A Few Minutes of Your Time, That's All.

I have been writing for many years and must admit, I did not give great thought to the importance of reviews before. It is mainly short stories I had published and admittedly, it's not often you receive a review for a single story.
However, I have read other people's reviews and even bought books on the strength of their words. Yet, when it came to writing one, I often hesitated, as I felt, who wants to read what I have to say? How silly is that for a writer, I hear you holler!

But now that I have my debut novel, My Husband's Sin out there, my collection of short stories, A Baker's Dozen and my new novella The Runaway due for launching shortly, the reality of how important those reviews are for writers, hit home for me.
It is a nerve-wrecking but thoroughly exciting time to have a novel published. Knowing I have bared my soul by putting my work out there, which can be scary, deep down I want to know what people think of it. So, this is where a review fulfills its duty.

When I received my 1st review, I jumped up and down, so happy to think that a reader took the time to write about my novel. It was this that I appreciated, that a reader gave me a few minutes of their personal time. They reached out. If this is what my readers can do for me, then, I, in return can do it for others.

I have received 5 star reviews right down to 1 star. I read them and noted what it is the reader liked or didn't like. Admittedly, my joy at the 3, 4 and 5 stars was ripped from me at receiving the 1 star, but so be it. We each have our own likes and dislikes and if my novel was not for them, than I shrug my shoulders and remember there are many out there who do like my books.

By posting a review, just a few short words will do if you do not feel like writing a longer piece, helps other readers to find a book they may like and it helps writers know what their readers want.

So remember to review! Authors really do appreciate it.

Latest review for my collection

Below is a review of my short story collection by Roisín Peddle, journalist, writer and editor. Catch more of what Roisín has to say on her excellent blog at
http://randomdescent.wordpress.com

 



...Not only that, Mary is a very talented writer and editor. Her debut short story collection was launched last November and is still available to buy as a hard copy in the North Cork area (including Philips in  Mallow and Dick’s Newsagents in Charleville) as well as online, through Amazon and other e-book outlets.
With the nights drawing in an the air getting colder, it’s time to wrap up warm and enjoy a good book. A Baker’s Dozen is perfect for those cosy evenings by the fire. Thirteen stories, some with more than a touch of darkness and others with a tinge of the supernatural, but all are told with Mary’s heart-warming charm.
The stories concern themselves with the moments where lives interact and things begin to change. There’s both pathos and humour in the collection, and Mary captures the best of human nature as well as its less savoury moments. But for everyone there is redemption, and what’s more, a real sense of hope.
There the sinister coalman who is exerts his influence over his family and the community, the moralising librarian with a nasty streak, the woman whose mysterious powers demand good customer service, and other fascinating characters.
Many of the stories deal with illness, whether of the mind or the body. The final story, ‘A Sunbeam’ is a beautiful tale of loss, release and love, and the bonds that we have with those we love, even after we die.
Family bonds and the ties that bind are also present in many stories. ‘A Family Broken’ examines the aftermath of a family row that ends in tragedy. What happens in a mere moment can change our lives forever, and for this family it is something that will never ease.
On a lighter note, the charming ‘Would Mother Approve?’ sees a successful director realise that her late mother is giving her a standing ovation in the form of white feathers.  We are never forgotten: love remains. This is the powerful theme running throughout the collection.
Not every character has a happy ending. With Mary’s customary mastery of the twist in the tale, and a lovelorn girl working in bar who never quite manages to work up the courage to speak to her Prince Charming comes to regret it. But to say more would be to spoil the simple, yet delicious twist.
The topic of abortion has been to the fore more than ever in recent months in Ireland and ‘A Secret Farewell’ tracks a young woman’s lonely journey to London to end her unplanned pregnancy. My own favourite story has to be ‘A Mysterious Customer’ where a surly waitress gets her comeuppance at the hands of a woman who may or may not be a witch.
For those with a love for short stories looking for some escapism, A Baker’s Dozen is perfect fare...