Accepting Negative Feedback
So, I have begun to consider how to “self-publish” a short book that I wrote as part of an ongoing series on how to get settled in Italy, specifically our region of Umbria. As it is meant to be primarily an e-book that is heavily factual rather than sharing a story, though there are a few anecdotes scattered within, it is not a fireside read. The intention is that someone can read it with a pen in hand to note down what applies to their situation and take it from there.
While I accept that the book is not necessarily in perfect shape, I have had enough beta reader feedback to know that it is helpful/useful and a worthwhile endeavor.
As I started to consider how to get it to the general public, I explored options like doing it solely on my own via Amazon Kindle Publishing (KDP) or going through a company that helps with the process. It is most definitely not big publishing house material, so there is no need to even consider that route.
Upon talking to a couple of people and joining some Facebook groups, I realized that it is not in my wheelhouse to successfully create an engaging book cover or design the layout of the book. Although I could do it, I know it would not be in the best interest of my time, effort, and zone of genius. Therefore, I next considered looking for someone on sites like Fiverr or Upwork. However, that also is time-consuming and can drain the motivation right out of you if, like me, you get overwhelmed by all the options to consider in ‘hiring’ someone this way.
Thanks to Lady Universe, I was able to get in touch with two self-publishing companies. Both positively responded with their interest in helping me get the book out there in the reader-sphere. Great, right?! Where’s the negative feedback, then?
Ah, so…
When I replied with humble gratitude that my creation was actually of interest asking for package prices and services, one came back with a very very high price tag. Since this is such a small endeavor, my budget is not that high as I do not know what the sales will be like and until I am able to continue the series, I think it is not reasonable to make such a large investment in a self-publishing action. With this, I replied and said I am still going to look around.
The second company came back with a much much lower price and services that met my needs. There was no push for a sale, just facts. This is my style — like the book I want to get published.
Here it comes…
I was on a Zoom call with a representative from the first company when upon my explaining that I was going to choose a different company, she railed into me (nicely-ish) about how disappointed she was that I wasn’t going to use them and that, in fact, there was a lot of work needed to be done on my draft because it didn’t engage the reader. Then, came the butcher knife — “If anything, you made me NOT want to come to Italy with so much information and no emotional connection…”.
My reply — silence, breath, brief explanation that the intent is not to connect or tell stories. Internally, my mental note was that my pitch had not been understood nor had she seen the project as intended.
As I’m new to this whole process, I definitely take responsibility for very likely not pitching it properly, or at least, not making it explicit as to how I hope a reader will use it. It is, after all, for a very specific audience.
Still, I wondered at whether or not it was necessary to say those words to me and if that was intended to be some kind of sales pitch that would make me change my mind? If so, it definitely did NOT work.
Obviously, I am moving forward with the second company. Everything has been done directly and with positivity. I am sure that once ‘business’ steps are completed, then I will get some negative and constructive feedback to improve it. By then, though, I sense that I will be in a frame of mind to receive it less harshly and one hopes that it will be delivered with more sensitivity. 🤪
How do you respond to negative feedback on your writing? Any tips as you go through the publishing process to open 📖 the sunshine ☀️ into your heart ❤️ to tell the stories📚 you have waiting to be told?
