Authors & Reviewers discussion

Hi everyone,

I’ve been a writer for years, but I’ve just recently decided to become an author.

I’m currently working on the Seasonal Psychology series, a self-help collection that blends humor and psychology to explore how holidays and seasons affect us emotionally. If you’re a reviewer or blogger interested in checking it out, let me know.

Looking forward to being part of the group.

Regards,
August

August,
I can offer a bit of time. Can't commit to a series. Please let me know how to access your work.
--Miles

Hi Miles,

Thank you! No commitment needed—your time is appreciated. You can email me at august@augustiverson.com, and I’ll send you a download link. No rush at all.

Regards,
August

August,
Thank you for the advanced reader copy. Below is my review.

3 stars. August Iverson’s Christmas Psychology is a plainly written psychological self-help book about finding joy in Christmas traditions. It is probably best for young adults or people with little background in the study of psychology. The book is intended to be light-hearted and nostalgic.

The writing and themes are a bit simplistic for my taste, and in my humble opinion the introduction is too long. At times the writing is strained. For example, some analogies, “like a reindeer on caffeine,” feel forced.

Who is the intended audience? The writing seems more geared toward young adults, but the subject matter seems more toward those with lived experience.

The following statement might be taken with a grain of salt, because I have devoted much thought to psychological matters, but it is true from my perspective nonetheless. The psychological lessons are shallow. Saying things like “enjoy the process” offers little insight, if only because living in the moment is ingrained in my personality. This brings me back again to the question of who is the intended audience. The author seems to be aiming for people who have an interest in psychological matters but little experience with them.

The book’s attempts at neuroscience are superficial at best.

It is too long. In an age of divided attention spans, readers do not require subjection to the same points repeated on end.

Quotes from the book:

“where joy and stress mingle like eggnog and rum.”

“Maybe you have…a chipped mug that everyone has sipped hot cocoa from at some point. These items aren’t just decorations; they’re part of the family’s Christmas DNA.”

“So, as we carry on with our own rituals, why not take a moment to appreciate the global mosaic of holiday customs?”

“making the season feel like it’s wrapped in its own magical, sensory bubble.”

“let the holiday magic unfold in its own perfectly imperfect way.”

“like gentle nods to the past that help us stay grounded in the now.”

I hope this finds you well.

Thanks for the thorough and thoughtful review, Miles. Very much appreciated.