What is your stand on paid reviews?
They're not reviews; they're part of book marketing, which is fine as long as you don't call them reviews and are above board with site visitors. I do not accept paid reviews on BookLoons, nor do I accept fees for featuring books on the site (as I understand some sites do). I do run ads to cover hosting fees, but they're clearly labeled as such.
Do you think it’s okay for reviewers to resell the books they review? What about advance review copies (ARCs)?
ARCs should not be sold - that's clearly indicated on the covers. But I think it's fine for reviewers to sell final copies if they want to do so, as the books are generally their only payment for reviews. I give my copies away (those I don't keep for my ever expanding personal library :-)).
Do you keep the author’s feelings in mind when you review?
When I write (or edit) reviews, I try to be tactful. But the review is not for the author (aside from helping give his or her book exposure), it's for the reader wondering if that book is to their taste. So I try to focus on that.
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a reviewer?
Reading of course (and getting new releases of favorite authors early!) But also, the excitement (that all readers have) of discovering an excellent new author, and being able to play a small part in sharing that discovery with the reading world. One of our reviewers (Josephine Locke) put it well in "What's in a Review?", saying "My hope is that something in any review, even minutely, plays a note, reaching out and touching potential readers." That's why all of us read and review after all.
Thanks for this interview, Hilary!
Article comments
1 - Margay
Another take on the reviewing process - another website to go check out! Thanks, ladies!
2 - A. F. Stewart
Great thoughts and a wonderful interview.
3 - c hoare
I really like your distinction between reviews that intend to comment on great writing and those that point to good reading. It answers the question of quality between academic and popular reviews by laying clear the value of each to the readers using them.
Chris H>