Two Weeks Later

So, the book has been out for two weeks now, and purposely to not over-saturate social media with continuous announcements of the release, I've taken a restrained approach. My biggest worry is putting potential readers off by being too much a salesperson. Ever follow an author on Twitter? Some are good, like one of my faves Patrick Ness (@PatrickNess), who talks about his work rather than always trying to sell it - there is a huge difference - while there are those who constantly shove their work down your throat (you know who you are if you do this), and most of them aren't subtle about it. I never want to be like that (it never makes me want to read their work), so, my plan now that the book is out is to work hard on getting it reviewed - the process requires patience as it can be a bit of a slow burn but it's far better to push what others are saying rather than myself proclaiming from the hilltops. Of course I love my book - I wrote it! - but I want to know what you have to say.

And wow... The reception I've received thus far has been beyond anything I could have dreamed. My friends, I am fortunate, and feel truly blessed that those getting their hands on Seeing are not only enjoying it but finding it is affecting them on a much more personal level. I would be lying if I said this wasn't my intention all along, but I never knew just how moving readers would find the book. I'm so glad those who are reading it are sharing with me their thoughts and feelings. Again, I'm incredibly thankful.

If you follow me on Facebook then you may know that a few days ago I posted my first review. The review came from someone close in my family, who ordered the book immediately on their Nook the day it came out and finished it shortly after. They sent me their thoughts in an e-mail at 3:30 in the morning because that's when they finished it. First I thought it was great they felt compelled to give me their thoughts at such an unusual time, then I read what they had to say. I felt posting who the review came from may cause others to roll their eyes and think, based on the relationship: Well, of course they would say that! I, however, know this person to be honest - even sometimes brutally so - and also an avid reader of all types of genres and authors. If they weren't impressed, I would know. What follows is their exact review:

I had your book put into my nook the other day.  I just finished it and had to tell  you just how moved I was with the  book.  It  is a very moving story!  I cried.  I enjoyed it very much.  You should be very proud of yourself!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Note: I copy/pasted, so, yes, all those exclamation points were in the original message.

 

I told this person that getting their review made me less fearful of the reviews that would be in-coming. You get through the first one you can get through the rest, right?

 

Not really. It was a tiny bit of a lie, I suppose. Not that I didn't tell this person what I felt at the time to be truthful, but a nagging voice kept up in the back of my head, speaking whenever it was quiet, wondering what someone who didn't know me might think of the book.

 

Fortunately, I only had to wait a few more days before someone - someone I can say I don't know - posted a review on Amazon. I'd also be lying if I said I didn't constantly (obsessively?) check Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes & Noble for any reviews. I do it as if it were my job. ... I guess it sort of is, huh?

 

Anyway, here is what one reader decided to share in their 5-star review:

 

This book was beautifully written. Not only does it touch upon topics that pertain to adults and parents but it reaches out to such emotions that young adults experience. I will be sharing this book with my daughter. This is a true calling!

 

Wow.

 

I've read the review over countless times and still have no idea what to say other than thank you, thank you, thank you.

Here is another one, this one a 5-star review from Goodreads:

This is a book for young and old alike. This book may be fiction geared for young adults, but it is a must read for any age if you have ever suffered the intense hurt and bewilderment of being abandoned by a parent. Forget all the self help books and stop asking yourself "why". Immerse yourself in "Seeing" and you will finally realize that "You've got to learn to let go." Falank has nailed it....Seeing delivered on it's promise...it has changed the way I see the world, forever.

Again, wow. It means a lot to me that readers are taking the time to post their thoughts, and what they're saying means even more.

 

Right now the book is out for review with two friends of mine who are authors (a third author friend will get their copy soon), and I'm desperate to know what they think. I've also reached out to a few editorials to get reviews, so the "professional" reviews are forthcoming.

And then this morning I woke to some awesome news:

Erik, the kid reviewer behind the website This Kid Reviews Books, will be reviewing Seeing!! (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Note: Yes, all of those exclamation points are appropriate.

No offense to anyone who has or will be agreeing to give me a review (I appreciate you all), but this one excites me the most. That someone of the target audience will be critiquing the work - not to mention this was someone I was really hoping would give me a review - has me on cloud nine (I hate that expression but I've only been awake twenty minutes and it was all that was coming to me to describe my own excitement).

UPDATE: I've just learned that Seeing has also been chosen for review by the students associated with the site LitPick.com!!
 

So it's only been two weeks. There's a long road ahead for the book - one of the stops on this long road will be my first author event: Wednesday, August 6th, at RiverRead Books in downtown Binghamton at 6:30pm - but I'm ready to put in the miles and take you all along for the ride.