I love using beta readers as I’m working on a book. They are so helpful, especially to counteract the very real tunnel vision that writers get when they’ve looked at a manuscript—stared at it incessantly—for months and months and months. This time around, I had several beta readers who were quite helpful. But the chief …
Tag: book reviews
When reviewers get it wrong …
I love reviews of my books. The good reviews are affirming. They tell me I've done something right and that a reader has enjoyed my books. Positive feedback is the ultimate prize for a writer. I deeply appreciate every reader who takes the time to write a review. But I also appreciate the not-so-good reviews …
How the many layers …
For every author, there comes that swallow-hard and grit-your-teeth moment when you open a review of your work. Recently, I was in touch with a reader/reviewer from Ireland who reviewed CAIRNAERIE. Looking over his list of reviewed books, I noticed something that I really liked. His reading choices, like mine, are highly eclectic — and …
Hello, Mr. Goodreads …
My friend, Andrea, suggested I join Goodreads. I knew something about the book site but not much. Given that it's all about books, though, I took her advice and checked it out. Now I'm a huge fan. Goodreads was intimidating at first—the way just about any social media platform can be—to me at least, as …
The kindness of strangers …
"Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers." This line, perhaps one of Broadway's most memorable and enigmatic lines, spoken by Blanche Dubois at the end of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire has special meaning for authors. I was thinking of that this morning when I noticed another rating on Goodreads for …
M.K.B. GRAHAM, author of CAIRNAERIE & FLEURINGALA 