Richard Harrison's Blog
July 9, 2014
The Writer's Group
Several years ago when I first starting writing my novel, I rang an organization in Melbourne (based in Fitzroy from memory) that purported to offer advice to aspiring authors.
I remember speaking to a rather stern and proper woman who assured me 'Well of course it's very, very difficult to get anything published.' She then went on to ask 'Is yours a literary work?
I wasn't even sure what she meant. It's a book I thought before she added 'or more (reluctantly) popular?'
'Oh popular' I replied.
'Yes. Well' she said 'Perhaps not quite so difficult then.'
I am reminded of this conversation when I read some of the negative reviews for my books.
I fear people feel obliged to criticize them for not being something they were never intended to be.
For the record my books will never impress critics and I doubt they will win any awards but if someone picks up a copy to read on the train on their way to work and reading my story helps them wile away the time and put a smile on their face then I am more than happy.
I remember speaking to a rather stern and proper woman who assured me 'Well of course it's very, very difficult to get anything published.' She then went on to ask 'Is yours a literary work?
I wasn't even sure what she meant. It's a book I thought before she added 'or more (reluctantly) popular?'
'Oh popular' I replied.
'Yes. Well' she said 'Perhaps not quite so difficult then.'
I am reminded of this conversation when I read some of the negative reviews for my books.
I fear people feel obliged to criticize them for not being something they were never intended to be.
For the record my books will never impress critics and I doubt they will win any awards but if someone picks up a copy to read on the train on their way to work and reading my story helps them wile away the time and put a smile on their face then I am more than happy.
June 7, 2014
Reviews
I read my first entirely unsolicited review recently for my novel 'First Tuesday.' It was very positive - 4 stars and posted on Amazon. Two encouraging reviews followed on Good Reads, which was wonderful, before a very negative and scathing one followed.
I am quite sure my book is not to everyone's taste but it's disappointing to think that someone feels obliged to warn people off reading it all together, rather than offer anything even remotely constructive.
All the same, I have forwarded a copy of it (the review) to several of my friends.
We have all had a pretty good laugh at it.
I am quite sure my book is not to everyone's taste but it's disappointing to think that someone feels obliged to warn people off reading it all together, rather than offer anything even remotely constructive.
All the same, I have forwarded a copy of it (the review) to several of my friends.
We have all had a pretty good laugh at it.
May 4, 2014
Now for the hard bit.
Writing a book was easy when compared to the task of marketing it.
It has been a steep learning curve and while there is no shortage of information out there, picking through it all and sorting the wheat from the chaff is a process in itself.
All the same, it's a great thrill when a result is achieved.
I read my first (happily positive) entirely unsolicited review for my novel 'First Tuesday' on Amazon recently - from a woman in Queensland, Australia.
The fact that she bothered to write and post a few kind words made my day.
So if Niki Bullas should somehow come across this post - thank you very much!
It has been a steep learning curve and while there is no shortage of information out there, picking through it all and sorting the wheat from the chaff is a process in itself.
All the same, it's a great thrill when a result is achieved.
I read my first (happily positive) entirely unsolicited review for my novel 'First Tuesday' on Amazon recently - from a woman in Queensland, Australia.
The fact that she bothered to write and post a few kind words made my day.
So if Niki Bullas should somehow come across this post - thank you very much!
