How should an author contact you about a review request? Do you review e-books as well?
Authors may contact me at cg20pm00(at)gmail(dot)com with “Book Review Request” in the subject line if they are interested in having The Book Connection review their book. The only thing I don’t review is pornography. I don’t accept eBooks any longer. These books tend to get buried at the bottom of the “to be read” pile. After spending eight to ten hours a day on the PC, I don’t really want to subject my body to reading a 200+ page book on it. Besides, I read in the tub to relax before bedtime, and I haven’t found a PC or eReader that can work under those conditions. This could change, however, if additional reviewers come onboard.
How do you select the books you review? How do you determine which reviews to post on your site?
Everyone has their own personal tastes, but I consider each request by the synopsis sent to me. If the author’s website is listed in the email, I will go out to the site to find more information and an excerpt. I always post a review at my site—good or not so good. I have a fancy for Christian and inspirational fiction and non-fiction, memoirs, romance, children’s books, and historical fiction. I enjoy reading about the American Civil and Revolutionary wars, so books set during these time periods are ones I make a point to look for.
Do you think there’s a lot of ‘facile praise’ among many online review sites? What is your policy when it comes to negative reviews?
I believe this comes down to some readers being easier to please than others. I’ve gone to review sites and thought, “Does she like every book she reads?” But I’ve also gone to review sites and thought, “Does this person like anything he reads?” No book is going to be all good or all bad. There are going to be things you like and aspects you don’t really care for. A good reviewer can combine those things and provide a reader with a basis for a sound buying decision. As for negative reviews, I’ve had to write them; but once again no book is going to be filled with flaws and have not even one redeeming factor. I mention both in my reviews and I do so without being brutal. I’ve read some reviews and wondered if the reviewer is a sadist. Nothing is served by ripping an author’s book to shreds. Give readers some credit; they don’t need biting marks from a reviewer to learn the areas where the book failed to meet a person’s expectations.
Article comments
1 - Beverly McClure
A good interview. I agree that it's important not to give away too much of the story, but enough to make the reader want to read the book.
Thanks for your thoughts, Cheryl. I may visit your site for an interview request for my forthcoming ya novel.
Have a good day.
Beverly
2 - c hoare
Hi Ladies -- a good interview.
One of Cheryl's answers prompted a question in my mind. How can one write a review that imparts the sense of the reader's experience -- given that this is more than simply an interaction between plot and character. I can still remember how science fiction novels imparted something that was called a 'sense of wonder' that I as a teenage reader felt, but couldn't explain.
Chris H.
3 - Margay
Cheryl, what a great interview! I will be checking out your other websites.
4 - Margay
Silly me - I just discovered that I have been to, and commented on a post at, The Book Connection. I thought it sounded familiar! Anyway, it's a good site and the Aspiring Author site looks fine, too. How do you find time to do it? However you do, just keep on doing it because it is a great service to readers and writers alike.
5 - Joy Delgado
Good interview Mayra. Cheryl, I like your site and will be sending you a review request in the next few months. Thanks for the information.
Joy Delgado
6 - Maryann Miller
Another good interview, Mayra. Thanks so much.
In answer to Chris's question about imparting that sense of wonder in a review, I think a reviewer can do that by describing the magic of word usage, depth of characterization, or lyrical narrative that is engaging. I just finished reading a Y/A novel for review that is written in verse. The "wonder" of this book is the variety of rhythms used and the voices of each of the characters. Unique style that the author pulls off well and left me with that sense of "wonder."
The book is Ringside, 1925 and I will be posting a review on Bloggernews.net this weekend.
7 - Pauline Jones
Another great interview. I'm learning so much about how different sites/reviewers approach the process. And realizing I'm not cut out to be a reviewer! I'm of the "I liked it, I didn't like" school. (grin)
8 - Margot Finke
Mayra, your iterview with Cheryl C. Malandrinos was fun to read. Again I learned more about The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing. . .
Thanks to you and Cheryl.
Margot Finke
"Rattlesnake Jam"
and MORE. . .
9 - A. F. Stewart
Great interview. I agree a review should be honest and critical, but not scathing.