In my previous post, I made a connection between solving mental puzzles & my current venture into the world of self-publishing. I also mentioned being surprised by the overall positive response to Pearl Fields and the Oregon Meltdown on Goodreads especially—4.0 with 11 ratings, 5 reviews—when I already knew firsthand that some readers find Pearl's narrative voice &/or the nature of the fictional world I created somewhat unsettling.

I admit to being disappointed that a disgruntled reader decided to add a low rating on Amazon in what appears to be an effort to undermine rather than critique just when it looked like some momentum might be building.

All that said, it's time for me to take a long look in the mirror & reframe my expectations with a tentative list of questions:

1. What do I actually want from this process?

2. Is the next round of promos an attempt to garner more elusive reviews or ratings that might help nudge the A9 algorithm (Amazon's program that indexes titles) or just see where it all goes?

3. Have I spent the last few days setting up a paperback version in KDP largely to see my own work in print instead of just as an ebook?

4. Do I expect this process to be practice for my next project that I recently started?

5. How many more questions will come to mind as I start into a thorough answer for each of the above questions in my journal?

Writing is one strange hobby, is it not, dear reader? (At least for me it is.)

Till next time,

Drew
Drew Faraday
Pearl Fields and the Oregon Meltdown