The publishing world is really changing. Today I heard the strangest thing. Honestly, it was probably only strange to me. First, I’ll tell you the cool stuff, then I’ll get to the odd bit.
Yesterday I got a phone call from the manager of Hastings, a local bookstore. He told me that my books had sold out and asked if wouldn't mind bringing some more. Wouldn't mind!?! Are you kidding!?!
Of course I hurried through my morning routine (OK, so I was still in my pajamas when the call came.), jumped in the car, and rushed the books right over. No I didn't get a speeding ticket. I probably deserved one, though.
When I got there the manager was excited to see me. Apparently he had received a couple of calls asking for my book and the people asking for them were calling back later that day. So essentially, my book is back ordered!
This morning I spoke with the manager of a new local bookstore to see about placing my books with them. When I arrived, he eagerly took the books and rushed to get them onto the shelves.
While he and I were doing the paperwork, he told me something we both raised our eyebrows at. He said that an editor of a small publishing house in New York had just come into his store and asked for the location of the local authors’ books. She perused the shelves, selected two, purchased them, and left the shop.
Hmm…
What do you make of that? Indies are attracting attention!
Today I received a review that I solicited from a website that focuses on Indie Authors. To be honest, I was a little disappointed.
I’m still working on the ‘need’ for everyone to be completely in love with my work. Being a writer isn’t the easiest thing I’ve ever done. I’m a good writer and continue to work on the execution of my craft.
The reviewer stated that she would have liked to see more drama between the characters. She also felt that the Nubian lifestyle I presented was too perfect and the resolution of conflicts a bit utopian. Her rating of the book was 3.7 stars out of 5.
The hardest part about the review was that I agreed with everything the reviewer said. I know that my writing has grown since book #1 and the characters of book #2 have greater depth. However the storyline continues to be a bit perfect and utopian and I don’t want to change a thing.
My reasoning is that I write for a particular segment of the child audience—‘Tweens. They're not quite old enough for the edgy/heavy stuff that’s in todays YA, and they’re a few steps beyond MG. They are also still in the stage of building their dreams from fantasies not completely put away.
The other thing is that I believe in the need for innocence in a story. And that’s not because my readers are kids. That’s because it’s the kind of story that inspires me. It’s the kind of book I choose and the kind of movie that works for me.
And if that works for me, it’s got to work for someone else too.
The publishing world is really changing. Today I heard the strangest thing. Honestly, it was probably only strange to me. First, I’ll tell you the cool stuff, then I’ll get to the odd bit.
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