A Positive Review for “Grip”

I recently entered my novel, Grip, into the Writer’s Digest Self-Published E-Book Awards. I was hoping I might get an honorable mention, but I didn’t. However, they provide you with the judge’s feedback on your novel after the winners are selected. I got the notification my review was available and put off opening it. I wasn’t ready to read about how stupid and amateurish my novel was. But negative feedback actually is constructive most of the time, so I steeled myself for the verbal whiplash. I’m already used to this from reading reviewer comments to manuscripts we’ve submitted to peer-reviewed journals.

I was flabbergasted. Grip was rated “exemplary” in four out of six categories covering things like plot, story or topic appeal, structure, organization and pacing, character appeal and development, and voice and writing style. I was rated “satisfactory” in production quality and cover design, which is quite fair given that I designed the cover myself after going through a couple of tutorials on the internet.

Here is what the judge had to say: “I particularly loved how Claire’s journey is much rawer than I expected and is quite deeply emotional. I felt that created a powerful connection in my reading, and readers will appreciate that as they can find common ground and see themselves in her struggles to some degree while she navigates the highs and lows and intense moments of this novel. The writing style was wonderful as well, and I appreciated that the journey is written in a way that feels both authentic and evocative. I felt drawn into the Claire’s world with clarity and depth, and plenty of tension as she tries to stay elusive and safe while doing the right thing. For my preferences in mystery, the pacing and structure of the narrative was perfectly balanced. It kept me engaged from beginning to end, without feeling too tense or stressed out, while offering moments of reflection that were refreshing and made the stakes for the story feel very real to me. I appreciated and enjoyed this book a lot.” – Judge, 12th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published E-book Awards.

That was extremely gratifying. This was written by someone with expertise in creative writing who has no connection to me – so is an informed and unbiased opinion (as much as an opinion about a novel can be). Even though I didn’t win an award, my book belonged in that competition.