Do You Feel Anxious When You Submit A Book For Review?

This article was first published on SpeakUp Talk Radio.com's Blogatini.

What terrifies me most after publishing my book is having it reviewed.

I have received the worst and the best reviews for the stories I have published, and sometimes, the negative reviews turn out to be personal jibes at me as an author.

I find those hard-hitting, negative remarks uncalled for. However, these negative remarks have made me a more resilient writer. I carry on without caring much for those kinds of reviews and rely on the good ones to uplift me and spur me on to write better.

At the initial stages of writing, the reactions of a reader and whether they would find my book worth the time and money are foremost on my mind. It can get daunting at times.

I try to be as accurate as possible, especially to ensure clarity and accountability in non-fiction stories. I tell more than show, as my descriptions of a scene or character evoke a clearer picture of what I want to say to readers. A writer becomes synonymous with their individual style of writing and preference in genre.

When a reader finds that the book has a voice of its own, unique and creative in sequence, word, and storytelling prowess, they become the author's trademark and success story.
With all the great writers out there and the stiff competition, a different writing style might get a book read, as in my case, when I incorporate facts into fiction. It has made my books more appealing to readers. They are inspired and entertained, and at the same time learn about the factual events of the time.

I accept that writing is the easy part. Once your book is completed, do you think of the result with pride or fear how your readers will respond to the stories you tell?

This is a question foremost on any writer's mind when they begin the process of publication.

Of course, we have seasoned writers who are confident that their craft will reach top-seller ranks.

These writers are the creme of the crop and have massive followers who love their stories and, in turn, support them in all their writing endeavours. When a new publication is released, they usually have no fear of rejection, as their readers have a clearer idea of their writing style and become faithful fans of their work.


Having a 4 or 5-star review on a book is the ultimate reason for readers to purchase books.
Authentic reviews are needed for the success of a book and its author.
What about you? Do you feel anxious to submit a book for review?

-shobana-