Book Birthdays and Reviews

“There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” ― W. Somerset Maugham

And so once again, without knowing the rules, I have written a novel and seen it make its way out to the world of readers. Tuesday was release day for The Song of Sourwood Mountain. That is always an exciting day for a writer and also a very busy one as you need to be out there telling everybody about this book you hope they will read.

As it turns out, quite a few readers have already had a chance to read my story about Mira, Gordon, Ada June and others in Sourwood, Kentucky. Reviews have been popping up here and there. Reviewers have shared about my mountain story in Publishers Weekly, The Library Journal, The World Review, Historical Novels Reviews and others. I’ve enjoyed seeing them especially since they have been positive.

But some of the best reviews are from readers who just want to share about the books they read. Some of you, who check out my posts here, get early copies through the publisher or have volunteered to be early readers for me. Thank you so much first for wanting to read my story and second for writing reviews. Every review is helpful in our online world these days. We search for everything on the internet and if we read about a book online that sounds like one we will like, then that helps the author.

Reviews can be hard to write if we think they have to be like the book reports we used to have to do in school. I loved reading the books back then, but I didn’t like writing the reports. I always felt I couldn’t capture the book in one page. That was what the teachers wanted then, but online reviews don’t have to be like that. In fact, it’s better not to capture the whole book. An online review is just to tell a little about the story and why you did or didn’t like reading it. A review can be as short as one sentence or as long as a couple of paragraphs about why you were glad you read the book.

Here’s a two line review from Hulah on Amazon. “A beautiful story about a mission teacher whose life is transformed by God, through the people of Sourwood Mountain. I’d love a sequel.”

Here’s another short review from Virginia. “I loved this story of hope and romance and starting over. I loved Gordon and Mira and Ada June. I enjoyed all the descriptions of the mountains and hollers of Kentucky. I laughed and cried. I could not put the book down.”

Of course, I’m always happy to see that “I could not put the book down” line. Other reviewers share more about the story, and that’s fine too. I’m impressed at how some readers can share about the story and their feelings about it without giving away parts of the story that might spoil the reading for others.

So, happy birthing day to The Song of Sourwood Mountain. A book release week is always an exciting time for me. I’ve enjoyed seeing the reviews and the comments on my posts online. I love birthdays whether they are mine or my books. Thank you for celebrating with me.

And now I need to get back to work on the book I hope will have a birthday next year. I’m almost ready to pitch it over to my editor and start thinking about a new story.

Have you gone to Sourwood Mountain yet?

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” ― Charles W. Eliot