Richard Authier Lee

I had the pleasure Friday of receiving three unsolicited positive reviews on my novel, “High Ground” from my longest (I won’t say oldest) friend who lives in another state and from a local friend I did not know was reading my book and a third who had bought a copy over the holidays

Now, let’s be clear, there is almost NO chance someone you know is going to walk up to you, or text you to say “read your book, and I’m left with the realization that there’s
no way I will ever get that time back. It was dreadful!” At least I don’t have any friends who would say that. If you do, you have my sincere condolences.

But what I received were three very enthusiastic great reviews from people whose opinions matter to me more than your average bear. Totally made my day. Writing is a solitary pursuit, and when you receive that kind of response, it goes a long way.

It made me think, now that there is a growing number who have bought and are or will be reading the novel and when you are done, I hope a few will take the time to pop onto

Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple iBooks, Kobo, or wherever you bought your copy to leave a brief (hopefully positive) reader review. In the Amazon example here, just click the gold “customer reviews” text to the right of the star rating, then click the grey “write a review” button which appears on the next screen. It really goes a long way in helping a new book and its author find more readers. I’d also like to say “thank you” for your interest and your time. It means a lot to me and I hope I made the effort worthwhile.

Years ago, my journalism professor at the University of New Hampshire, told us that writers often “dream of eagles and create hummingbirds.” He was right about that. That’s just the way it is. The alternative? Take no chances and end up producing drivel, or political ads, I can’t remember which.

Speaking of that, I should share with you that I just finished reading “Sarah Todd” by Chloe Garner, one of the most original and entertaining novels I’ve read in awhile. Garner’s novel and mine were part of the Kindle Scout process at the same time last fall. Garner has created a strong, textured, female lead character in a fresh western story set in a frontier town on a planet far, far away. (I’m not making any of that up.) Want to be carried away by your next read? Give “Sarah Todd” a try.

When you get to the dinner table scene where a battle of opinions breaks out between the the Lawson men and the Lawson women, tell me if you didn’t laugh out loud. If you didn’t, there may be something wrong with you.

R.A. Lee