The structure I prefer is: good lead (an interesting anecdote, a good quote, an amazing fact, or significant statement), summary of contents but not to give away ending in fiction, author's credentials, two-three specific examples through detail and description of the author's literary style and/or significant insights and trenchant observations, reviewer's criticism / comments, conclusion with a hoped-for flourish or connecting tether to the opening. Approximately 450 words.
Do you think many independent reviewers on the web tend to give “facile praise” to books?
I've read only a few, but they seem to be ones of whitewash written by the author's best friend.
Do you look on reviews as a critique or just your opinion of the work?
Critique. Our reviewers are essentially unknown outside their universities and places of employment; that is why we use third person for a more objective review. Everyone has an opinion.
Do you get feedback from readers?
Yes. ForeWord reviews are appreciated; they engage and are informative.
Apart from celebrity reviewers who work for major publications like The New York Times, can a reviewer make any real money from writing reviews?
No. ForeWord's reviewers, besides a small stipend, are compensated by having their review published in a respected magazine. Consistently good reviewers also get printed books in their area of interest.
What advice would you give to beginner reviewers who wish to make a career in this field?
Read reviews from the best publications and compare; then mimic with creativity the ones that the reviewer most enjoyed.
Do you consider/publish reviews by independent reviewers?
No. All book reviews are assigned by me. Part of the reason is ForeWord is a prepublication review journal; I see books before they are published.
Do you read reviews to select your reading material?
No. ForeWord reviews books that I decide are distinctive and distinguishable from the rest. We get 700 books a month; 8% are reviewed divided into 20 categories. ForeWord is a trade journal published once every two months; we review books published by independent and university presses for librarians and booksellers.
Thanks for your time, Alex. It was an honor having you here today!
Article comments
1 - Lesa Holstine
Mayra & Alex,
Thank you. As a public librarian, I read Foreword regularly. It's nice to read about the thought and work behind the magazine.
It's been very interesting to read the different opinions about reviewing.
2 - Beverly McClure
An interesting review, Mayra. I hadn't thought about whether first person or third person was best for reviews.
Thanks.
Beverly
3 - Aaron Paul Lazar
Mayra, what a wonderful glimpse into the ForeWord world. Thanks for this informative piece, and I'll look forward to the next in your series.
4 - c hoare
Interesting that reviews are considered almost an artform in themselves. I would have been interested to know the make up of Foreword issues and the split between fiction and non-fiction -- as well as any differences in reviewing style between the two.
Guess I'll have to troll my local library for a copy.
Chris H.
5 - A. F. Stewart
I enjoyed the interview, and the professional point of view. The best reviews are critiques, not opinions.
6 - Pauline Jones
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing this inside look into the publication.
7 - Maryann Miller
Very nice interview, Mayra. I have been honored to be a reviewer for ForeWord for several years now and working with Alex and the rest of the staff has helped me refine the craft of writing reviews. They are good people to work with.
8 - Margot Finke
Great interview Mayra. Your tour of reviewers is fascinating, and Alex Moore seems like a nice person as well as a reviewer of note.
Keep 'em coming mate!!
Margot Finke
Next up:
"Rattlesnake Jam"
9 - David R. Yale
That brief description of the structure of a review was extremely helpful. I hope you will continue this interview series until you have covered every reviewer who is willing to take part. Then, you should gather the interviews into a book! Thanks to Alex and Mayra!
-- David R. Yale, Author
Saying No to Naked Women
An anti-pornography novel coming July 27
10 - Irene
Thanks! I am learning a lot from Mayra's interviews. I am curious about how many books magazines (i.e. ForeWord) receives in different genre. Are there a lot more children's books than adult fictions?
Thanks for great interviews!
11 - Phoebe
Wow! Foreword reviews 8% of books received. That's a little scary, but certainly food for thought. I like Alex Moore's approach -- a critique, meant to inform and also convey style and content. Just what we need to know.
12 - Margay
What a great breakdown of what a reviewer does - I've never seen it broken down like that and so succinct! Thanks, Alex, for sharing your take on reviewing with us.
13 - JC Hall
Hi Mayra,
I found Alex Moore's detailed review structure (good lead, good quote, all the way down to ending with a flourish)extremely useful. If I can encapsulate all that in just 450 words, I'll know I've written a good review.
Thanks for all these great interviews. I'm finding them very eye-opening.
JC Hall
14 - Joy Delgado
Mayra,
Thank you for another wonderful interview. Alex, I like your approach to reviews.
Joy Delgado