Why should you read ‘Renaldo’?
When you are standing in a bookstore peering at the endless racks filled with all kinds of books hoping to find that diamond in the rough, it can be overwhelming. Once you finally pick up a book that attracts your attention, the thought that usually goes through most people’s minds is, ” What’s in it for me?”
Everybody has different tastes in what they read. So, as an author, what do I have to do to make you want to take my book home?
Right off the bat the book’s cover has to be eye-catching, or you will glance right over it. An intriguing title or catch phrase on that cover is the second step to winning over a perspective reader.
Next comes informative jacket notes and reviews, and perhaps a congenial picture of the author, one that’s mildly professional but not stuffy or flippant.
But even after all of the above, the thought lingers, ‘What’s in it for me?”
If you like to read fiction, which is what my novel ‘Renaldo’ is, perhaps you would ponder, ‘can I insert myself into this story, can I feel like I am a part of it, stepping into the shoes of one or more of the characters ?’
Authors must engage their reader, fulfilling their need for a good story but even more so we must offer an escape. That’s what fiction really is, an escape from our realities.
So how does a writer find out if he has created a work that will be worth reading?
One of the easiest ways, if you don’t have a huge bankroll to rely on, is to sign up with the website ‘Net Galley’ and get your book or manuscript galleys on display to thousands of publishing reviewers and influences.
Some of the biggest publishers in the world, Harlequin, Hachette, Random House and Simon and Schuster use Net Galley to preview upcoming works.
For an individual publisher or author, you can send them your digital files and book cover design and they will set you up with a page that will allow your work to be exposed to their vast membership of avid readers and reviewers.
The publisher/author must spend money to promote their offering in one or more of the innovative marketing vehicles that are available, but the upside is that you are almost always guarenteed feedback.
‘Renaldo’ has been available for reviewer for six months now, and I have received invaluable feedback, both good and bad. By in large, the majority of the comments have been quite favourable. Net Galley uses a 5 star system of rating author’s work, and my reviews average out to just under 4 stars.
More women have reviewed my book than men, which is somewhat surprising because of the distinctly sports oriented theme. Character development is very high on their comments, and I have scored quite well in that sector.
Theses reviewers are people just like you and me, people who enjoy reading and
