Cassi Carver-Guest Post and Giveaway-Dark Flight (Shadow Slayers #3)
Do Readers Matter?
Hello, everyone! Thank you so much for visiting me on The Reading Café today!
I’m an author. You probably figured that with the fact that I have a book coming out next week. And as an author, there’s one thing that’s often on my mind. Want to take a guess? Do you think it’s plot? Characters? Story arcs? Conflict? Yes—all of those. But did you know that some writers think about readers almost as much as they think about the elements of writing?
Is that weird? I don’t think so. Because readers matter.
And it’s not just because readers are the people who buy our books and with their purchases determine whether an author can make a living at writing or simply pursue it as something fun on the side. They matter because without readers, stories aren’t truly alive.
I was talking to a friend last week (And her name rhymes with Lisa Kessler. Okay, I’m not fooling you. Her name really is Lisa Kessler.), and she mentioned something that really impacted me. Lisa said, “No matter how much I love a book I’ve written, it doesn’t truly come alive until someone reads it. The readers breathe the life into the book… It’s magic!” And when I heard that, I realized how true it was for me as well.
I love writing. I love telling stories and creating worlds. I know I should want to write even if no one reads my work. But the truth is, sharing my stories with readers, hearing what they think, it’s my greatest honor and my greatest thrill.
Even when it comes to reviews—which some writers insist an author shouldn’t read for her own mental well-being—I can’t help but be invested and want to know what a reader thinks. I try not to let reviews change my future story arcs too much, but if I see a pattern that several people have pointed out, am I willing to fix it? Absolutely! Why, you ask? Because I feel like the readers and I are in this together. We’re both invested. If I cut myself off from caring just to avoid the pain of the occasional bad review, I’m also cutting myself off from one of my greatest sources of joy.
This past month several readers have really encouraged me just by being enthusiastic about my work. I wish there was a way to tell them how much it means without being too cheesy or looking like I was trying to get them to buy the next book. So what I want to say is simply this: Thank you, Readers. You matter. You really, really do.
As an extra thank you, comment below to be entered to win one of two free digital copies of my upcoming release, Dark Flight—Book 3 in the spicy urban fantasy Shadow Slayer series.
Virtual hugs all around, and I hope to connect with you soon on Facebook or Twitter!
Cassi
A little about me:
I live in sunny Southern California with two dogs, four kids, five chickens, and one hubby who gives great massages. I get to the Gaslamp for research (okay, happy hour) as often as possible. I’ve never saved the world, but I keep sexy boots on hand just in case the opportunity arises.
When I’m not busy plotting and writing, I enjoy reading, spending time with family and friends, caring for pets, getting outdoors, and trolling makeup counters for that elusive shade of eye shadow and lip gloss that will finally bring me lasting cosmetic fulfillment.
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Cassi is offering an ecopy of DARK FLIGHT to two (2) lucky readers at The Reading Cafe.
1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.
2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.
3. Please post a comment and say hello to Cassi.
4. Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.
5. Giveaway runs from May 17 to May 20, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble/ KOBO
Great Post and question. I am a big fan of authors who take their ‘fans’ feelings and emotions about the characters and storylines into consideration because after all, it is the reader’s who buy the book and make the author successful.
If a writer kills off a ‘favorite’ character or destroys the integrity of a storyline by changing up the premise, readers will turn away and drop the author as well as the series. I have seen it happen with a few authors and series I follow.
Me too, Alexiis! I’m a reader first and foremost and when I love a series, I want to know the author cares about my reading experience. Killing off beloved characters is not something I enjoy as a reader!!
I love finding new authors on here! Sounds like a great series.
Thank you so much, Angie! I’m a big fan of the Reading Cafe as well! 🙂
What a wonderful guest post, Cassie. I think on the other side of things, when an author tells a reviewer that they loved the review, or how it effected them, the reviewer is also thrilled. It makes it all worthwhile to review books, and have the author pleased. Of course, sometimes reviews may not be a positive review. lol sometimes.
Hi Barb,
You’re so right! It’s a very fine line we walk. I’m always honored when someone takes the time to review one of my books, but I don’t comment on most reviews on Goodreads because that might seem stalkerish, I think, and take away from the sense of a reader-centered forum where they can express their real views. (Sometimes I just give a thumbs-up! LOL)
Truly enjoyed your post Cassi.
Aww… Thank you, Fran! Have a wonderful weekend!
It was a wonderful post Cassie. I think it’s great that fans can make your books come alive. It certainly does for us.
Thank you, Amy. There is so much bad press out there these days about author melt-downs after reviews. I thought it might be nice to know what the average author thinks. 🙂
I enjoyed this post. It is fun to see how the author thinks. Thanks Cassie for this great post.
You are so welcome, Iraida! Thank YOU for commenting!
I feel the exact way about my cooking! Sure, if I like it that’s great but it’s not truly amazing until I see other people eating and enjoying my creations. Thanks for thinking about us readers!
What a great analogy, Lori! That’s it exactly! Thank you so much for supporting the series. You are one of the people I was thinking about when I wrote this! *hugs*
another fabulous post. this was very interesting to see how authors feel about us reading their books.
Thank you so much for stopping by, Mari! I’m so glad you liked the post! Good luck with the giveaway and happy reading!!
Great post Cassi!!! 🙂
And look my name rhymes with Lisa Kessler too!!! LOL 🙂 Just came over to support my writer buddy!!! And you said all of this so well… Readers make writing feel worthwhile… 🙂
Lisa
Thank you Lisa for stopping by The Reading Cafe and supporting Cassi. She writes an amazing series with the Shadow Slayers and I am a big fan.
Just an FYI–I believe Lisa has FOUR books coming out with Entangled this year. She writes amazing paranormal romance!!
You are so awesome, my friend! Thank you for stopping by and also for letting me quote you. Your optimism and insight into writing make me want to follow you around with a notebook and pen. But don’t worry–I won’t. LOL
Woo hoo Cassi. Thank you for such an amazing series. You know I am a big fan of your ‘fallen angels’. I want a couple for myself…specifically Gavin and Julian.
Ha!! Thank you, Sandy! Gavin and Julian told me to tell you that if Kara ever dumps them, they’re knocking on your door next! 😉
I can’t wait for DARK FLIGHT!!!! I love this series! Thank you for writing this series as I just enjoy it so much. I sent my sister your books and she loves them too.
Ruth
ruthmarie94(at)Hotmail(dot)com
Yay!! Hi, Ruth! What’s so neat is that I had some special readers in mind when I wrote this, and here you are! Thank you so much for your support!
Wonderful post, Cassi. I am glad to read that authors love to hear from their fans . Hopefully we don’t sound too ‘stalkerish’ when we rave about certain characters-then again, maybe it makes us sound-insane 😉
Cassi thanks so much for the wonderful post! I too have a writer friend who tries not let bad or good reviews go to her head (or more to her heart) LOL. But I know she really likes to let readers know how much it means to her that they take their time to leave a review. Your series sounds wonderful, I know Sandy is a fan – and that’s a wonderful recco in itself! I can’t wait to read this series! BTW, love you covers! Thanks for talking with us!