAm an avid reader...not a writer....love your books and would love to be entered for this giveaway. THANKS !!!
ReplyDeleteThanks SO much, Jackie!!
DeleteHey, congrats on your new release! I think this is absolutely wonderful! Good for you, sweet Pepper!!!! (Notice I didn't say 'hot' Pepper because that would be so weird.... wait, telling you that is weird, too!) :) Anyway, congratulations and you know we're not going to be everybody's cup of tea... but it only takes a drop in the bucket of that 332, 000,000 darling... you've got this!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Mama Ruthy!
DeleteIt is rare that I don't like a book that I read and review...but it does happen. I try to phrase my issues as nicely as possible, and add the disclaimer or caveat that others might like it, and it might just be my personal likes and dislikes
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Pepper, on your new release. Love that cover! I can feel the energy. Early on, I had to learn that the books we write are the "products" we produce. Not every consumer likes every product. It's about the product and not me. Somehow that helps!
ReplyDeleteThis book looks interesting, Pepper. Please put me in the drawing. I usually don't write a review if I really didn't write the book. But most of the time I like it well enough to leave a good review.
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for this book! While I haven't published any books, I have had bad reviews on a movie I helped write and produce. We worked so hard and it hurts to have people critique it so harshly. You're right that not every piece of art is for ecru person but the rise of social media has made it somehow easier for us all to have stronger opinions and say things we probably wouldn't have said to someone face. I try to take it in stride and not take it too personally. Congratulations on another book!
ReplyDeleteI haven’t written a book, but I’d like to think I’d read the hurtful comments and see if there were any truth to them, or anything to learn from them. That said, every book can’t please every person. Jesus’ words were critiqued too, and he was perfect!
ReplyDeleteYou know how much I enjoyed this book! :) And I'm happy to share reviews of books I've loved with friends and readers.
ReplyDeleteIf I don't like a book, or couldn't get through it, I try to find something nice to say (since I'm a member of a couple of book blogging programs I need to say something) - even if it's a description of a location or the book cover is fantastic. In these circumstances, I usually comment about the intriguing premise. It might not be my cup of tea, but another reader will likely love it.
PS - You don't need to enter me in the draw. :)
DeleteThanks so much, Lee-Ann!! I'm careful about how I respond to books that aren't my cup of tea too, and try to highlight something I did like!
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