Recently, I entered my first novel, Good Enough, into Writer’s Digest magazine’s 2024 contest for Self-Published Books. While I didn’t place or even get an honorable mention, I was happy to be taken seriously as an author. They said they had an overwhelming amount of entries, and thus there was a lot of competition. Even though I didn’t win, I received four valuable reviews from Writer’s Digest judges. I was mostly pleasantly surprised by what they had to say. These reviews are important because they are from people who have never met me and are completely unbiased.

Being any type of artist requires the ability to accept criticism. The judges seemed to enjoy my book, and that is of the greatest importance to me. Even though being criticized is hard, I really appreciated the feedback, and I plan to make some of the suggested changes. For example, one reviewer said that my cover indicated a heavy-handed religious book, which it is not. Another reviewer suggested I should modernize my cover. So, I am going to listen to the reviewers and revamp my cover to make it more modern.

Below is the current cover. When the new cover is finished, you will be first to know.

One judge suggested that I shorten my book to 300 pages or make it into a series because, “Claire is a charming enough character to spend multiple books with.” In a series, I could flesh out the characters and subplots. Hmm…I am seriously considering that idea. It appeals to me because I wouldn’t mind going back into Claire’s fictional world. The only problem is—is that my day job depletes all of my time and energy. Another suggestion is to use more contractions to make my book less choppy. I may do that, but it isn’t top on my list. All in all, I am grateful for the critiques as I was bracing for the reviews to be much more negative.

Here are the four critiques:

The title and sub-title could use tweaking. As they stand now, it gives the impression it’s a heavy-handed religious book. Since it’s not that, contemplate re-titling. To make the reading flow better and be more natural to conversation, use more contractions. The lack of contractions makes for stilted reading.

Judge, 12th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards

While I think the book has a great idea and some well-done underlying themes, there are some ways that it can find an even larger readership that will love this story. I would suggest redoing the cover design to be more modern and on trend with what is currently being published in the mystery and thriller spaces. Having a look at the design of the font and title, with the images behind that create a contrast over an evocative image that relates to the themes of the book would be helpful in alerting readers of the genre that they will also love this. Additionally, I would not include a subtitle on the cover, but if that is going to stay, I would minimize that font and have it above the title as the highest part of the cover, so it doesn’t read like a subtitle, but as a line of intrigue for folks looking into the story. I think there are an admirable amount of plot points and themes in this book, and it’s clear there is much to be said and explored in this world. I would encourage the author to keep the book closer to 300 pages and then consider making a series within the world so these various aspects and subplots can have the time and attention to be fully fleshed out and explored. As it was, for my reading at least, I felt there was almost too much going on at once, with the murdered mob boss father, the alcoholic mother, the psychotic ex-boyfriend, the decisions Claire was pursuing in the first place to forgo special ed teaching in favor of becoming a nun – it is a lot, maybe too much, to fit into one book? Claire is charming enough to spend multiple books with, and I would suggest the author consider expanding the story and the world, so that each of these subplots is given the context and time to be fully enjoyable.

Judge, 12th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published E-book Awards

While I think there are some areas that need to be smoothed about this book, it surely did not lack in imagination! I think Claire is a unique character, with such an intense history and a desire to make good with her life as a positive contribution to the world, she is compelling to read and spend time with. Readers are going to want to see her win and meet her goals and will root for her to be able to solve problems, right the wrongs that are in her life, and be an impression for positive changes. I appreciated the more tense elements to the story as they seemed to be handled with respect and the desire to bring up thoughtful conversation from looking honestly at more gritty realities of life. Rooting for Claire all the way through!

Judge, 12th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published E-book Awards

The story is quite engaging. It pulls the reader in right away. As the plot develops, the pace picks up, making it a real page turner. The book discussion questions at the back are solid questions and should make for an excellent discussion. Well done.

Judge, 12th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards

Thank you to everyone who has supported me along this journey.

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