How a Review Inspired Nightmare Ever After
Thank you so much for hosting me today, Jeff!
Reviews can be a great joy and the bane of an author’s existence. We all love it when someone enjoys our work, but many authors soon find out what happens when someone doesn’t love our work as much as we do. A lot of authors will stop reading reviews even to keep from reading bad ones.I read my reviews, and I’m glad I did for Once Upon a December Nightmare in particular. If I hadn’t, then I would never have written the sequel Nightmare Ever After.
At the time, Once Upon a December Nightmare was published with Wild Child Publishing and fellow Wild Child author David Huffstetler read my novelette and wrote a review. In the review, he said, “She left me asking for more, and that is one of the signs of a good story.” The review produced warm fuzzies, but then he also emailed me, throwing out ideas for a sequel with a possible FBI agent and maybe even a touch of romance.
At the time, I told him I planned for Once Upon a December Nightmare to be the only one, but I would consider a sequel. And I did. For months, his words and review swirled in my head. Then I decided to go for it and write Nightmare Ever After. Without him, there would be no sequel and no The Nightmare Collection.
It’s great when a reader can inspire so much more from an author.
Book Description:
A legend is hungry tonight.A child monster will get its first taste of blood in Nightmare at the Freak Show. Four friend will enter the forest on December night, but only one can survive in Once Upon a December Nightmare. Almost ten years after Cassie's December nightmare, the monster awakens to hunt again in Nightmare Ever After.
Publication Date: November 17, 2012
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Cover art by Nicemonkey at Dreamstime.com.
Cover design by Aubrie Dionne.
Bookworm logo for Surrounded by Books Publishing created by Cherie Reich.
Purchase Links for the ebook:
Smashwords
Amazon US, UK, DE, FR, ES, IT, JP
Nook
Nook UK
Kobo
Purchase Links for the print book:
Createspace
Amazon US, UK, DE, FR, ES, IT
Author Bio:
Author Links:
Website: http://cheriereich.webs.com
Blog: http://cheriereich.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bookworm0753
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorcheriereich
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4268457.Cherie_Reich
Rafflecopter Giveaway:
I am giving away prizes to two lucky people. The prize packages are open internationally and include: a signed copy of The Nightmare Collection, a signed copy of Gravity: The Complete Trilogy, and a $10 Amazon Gift Card.
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Inspiration comes from so many places. It's wonderful you received inspiration from a review.
ReplyDeleteInspiration really can come from so many places. Thanks for stopping by, Angela!
DeleteI LOVE stories like this... never underestimate the power of one person... :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Morgan! Sometimes that one person can make all the difference. :)
DeleteI can absolutely relate to this post! My novella promoted similar requests for more, even though I never had plans to do it. Great post, and congrats to Cherie!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kyra! And I would like to add to the more, please. :)
DeleteLove the sound of these! And hearing what inspired it. I think sometimes all it takes is someone asking to read more. Every writer's dream, right? :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pk! And it's always nice for people to want to read more as in loving the characters and wanting more versus the story needed more. :)
DeleteThat is awesome! My fans wanted a female character in the next book, which I'd never planned to write. Their prodding pushed me to do a second book.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like it was a win-win all around, Alex. You got another book, and your fans got what they wanted too. :)
DeleteFeedback is so important! I'm glad you found a way to write more of this story. It sounds really cool and I'm adding on Goodreads.
ReplyDeleteJeff, I love how you are so awesome to support so many authors out there. Another job well done.
Thank you, Shell! Feedback is definitely important. And Jeff is awesome about supporting others. :D
DeleteIt's the least I can do, Shell & Cherie. Hopefully one day I'll be wearing Cherie's shoes (not literally, of course) and hopping around visiting blogs to promote my own books.
DeleteOh yes, inspiration may come from the most unexpected places as well. Sometimes I'm surprised where I can find it. Good you listened to your fan. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Al! Inspiration usually sneaks up on people. :)
DeleteNow that's interesting. Never thought a book review could inspire a project. But then, inspiration can come from anywhere, so that's certainly possible. Loved your post, Cherie! Thanks for hosting, Jeff! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, David! It definitely was one of those reviews that keeps you thinking for good reasons. :)
DeleteIt was my pleasure, David. I try to lend a hand whenever I can.
DeleteCherie-- love seeing your book in blog land. Great article today too; although kind of miss the Monster's dysfunctional background emphasis! ;) Glad to learn more about you.
ReplyDeleteAww! Thank you, Julie!
DeleteSo cool how a review is ultimately what sparked the idea for a sequel! Gotta love how random inspiration can sometimes be. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely pretty awesome! That's why I dedicated the sequel to the reviewer. :)
DeleteThank you so much, Jeff, for hosting me today!!
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome, Cherie. It's was my pleasure. Hope the rest of the tour goes well and that you continue to find success with your releases.
DeleteThanks, Cherie. Your story was inspiring. I have to admit I look at the highlighted stars before I'll read a review of my book. But I can see where good reviews are important too.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes cringe with any review, but they can be important to read and learn from.
DeleteWhat a nice touch dedicating the sequel to the reviewer! This gives new writers hope that their inspiration could be right around the corner. Jeff, thanks for hosting Cherie!
ReplyDeleteJulie
It was my pleasure. Cherie's an excellent guest. And I agree, dedicating the sequel to the reader who inspired it is one classy deed.
DeleteInspiration can definitely appear anywhere. :)
Deletewhat an awesome review! cant imagine! and of course it sparked you! i would get on it too! yay for you, cherie!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tara! It was a rather easy decision to go for the sequel after that review, even if it took me a few years to write the novella.
DeleteWhat a great story. As a writer, finding out what people think can be really scary. But like you've pointed out, it can be a really amazing thing as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jenny! And yes, reviews have their ups and downs, but it's always nicer to get the good ones. :)
DeleteHi, Jeff! For some reason lately, it totally seems like I'm stalking you...;-) Anyway, I'm coming by to say thanks for signing up for the Cheers, Cavanaugh Blogfest! I'm so stoked you're participating... it's going to be epic. :D
ReplyDeleteI never snub my nose at quality stalkers, Morgan. Ever. ;-) Looking forward to the blogfest. Already got the post ready and scheduled.
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