The first review I ever read of I'm Still Here left me in tears. Because it was my first book, my publisher received an offer from Amazon to gift the book to early readers who promised to leave an honest review. They were vetted readers, so it seemed like a good idea. Plus, I figured the book would soon be out in the world, so why not get a preview? The book wouldn't release until May, but I could have reviews in December.
With great anticipation, I opened my browser, searched for my book, and scrolled to the bottom of the page. There, the first review was lengthy. When I clicked "see more," the comment just kept going and going and going.
Then I realized. It was a chapter-by-chapter take-down of my entire book.
It started with "well, if she didn't like that her parents named her Austin, why didn't she just change her name when she turned 18?" and continued from there.
In that moment, I realized this might not have been a good idea. I didn't just go outside my friends for reviews... I went outside my audience. And now reviews like this one would be here for another 6 months before my book released.
I closed my laptop and headed straight for my bed. My husband came to check on me. After I explained, he asked, "Austin, if you could rewrite the book just to change this review, would you do it?"
It was an easy no.
"Exactly," he said. "So you can let this go, because it's not for you."
And he was right. I rarely read anyone's review once the book is published. I get all of the feedback I need during the writing and editing process. I write a manuscript I love. Reviews aren't for me. They are for those who don't yet know what the book says. I already know every sentence.
Now I'm back here again. My publisher has partnered with Goodreads, and there are some reviews available—this time, I determined to only read one, mostly out of curiosity rather than expectation. What I found blew me away.
*paragraph breaks were changed for this image. No words were altered.
In case you need to be together as much as I do... In case you are in need of a little dose of community... In case you are tired and just need to feel seen for a moment...
I hope you will consider joining me at one of these events.
Austin Channing Brown is the author of NYT Bestseller and Reese Book Club pick, Im Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness. Her next book, Full of Myself will release this fall.