It’s been 11 weeks since the release of the book Forgotten Voices: Excerpts from Valentina’s Journal. Both Amazon and Rose Dog Press have experienced strong sales. I’m always looking for new venues to promote the book. If you want to book me for an event (we can discuss your thoughts), please message me using the CONTACT KATY button at katyjsmith.com.
Highlights from the past few weeks include:
- The rating for Forgotten Voices: Excerpts from Valentina’s Journal is 5 stars on Amazon. I love those ratings! But, I also know I don’t have enough Amazon ratings to have true reading. I’m hoping more people will rate the book on Amazon.
- GoodReads reviews have a 4.83 out of 5 stars rating.
I hope readers will continue to rate on both GoodReads and Amazon. Authors value those ratings. An honest review, whether positive, negative, or mediocre, helps the writer decide what the reading public wants. The review must critique the book’s content and writing style, which the writer controls, independent of the publisher, publicist, and other industry insiders.
- Rose Dog Press distributed review copies to 10 people throughout the United States. Three reviewers have shared their feedback for Rose Dog with me. Among those comments, some of them are …
“A beautiful ode to the tenacity of the West Virginia spirit and the progressive woman….”
“A gorgeous slice-of-life tale from a brutal period in West Virginia’s history.”
“The story is brought to life through the eyes of a 13-year-old girl who finds she can begin to understand, through journaling, herself and her feelings about what she, her family, and friends experience living through the conditions and consequences the War created…”
“Valentina embodies the courage, love, and commitment to life and family making the story an engaging fictional account of a very real and important time in the history of Coal mining in West Virginia.”
- Yet, the reviews that excite me the most are from my friends and family. Among those are …
“OMGOODNESS! You wrote a book? I’m gonna read it!
(From a former 5th grade student, now 17, who was a handful but loved reading. And D—, I cleaned up your exclamatory phrase. You know I don’t appreciate the meaning of the original abbreviation just like I didn’t as a teacher.)
Mom and Dad would be so proud of you!” (from my brother)
“My teacher wrote a book. And hey! It’s where I used to live. I liked it. It’s something you should definitely read.”
(from a student who now lives and works in another city)
“My mommer wrote a book, and you ought to read it. This is a historical fiction story, and if you’re acquainted with my mommer, you’ll know the facts are accurate.”
(from my daughter)
Thank you, friends and family, for having faith in my telling a story.
(where and how I work)