Hello, friends!
If you’ve read any of my books, would you consider leaving a review? It really helps spread the word about a book, which is especially important for creators like me, who typically work with smaller, independent Canadian publishing houses with limited marketing teams and resources. My first-ever book, Wild One, is tantalizingly close to the magical 50 reviews, and some of my more recent books could really use a bit of support.
A simple star rating can really help get a book in front of potential new readers – though if you feel inclined to share a few words, it would be very much appreciated!! Marketing is the hardest part of being an author, by far, and something that authors are being encouraged or even expected to participate in more and more. Asking for reviews feels pushy and overbearing, but the nature of the publishing game is such that if your books don’t sell, future books don’t get published. It doesn’t matter how beautiful the illustrations or enchanting the text – in the end, numbers drive forward motion, and books that don’t generate buzz don’t bring in the numbers.
Now, before I sound too “doom and gloom” over here, let me be the first to say that my fellow librarians have always had my authorial back – I’m constantly discovering my books in new and wonderful places, purchased by amazing libraries that have chosen to spend some of their increasingly limited book budgets on something I’ve written. It’s an incredible feeling, and don’t think for a moment that I’m not incredibly thankful for them, and for every family that’s added one of my books to their home collections. I couldn’t ever possibly thank everyone enough for their support.
Still, a wee little star rating here and there would be the icing on this wonderful cupcake called life, and written review – why, that would be the very sprinkles on top. And who doesn’t love sprinkles??
So, a thank you again for everyone’s support over the years since my first book, Wild One, was published in 2017. And here’s to hopefully many more books, and reviews, to come!