"Whether praise or pan, the key is how well the reviewers justifies their opinion," states Cox.
Started in 1976, The Midwest Book Review is an online monthly publication aimed at librarians, booksellers, as well as the general reading public. Its mission is to promote literacy, library usage, and small press publishing, which is why this publication is so popular among small publishers, self-published authors, and academic presses. In this fascinating interview, Editor-in-Chief James A. Cox talks about the history and policies of the Midwest Book Review, and he also answers some important questions about the craft and ethics of book reviewing.…
Article comments
26 - Alma Alexander
Interesting reading, from the point of view of one who's worn both a writer AND a reviewer hat in my time. A thoughtful and well-written review is worth its weight in gold and it sounds like this is one of those publications which offers them. Thanks and keep going, Mr. Cox!
27 - Maryann Miller
Nice interview. It is always so nice to hear from someone who obviously loves books as much as Jim does. I have purchased a number of books as a result of a good review from Midwest Book Reviews. Thanks for providing that forum.
28 - Celise
Great interview! I'm looking forward to seeing the rest.
29 - Diana L. Driver
Excellent interview with lots of good information. A good review from Midwest Book Review is as good as gold.
Diana
30 - Beverly McClure
Thanks for the awesome interview, Mayra and James. Though I only review a few books, this will help me with future reviews. I enjoyed reading this.
Beverly
31 - Jill Osborne
The interview was very informative and helpful. I enjoyed reading it, and felt like I wanted to go visit the Midwest Book Review website.
32 - Maria Zannini
Wow! I had to pop over to Midwest Book Review after I read this interview. What a wealth of information. Well done!
33 - Jennifer Bogart
Thank you for this series of interviews. I have just started seriously reviewing books over the past few months. I'm always hungry for further information, advice and resources.
34 - Mary
Great interview. Mayra, you have done an awesome job in promo and Midwest Book Review is a wonderful site. Wonderful to have it linked to The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing. MBR is a great site for information.
35 - Donna George Storey
A very educational interview. I'm a big fan of the Midwest Book Review and their support of "smaller" books!
36 - Joy V. Smith
Excellent and enlightening review! I enjoyed the background; and I want to say that I appreciate Mr. Cox's reviews of my books, Building A Cool House for Hot Times without Scorching the Pocketbook, and my children's book, Why Won't Anyone Play with Me? And corresponding with him was a pleasure because he's so nice!
37 - Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Jim, your Midwest Reviews has done what few others have done; allowed a book to be truly judged by its content. Not its cover. Not the press it was printed on. You are a light in the industry.
Thanks, too, to Mayra for her interview. Rihgt on, Mayra!
Best,
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers
38 - jackie young
great interview-very interesting and informative, thank you.