I have a confession to make because that is what I do in my books, too—I confess my deepest secrets, hoping that nobody reads them, while at the same time hoping the opposite since I need to start earning a living. Paradoxical. That is one word to characterize me, Cristina Gherghel.
Now, let's talk about the terrible mistake I made with "iPERIMENOPAUSE."
There were more than one, but the first and most important was "selling it" as a guide instead of a memoir—a raw, yet funny, description of the hormonal chaos I have been dealing with since I was very young, but had no idea whatsoever what was going on with my body and mind. In fact, I blamed it all on my stressful life and endometriosis.
Anyway, readers were not content, and they had good reasons. They found the hybrid book on perimenopause (premenopause and menopause), which was not a guide at all, very difficult to navigate. But the worst thing is that they didn't find it beneficial since, surprise (not surprise), it didn't have practical advice.
I am so ashamed and disappointed in myself that I can't put it into words. I sincerely apologize to all those who read "iPERIMENOPAUSE" and didn't benefit from it. It shouldn't be an excuse, but I was so unwell when I wrote the book, and in my mind, I was going to help many women understand what some who cannot (or choose not to) take hormone therapy (HRT) are going through.
Man, I couldn't be more wrong. Nobody understood "iPERIMENOPAUSE" and how could they?
It stings that they didn't appreciate the humor in it, but hey, everyone is different, and I accept that. I write for people, so if readers don't enjoy my work, for one reason or another, it defies the purpose of my hard work.
The problem is that shiny one-star reviews make a book tank faster than a rock.
I can't help but wonder if I had sold it as a memoir—an authentic storytelling of my struggles—would it have made a difference for those who felt in their hearts that my book really deserved only one star.
Because a one-star review makes a creator feel that their work not only lacks value but is the worst out there. It says that I didn't care about what I was doing or who it was intended for, which is the opposite of the kind of author or person I am.
I am a bit blue today. My head hurts tremendously, and I feel like crying for no reason, really. I mean, the bad reviews are really detrimental to my career, but I can't control what people do or feel. I know that the mistakes I made with "iPERIMENOPAUSE – The Latest Upgrade to the Operating System of my Life – Malfunction: Hormonal Mayhem" were not intentional. I didn't mean to mislead people; quite the opposite. It was an oversight. The confusion and pressure in my head simply didn't allow me to see what I was doing.
Because of that, I wrote another book on the same topic—perimenopause—this time in a clear and straightforward manner.
I genuinely hope that someone will learn to recognize the signs of premenopause or menopause continuum (as I call it) and find the practical advice and coping strategies on point and beneficial.
"The Perimenopause Handbook - The Midlife Compass: A Hybrid Guide to Hormonal Wellness & Self-Care," is the title of the book and it offers insights on endometriosis, vulvodynia, and candidiasis. It delves deeply into mental health, addressing topics such as sadness, despair, and depression with a specific focus on transforming the negatives into positives.
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The title is not original, as again, I thought it was at the time I came up with it, but I can't change it since the guide is already published, and you can find it here (click).
I truly hope that I can make it up to those who were dissatisfied with my epic author comeback.
I can't quite believe how badly I screwed up with the launch of "iPERIMENOPAUSE – The Latest Upgrade to the Operating System of my Life – Malfunction: Hormonal Mayhem."
Everything malfunctioned indeed. I can assure you that I did my best to fix it. So, last night I corrected the description, changed the categories, and hope it's better received that way.
If it still doesn't work, I have to move forward. I will write other books that will be appreciated by whoever reading them will help.
I must admit that I have to write about something else now because I am trying not to exasperate anyone. I am exhausted, so I know how it feels. However, I want to sincerely thank you for taking the time to read my words and being a part of this journey.
Your support means the world to me, and it's the reason I continue to pour my heart and soul into my writing. I believe that with each book, I am growing and improving, learning from my mistakes, and striving to create something meaningful for you.
So, please stay with me on this path, and together, let's explore the wonders and challenges of life, finding solace, understanding, and perhaps even a touch of inspiration within the pages of my future works.
In light of these circumstances, the weight of guilt weighs heavily on my conscience. The realization that women entrusted their hard-earned money only to be met with further challenges troubles me deeply. Finding solace in restful sleep becomes an arduous task when confronted with the knowledge of having deprived individuals of their rightful investment.
If you are one of those readers, I kindly request that you reach out to me through the contact form. I would be more than willing to provide you with "The Perimenopause Handbook - The Midlife Compass: A Hybrid Guide to Hormonal Wellness & Self-Care," completely free of charge, should you wish to receive it.
Your satisfaction and well-being are of utmost importance to me, and I genuinely hope to make amends for any disappointment caused by my previous work.
Love,
Thank you so much for taking the time to dive into my words. It's been an absolute privilege to entertain your curious mind.
Now, if you've got an insatiable appetite for reading books books for free and review them for fun, I've got an offer that will make your literary taste buds tingle!
Check my Amazon author profile by clicking here to see my books signed with Cristina G. or here to find my books signed with Cristina Gherghel.
I'll gladly send you an electronic version of the book that captures your interest.
Feel free to request as many books as you'd like.
Here are my Goodreads author profiles where you can explore and discover my work. Since I used a pen name in the past (apparently), I have two names to add a touch of complexity to my life.
- https://www.goodreads.com/cristina_gherghel
- https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16277613.Cristina_G_
Remember, your reviews are like the sprinkles on top of my writing sundae, so I eagerly await your witty thoughts and captivating feedback. Let's spread the joy of reading together!
P.S. Don't forget to bring your sense of humor along for the ride.
Gear up for an exciting and humor-laden excursion!Credit video, audio and pictures: most are mine, some are from Pixabay, some other are from PNGtree.