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13.
AOTW: What was it like to have your book reviewed by critics?
Or to hear from readers?
Thisbe
Nissen: Again, it's an amazing feeling to read a review and
know that someone actually took the time to read my little book
when there are so many things out there to read. So far the reviews
I've read have been good, and when there have been criticisms, they've
been things that I recognize --- I know my work is flawed, highly
flawed, and I think I have to have respect for someone who can point
out those flaws in a way that resonates with me, the way a good
teacher or reader in a workshop would.
I think
I was prepared for reviews to be a lot more harsh than they've been,
and I'm trying not to let myself get used to nice reviews because
then I'll be really unprepared when the bad ones hit, which they
will inevitably do. People have written some kind of nasty things
on Amazon --- things that hurt, that hit me in sensitive places
--- but I'm trying to just take it all in and not be too daunted
by anything. It seems to me that if I'm going to listen to the good
things people say, it's also incumbent upon me to listen to the
bad things too. Hopefully, I'm building myself a thick enough skin
that I won't want to crawl into a hole and die every time someone
says something critical. It's hard though.
Cat
Bauer: Some critics get it; others seem like they are projecting
all sorts of things that just aren't in the book. The Young Adult
genre is a little strange this way because many of the critics are
academics reviewing for teens. Some people seem to be guessing what
teens like instead of just asking them, as if they are some strange
subculture without minds of their own. Or there's this "read this
book, it's good for you" attitude --- like it's spinach or something.
To me, the experience of reading fiction should be a pleasure, not
a chore. It's great when the teens themselves review it, or if a
critic reviews it simply as a book that they either liked or didn't
like. I love hearing from readers. In fact, most readers I hear
from are adults. Sort of like a message in a bottle…hey, yeah! You
got it!
NM
Kelby: The response has been overwhelming, to me at least. When
the ARCs first went out, around Thanksgiving, I received a raft
of e-mails from readers who burned their turkeys or forgot to make
pie because they started to read Angels and couldn't put it down.
I never
expected that. I never expected to hear from anyone at all about
the book. I just expected that people would read it and say, "oh,
that's nice" and never bring it up again.
But,
it seems like people want to talk about Angels. Every day, there
are at least one or two emails from someone who I sent the book
to, or someone who borrowed the ARC from a friend. Even critics
write.
So
now I understand that writing is an intimate act and people want
to talk about the story you've just told them. And talking to them
is one of the great joys of being a writer. This is truly a wonderful
job.
Michael
Leahey: I love to hear from people about my book, though I'm
learning there are some readers you enjoy looking for mistakes and
inconsistencies. I remember George Carlin had a bit where young
Catholic boys would spend the whole week thinking up difficult questions
for the priest when he visited --- " Father, if God is all powerful,
can He, Himself, create a rock which He cannot lift ? (snicker,
snicker)". I've been to a few books clubs where I felt like the
priest. But really, nothing could be better then talking about books
and the questions keep me on my toes.
Suzanne
Chazin: A friend once said to me that everybody should wait
tables once in their lives, so they can feel what it's like to be
on the receiving end of cranky, hungry people. I think the same
can be said for being reviewed. It's a humbling experience (and
my reviews and feedback from readers have been good). I have a much
greater respect for the power of praise and criticism since the
publication of my book. I didn't think I was particularly thin-skinned,
but it's funny how even a word like "nice" can keep you up at night
(Nice? Why not great?).
Stephanie
Gertler: I love to hear from my readers. So far, people have
only contacted me if they've had something nice to say. The critics
have been kind as well. A few sarcastic remarks here and there...you
really have to be thick-skinned. It's hard to have something you've
created held up in judgment. Marie Claire and Redbook gave Jimmy's
Girl wonderful recommendations. But I know I'm going to hear
from people and critics who don't like the book --- and I am bracing
myself.
Sallie
Bissell: Critical reaction to In The Forest of Harm has
been great, although I get nervous every time I read a new review.
I guess all writers want everybody to love their work unconditionally,
which simply isn't going to happen. I was booked to give a reading
in Lexington, Kentucky last month. It was snowing heavily as I drove
up from Nashville. By the time I reached the store there was at
least half a foot on the ground. I figured nobody would venture
out on such a night to hear an unknown author reading from a book
that hadn't been out but two weeks. Three intrepid souls braved
the weather, however, all of who loved the book and wanted to meet
me. I was so flattered! One young woman in particular was truly
drawn to my character of Mary Crow. I sensed that some real communication
had transpired between us, through the pages I had written. It was
one of the most gratifying and humbling experiences I've ever had.
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