Nothing takes the wind out of my sails like getting ready to celebrate reaching a milestone (in this case, finishing the promo stack for Core Haven: Hope Amid the Ruins), only to realize how many loose ends are still fluttering in the breeze, so to speak. I actually find my reaction comical since I knew full well at each step of the way I’d eventually reach this point. After all, it’s not my first rodeo.

It’s akin to eating extra helpings at Thanksgiving & then following suit with leftovers for a day or two before gawking down in disbelief at the weight scale.

Anyway, a few loose ends are simple enough—not running ads or promos on various sites and whatnot. But others involve disentangling from well-intentioned startups offering various legitimate services.

And then…(cue the melodramatic music) into the fray swarms the plethora of solicitations with gmail.com at the end of their addresses. I’m sure some are from honest people trying to get a toehold in a world morphing in front of all our eyes like a street scene from Inception.

Given the sheer volume & range of services I’m subjected to—I mean offered—it’s tough wading through them looking for readers reaching out (yes, that does happen in real life). But wade through them I do because the diamonds in the rough are worth every moment spent scanning the dozens of emails I get every day.

Anytime someone shares a personal reaction to one of my stories or posts, it warms my heart in a way that’s difficult to describe. I make it a point not to fish for such responses, which is one of the reasons I avoid the “read my book, please” syndrome or the “award-winning author” credential attached to my name (no offense to those who do). For me, the true reward in this regard comes not from a trophy or a plaque or a claim, but from the actual words of a reader.

And like any writer, reader, & digital consumer in this wild world of ours, I have to be on guard for AI-generated content.

But when I recently received one of my all-time favorite comments from a reader, my first reaction was, “The voice of a living poet.” Interestingly enough, it wasn’t about either of my two companion novels, but about my previous post (“Truth Be Told“).

Every nuance in the entire comment still resonates with me, but what really gives me pause is:

You speak plainly about labour, uncertainty, learning curves, and small recalibrations, without bitterness or self congratulation. That clarity gives the piece its authority.

Now there’s some poetic wisdom to ponder, not to mention the compliment itself.

Whew…time to get some fresh air & let that welcome comment sink in even more.

Keep you posted.

Drew

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P.S.3. If by chance you’re interested in reading and thoughtfully reviewing either of my two companion novels, please see the Amazon links below. (And thanks so much in advance!)

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I invite you to check out Lee Hall’s excellent video review, especially the first book he includes on his short list of memorable indie reads—uh-huh, that would be Pearl Fields and the Oregon Meltdown.

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