Reader Reactions

Before I finished my first book and made it available for others to read, something that went through my head often was “how will others receive it?” Now that it’s been out awhile and I’ve sold somewhere over 150 copies, I can now reflect on what I thought I would hear from people about the book, and what I have heard.

My expectations originally were very simple…people would either like it or not, and it would be “good” or “bad.” In reality though, I’ve gotten a range of different reactions. I’ve had quite a few people who really liked it, some enough to get copies for other people, or some who tell me they think it’s just as good as anything they’d find at a bookstore.

I’ve received other reactions though. Some people say they like it…and that’s all. I don’t know if they just say that to be nice or not, but there is clearly a spectrum of opinions. There are even those who bought the book, and haven’t finished (or started) it, but I think for most of them reading isn’t a big hobby. I just happened to be someone they knew and wanted to support, which I will take!

Now that I think about it, I’m not sure why I expected the verdict on my first novel to fall under “pass or fail.” Everytime someone does finish it though, especially if they really enjoyed the book, it reinforces for me what a worthwhile hobby writing can be.