Reviews: My Most Heart-Lifting & Most Comical – Linda Acaster

Author Linda Acaster reacts to her most heart-lifting and most comical reviews

"This book is tedious at best..."

So said a USA reader commenting on Linda's historical romance, Beneath The Shining Mountains. 

Linda reflects, "This sort of response is why many authors refuse to look at reviews of their own books, which I can quite understand.

"In truth, reviews aren’t for the author; they are reader-to-reader recommendations, part of the three-step pre-purchase ritual, at least when buying from one of the Amazon stores: skim through the product description, read part of the ‘Look Inside’, hit random 5*, 3* and 2* reviews. Followed, perhaps, by the Buy button."

Buy Beneath The Shining Mountains

Of course, not every reader does this. A surprising number buy on the look of the book cover alone, though it seems this reader didn’t even do that.

"This book is tedious at best. I guess my preference for books that relate details of Indian customs and actual historical accounts trump my enjoyment for this book, a coming of age style love story. A lot of drama between the characters in their love relationship. I had to force myself to get through this book."

"So, did the reader dismiss the conveying of customs because they were wrapped in a fictional story?" Linda wonders, adding, "What I didn’t understand then, and still can’t now, is why anyone would force themselves to finish a novel that didn’t resonate with them. The most comical aspect of this? Despite the tongue-lashing, the reader gave it a 3* review. Go figure."

"Book of the year so far!"

This came from a UK reader commenting on The Bull At The Gate, the second in the Torc of Moonlight trilogy of contemporary mythic fantasies. 

Buy The Bull At The Gate

Linda says, "What pulled me up short here was the fact that the review was uploaded mid-June. Had the reader only read one book in five and a half months?? Er, no. His reviewing was reasonably prolific."

"Mystery and multiple twists in a wonderfully written tale by a first rate author. Loved the fact there are some links to the old history (especially Roman!) of York as well. Book of the year so far!"

Linda's most cherished review happened to be for the same novel, but three years later and from Australia:

"This is the second book in the Torc of Moonlight trilogy. Every bit as captivating as the first. Linda Acaster's style of writing draws the reader in until nothing exists but the story."

Linda's reaction? “That - 'nothing exists but the story' - any novelist would take as a job well done."

Explore more from Linda Acaster’s multi-genre output

Read more about Linda Acaster HERE.

How To Get The Best From A Book Event

Late last year, members of Hornsea Writers joined an initiative hosted in the cafe of Rhapsody Coffee in Bridlington to showcase – and sell – paperbacks from local indie authors. The organiser, Graham Smith, recently stepped up marketing endeavours by introducing an afternoon’s Meet The Author event on the first Saturday of the month.

Joy Stonehouse led the way in February, and I took the March date. But what to do to give it the best chance of success? Liaise with the organiser and prepare! 

Splash your name and book covers.

The organiser wrote an article for the local free paper in Bridlington. I live just down the coast so wrote a short piece for my town’s free paper, and for another covering a market town and villages west of the venue. 

I kept them short, and sent them in early with a choice of book covers – colour catches the eye better than headlines or, unfortunately, authornames. If your piece is used, email a short message of thanks to the editors. You may want to use their paper again in the future. Cut down the info for use on the internet – Facebook, Reels, TikTok… whichever you frequent.

Check out the venue and its clientele. 

If you live close enough, this is a must. For a start, you need to know the availability of parking. What is the age range of the venue’s clientele? Will they be interested in your book/s? How can you make them more interested?

Eye-Catchers.

Readers are wary. Natural curiosity is balanced against the chance of feeling pressured into an unwanted purchase, even if the novelist doesn’t intend it. Eye-catchers offer a bridge.

Bookmarks are great if you’re writing a series – covers on one side and a line or two of info on the other. I write in disparate genres so find a postcard works better. In the past I’ve created a 3-fold leaflet in Word and run off 20 or so copies. In a café environment, whose gaze isn’t drawn to colourful reading propped by the condiments? Ask permission first, and collect the discarded afterwards.

The header image to this post was created in Word, printed on A4 photo paper, and slipped into a plastic sleeve with cardboard for stiffening. It stood on my table flanked by two of my paperbacks, to be seen from a distance while prospective buyers decided whether to approach.

Lastly...

Take spare books; these can always be carried home. As it happened, the organiser wanted to replenish stocks. I had pre-printed two copies of a Delivery Note and merely completed it in ink. Job done, no hassle, and no additional carriage costs. 

Enjoy your couple of hours. Chat about the venue, the coffee, the weather. Occasionally you’ll be asked to chat about your books. Make it relatable: Oh, I wrote The Forever House after scraping wallpaper and finding a message on the plaster! People are there to relax, so have a laugh.

Karen Wolfe – with her humorous dog-whisperer cum detective novels – will be at Rhapsody Coffee, 85 High Street, Bridlington, on Saturday 5^th April, 2-4pm. Laughs definitely included. 

Linda Acaster writes Mythic Fantasy to Historical Romance to chilling Horror and a Psychological Thriller. And a Western. But I didn't go into that at the venue. It would have needed too much explanation.  

Catch my books at Amazon