Second, be sure to include the following information: Title, Author, Author Email, Author Website, Publisher, Publisher Website, Publisher/Publicity Email, Place where the book can be purchased, Publishing Date, Genre, Price, ISBN, and Brief Synopsis.
How do you select the books you review? How do you determine which reviews to post on your site?
Our books are selected by the reviewers themselves. Our review coordinators know which genres our reviewers like and have gotten good at judging which books they will read. When in doubt, the review queries are sent to the reviewers and they have the final say.
Unless two reviewers are unable to review a book, all books are reviewed and the reviews posted to the site. In some cases, mainly when publishers automatically send all releases to us, a review may take several months due to the fact our reviewers are usually booked solid and have to make time to squeeze in a book that wasn’t requested.
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?
As a rule, I don’t visit other review sites. Mainly to avoid changing the look of the site or unconsciously making my reviews seem to much like ones I’d read. As to ‘facile praise,’ I find this a lot when I’m looking up book information on Barnes&Noble and glance at the customer reviews. There are several reviewers there who do nothing but give 5 star reviews. In the Library Reviews has posted what some would consider negative reviews. We don’t review to stroke an author’s ego. We’re reviewing to let people know if a particular book is worth their money. If the book is badly written, we’ll state that. Even the author dislikes the review we’re going to post it. Otherwise what’s the point of reviewing if all we’re doing making sure the author is happy?
Article comments
1 - Margay
Sharyn, I'm glad you only had one bad apple to deal with and I agree her behavior was juvenile. I think what some people tend to forget is that, once you put your words in writing, they're out there for all to see and with the speed and the breadth of the internet, well, they get there faster and reach far beyond the point of original intent. I think there are two ways you can react to a negative assessment of your work: 1. The above example or 2. With grace and dignity and an open mind that will accept the fact and move on from it, and hopefully, grow as a writer because of it. If all an author wants to do is have their ego stroked, then maybe they should only allow their family and friends to read what they write. Which brings up a question: Do you have any advice for the writer who receives a bad review on how to handle it properly? Because, let's face it, no matter how good some people think you are, others are going to disagree. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us.
2 - Jody Wallace
Reviewers and critics have a reputation of being bitter or failed authors -- but I think good reviewing and literary criticism are challenging enough that they're a skill very separate from the one that allows a person to be a successful author. Not that a person can't do both, but skill in either realm is to be admired. Keep up the good work!
3 - A. F. Stewart
Great interview.
As an author, I can say it is not pleasant to get a less than stellar review, but I don't think bashing the reviewer is fair.
An honest review should be a learning experience for the author.
4 - karen harrington
Very insightful. As an author, I have learned there is a whole spectrum to the review side of the equation that I never knew existed. One of the key things I've learned is that one must not only have a flair for writing, but also the temperament to accept criticism. That combination, I think, is key to a writer's success. Thanks for sharing your own thoughts and experiences.
5 - Pauline Jones
another great interview. I thought it was interesting she said she liked to be thanked. I was on a loop where several reviewers didn't like being thanked. I was shocked. Who doesn't like to have their efforts acknowledged?
6 - Margot Finke
Mayra, thanks to you, I am learning more about the art of book reviewing every day. Your intrerview here, of Sharyn McGinty , is of particular interest.
Thank you.
Margot Finke
"Rattlesnake Jam"
+ other fun, educational
books for kids.
7 - Maryann Miller
Mayra, thanks for another good interview. This series has been so helpful to me as an author finding new places to request reviews and a reviewer to pick up tips on improving that craft. Appreciate the time and effort you have put into this series.
8 - Jessica Kennedy
My great fear is a bad review, but facile praise does the reader nor writer any good. I fear a bad review, but cringe at the thought I'm just getting my ego stroked. Reviews must be diifficult to honestly do. Thank you for taking the time and risk (of angering) of supplying an honest evaluation.
Thanks for sharing this interview. In the future the information will be useful. I'll be seeking a review from Sharyn and waiting with bated breath.
Blessings
Jessica Kennedy
The Differently-Abled Writer
9 - c hoare
Interesting interview and also nice to see a site that has a person dealing with reviews of e-books. With increases in the cost of transportation -- including postage -- sending out hard copy for reviews will become increasingly expensive.
Chris H.
10 - Joy Delgado
Mayra,
Another great interview. I agree that it's nice to get that email that says 'thank you' for a review you have written. It makes the taking the time to write it worthwhile.
Joy Delgado