Review Early, Review Often

I got a review of the first sections of my new (work-in-progress) book. Hurray!

It is hard to admit but some part of me foolishly expected that reviewers – Jakub Nabrdalik & Karolina Hałaszkiewicz – would congratulate me on a good job rather than report what is wrong with it. How silly of me! 🙂 Yes, of course, they found issues, in fact, many issues, and I have to admit some very serious ones. (And – have no doubts about it – I’m very grateful for every single comment I received!)

Interestingly, the comments were completely different from what I expected. They were related to the very “core” of what I’m writing about. The one that made me think most is related to the value of my work (“what will the reader gain by reading this book? how to increase this value?”). Another pointed out that I don’t give enough context so that the readers might be lost or even misguided by what I suggest in the book.

So I feel like I was sent back to the drawing board. To rethink the plan. To specify my personas with greater care. To clarify the purpose of the book and what the readers should gain by reading it. A cold shower, yes. But the one I think I really needed.

Lesson Learned Today

So, despite the fact that I’m kind of disappointed with what I delivered, I feel like I gained a few things today. First of all, I was brave enough to share what I prepared so far and I asked for honest feedback (and now after I received it, I know I will have no problem with sharing the next sections). Second, I received very interesting comments at the very beginning of my work that will help me to write a much better book. And last (but definitely not least!) now I know I’ve found the right reviewers. People, who will seriously analyze my text and won’t hesitate to give me their honest feedback. What else could a book author ask for? 🙂

What I really learned today is this:

Review early, review often. Don’t wait, don’t be shy, don’t spend more time polishing this something – whatever it is – to perfection. Share what you have now and then listen with the intention to learn.