The Key to an Author's Heart

Giovanni Gelati

Today my guest is the versatile and charismatic Giovanni Gelati, writer of the Fiction Book Blog "Gelati's Scoop"; host of the Blogtalk Radio Show The G-ZONE; Marketing and Social Media Consultant; Graphic Design Artist; Owner and Operator of G-ZONE Media; and published author with Trestle Press. 

Giovanni is going to give us The Key to an Author's Heart: 

Question: How many novels, books, ebooks (digital short stories, novellas, full length work) have you purchased over time? Tens, Hundreds, Thousands? 

Now ask and answer yourself truthfully how many ratings have you left? One, Two, maybe Five? A bit disproportionate don’t you think? Why is that? Why would you purchase something to read and then not voice your opinion on it? Do you feel that your voice is too small? Maybe you think that what you think or have to say doesn’t matter? 

I can attest to the fact that if you are thinking like that you are way off base and wrong, way wrong. I have yet to interact with an author that has not thanked me for my thoughts and opinion. They are what they work for. 

If you haven’t noticed, the keys to the executive gatekeeper suites have been handed to out to everybody that reads and wants to express themselves in one form or another. 

I personally love that I get to hold one now. It is shiny, fits very well on my key ring and I exercise that right every day I can. The authors that really are in this for the right reasons do this for only one reason: to satisfy us as readers. 

You did not hear that first here, I can guarantee you that, but it is true and needs to be reinforced.

Has word of mouth advertising died? No, it is stronger than ever! 

Than why not do the things that can really elevate your opinion, throw your stone into the pond and make a ripple? Have YOUR voice heard! Have YOUR desires met as a customer, leave that rating on Amazon, Goodreads, Library Thing and your various social networks. 

The authors that work so hard to get noticed, that want that love, that desire the feedback, that need to know what YOU think of their hard work, their solitary labor now out there in the world for all to see, anxiously wait next to their laptops, waiting to see how many ratings they have and what they are. Did they think I suck? If so why? What can I do as a writer better to satisfy those that wish to read my work?

Do you want your key? 

It is and has been waiting for you. Turn it and open up a new world to yourself, one that should be a happy place, one that should offer you power, validation, sense of community, pride, and belonging. The INNER CIRCLE awaits those that chose to enter, no invitation is necessary now, which has been handed out a while ago, to everyone, no exclusions, and all are invited to attend.

What is your choice? How do you want your voice to be heard? 

I say make it loud, do your thing, but do it with respect and reverence as a holder of power should. 

A wise old man once said: “With great power comes great responsibility.” It is all too true. Heed those words and enter the door of your power: the authors are waiting to hear from you!

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As you can see from my blogpost "The Prerogative of the Harlot" I agree with your last points, Giovanni! As writers and readers we have great power and great responsibility. Authors have the power to influence people with the words. Readers have the power to make or break an author's career. Authors have the responsibility to publish only the very best work they can. And readers have the responsibility to treat the author's hard work with respect, irrespective of whether they like the story or not. 

What do you think the key to an author's heart is?

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 You can find Giovanni on Twitter as @gelatiscoop and on Facebook as Giovanni Gelati
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If you purchase a Trestle Press title, and want to reach out to the author on a one-on-one basis, and for whatever reason cannot find them, please email Giovanni directly and he will make sure you connect to the author. Trestle Press authors want to talk to you; they want to know what your opinions are, and what you think could make them better to deliver the type of content that satisfies you as a reader. Here is Giovanni's email address: gelati.giovanni@gmail.com