Reviews from People I Don’t Know

I’ve been blessed by the warm reception my debut novel THE KNOWERS has received from friends and family.  For this support I am immensely thankful.

I’m attached to THE KNOWERS because I love it.  I can’t be objective.  The story, the characters, are not just a story anymore for me, but a part of my landscape.  A part of my story, my life.

So, is the book any good?

I’m not implying my friends are a bunch of liars, but they are kind and supportive.  I’ve been craving a review from someone who doesn’t know me from Eve, who has no stake in my mental wellbeing, someone who will tell me what they think, uncensored.

I got my wish this week, twice over.

I offered my book for free as a Goodreads giveaway.  I sent out 10 books to the winners Goodreads picked from the over 800 people who entered the contest.

Within four days of sending out the books, I got my first review.  It was a four star!  It was great!  It was also very familiar….

As best I can tell, this person went on Amazon and read reviews others had written and cobbled together a review.

Then another review posted.  Another four star (who later changed it to a three) and another fake!  Her review obviously came from my own description on Amazon.

Why are there people “working the system” on Goodreads?  I thought this site was for people who loved books and wanted to read them.

Tempted to despair, this week I got a great review, a 5 star review, from someone who appeared to actually read my book.

Someone I don’t know and doesn’t know me at all liked, really liked, my book!  I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face for quite some time.

On my way to work this morning, I noticed another review on Goodreads from the giveaway.  This person, no relationship to me either, did not like my book.  She gave it a 2 star and said she couldn’t recommend it to anyone.  And she went on to explain why.

Did I sit and weep in my car?  Amazingly not.  I really appreciated what she had to say, that she took the time to explain why she didn’t care for THE KNOWERS.  Given her review, it makes perfect sense why it didn’t resonate with her.

My book is not for everyone.  What a surprise!  I never expected all who read THE KNOWERS would love it, or even like it.

This is a big wide world, thankfully populated with diversity of tastes.  My hope, as an author, is for my little story to find its way to those who would enjoy it.

Who knew writing was not just about writing, but navigating through the sea of humanity in search of kindred spirits?