How is The Compulsive Reader different from other review sites?
Well, let me firstly say, as an author as well as a reviewer, that there is always room for more. I think of other reviewers and review site owners as colleagues rather than competitors. I get about 50 review requests a month, in addition to books that my reviewers hunt out and request on their own, and there's simply no way we can do everything. There are many more authors than reviewers, and big name review sources like the NYTimes, NYReview of Books, Guardian Books, or Times Literary Supplement usually limit exposure to well known names. So it's critical for the huge number of less well known authors to be able to get their books reviewed critically.
One of the things that, I believe, readers come to The Compulsive Reader specifically for is that our reviews tend to follow a similar format to those big magazines and papers. Although I do allow for a variety of perspectives from my reviewers, one thing I try to focus on is detailed, seriously analytical reviews which substantiate all comments, and look quite deeply into why and how a book works or doesn't work for the reader. That is, our reviews are pithy! Also, I try to keep the focus heavily on quality. We give priority to the hard to promote genre of literary fiction, and we are always keen to promote new authors with quality books. Being able to help other authors — particularly those with wonderful gems that aren't so easy to promote — is a major perk of this job!
What is the most challenging aspect of running a review site?
My biggest challenge always is time. Running a review site takes time, and it's sometimes administrative time — fixing site bugs, looking for enhancements (like automating those little bars on the bottom that allow you to link to Digg, Technorati, del.icio.us, etc), pulling together newsletters, editing, setting up and posting other people's reviews, running giveaways, or promoting the site are all fun, but time consuming. Reading and reviewing is an absolute pleasure for me, but it also takes time, and it's relatively easy time to give myself to. So making sure that I still spend time writing my own books, and not getting so swamped by The Compulsive Reader, which I love and am all too eager to use as a kind of procrastination from the longer term goals of writing full length books, is the key challenge for me.
Are you currently recruiting more reviewers?
As I mentioned earlier, there are always many more review requests than reviewers, so we're always on the lookout for new reviewers to help meet that demand. I'm a little fussy about length and depth — I like a good, detailed review with lots of specifics, with an ideal word count of over 1,000 words (but I don't count and am open minded). Potential reviewers can just email me with a review and if it fits the site and is well written, I'll publish it. We don't pay, but bios are unlimited, there are no time limits, rights remain with the author (and we're happy to use reprints), and for our established reviewers, I'm always happy to supply them with the books they really want — so will request review copies on their behalf from publishers. I'll usually circulate requests to all of my reviewers, and if anything appeals, they can just put their virtual hands up.
Article comments
1 - Donna McDine
Mayra & Magdalena...what a wonderful insightful interview. The questions and answers truly gives great indepth insight into the reviewing world.
Thanks!
Donna
2 - Aaron Paul Lazar
Hello, Maggie and Mayra! This is a delightful glimpse into Maggie's world. I truly enjoyed it and must say I do cherish the longer, more analytic reviews highly (whether my own books are being reviewed, or I'm reading to determine my next book purchase!), and aim for the same quality with the reviews I write. Thanks for posting this, Mayra. Great information!
3 - Beverly McClure
Thanks for this great interview. I was especially interested in the mistakes amateur reviewers (like me) make. Also, whether the interview influences a person's choice to purchase the book.
I enjoyed reading your advice and comments.
Beverly
4 - Linda Austin
Maggie gave wonderfully detailed and indepth answers to good questions, and I also love how her site is another champion for new and lesser-known authors. This interview has been a learning experience.
5 - A. F. Stewart
The world of reviews and reviewers is far more complicated than I imagined. A wonderful interview, and some great insights.
6 - Joy Delgado
Thanks once again Mayra for an exceptional interview. Magdalena your answers to Mayra's questions gave me a better look into the world of reviewing. Thanks
Joy
7 - Carolyn Howard-Johnson
When Mayra interviewed me(coming June 8), she asked me if reviews are influential. Some are far more influential than others. Magadalena's reviews are so thoughtful and complete I use her reviews of my book, The Frugal Editor, in my media kit. Maggie also names her top ten reads on her site at the end of the year. My chapbook of poetry, Tracings, was so-named and that is very nearly like winning a contest. I've used it to great advantage in my promotion campaign. And believe me, poetry needs to be promoted! (-:
Best,
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Award-winning author of the HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers
8 - Shari Lyle-Soffe
Mayra
Another terrific interview. Thanks.
9 - c hoare
These interviews are a great resource, and a couple of things occurred to me --
Are these interviews in the published copy of The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing, or will there always be a link where we can find them again? I'm beginning to suspect the first and will definitely buy a copy -- they're valuable for writers as well as potential reviewers.
Chris.
10 - Margay
Magdalena, I love The Compulsive Reader! It is one of my favorite feeds and I have a lot because, well, I am a compulsive reader. This was a fantastic interview, one of the best I've read in awhile. You are so well-informed and you inform others well. That is a gift. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Margay