When you can download a book to your e-reader in seconds that costs less than the movie playing at your local Multiplex, what is the relationship between readers and writers? Judging from the reviews of my book on the Swimming with Maya Amazon page, it has the potential to be closer than ever.
In the nine years since the book was first published as a beautiful but pricey hardback, the landscape has changed dramatically. As I writer, I see this most vividly in the ease with which readers can now buy the book and communicate with me about how it has affected them.
The digital edition of Swimming with Maya has been downloaded approximately 12,000 times – that is quadruple the number of readers of the hardback edition. Goodreads lists more than 500 people planning to read the book, as well as several dozen who have reviewed it.
As I write this, Swimming with Maya is in eighth position on the Goodreads list of books about “Bonds between mothers and daughters.”
When a writer pours her life out on the page as I did in this memoir, it is beyond gratifying to hear that readers are moved, or that their own lives have been changed. Not all readers react favorably, of course. Because of the immediacy of digital media I can hear exactly what they don’t like, which is valuable information.
If someone feels strongly enough to review my book – be it positive or not – I’m in the very privileged position of having readers who care enough to comment.
Like this recent review from my Amazon page: “What an incredibly powerful book. Both about the pain of losing a child and what it means to be human.”
Wow, somebody really got it! Swimming with Maya is a story about life – even though the trigger for telling the story was the death of my older daughter. It is about how life knocks all of us down and what it takes to get back up again.
Or this one: “I have a daughter who is like Maya was in many ways. Eerily, she is the same age now as Maya was when she died. This book made me realize how much I really love my daughter. I don’t think I will have any trouble showing her anymore.“
Affecting how someone relates to her daughter is about as high an honor as I can imagine. This reader, also a single mother, added this: “To me, this book is about how mothers love their children. Obviously, it is a deep, deep subject. I know Maya’ s story has had a huge impact on understanding the love for my own daughter. It is hard to read at times, but the message is worth it.”
I am sincerely blown away that those 90,000 words I sweated bullets over for almost 10 years are out there in the world making a difference in people’s lives.
E-books are making books available to people who might never have had such easy access before. It’s a trend I welcome. Don’t get me wrong. If you feel moved to buy the paperback as a gift for yourself or someone else, I’ll be equally happy. But please be sure to write a review or send me an email. Readers and writers need one another, so keep the comments coming.
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I totally agree. There are few happier experiences for me that opening a new book, smelling it’s fresh scent, and hearing the spine crack, yet I consider my Kindle the best invention for long trips since the suitcase. I am extremely happy that the event of the ebook has caused an upsurge in readers, especially younger ones. I look at e-readers the same way I view the many “alternative forms” of church services available today. I prefer the traditional service: because of my previous experiences, the prelude/call to worship/scripture reference/hymns/Apostle’s Creed are like an ongoing icon that takes me to the place of worship where I want to be. However, my experiences are my own, not those of everyone, and the church needs to offer a sort of “personalized welcome mat” for all who enter. Those of my generation are no longer the majority and will continue to become fewer in number. Thank goodness the church continues to grow and change with a new generation. We are all using the vast possibilities of multimedia to reach everyone that we can.
More people, like more readers, are a GOOD thing…
Absolutely. I love the immediacy of reader reviews, and try to respond to everyone who takes the time to review Swimming with Maya. E-readers are totally bringing in a new audience and there are lots of us who like both printed books and digital media. It’s great to have options.
Congrats on all of those downloads! That is very, very cool.