Don't Torture Yourself | Paige Weaver

Recently, I have been asked for some self-publishing tips. I'm a newbie at this business so I'm definitely not an expert but I will share what I have and have not done, the mistakes I've made, and what I wished I could have done differently. (Maybe one day I will add a page on my website for self-publishing tips.) In the meantime, I will answer any questions someone might have about self-publishing because I know how hard it is to find that information and I am very thankful for the authors that helped me. I want to return the favor.

One thing I forgot to mention when I have answered the emails about publishing is dealing with your reviews. My policy is DO NOT READ YOUR REVIEWS. Good or bad. I've heard this from other authors so that is my new motto. The first few days after "Promise Me Darkness" was released, I read all the reviews and they were good but I knew that the bad ones were coming. Every book has had bad reviews. It is just human nature. We can't all agree on everything. What one person loves in a book, another hates. There are books that my friends love and I couldn't get through the first three chapters. It's okay. To each their own.

I do not read reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, or anywhere else. I'm too scared. I haven't developed that thick skin so many authors told me I had to have in this business. My hubby and friends tell me what the good reviews say and sometimes they tell me what the bad reviews say if they think it might be helpful for my writing. Knowing there are some bad reviews does hurt, I'll admit, but then I think of that childhood saying - "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me."

So remember if you are a writer - DO NOT TORTURE YOURSELF - don't read your reviews!!