Good Reviews Really Do Help With Motivation

Originally I was thinking of writing a post about the show 'Stark Raving Mad'. A great short-lived show with an incredible cast. For whatever reason it has never had a video release and is not streaming anywhere. It turns out the only way I was able to find to watch it was YouTube videos. I highly recommend you find the show and check it out, as it is still brilliant comedy with Tony Shalhoub and Neil Patrick Harris.

Then today I learned that the site SFcrowsnest did a review of 'Open Mic Night at The Nexus', a collection of my short fiction. (Open Mic Night At The Nexus by Ian Brazee-Cannon (book review). - SFcrowsnest)

"However, the tone is mostly light-hearted, gentle, playful, and not aggressive. I enjoyed the book and hope Mr. Brazee-Cannon keeps writing." - Eamonn Murphy

Good reviews are of course always a welcomed thing to received, especially when it is from a true stranger with no connection to you at all. It feels great to know there are people out there enjoying your effort.

I'm going to share some of my favorite reviews.

This is the first review for any of my fiction ever:

"Ian Brazee-Cannon seems to share my wry sense of humour as an heroine in leather armour heads off on her first mission to fight the forces of evil. Renee and the Sacred Order of Our Lady of Bloody Vengeance is set in a modern English town, just to throw you off balance, and manages the humour well, dealing with ridiculous situations without descending into farce. The conclusion particularly made me smile." - Gareth D. Jones (The story was published in a UK publication, Forgotten Worlds 9 April 2007, it was their final issue.)

This is one for 'Dragons on Vacation'. Their mother read it to them and this was their response, which I just love:

"I liked that Georgie and Armand are dragons in disguise! - R (6yo)

Now 'A Day at Georgie and Armand's Place' is more or less my favorite project ever. I just love writing their stories and am hoping to pull myself together and get back to their third novel.

This first review for the book is the truly rewarding kind:

"I was skeptical at first, but I’m so glad I stuck with it. The concept is awesome. Who doesn’t love dragons? How about gay dragons with an impeccable sense of fashion. How about a gay couple who runs an inter dimensional hotel (forget the B&B cliche - too small for Georgie and Armand). Loved all the little stories involving numerous species. Well fleshed out in each. Different looks, different personalities, different genders. Loved this story!" - Denise 

Reviews can really help make a writer feel good about what they had created:

"This was definitely a wild ride. My fave part is still that it begins in a pillow hoard. I want a pillow hoard! I feel like the author did an amazing job of investing the reader into such a plethora of characters which is hard to do without feeling like things are stretched ruing, which this did not feel like at all." - gothspider

"A great book! There's an echo of Douglas Adams Doctor Who stories in Ian's writing. It makes the book feel familiar and warm, yet new and fresh. I look forward to more of Georgie and Armand!" - Liam Bootzin

The you get ones like this one that really stand out:

"An excellent book that reignited my love for reading. Georgie and Armands place feels familiar with a touch of Hitchhikers and Doctor who but stands on its own as a fantastic piece of literature." -  Allistair

Outside of the novels, there are a series Georgie and Armand vacation stories which are really fun to write.

This is for 'The Daughter of Ash and Nightmares:

"How Ian Brazee-Cannon keeps coming up with these incredible stories is beyond me! The simple truth is he is a master storyteller that is just scratching the surface on how good he is going to become! I cannot recommend this story or all of his other stories enough. Pure magic & pure imagination at your very fingertips!" - KRIS & TRISH HAMILTON


Here is one for my novel 'The Cost of Leveling Up':

"If you like Ready Player One, or books that take place in computer multiverse like Second Life, then I think you will really like this story. It's refreshing to hear a story like this told from a female perspective. I hope there is a sequel sometime soon." - Luna


I've written eight stories so far in 'The Divided State of America' shared universe.

This is for the first DSoA story I wrote, 'What Lies in the Wastelands':

"It’s incredible how the author is able to succinctly develop well-rounded characters and quite vividly describe the world they live in. It’s a very thought-provoking story and I can’t wait to read the next one to follow the journeys of the captain and her team." - Angela Dey (Hopefully she was not upset that in the future stories there was a huge change in the focus characters)

I'm not going to go on with this, as hopefully that will give people a good idea of what helps to inspire and energize a writer like me. There are times like this last year where writing has been a struggle due to various elements of life.

Now I'm going to finish up with this recent quote from my friend and editor to help promote the release of 'Open Mic Night at The Nexus':

"If you're looking for a new book to add to your wish list, I would strongly recommend Open Mic Night at the Nexus by Ian Brazee-Cannon.
Ian is possibly one of the most underrated authors in the genre..." - J Alan Erwine.

There are times when I need to read through these reviews to help kick myself in the ass and get focused.
I thank every one of those who leave these reviews, they do make a difference.

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