H.R. Sealy's Blog

THE IMPORTANCE OF REVIEWS.

In this post I would like to tackle the importance of reviews for both traditionally published and Indie authors. If like me you're a first time author, reviews can make or break your book. After all, the wider book-buying public don't know you from "Adam," or" Eve." And unless you've got a great promotional campaign behind you, which will result in hundreds or even thousands of dollars out of your own pocket, then you're up the proverbial creek without a paddle. This is sad but true. Word of mouth then, will probably result in what few sale your book makes. Now, you can hit the jack pot, and loads of people start blabbing on the street, about what a great book you've written. Which resulted in thousands of people flocking to the brick and mortar shops, or Amazon. Where they promptly purchased copies of your book as though you were giving away cotton candy. Then HURRAY! You've got it made. But the above scenario is quite unlikely. Authors need favorable reviews to entice that unsure reader to purchase their books. So please, if you took the chance and bought a first time author's book, and it didn't immediately make you want to throw up all over your living room. Go a step further. leave a few kind words on Amazon and Goodreads. We authors really do appreciate it. Thank you.

BEING THANKFUL

HI everyone. Let me start by saying that not only am I a new member to the GoodReads community. I didn't even know that this fantastic home existed for readers and authors, to come together, share books and interact with each other socially. A few of my readers had asked me if I was on GoodReads.To their horror and my great shame I went, "Good...What? What is that, a magazine?" My publisher also suggested it. So I decided to look into what this mysterious entity called; GoodReads was. I was utterly and completely overwhelmed and intimidated at having to navigate these murky waters, with big name authors and celebrities. I'm just a simple ordinary guy living on a small island who happened to have written a book. I was fortunate enough to have gotten the book published, and the children and adults who have read it, told me they found the book hilariously funny and laughed until their jaws ached. So I'm guessing I did something right. I would like to thank all the wonderful people I've met on here so far, who graciously accepted my friend requests and made this island guy feel right at home.