I have talked about this a lot; so many of you know
that I have my debut novel coming out HOPEFULLY at the end of November. I leave
that to the editing Gods.
(If you have no idea what I'm talking about it's called Snow Falling under my pen name Davidson King)
This is a huge thing for me. Anyone who has ever released a book understands this accomplishment. Hell, anyone who has ever worked their ass off for anything and gotten it understands.
(If you have no idea what I'm talking about it's called Snow Falling under my pen name Davidson King)
This is a huge thing for me. Anyone who has ever released a book understands this accomplishment. Hell, anyone who has ever worked their ass off for anything and gotten it understands.
I’ve explained how I was told for years from
counselors and teachers that something of this magnitude just wasn’t achievable
for me. If you know me then you know if I’m told I can’t, then I do.
Why am I talking about this? What’s my point?
On the other side of this dream is my everyday love, my blog Diverse Reader. This is
something I am not only ridiculously proud of but recognize it’s grown into
something I never believed possible. Almost four years later I see what it
means to the LGBTQA+ community. I pride myself on the slogan it stands for:
Celebrating books, love, and community. Diverse Reader is a beacon. One of many
in this thriving community and I know it will continue to grow for a long time.
I’ve talked about this in length, so what’s one more
time right? Authors reviewing. I honestly STILL have zero issue with that. I
hope many authors read my book (s) and review. We learn from others and that
means our peers/colleagues as well. Originally, in one of my Facebook live
videos, I stated I would continue to review on Diverse Reader. I have received
support and I have also received resistance on this front. So what’s the call
I’m going to make?
I am not 100% sure. But here’s what I do know. In a
month’s time, give or take, I will fulfill a dream that I denied for years.
What I want more than anything is to be allowed to enjoy that. THIS moment. I
want to sit back and cry over this. Not because I’m sad but because I flippin’
did it! It has not been easy. It’s one of the most difficult things I’ve ever
done and I truly loved every second of it. If this book doesn’t do well I’m
still going to write because I HAVE to.
A decision will have to be made and it will be made.
I ask you to trust me on this. I can say that I have review commitments until
the end of November that I will absolutely keep but I, personally, have not
signed on to review any in December because I will take this VERY seriously.
If I choose to step down from the reviewing aspect
of the blog I will take on more reviewers to join our rainbow family. I will
always be the owner, I will continue to do promotion, excerpts, mass giveaways,
all the fun but if I choose to step down it will just be from reviewing.
I can’t ignore the fact I am the OWNER of this blog.
I can’t ignore I am stepping into the other side of that and questions of bias
and favoritism is a serious issue discussed and I am absolutely hearing you and
will take this seriously.
Understand that.
I am simply asking this; let me have this moment.
That’s all. Let me celebrate this without judgment.
That’s all I ask.
Thank you.
***
I want you all to help me celebrate this time so of
course in Diverse Reader tradition there is a giveaway lol.
A $5.00 Amazon gift card. Just fill out the
rafflecopter below!
Contest ends November 3rd!
Thank you all SO much.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Congratulations on your upcoming debut I think it's wonderful and I wish you many sales.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new book release! I’m looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathy xoxox
DeleteI can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteThat makes me smile BIG!
DeleteCongrats! Thank you for the chance.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure!
DeleteCongratulations, Meredith and all the best on your upcoming book. So excited and can’t wait to read it. Mind to share what’s the story gonna be, the tropes and such? And when’s the cover reveal? :)
ReplyDeleteThe cover reveal is November 1st. I will do a guest post with it where I will talk about the characters and all about the book :D It's a romance of course also a suspense and a little mystery
DeleteWhat ever decision you make, I will support you. You have done so much for the community. And I for one know that if you continue to do reviews they will be done 100% professionally. I personally do not see a problem.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that! It's a struggle.
DeleteFirst of all, CONGRATULATIONS ON SNOW FALLING!!!! I'm so excited for you that your dream is so close to being a reality!!!!
ReplyDeleteSecondly, honey, you do what feels right for you! From my pov, every author was a reader first, so why not let everyone who is willing write and post reviews?
Anyway, I can't wait to read Snow Falling!!!! Squeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!
I see your point. It's a hard choice to make but one that I will have to make. Thank you always for the support you give me
DeleteCongratulations on your upcoming release. It is so brave to follow your dream. You set an example for many of us.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tanja! That is truly beautiful
DeleteI am so happy for you, sweetie and I can't wait to read it!! As for you reviewing, I see no problem with authors reviewing but whatever you choose to do on that front, I will always support you. Good Luck, Mere!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Heather! You've hung with me for years and I've adored you forever
DeleteCongratulations! I'm very happy for you. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Liv xoxo
DeleteWay to go! You should be so proud! For both your blog AND your novel - there is NO reason you can't go both... Own it!
ReplyDeleteI don’t have an issue with authors reviewing. But, you do you!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! What a thrill to follow your love of reading to becoming an author. I look forward to reading Snow Falling
ReplyDeleteCongrats! That's a huge accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your debut. I hope it turns into a bestseller for you.
ReplyDeleteWhen all is said and done, authors ARE readers too. So I don't understand why we wouldn't be able to do reviews. And congrats on the release. It's such an awesome feeling.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the almost release of your first book. I'm sooooooo very curious about it. I can't wait until I get to read it. And isn't exciting...and scary...and amazing to think that you've done this; you've written a book and soon others will be able to read it.
ReplyDeleteAs for reviewing. I've been where you are now and in the end decided to just keep on posting my reviews. Now, I realise my blog is just a minor blip on the surface of review blogs compared to yours, but I have to say I have not heard a single word against me posting my thoughts on the books I read. I read and reviewed long before I even thought about writing and publishing my own stories and stopping would have been a bit like losing a limb. In the end you'll have to do what's right for you, of course. Just make sure you make whatever decision you come to because it is what's right for you and not because loud voices 'force' you in either one direction or the other.
Other than that, enjoy the new adventure you're embarking on. And let me know if you'd like some promo space on my blog...you're always welcome <3
Huge congrats on a hard earned achievement. I wish for you to fully enjoy this moment, so don't read the rest of this until you start thinking about the future.
ReplyDeleteIMHO, I see no problem with you continuing to review.
If the resistance is b/c of "bias & favoritism," think about this: how does authoring a book change that potential more on your blog than what that potential is already - I see that it already exists on all the blogs. Just look at the number of publisher sponsorships, the natural friendships and connections, as well as reviewers who grab the next release of their fav authors. If that does't introduce bias, I don't know what does. And I understand that, and I trust the integrity of your site. In point of fact, I think you'll be an even better reviewer. I actually like authors' reviews - I've often thought that if I tried to write something, that would actually give me an extra level of insight in critiquing, in both directions - e.g., critical on construction, but sympathetic on what it takes to write a frickin' story. Just sayin'.
Congrats on your upcoming book release!
ReplyDeletecongrats on the release and looking forward to reading
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your upcoming debut release. I look forward to reading it. I do hope you continue to review in the future.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new venture! I wish you all the success in the world :) I hope you continue to review <3
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your upcoming debut release! I wish you much success =)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on following your dream! I'm so happy and excited for you.
ReplyDeletecongrats on your upcoming debut release!!
ReplyDeleteSo excited for you. It's a big and exciting thing to realise one of your dreams. Really excited to read your debut.
ReplyDeleteHope you don't have to give up reviewing - love your reviews and discovered a bunch of fab books through them.
Congrats on achieving one of your dreams, I'm so very excited for you! I believe you have as much right as any other person with an opinion to review but you must follow your heart in this matter. Peace.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! You deserve your moment!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Anything you need let me know
ReplyDeleteHuge congrats on your first novel and on realizing such an important dream. I hope you enjoy your moment and keep realizing your dreams. Looking forward to the cover reveal.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I do hope you keep reviewing. I enjoy reading your reviews so much and, personally, don't see an issue with authors reviewing other books. All the authors whose reviews I read seem to be honest and unbiased.
I can't imagine that any author wasn't a reader first - and I think every reader has the right to post a review. As long as you're an honest person, which I believe you are, then I think you will go out of your way (probably now more than ever) to be fair in your reviews. If anything...I think authors bring more to the table in their reviews because, having gone through the process, they see things that shine (and things that don't) that a non-author might not see. I read reviews for Edmond Manning's books before I wrote my own and I saw AJ Rose talk about a particular passage describing the ocean. It didn't hold much weight for me. But then I read those same reviews after reading King Perry - and after having written myself - and that same passage now takes my breath away because I can now understand the talent it takes to describe something most of us have seen with our own eyes in a way we've never seen it. One more thing: If someone has an issue with you reviewing, they can simply not read your reviews. Easy peasy. Good luck with your first baby! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your first novel! I truly think you can keep reviewing being an author. Perhaps not as much as you do now, but you still can remain fairly impartial.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your upcoming debut book! What an accomplishment!
ReplyDeleteCongrats and the cover looks so amazing !! :)
ReplyDelete