Comments From A Book Reviewer

Comments From A Book Reviewer

For the past several years, I have been reviewing books for my own site, Bookpleasures.com, as well as many other sites. As Publisher & Editor of this site, I would like to make a few comments about book reviewing and what to expect.

Today, with the advent of the Internet, there has been a proliferation of book reviewers, whom I shall classify as the good, the bad, and the ugly. Those falling within the last category are ones that you have to be particularly aware of, as their only interest is to receive complimentary books without bothering to review them, or if they do review them, their reviews are very short and without substance.

On the other hand, there are many serious and excellent reviewers who devote a great deal of their time and energy to reading and writing reviews.

Unfortunately for the authors, reviews are sometimes not exactly complimentary. However, it is to be noted that it is not the objective of a reviewer to be a salesperson or a public relations representative for the author. If the criticism is constructive, a great deal can be learned from the review, particularly if the reviewer is also an author.

From a reviewer’s point of view, what I find most annoying is receiving a book without first asking whether I would accept a review. This unsolicited approach often results in a backlog of books that may not align with our reviewers’ interests or expertise.

Additionally, it can lead to missed opportunities for both authors and reviewers, as not every submission receives the attention it deserves. To enhance the review process, it is crucial for authors to inquire in advance about our reviewers’ willingness to take on new titles, ensuring a more efficient and fruitful collaboration. Ultimately, establishing this communication can lead to more meaningful feedback and stronger relationships within the literary community. it.

Bookpleasures receives, on average, about 20-30 email requests per week. These requests are forwarded to our reviewers, who communicate directly with the email sender.

In all probability, there is a 20%-30% chance that a review request will be accepted by a reviewer. The reason for a book not being accepted is wide and varied. Many of our reviewers have a backlog they would like to clear before accepting new assignments, or the subject matter does not interest any of them.

What I like to see in a request is not “hype” but rather a brief resumé of the contents of the book, who is the author, if the book is published by a mainstream publisher or is it self-published, and if the book is available on Amazon.
Bookpleasures also conducts e-interviews with some authors; if the author is open to being interviewed, please indicate.

If you are a publicist or publisher, don’t be afraid to put Bookpleasures as well as other book reviewing sites on your emailing list. You never know when something catches our eyes. Sometimes you may be publicizing a particular book, and our reviewers will look to your site and see something else that interests them.

As for the time frame, this all depends on the reviewer. Anywhere from one week to three months is the norm. You can ask the reviewer to give you some idea as to his or her time frame. You can also inquire as to his or her credentials. Bookpleasures does provide links to the reviewers’ site that should give you some idea as to their experience.

I do hope this is of help to some of you.