As a writer, I love creating a world, an environment or a situation. Hopefully I've crafted a story that my readers will enjoy. One way to know how well I've done is by reader reaction... that's right reviewing.
When I was writing on Fan-fiction, I got a lot of chapter by chapter response. I admit, I was spoiled by the support and the questions generated by the stories I wrote. I've spent years developing a style, and I was spoiled by my wonderful readers.
When I decided it was time to leave the world of Fan Fiction it was a frightening decision. Fan Fiction was safe. I worked in a fandom that was well known. All I had to do was manipulate situations... and I did. Nearly fifty stories worth. I built a respectable following during that time. But all good things must end... And there was only so far I could go in the confines of that world. I needed to move out, tell my story... not someone else's.
The Forged series is my own story, set in a fantasy world that is part of the folklore of the Celts, and other European traditions. Yes, I borrowed from traditions and literature, but then most of us do. But the people who populate my series are my own. They face different obstacles than the ones that were in Fan Fiction, and that is as it should be.
Publishing on Kindle was an exciting choice, one I am very glad I made. And while it's slow going, I am selling. And as I prepare for publishing book two in the series I am aware that as yet no one has reviewed the book on Amazon. I joined Good Reads before I published and have set up an Author's Page.... (I can't tell you the thrill I get when I say...I'm an Author! Move over Alison McKenzie.) And still no reviews.
Dear Readers, reviews do two things. First, they help the writer know if they are hitting the mark... is the story coming across? Do you care about the characters who populate our story? Is the story hard to understand?
Second, a review will help sell books. And as an Author (I love that word.) I want to sell books!
The question is how does one encourage readers to review? For the family members and friends who have bought my book, I did make a personal plea... (that's right, I'm not above begging.) I don't know if they took me seriously. And I know several who bought the book have yet to finish reading it.
Being self published, I'm the whole Kit-n-Kaboodle! Writer, advertiser and accountant. I review the reports that are generated by Kindle on a weekly basis. (I know, so anal.) So I check Amazon to see if anyone has given the book a star rating or left a comment... NADA.
The question remains, how does a writer get a reader to review? I am trying to review the books I've read. I see how important a review is, and as a reader I want my authors to know I appriacte their work.