@Rebecca Phillips That was a really smart and careful thing to do. I’m glad you took the time to verify everything directly with Barnes & Noble rather than relying on what the scammer was telling you. It’s always better to be cautious in situations like this. What did Barnes & Noble tell you when you contacted them?

@Sophia Holloway Thank you! I completely agree it’s always better to verify things directly, especially when it involves our books and money. I contacted Barnes & Noble, and they clarified the situation for me, so I feel much more comfortable now. I’m glad I took the time to check rather than just assume everything was legitimate. I really appreciate your concern, too. Have you ever come across anything similar with your own books, or is there anything you’re currently trying to figure out with publishing or promotion that I might be able to help with?

@Beth Macy Thank you for sharing these tips I especially agree with the point about persistence and not letting bad reviews discourage us. I think every review, even a negative one, can teach us something about the reader and help us improve the next book. I also like what you said about burnout. Sometimes we focus so much on publishing and marketing that we forget that this is a long term journey, not something that happens overnight. I’m curious what part of your KDP journey are you focusing on right now: writing, marketing, getting more reviews, or increasing book sales? Maybe we can share ideas and help each other along the way.

@Danie MarieSure, no problem. You can reach out to me at [email protected]. I’ll be happy to connect and discuss further.

@Danie Marie“I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you.

@Adam Erhart I’d guess it’s something surprisingly simple: making the reader feel seen and appreciated after they’ve finished the book. Sometimes a small, genuine thank you or personal touch can turn a quiet reader into someone who wants to support the author publicly. It’s fascinating how the smallest gestures can leave the biggest impression. What did your readers say was that one small thing?

@Michael Teferi Hi Michael! Thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures and giving us a glimpse of your two poetry books. It’s clear that you’ve put a lot of heart and creativity into your writing, and I think it’s great that you’re continuing to believe in your work and your dream of being discovered and published. Your decision to wait for the right publishing opportunity sounds thoughtful, and I wish you continued success as you pursue that goal. I’ll definitely be interested in seeing where your poetry journey takes you. Which of your two poetry books feels most meaningful to you personally, and why?