Every writer strives for recognition and praise. This holds especially true for independent authors who are embroiled in the constant and seemingly futile goal of making the reading public aware of their work. Getting your work out into the market is easy; getting the market to your work is extremely difficult.
This is not a lament, merely a statement of fact. Despite efforts to make their work known, most independent authors - yours truly among them - are mired in obscurity. We put our work out into the world knowing full well that the world might not ever care about it. It's a risk we all take. If nothing else, we console ourselves with the notion that at least we are trying.
But these noble sentiments can ring hollow and false when you are seemingly sinking into oblivion. But every now and then, after months of silence and darkness, a thin, shining sliver of praise and recognition slices through the murk. You come to the realization that there do exist people who are aware of your work. Moments like that strengthen a writer's faith.
I recently experienced a sliver of praise and recognition quite accidentally while searching the internet for a blog interview I had participated in nearly a year ago. As I searched, I came across another blog featuring the author R.L. Cherry who is promoting his own work online. I read the interview and was both surprised and delighted to see that Cherry had not only mentioned my novel, but had also said kind words about it.
You can read the interview here: http://robinmartinezrice.com/interview-rl-cherry/
I contacted Ron (Cherry's first name) to thank him for the mention. He replied and graciously informed me that The City of Earthly Desire was one of the best books he had read in years. The sliver of praise felt more and more like a ray of sunshine after I read those words. Recognition from readers is valuable, but recognition from a fellow writer is truly something to treasure.
What made it even more meaningful for me was that I had no connection to Ron before I read his interview. He wasn't a friend lending support, or a book blogger filling their blog. In fact, he had no personal reason at all to mention my book, but chose to do so simply because he had enjoyed it. I can't help but feel honored.
Discovering R.L. Cherry's work is now high on my list of priorities. He cites Doyle, Chandler, and Hammet as influences, but also seems to have a passion for Twain and Hemingway. Sounds like my kind of writer! His novel Foul Shot has received great reviews on Amazon and Goodreads and through Kirkus:
This is not a lament, merely a statement of fact. Despite efforts to make their work known, most independent authors - yours truly among them - are mired in obscurity. We put our work out into the world knowing full well that the world might not ever care about it. It's a risk we all take. If nothing else, we console ourselves with the notion that at least we are trying.
But these noble sentiments can ring hollow and false when you are seemingly sinking into oblivion. But every now and then, after months of silence and darkness, a thin, shining sliver of praise and recognition slices through the murk. You come to the realization that there do exist people who are aware of your work. Moments like that strengthen a writer's faith.
I recently experienced a sliver of praise and recognition quite accidentally while searching the internet for a blog interview I had participated in nearly a year ago. As I searched, I came across another blog featuring the author R.L. Cherry who is promoting his own work online. I read the interview and was both surprised and delighted to see that Cherry had not only mentioned my novel, but had also said kind words about it.
You can read the interview here: http://robinmartinezrice.com/interview-rl-cherry/
I contacted Ron (Cherry's first name) to thank him for the mention. He replied and graciously informed me that The City of Earthly Desire was one of the best books he had read in years. The sliver of praise felt more and more like a ray of sunshine after I read those words. Recognition from readers is valuable, but recognition from a fellow writer is truly something to treasure.
What made it even more meaningful for me was that I had no connection to Ron before I read his interview. He wasn't a friend lending support, or a book blogger filling their blog. In fact, he had no personal reason at all to mention my book, but chose to do so simply because he had enjoyed it. I can't help but feel honored.
Discovering R.L. Cherry's work is now high on my list of priorities. He cites Doyle, Chandler, and Hammet as influences, but also seems to have a passion for Twain and Hemingway. Sounds like my kind of writer! His novel Foul Shot has received great reviews on Amazon and Goodreads and through Kirkus:
Christmas Cracker has also received many five star reviews and is also available for purchase.
I hope to return the favor and shine a little light of praise and recognition on Ron's work in the very near future! I invite you to do the same!
To read more about R.L. Cherry and to discover his writing please visit: http://www.rlcherry.com
I hope to return the favor and shine a little light of praise and recognition on Ron's work in the very near future! I invite you to do the same!
To read more about R.L. Cherry and to discover his writing please visit: http://www.rlcherry.com
RSS Feed
