Writers in the Storm

By J. Alexander Greenwood

Reviews. They can be notoriously difficult to come by, especially honest and impactful ones.

As a fiction writer with nearly two decades of experience, I know firsthand how challenging it is to garner the kind of reviews that build buzz and drive sales. Good reviews from “civilian readers” on Amazon and other sites are essential for credibility and visibility. But sometimes you need the authoritative touch of a known reviewing behemoth to give your book an extra boost. And they are usually not free.

But are these paid reviews really worth the investment?

Let’s explore the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.

Firstly, caveat emptor! While reputable entities like Kirkus Reviews offer genuine critique and exposure, the industry is also plagued by less scrupulous operators. These scammy paid reviewers often promise glowing reviews in exchange for a fee, regardless of the book's quality. Unlike professional reviewers, their feedback is often vague and overly positive, lacking the critical insight that can genuinely benefit an author.

This practice not only undermines the credibility of the review but also can harm the author's reputation in the long run—and Amazon is generally not a fan. Be sure to vet any paid review site thoroughly. And remember, you get what you pay for.

Another respected paid book review service is Foreword Clarion Reviews. I have not used them, but I do like their Indie focus and may try them out. Their reviews can add significant credibility to a book, making them a valuable tool for both traditionally published and self-published authors.

Here's a list of several others, paid and free, worth considering, including Midwest Book Review, which did me a solid on my last book. They are great reviewers, but candidly, their website is no great shakes. I use them because they have a great reputation, and it looks great to blurb them on a book jacket or Amazon listing.

But let’s talk more about the industry heavyweight, Kirkus Reviews.

The Kirkus Review Model

Kirkus Reviews, founded in 1933, has a long-standing reputation for providing thorough and critical reviews of both traditional and self-published books. Their reviews are known for being brutally honest, which can be a double-edged sword. Imagine my trepidation on submitting one of my books to Kirkus—and then imagine my elation when the review was extremely positive!

A glowing review from Kirkus can add significant credibility—which may explain why the book they reviewed was one of my top three grossing books. Bear in mind, though—submit your best work, because a negative Kirkus review can be a tough pill to swallow.

The question remains: are these paid reviews worth the investment?

Pros of Paid Reviews:

Paid reviews, such as those from Kirkus, offer significant benefits including credibility and exposure. A positive review from a reputable source like Kirkus can enhance a book’s legitimacy, particularly for self-published authors. Such reviews are powerful marketing tools, useful for book covers, websites, and promotional materials, potentially influencing readers.

Added value: experienced Kirkus reviewers provide constructive feedback, which, even if critical, can be invaluable for a writer’s development. Positive reviews can increase a book's visibility, influencing libraries and bookstores to stock it, as they often rely on trusted reviews for their purchasing decisions.

Cons of Paid Reviews:

Despite their benefits, paid reviews have notable drawbacks. The cost is significant, with standard Kirkus reviews priced at $450 for 250 words and $599 for 500 words, which can be a financial burden for indie authors with limited budgets. Additionally, there are no guarantees of a favorable review, and even with payment, a negative critique can harm a book’s prospects.

Moreover, the market perception of paid reviews can be skeptical; some readers and professionals view them as less trustworthy. However, Kirkus’s established credibility can mitigate this skepticism to some extent.

In Review…

I believe paid reviews from entities like Kirkus can be worth it. They offer credibility, exposure, and valuable feedback, but they do come with significant costs and no guarantees. For some authors, the investment pays off, while for others, the risks might outweigh the benefits. Remember, there are many paths to success in the world of publishing, and a Kirkus review is just one of the marketing tools at your disposal.

Have you used paid review services? Tell us about the experience!

About J. Alexander

J. Alexander Greenwood is an award-winning writer, public relations consultant, podcaster, speaker, and former journalist and broadcasting executive. He is best known as the author of the John Pilate Mysteries and host/producer of the Mysterious Goings On podcast and the PR After Hours podcast. Alex is also the author of the Amazon Top-Selling eBook/audiobook, The Podcast Option. You can read his blog at JAlexanderGreenwood.com.

Top image by J. Alexander Greenwood via Dall-E

by Angela Ackerman

Fun things can happen at writing conferences, especially after hours. In fact, a year ago I was winding up a conference with a drink along with a few others, and as the hour grew late, the interesting stories started to come out. You know, the ones spoken in a quiet voice: paranormal experiences, ghost stories. One writer passed on a bit of lore regarding the hotel we were in: one of the conference rooms was known to be haunted.

I perked up. She was speaking my love language.

And I wasn’t the only one. Someone asked for clarification on the conference room name, and then three of us stood, ready to investigate. We glanced about for staff who might try to dissuade us from poking around, but the common area was suitably quiet for the late hour.

Off we went to meet the mysterious Rundle room ghost.

We found the conference room unlocked and so slipped inside, giggling enough for women half our age. Someone had left the lights on, bathing the rose-cushioned chairs in a cheery glow. A wooden lectern stood at the front, presentation screens to either side, all ready for the next presentation. To all appearances, the room was empty save for us.

Right away I could see a big problem with the mission, so I crossed to the wall panel of light switches and snapped them off.  

A gasp shot out of the dark. Hmm. Maybe someone wasn’t quite as into this experience as I was?

A moment later this was confirmed. One of our trio exited with a, “Nope, I’m out.”

In my mind, my action was logical. What self-respecting ghost would emerge into this bright light? Better to turn those off and sit, breathing in the dark…waiting for the temperature to change…a sound that shouldn’t be there…a touch. Oh yeah. Creepy.

Did I believe in the Rundle ghost? No. But I was setting the mood so this would be more of an experience. And maybe it worked a little too well, because as the minutes stretched, the darkness began to crawl into my head. Every little noise sounded suspicious, and I grew slightly unnerved, wondering if I’d made a mistake.

Just as I altered the mood by flipping light switches, writers can do the same through strategic descriptive choices.

Emotionally speaking, light and shadow influence us, and it can influence both characters and readers. Places that seem familiar and safe by day can feel very different at night. Likewise, the mystery and uncertainty present in a murky locale will dissipate as the sun climbs the sky. When we change the quality and amount of light, we can shift the mood in our scene without changing the setting.

For example, consider a classic, L. M. Montgomery’s description of Birch Path, a recurring location in her Anne of Green Gables series:

It was a little narrow, twisting path, winding down over a long hill straight through Mr. Bell’s woods, where the light came down sifted through so many emerald screens that it was as flawless as the heart of a diamond.

We can easily envision this scene under the trees. The green-tinged sunlight gives the scene a lighthearted, cheerful feel, and though the season isn’t mentioned, late spring or summer is inferred, simply by referencing the light.

But the same path traveled later in the day by a character in another frame of mind can look and feel vastly different. Here is Birch Path again, traveled by a more mature Anne in the third book of the series:

Anne felt lonelier than ever as she walked home, going by way of the Birch Path and Willowmere. She had not walked that way for many moons. It was a darkly-purple bloomy night. The air was heavy with blossom fragrance—almost too heavy.

The darkly-purple light, combined with Anne’s loneliness and the cloying odors, give the scene a heavy, melancholy feel that wasn’t there before.

Because light and shadow lie within the realm of universal symbolism, people tend to respond to them in a feral way: well-lit areas are deemed safer, putting us at ease, while darker spots have more weight and feel heavier both on the body and the spirit.

When setting the mood for your scene, consider the lighting. How much light is there? Where does it come from? Is it hard or soft, comforting or blinding? Is it constant and totally revealing, or does it allow for shadows and hidden places? Questions like these will serve as a guide for how to light a scene to set the desired mood.

You can also draw upon personal symbolism—meaning derived based on a character’s personal interactions and history--if you’ve taken the time to set it up so readers pick up on its significance. Light itself may represent pain, exposure, risk, or danger to a character who lives safely below ground, or by the necessity of survival, is only able to come out at night. We need only look at vampire, werewolf, and demon fiction to see this played out within a story.

When you’re looking to steer the emotions of your characters and readers, use light and shadow, because they will do the work for you. (Weather has this ability, too!)

And what of the Rundle ghost, you ask? Well, after sitting in the dark for a few minutes asking if anyone was with us, we decided our otherworldly friend was a no-show. We left, but on the way out, met a maintenance man. After explaining our after-hours mission, he pointed us to a different conference room where an apparition was known to lurk. My fellow ghost hunter and I zipped up a floor to investigate, but again, it was a paranormal bust.

The tale does not end here, however. In that second conference room we ran into a housekeeper who shared two room numbers where the staff had seen things. But due to the late hour, we decided to call it a night and pick up the trail at next year’s conference.

This will be in two short months, so stay tuned…I may just have a ghost story of my own to share!

Do you use light and shadow to bring forward a specific mood? How did it impact your characters in the scene? 

About Angela

Angela Ackerman is a story coach, international speaker, and co-author of the bestselling book, The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression, and its many sequels. Available in nine languages, her guides are sourced by US universities, recommended by agents and editors, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, and psychologists around the world. To date, this book collection has sold over a million copies. 

Angela is also the co-founder of the popular site Writers Helping Writers®, as well as One Stop for Writers®, a portal to game-changing tools and resources that enable writers to craft powerful fiction. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Top image by Writers in the Storm via Canva.

by Susan Watts

As an author and a martial artist, I’ve discovered that self-confidence is not just a byproduct of skill but a catalyst for creative potential.

When we have self-confidence, we believe in our own capability, competence, and value to others. In martial arts, confidence comes from mastery and the continuous honing of skills. This self-assurance carries over into various aspects of life, such as creative pursuits.

Creativity thrives in an environment where one feels safe to take risks, make mistakes, and explore uncharted territories. Self-confidence acts as the bedrock of this environment. When we believe in our abilities, we are more likely to venture beyond the conventional, embrace originality, and express our true selves without fear of judgment or failure.

Martial arts, particularly self-defense training, offer powerful lessons in building self-confidence. When you learn to defend yourself, you gain a sense of control and empowerment that transcends physical boundaries.

The lessons learned in martial arts can seamlessly translate to creative endeavors. Just as martial artists practice techniques to build confidence, writers can develop routines and habits that foster self-assurance. Here are a few strategies:

Embrace Failure

In martial arts, every mistake is an opportunity to learn. Whether it's a missed punch, a flawed stance, or a failed defense, each error teaches a valuable lesson. Embracing failure means viewing it as a stepping stone rather than a setback. For example, whenever I would lose a sparring match, I’d analyze my weaknesses to identify areas for improvement. As a result, I went on to achieve future victories. The more you fail and learn, the more resilient and confident you become.

In the creative realm, failure is often a misunderstood companion. Every creative masterpiece has a history of drafts, revisions, and abandoned ideas. Recognizing that failure is an essential part of the creative process allows you to take risks and experiment. For example, a writer might draft several versions of a story before finding the perfect narrative. Each "failure" is a crucial step toward success. Adopting this mindset reduces the fear of failure and builds confidence in your creative journey.

Set Achievable Goals

Setting realistic and achievable goals is essential for building confidence. In martial arts, instead of aiming for a black belt right away, instructors provide students with a belt ranking system to break down training into smaller milestones. Students can then focus on mastering specific techniques and earning the next belt.

In writing, breaking projects into manageable tasks can make the process less daunting and more rewarding. For instance, if you're writing a novel, set goals like completing a chapter each week or writing a certain number of words each day. Celebrate these small victories to build momentum and confidence. Over time, these consistent achievements will culminate in a significant creative output, reinforcing your belief in your abilities. Celebrate each achievement, no matter how small, to create a sense of progress and accomplishment.

Seek Feedback

Feedback is a cornerstone of growth in martial arts. Instructors and peers provide insights that help students refine their techniques and strategies. Regular feedback sessions, such as after sparring or during belt tests, provide opportunities to assess progress and build confidence.

Feedback is equally crucial in writing. Writers should welcome constructive criticism as it offers a different perspective and helps identify areas for improvement. Join writing groups, attend workshops, or collaborate with other artists to gain diverse perspectives. Positive feedback boosts confidence, while constructive criticism provides valuable guidance for growth. Learning to accept and apply feedback fosters a confident and resilient, creative mindset. Knowing that you’re improving based on feedback enhances your self-assurance.

Practice Consistently

Consistency is key in martial arts. But does practice make perfect? Not necessarily—practice makes permanent. I often tell my students if they aren’t trying their best when they practice, they are just reinforcing bad habits. Regular practice builds muscle memory and can enhance techniques and increase overall confidence. Establishing a routine, such as attending classes several times a week and practicing at home, contributes to continuous improvement. Over time, this consistent effort, if performed correctly, can lead to noticeable progress, reinforcing a student’s belief in their abilities.

In creative work, consistent practice is equally vital. Setting aside dedicated time each day or week for your creative pursuits establishes a routine that fosters growth. Whether it's writing, painting, composing music, or any other creative activity, regular practice helps refine your skills and develop your unique style. The more you create, the more confident you become in your abilities. Consistency also helps overcome creative blocks, as the habit of creating becomes ingrained, making it easier to tap into your creativity.

Visualization and Positive Affirmations

Visualization is a powerful tool to enhance confidence by mentally rehearsing success. I often use mental imagery to visualize myself successfully performing techniques, winning matches, or achieving specific goals. 

As an author, picture yourself writing effortlessly, watching your story unfold, or completing a writing project. This mental rehearsal can reduce anxiety and increase your belief in your abilities. Additionally, positive affirmations, such as reminding yourself of your strengths and past achievements, can bolster self-belief and combat negative self-talk. Statements like "I am a talented writer," "My creativity flows effortlessly," or "I have unique ideas to share" can shift your mindset and boost your confidence.

Surround Yourself with Supportive People

The martial arts community is often tight-knit and supportive. When students train with like-minded individuals who provide support and challenges, their confidence can experience a significant boost. The camaraderie and shared experiences within the dojo foster a sense of belonging and mutual encouragement.

The same is true for the creative world. Surrounding yourself with supportive and inspiring individuals can have a profound impact on your confidence. Join creative communities, attend workshops, and connect with fellow artists who understand your journey. Constructive and positive interactions with peers provide motivation, inspiration, and reassurance. A supportive network offers feedback, celebrates your successes, and helps you navigate challenges, ultimately boosting your creative confidence.

Conclusion

Building self-confidence is a dynamic process that requires dedication, resilience, and a willingness to embrace challenges. By incorporating these strategies into creative pursuits, you can cultivate a strong foundation of self-assurance. Embracing failure, setting achievable goals, seeking feedback, practicing consistently, visualizing success, and surrounding yourself with supportive individuals are powerful ways to enhance confidence and unlock your full creative potential. As you embark on this journey, remember that confidence is not a destination, but an ongoing practice that evolves and strengthens over time.

What has your experience been with self-confidence in writing?

About Susan

Under the pen name Michelle Allums, Susan Watts has authored a young adult urban fantasy titled, The Jade Amulet and is currently writing the sequel. Her short stories are also included in the anthologies Christmas Roses and Forever and Always.

Susan has dedicated over four decades to training in multiple martial arts styles and holds the impressive title of a five-time US Karate Alliance world black belt fighting grand champion. Through her karate school, she is able to impart martial arts and life skills. Susan also incorporates her martial arts knowledge into her writing. An avid triathlete, she keeps in shape by running, biking and swimming. She lives in the country with her husband, where they raise animals and enjoy being outdoors. Susan also has three grown children and numerous grandchildren. In addition, she is a CPA and VP of finance for a company in her hometown. 

You can connect with Susan on social media or her website.

Top image courtesy of Writers in the Storm via Canva.