To make mistakes is to human. To human is to hurt.

My book has been on NetGalley for nearly two weeks now, and I have mixed feelings about the experience. Reviews have been all over the place, and I feel like I did myself a disservice by not being more selective with the readers I approved.

My book won’t be for everyone (I know that), and yet I essentially approved anyone who requested an ARC. By not curating the process to hone in on the type of readers who would be more apt to enjoy my novel, I not only left myself susceptible to negative reviews, but I have found a good number of those reviews to be absent of useful feedback. I don’t understand the mindset of someone who wants to be an advanced reader, doesn’t enjoy the book, and chooses to leave a negative review without any substance that can be used to fuel growth. I can handle the feedback, but to say “it just wasn’t for me” doesn’t help anyone. That’s the type of review you leave on Amazon — not a website specifically designed for early reviews to inform any necessary revisions.

I am also starting to believe using NetGalley as a step prior to publishing is just a mistake in general. I know better than anyone that the type of reviewers on NetGalley are biased towards being extra critical. I think it leaves you vulnerable to getting off on the wrong foot. I’m concerned that I have sabotaged my book’s chances before it’s even been published.

Don’t get me wrong, overall the reviews have been positive, and many have included really great, useful points of feedback that will help me grow. For those, I am appreciative. And, who knows? Maybe the next two weeks will look different. I’m still waiting on a bunch of reviews to come in, and I’m bracing myself for what they will say. Opening that email to look at the review is just about the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done… seriously. I dread every single one.

But in the end, I think I’ll skip this step for my next book and go right to publishing. Maybe I’ll try to establish a smaller network of ARC readers who I know will be invested in the process.

Live and learn,

Court