Real criticism–not vitriol, not an attack, but an honest assessment of good will from reviewers and readers–is golden to a writer, or it should be.

It helps us grow, and it’s important to approach it from that angle.

It’s also important to remember:

• your book won’t be for everyone
• not everyone will connect with what you are trying to do, and that may not be your fault necessarily, especially if that person is outside your target audience
• if lots of people are saying the same thing, it’s probably true. If lots of people are failing in the same way to pick up on something you were meaning to get across, it’s likely not clear enough or presented in the best way

Every one is entitled to their opinion of a work of art. The opinion may be well-formed or not, but the person who holds it is still entitled to it. Opinions aren’t always objectively accurate. That’s what distinguishes opinion from fact.

It’s important to distinguish YOUR WORTH from the opinions people have of your art, as well.

Yes, I’m psyching myself up for the first bad review of my second edition. Even though the second edition is much improved from the first (thanks to constructive criticism received), it’s not perfect. No matter what the book is, a bad review is sure to come eventually.

Still, I wrote a good story–a story worth telling, based on the good reviews that have come in, and I’m proud of it and so happy to be able to put it out in the world.