I wanted to address a concern a number of readers have been emailing me about recently and hopefully quell that growing anxiety. As many, if not all, of you know I publish my books exclusively on Amazon. The books are available in ebook and paperback formats and are also part of the Kindle Unlimited subscription service for Amazon. This means that all my books are only acquired on their store pages and only have their customer reviews to show for it. Something that has drawn attention to readers is the status of Chronicles of Eden – Act I, which currently has an overall 3 star rating on the site. This has prompted a number of emails asking if I’m worried or if this is a sign that the series isn’t doing well. It also brings up the question if I’m going to continue writing the series if this keeps up.

First and foremost, I’m always going to keep writing Chronicles of Eden. I love the series. I love the characters. I love the world. I want to keep going with it. Even if it had one star ratings on all the books I wouldn’t stop. I will never let the harsh words of others keep me from writing the words in these books. So don’t worry about that, this writer isn’t going to leave the series hanging on a perpetual cliffhanger.

Secondly, I want to state that the series is doing very well financially. It’s only selling more and more each month and I’m able to comfortably live off the royalties and art print sales alone. This is my full time job after all. I’m not saying I’m filthy stinking rich like J.K. Rowling or Stephenie Meyer, but I’m doing alright. Don’t worry about me losing my home or anything, I’m not reduced to water and bread or living in a cardboard box. Sales have always been going well for the series and have only been getting better as time goes on and more readers jump into the world.

Third, I am aware of the review count for the books. The truth is most people don’t leave reviews, only a small fraction actually do. Ask any author, it’s the reality of how this works. People could love it or hate it, and they would still likely not leave a review. Granted, some are motivated to more than others, either by really liking the book or really hating it, but very few actually do take this extra step. The number of reviews on Chronicles of Eden – Act I is the vast minority of overall readers for the book, even if most of those reviews are showing as less than positive recently. There’s nothing I can do about this, I can’t demand or twist the arms of those who liked the book to leave a review, that’s entirely up to them. The review count isn’t hurting the book, it’s only making it seem less bright to new readers who first come upon it.

To answer the concern for the third point, if you or any reader is concerned about the review count or simply wants to help the book shine better on the store pages, then leave a review for it. Simple as it gets. It could be as short as “Loved the book” or “Great story” or anything like that. Doesn’t have to be a novel critiquing every aspect of the story, unless you’re that motivated to do so in which case go right ahead. Only takes 30 seconds, not even, to help the book shine, and every single review helps it do just that. I would love to see the book and the others raise to solid 5 star ratings, I truly believe that’s what they’re worthy of and will continue to believe that since I’m proud of my work. But if people don’t want to review for any reason, that’s up to them and I can’t fault them for that. They have to want to do it, they can’t be forced.

Whether the books get to five star ratings or down to one, I’m not going to stop writing for the series. I have a large story to tell and am currently planning several spin-off books to further explore the world and history of the characters. I’m never going to let the words of others keep me from doing what I love to do, so don’t worry about that. The truth is, whether people out there want to believe it or not, Chronicles of Eden is a success for me and is continuing to be as such. That’s all thanks to people out there who are buying the books and art prints and helping spread the word that the series is out there, that’s what shows the story is loved and wanted more of. And I’m more than willing and eager to keep the story going all the way through to its end.