I'm a well read grad student who's bluntly honest about all things, although I try to be most honest about myself.
Dear Authors, repeat after me:
I am an author.
If I have to explain my work, I have failed.
If I have to defend my work, I have failed.
If I have to harass people into sampling my work, I have failed.
I value a reader's opinion but am not defined by it.
My work should speak for itself. If it cannot, I have failed.
My first duty is to entertain.
My second duty is to continue to hone my craft.
My final duty is to move on to the next project.
I am an author.