Reviews and Goodbyes

Reviews. 

I’ve been thinking a lot about them lately. Or rather, the lack of them. Outside of Goodreads, my books seldom get reviews, which is okay, because obviously there’s no obligation for anyone to review one of my books, especially if that book was paid for (and I usually get trashed there anyway).

But that doesn’t mean I don’t want them. How else would I know if anyone liked it? Do readers want a sequel? Would they like another book set in that world? Beats me. I really have no idea. Despite not having many books out (again, the sound of crickets does not encourage publication), I believe my books have sold fairly well for the m/m romance genre, which is small—I still receive cheques worth cashing. True, I have a “unique” writer’s voice and my writing is not for everyone, but that’s okay, there is an audience for every style and every story, which kind of limits who wants to read my stuff as well. But if you’ve ever wondered why there is no sequel to A Thread of Deepest Black, or As He Watches, or Stranded by Lies, lack of reviews is the reason why. Although I am widowed with three kids I’m raising alone, money is not a big motivator for me. I just have no idea if anyone is interested.

I have also put out three free books, and I loved writing all three of them. I would have put out more, but I had no idea if anyone would read them, because, *crickets*.  Plus, it costs money to have edits done and covers made. Not His Kiss to Take cost me $600.00 to publish. So, not something I could do with any regularity, not matter what the muse wants. As of my writing this, Not His Kiss to Take has been downloaded from Smashwords 17,315 times, which is an average of 6-8 books a day, my rough estimate based on the little graph. Still that many, even though it was released in December 2012.

And how many reviews does it have? 

32. 

And none since 2014. This leads me to believe that everyone who downloaded it thinks it sucks. So why would I put out a free book again? Or any book?

Which is the point of this mini-rant—it’s also my goodbye. And my thank you to everyone who bought A Thread of Deepest Black, Forever in One Second or Just Lucky that Way, or who left a review (even if they hated any of the above), and especially to those who sent me an email or posted on Facebook, or Twitter or in a group, that they enjoyed my story. Thank you for that. Thank you so much.

So to end this rant, I will finish with this: If there is a writer out there whose book or story you loved, and they are lesser known, please leave a review, no matter how short (I loved it! Please write a sequel! Enjoyed it! – these are great reviews). This is especially true for indie authors. The best way to keep an author writing is to let them know you like what they write and want more. Well, that, and don’t be a pirate. Pirating a book does not help get the next one written.

I will probably keep Just Lucky that Way up on Amazon until my rights to Thread and Forever revert back to me…or I may take it down tomorrow, so if you're interested in reading it, maybe get it sooner rather than later (I really wanted to write a sequel for that one! So much more to tell). Alas...

Thanks again everyone, take care and happy reading.