It's always flattering to get a review but especially so when the review is by someone respected within the literary community as being an avid reader, book lover and a smart and thoughtful critic. And it's undeniably nicer to receive a rave review than one that gets referred to, rather delicately, as "mixed"...
So I was very pleased and honoured when I saw the wholly positive and generous review of Bird Eat Bird by Steph VanderMeulen on her excellent blogsite Bella's Bookshelves. As well reading and reviewing an incredible number of books and blogging regularly about all things literary, Steph works as a copy editor, independent bookseller and writer. She's also been helping to promote 2011 - The Year of the Short Story or YOSS 2011. And she is active on Twitter and should be followed immediately by anyone who has ever read a book as well as anyone who might possibly contemplate reading one in the future.
Side note: Even more heart-and-ego-warming than the review itself was hearing directly from Steph afterwards that reading my book had re-inspired her to start writing fiction again.*
*Side note re: side note: I suspect she was going to start anyway and it just happened coincidentally while reading my book but I'm of course more than happy to take some credit when her award-winning tales are published in the future!...
Katrina! Thank you for such warm and elevating words! Again, it was really my pleasure to write such a review, and it was the first book for which I reread stories in order to properly review. I can't put my finger on what it is I felt when reading them: it is the kind of writing I want to write myself, if that makes any sense, and which felt more true to what I could do than most things I read.
ReplyDeleteThus, yes, your stories gave me courage, inspiration, motivation. I have wanted to get back into writing fiction for a long time: 15 years, in fact. And your stories, along with Sarah Selecky's contest and encouragement from a few other authors, have got me started. It's a big, big deal. I only hope I can come close to what you're achieving.
Thank you. And thank you so much again for your kind words!
I've been thinking that I should add this is not only about what I can get out of your stories. I mean, that's huge, what I and anyone gets out of them, but it's also about just how good your stories are. They are so well done I got excited about them. You know?
ReplyDeleteHi Steph, Thank you again, so much, for the wonderful review, follow-up comments and recommendations - all much appreciated, and I meant it - I can't wait to read YOU before too long! Also, profuse apologies for this beyond tardy response...
ReplyDeleteThe brand new digital camera I took to Australia failed utterly so I bought 2 old fashioned disposable film ones and am still waiting for the pix to come back... So that's my current excuse for lack of blog updating. But a catch-up post-Sydney post is coming soon!