😂 I got my next negative review from a friend today, disappointed the book wasn't *really* space opera - which I take to mean, because it's not all epic battles - despite involving aliens, a murdered world, a mutiny, a spaceship, and an intrigue that will unravel a whole society.
But I find it amusing that all my reminders that this is Dostoevsky in space didn't sink in. I think folks don't expect me to write challenging work - but I cannot fathom why anyone thinks I write nice, simple fiction.
I should be clear: the person in question said that the book was compellingly written. It just wasn't the space opera they were thinking it would be, despite my express caution about its voice.
And that is OKAY. This is all a good reminder to keep fine-tuning how I present the work to others, going forward.
All feedback can be useful!