There are lots of opinions about reader reviews and authors responding to them.  Lots of things to say.  I’m not going to give all the arguments on all sides.  I’m just going to say what I think.

I love ‘em!  I need ‘em!  I’m addicted to ‘em!  I appreciate ‘em!

So that’s why I say, “Thanks,” when I see one.  I check Amazon every single flippin’ day to see if there are new ones.  Several times a day.  I read them over and over.  I soak up every word, every syllable.  When I read a particularly good one, I rush off to my writing cave and write some more.  They inspire me and validate my existence as a writer.  They are my drugs and I am definitely addicted.  There is no 12-step program that will help me, and I don’t want one.

I have, on occasion, received a low-star review.  My response is less enthusiastic.  I get sad.  I feel for about a minute that I’m fooling myself to think I can write anything but drivel.  I start to wonder if I’ve been deluding myself.  I ask my husband if I’m really living in a mental institution where everyone humors me and I’ve imagined all these great reviews and the fact that I’m even selling books. I ask him if it’s time for more shock treatments.

Then I read the review again and see if I can pick out anything that will help me be better next time.

And I slog off to my writing cave and try to be awesome for somebody.

Why am I telling you this?  Because I wanted ya’ll to know how much I appreciate you taking the time to not only read my books, but to talk about them – online or to your friends or whatever.  Hey, feel free to talk to the guy sitting next to you on the plane, bus, or train, if the spirit moves you … or in the waiting room at the doctor’s office.  I won’t mind.

Maybe someday, that person will leave me a review that makes me feel like a successful writer.  One of those that tells me that if this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up anymore.

xoxo Elle

Hugh Howey makes all indie writers proud.  Not only is he an amazing writer, he’s a nice guy, supportive of other indie authors, and a big fan of crowd-sourced fiction.

Ever heard of Ridley Scott?  Well, he loves Hugh Howey.  Yay Hugh!

http://www.thebookseller.com/news/century-wins-latest-self-publishing-sensation.html

I’ve been receiving some really lovely emails and blog posts from readers, all of them complimentary and several mentioning that they were telling their friends about my books in an effort to get the word out about my work.  It just blows my mind how generous people are and how I’ve managed to connect with perfect strangers in a way that makes us feel like we kinda even know each other a bit.  Friends through books … I love it!

I read this article written by former indie author Karen McQuestion recently, and I thought, “What a great way to help out indie writers.”  I’m one of those, and there are many more like me (one of my faves: Samantha Young).  So if any of you readers out there want to know how you can help out an indie writer, here is a great article with some simple things you can do to help us spread the word about our work.  The more people reading indie books, the more time we can spend writing them.  :0)

http://mcquestionablemusings.blogspot.fr/2011/05/help-book-out-10-things-you-can-do-to.html

When I write and write and write, and occasionally check Amazon or Goodreads for a new review (which I admittedly do way too often … as a new writer, I am pretty much starved for reader affection), it’s such a joy to click on on one of my book pages and find a new review like this one.  It makes me want to jump right back into my writing and keep tippy tapping away at those keys, weaving stories and having new characters jump out of the ether to introduce themselves to me.

Thank you to all of my readers who have left me such inspiring messages about my work.  If I ever meet you in person you will be getting a huge hug!

xoxo Elle