To expect too much is to have a sentimental view of life and this is a softness that ends in bitterness.
When a book leaves your hands, it belongs to God. He may use it to save a few souls or to try a few others, but I think that for the writer to worry is to take over God's business.
When in Rome, do as you done in Milledgeville.
Writing a novel is a terrible experience, during which the hair often falls out and the teeth decay.