Monday, November 22, 2010

Facing my Reviewers

After many months, my first novel, Aure, the Topaz is complete and published on Smashwords.  It is the first book in a series called the Aglaril Cycle.  For additional details go to http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/29970.

Now that the book is out and I am promoting it, I have to face facts: people are going to read it and make comments.  Like it or not, I have face my reviewers and hope for the best. I feel very much like an innocent man accused of murder wait for the sentence of the judge and jury to be handed down.

Frankly, I've been dreading this moment.  I think I've been living with the fear that the story is no good and no one will like it and that I'll be stopped before I start.  This is an irrational fear to be sure.  Many people have read the samples I've released and they have liked them. So the book should sell right?

Maybe.  One thing you'll notice if you follow the link I provided earlier:  the book is self-published.  The reason for that is partially because no small press has picked up the book and I'm tried of waiting.  I near to move onto book 2 so I can get the entire story told.

The fact that no small press has offered me a contract for the book does not mean the story is bad, of course, but it does cast some doubt for me.  Overcoming that doubt is hard.

But I am not letting that stop me.  I need to test the market.  I need to promote and sell my work.  I need  to get this story out so I can move on.

So I've published it as an electronic book for now.  A paper version can be provided later if there is interest for it.

Please keep your fingers crossed for me and if you can spare $4.99, buy a copy too.  Thanks.

3 comments:

Michelle D. Argyle said...

*fingers crossed* and good luck! I've been blogging about this sort of stuff on my blog. Publishing, no matter which way you go, is a risky emotional business.

Rich Feitelberg said...

Thank Michelle. Ironically, I've not found anyone to review my work yet, but I'll accept volunteers.

Michelle D. Argyle said...

It takes a long time and a lot of work to get your name out there. :)