Deb Shunamon at Readerviews.com has just issued an outstanding review on my book, and I have to share it with you in full (an abbreviated version appears on the Review page).

“I give a resounding “Wow!” for Claudia Newcorn’s new book, “Crossover,” a light fantasy with substance. This intelligently written adventure story involving old grudges, ambition, love, and other dimensions of existence, also speaks to the difficulties of growing up and making independent, responsible choices.

The story follows the personal growth of Danai and her possible importance to the future of her people. Danai and the other young sprytes undergo the rituals of Krisalys in order to obtain their feyree wings. However, it quickly becomes apparent that each of the Rites involved is going to be far more dangerous than the sprytes realize, as not everyone wants them to succeed, or notice that a dark time in feyree history is about to return. I have to admit that the abundant descriptions, invented vocabulary, and the thee/ye speech on the first few pages made me wonder if I would have the patience to finish the book, but by mid-chapter, I was hooked. The tightly written characters and adventures in this volume were engrossing, and although the story can easily be continued in future books, Scroll 1 is complete and satisfying on its own.

Even though I am not a feyree kingdom enthusiast, the terrific storytelling in this book has certainly made me a fan of its author. “Crossover: Krisalys Chronicles of Feyree: Scroll 1,” by Claudia Newcorn, will appeal to a variety of ages, and is a good choice for those who think, as I did, that feyree-world stories are generally too fluffy. Interesting and unique, this is simply a wonderfully written, action-filled, thoughtful fantasy book.” 

Six months into marketing my book, I have come to dramatically appreciate the success of J.K. Rowling’s and other authors’ books.

Consider that the initial printing of Harry Potter #7 was an unprecedented 12 million books. Sounds like (and is) a lot, right? But when you stop to think that it is only 1/3 the population of California, and a smidgen of the world’s population, you begin to appreciate the challenges faced by new authors in getting their books into readers’ hands.

I read that 98% of writers do not sell more than 2000 books. Initial printings of new writers are often less than that. And much of the marketing and promotion work is done by the author because they are a newbie.

I have discovered that it is an exhilirating and often frustrating trial by fire. Developing your sound bites, speaking before groups of people, creating a story about a story to interest potential readers…. Reaching out to bookstores and pitching sales managers…. Developing sales materials. It is literally a business in itself, taking time and energy every single day. 

But when a reader tells you how much they have enjoyed your book, you float along, renewed.

While established authors don’t have worry about doing the business and promoting aspects by themselves , I take comfort in knowing most have had to walk a similar trail.

If you’re an aspiring writer, I share this note that I wrote several years ago and have stuck to my computer – “I don’t have an imperative, so it’s up to me to make it happen.” Put another way, nobody cares if you don’t write your book or story – only you do. Nobody is going to make you do it (the imperative). Only you will. If your dream is to be a writer, then you are the only one who can make it happen.

As I slog along these new paths, I can honestly say that it makes my respect for such authors as J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkein, and Ann McCaffrey skyrocket. Their achievements are far greater than just writing their books!

To the determined belong the spoils of success!