Critics can be wrong

Critics said the iPad was destined to fail. Who wanted a tablet instead of a computer? Answer: 3 million buyers in the first quarter it was sold. Apple's iPad radically changed the perceptions of mobile computing. Critics and end users don't always think alike.

The moral of this story for writers is that the critics, contest judges, agents and acquisition editors are not always right about your work. While these professional voices are valuable and need to be considered, look for the end-user (audience) for your product and deliver what they want.

If you can't break into traditional publishing, so what. Look at other options to reach your audience. E-Books, e-Publishing and blogs are the quick way to find and engage your audience. If you have a narrow target audience, even better, because it's easier to identify places they frequent online.

Remember when vampire and zombie stories were relegated to the bottom shelves for the quirky few. Now they are trendy and reach a wide audience who previously cared nothing about the underworld or it's inhabitants. Yes, the critics can be wrong, but the paying market never is.