Interview with Carolyn Howard-Johnson of The New Book Review
Published June 07, 2008
How should an author contact you about a review request?
Just follow the guidelines on The New Book Review.
How do you determine which reviews to post on your blog?
As long as a review meets the guidelines (found in the left column of the blog), I accept them. When needed, I edit them. Sometimes there is a wait. I try to never post more than one review a day. All those who submit are asked to do a little promotion of the fact that their review has appeared. That helps all the participating authors get more exposure.
Do you think there’s a lot of ‘facile praise’ among many online review sites?
Facile praise. Quite a term. Yes, I do. But if someone loves a book, who out there should tell them that they are wrong. I'd just prefer reviews to be a little more even-handed. After all, the review process is about learning for the author and credibility for the reader, too.
There was a lot of controversy last year between print publication reviewers and online bloggers. In your opinion, what defines a ‘legitimate’ reviewer?
It is very hard to draw a line, isn't it? Weren't the reviewers for the New York Times at one point beginners. Does one have to have a BA in English Lit or an MFA in writing to be considered an expert. I think the point here is that people should always be aware of where the material they read is coming from. What is the reader's standard for credibility? Apply those standards. No one should believe everything they read. On the other hand, opinions of others should be respected. Just because a reviewer doesn't agree with us, doesn't mean that their opinion is not valid. This is one of those arguments never to be won, one of those problems never to be solved.
- Interview with Carolyn Howard-Johnson of The New Book Review
- Published: June 07, 2008
- Type: Interview
- Section: Books
- Filed Under: Books: The Writing Life, Books: Self-Help, Books: Reference, Books: Nonfiction, Interviews
- Part of a feature: The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing
- Writer: Mayra Calvani
- Mayra Calvani's BC Writer page
- Mayra Calvani's personal site
- Spread the Word
- Like this article?
- Email this
Save to del.icio.us
Comments on this articleComments
Interesting interview! I have Carolyn Howard-Johnson's book on promotion, which helped me when I first started getting word out about my own book.
I'll have to check out this review site!
What a terrific idea for a review site!
Intriguing thoughts about the whole world of reviews.
Thank you Mayra and Carolyn for this great interview. I forwarded the link to an author I wrote a review for that was upset my review wasn't a facile review. I agree with you Carolyn that we should keep in mind the author's feelings but at the same time 'keep the future of her craft in mind.' Very well put.
Joy
I love the idea of the New Book Review Blog. Thanks for another great interview, Mayra, and for your work helping to promote writers, Carolyn. I'm off to check out your site.
Have a good week.
More useful information, and some ideas I'd never have thought of.
I can ask reviewers who have posted reviews I like of my books permission to send them here as well? The more places the better.
And the promotion works -- I'm going to get off my butt and order a copy of Frugal Book Promoter -- that I've been meaning to for years.
Chris H.
This review brought so many submissions to The New Book Review and I am so glad. Of course, that will slow the process down a bit. I try to leave each review up a few days so that the author has time to promote it (that's what reviews are all about, putting our books forward! (-: ) . So be patient. And, Chris, "Yes!!!!" I know you'll get a lot out of The Frugal Book Promoter. Lots of easy-to-do ideas and great resources. (-:
Best,
Carolyn
Carolyn, I like the way your blog is set up. I think it's very innovative to have authors post reviews from other sites - what reviewer wouldn't want that kind of exposure for themselves? What a great way to promote their work. Margay
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/77676)
I noticed in the submission guidelines for The New Book Review that Amazon reviews are not accepted. I know that in the past Amazon claimed ownership of these reviews, but upon going o ver their review terms a week or so ago, it seems that they have changed them to a non-exclusive printing of the reviews. Has anyone else noticed this?