tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post1939715484483173612..comments2023-10-20T04:16:05.401-05:00Comments on Char's Book Reviews and Writing News: Review: The Slippery Art of Book ReviewingCharlotte Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09336641340221491792noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-46978533441391293722008-11-11T17:56:00.000-06:002008-11-11T17:56:00.000-06:00You did very well, Char, as a first-time blog host...You did very well, Char, as a first-time blog host, and I wish the book had been available when I was reviewing. I look forward to your book review for my senior sleuth novel on December 12.Jean Henry Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146960738692672013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-27198715343681918212008-11-11T12:34:00.000-06:002008-11-11T12:34:00.000-06:00Mayra...happy to see you had yet another successfu...Mayra...happy to see you had yet another successful stop to your tour. Best of luck with your continued success!<BR/><BR/>Warmly,<BR/>Donna<BR/>www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.comDonna McDinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00959673932828354020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-48145741821453837222008-11-11T06:51:00.000-06:002008-11-11T06:51:00.000-06:00Hi again,I didn't expect these many comments! LOLT...Hi again,<BR/><BR/>I didn't expect these many comments! LOL<BR/><BR/>Thanks, Jessica, for stopping by.<BR/><BR/>I do think reviews are relevant. We conducted a poll before the actual writing of the book, interviewing over 100 people and the vast majority of them look at reviews to give them an idea of the book. We also interviewed booksellers and librarians and the vast majority check out reviews as well before ordering. Plus, it's a lot easier to read a 300-400 word review than a 1,000-word excerpt. I'd say that, if anything, a review can persude a person to go a little further and check out a longer excerpt of the book in question.<BR/><BR/>I have purchased books based on reliable reviews, and hesitate to buy at times if there's no review at all of that particular book. So if I do this, probability tells me others are doing it as well.Mayra Calvanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01444333264952371471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-57546204568306238892008-11-10T18:05:00.000-06:002008-11-10T18:05:00.000-06:00You don't sound like a push over to me - must have...You don't sound like a push over to me - must have been a great first line! Do you remember the line or the book?Charlotte Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09336641340221491792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-75336417197700166202008-11-10T17:58:00.000-06:002008-11-10T17:58:00.000-06:00Well, I always try to run covers.12 times? I must...Well, I always try to run covers.<BR/><BR/>12 times? I must be a freak then. I was sold on one book from its first line being sent via Twitter from TwitterLit!Mike Canehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12396654716615965650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-82919654300193205242008-11-10T16:15:00.000-06:002008-11-10T16:15:00.000-06:00So what do you say to the marketing folks who tell...So what do you say to the marketing folks who tell us that readers need to see a book cover and/or title 12 times before they feel comfortable making a purchase decision?<BR/><BR/>Just curious,<BR/>CharCharlotte Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09336641340221491792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-44064222561195404652008-11-10T15:58:00.000-06:002008-11-10T15:58:00.000-06:00See, the thing is, before the Net, you'd read a re...See, the thing is, before the Net, you'd read a review in paper. Then you'd have to make a real effort to order the book or buy it at a bookstore or go to the library.<BR/><BR/>These days, you can quickly sample a book via the Net.<BR/><BR/>Thus, there's less need for the kind of reviewing that was done in the past. Instead of a "bullhorn" review touting something, a gentle tap on the shoulder to make someone aware of something is all the effort needed today, I think.Mike Canehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12396654716615965650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-85885653799114767292008-11-10T15:52:00.000-06:002008-11-10T15:52:00.000-06:00Jessica,Thank you and I wish you much success with...Jessica,<BR/><BR/>Thank you and I wish you much success with your review. What do you think of Mike's assertion that reviews are not relevant?<BR/><BR/>CharlotteCharlotte Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09336641340221491792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-48448542062414214282008-11-10T15:49:00.000-06:002008-11-10T15:49:00.000-06:00Mike,Why do you believe reviews are less relevant ...Mike,<BR/><BR/>Why do you believe reviews are less relevant today than in past years? Or do you? It seems to me that some people are depend on reviews and blurbs from trusted sources to help them make their decisions, just like some movie goers depend on those reviews to decide which move to see. Other people never have depended on the opinion of others and haven't changed just because more opinions are accessible. <BR/><BR/>For those individuals who do use reviews as part of their decision making process, it is important that reviewers provide a fair evaluation. Yes?Charlotte Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09336641340221491792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-78813991302033406282008-11-10T15:45:00.000-06:002008-11-10T15:45:00.000-06:00Thanks for letting me know. I'm getting the same t...Thanks for letting me know. I'm getting the same thing, but it was working yesterday...I think. The address I have is http://www.ebooksnbytes.com/. I'll check around and fix or eliminate the link.Charlotte Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09336641340221491792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-42085730313359458102008-11-10T15:31:00.000-06:002008-11-10T15:31:00.000-06:00Sorry for another post, but is the ebooksnbytes li...Sorry for another post, but is the ebooksnbytes link correct? I'm getting 404.Mike Canehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12396654716615965650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-23239209969213032932008-11-10T15:30:00.000-06:002008-11-10T15:30:00.000-06:00Interesting post and comments.What do you say in r...Interesting post and comments.<BR/><BR/>What do you say in response to my assertion that reviews are really irrelevant these days?<BR/><BR/>Think about it: Can't a recommendation fulfill the same purpose, get someone interested enough in a book that they'll then click on a publisher's site to sample a free chapter and *then* decide for themselves?Mike Canehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12396654716615965650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-55172298198073461542008-11-10T13:20:00.000-06:002008-11-10T13:20:00.000-06:00Great interview. I'm in the middle of writing a re...Great interview. I'm in the middle of writing a review for "Crash". I happen to be reading "The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing", is a goldmine. It's a practical guide.<BR/><BR/>Great job. I can see you've learned the art well Char.<BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/>Jessica Aday Kennedy<BR/>The Differently-Abled Writer<BR/>http://j.adaykennedy.tripod.com/blog/<BR/>www.jadaykennedy.comJ. Aday Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02182856490526601478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-71412203477801608002008-11-10T09:25:00.000-06:002008-11-10T09:25:00.000-06:00Mayra,You're welcome. Thanks for a great resource,...Mayra,<BR/><BR/>You're welcome. Thanks for a great resource, and thanks for letting me host this tour stop. I'm having fun.<BR/><BR/>CharCharlotte Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09336641340221491792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-89493181733869188642008-11-10T08:40:00.000-06:002008-11-10T08:40:00.000-06:00Maryann,Thank you! I really did follow one of the ...Maryann,<BR/><BR/>Thank you! I really did follow one of the examples in the book. That guidance helped organize my thoughts and also helped me make sure all the parts of a review were included.<BR/><BR/>CharCharlotte Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09336641340221491792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-60177435093831585542008-11-10T08:17:00.000-06:002008-11-10T08:17:00.000-06:00Dear Charlotte,I forgot to say... THANK YOU for th...Dear Charlotte,<BR/><BR/>I forgot to say... THANK YOU for the great--and very well written--review! :-)<BR/><BR/>MayraMayra Calvanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01444333264952371471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-48018198764909326182008-11-10T08:02:00.000-06:002008-11-10T08:02:00.000-06:00I forgot to mention that among good blogger review...I forgot to mention that among good blogger reviewers you often find an excitment about a book that you seldom find in reviews written for newspapers. As if the review is 'alive' and not 'dead'. It's hard to describe it. LOL<BR/><BR/>One thing I like about online reviews (review sites and blogs) is that you find a wide variety of books from large and small presses. The bad thing about newspapers is that they review practically the same books on their Sunday supplements. So readers only find out about those 'big' sellers and the big authors. But what about the small press authors, and those who are self published?Mayra Calvanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01444333264952371471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-53610090056828071242008-11-10T07:57:00.000-06:002008-11-10T07:57:00.000-06:00Hi Maryann,Thanks for stopping by! :-)Hi Maryann,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for stopping by! :-)Mayra Calvanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01444333264952371471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-10756152160720958202008-11-10T07:54:00.001-06:002008-11-10T07:54:00.001-06:00I'm not surprised about that article. There have b...I'm not surprised about that article. There have been many similar ones ever since newspapers started cutting down on review sections. I guess you can't expect 'professional' reviewers to be happy about this. But this is the age of the internet and blogs, and bloggers have found a venue to share their views about books they love or hate.<BR/><BR/>That said, there is an 'art' to an intelligently written, thoughtful, honest review, to a review that is clear and interesting.<BR/><BR/>What makes a good reviewer is the type of review she writes, and not whether she writes for her own blog or for an established review site or publication<BR/><BR/>There are many bloggers out there writing great reviews; there are many others who write crap. Yesterday I stumbled upon a review blog that made me flinch. The so called 'review' was really nasty and even had four letter words. Well, she's free to express her views as she wishes, but no one is going to take her seriously as a reviewer. So you have those bloggers who are serious as reviewers, and you have those who simply 'vomit' their turbulent opinions onto a post. Do they have value? Well, you can argue that all has value because it shows us something about our culture. But are those book reviews? No, sir, no. To say 'This must be the most boring book ever to be written' is not a book review.Mayra Calvanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01444333264952371471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-66060585064579614562008-11-10T07:54:00.000-06:002008-11-10T07:54:00.000-06:00oops, meant to write "Mayra" not Maya.oops, meant to write "Mayra" not Maya.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-71039670791166639242008-11-10T07:53:00.000-06:002008-11-10T07:53:00.000-06:00Char, nice review of the book. I have read several...Char, nice review of the book. I have read several reviews and comments on the book and yours is up there with the best.<BR/><BR/>Maya, congrats on being nominated for a Best Books award. Have fun today here on the blog.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-72152976320523742632008-11-10T07:26:00.000-06:002008-11-10T07:26:00.000-06:00This line was cut:"We chose James Cox because he i...This line was cut:<BR/><BR/>"We chose James Cox because he is well respected but also because he is dedicated to the"<BR/><BR/>I meant to say, he is dedicated to the small presses.Mayra Calvanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01444333264952371471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-65561854881888293442008-11-10T07:23:00.000-06:002008-11-10T07:23:00.000-06:00Hi everybody and thank you all for your comments a...Hi everybody and thank you all for your comments and questions!<BR/><BR/>Thank you, Charlotte, for having me as your guest today.<BR/><BR/>To answer your questions...<BR/><BR/>It was a thrill to be a finalist at the USA Book News awards. I learned it from Anne (she forwarded me their message and soon as she got it). It was an honor, even if we didn't win, and I hope we'll be able to use this as a good promotional tool.<BR/><BR/>Fortunately, I've never received an angry letter from authors or editors, but I know review site moderators who have. It's a pity. Authors should be aware that a review is one person's opinion and they also have to be aware that there's always a risk the reviewer won't like their book. Once I heard an author say, 'If I've never received a negative review, it means not enough people are reading my book.' This is very wise.<BR/><BR/>From early on, I wanted a well-respected reviewer to write a foreword to our book to give it more credibility. We chose James Cox because he is well respected but also because he is dedicated to the When I queried him and he offered to take a look, I was thrilled but also nervous. I told myself, 'What if he doesn't like it?' As it turned out, he really liked the book. I'm honored that he offered to write the foreword.<BR/><BR/>My biggest surprise and biggest disappointment? Hmm... No disappointments yet, expect for the fact that a book like this, with so many resources, must be updated often. There's always new review sites emerging and others closing down. My biggest surprise so far is that two colleges/universities are using the book as textbook for courses on book reviewing. <BR/><BR/>MayraMayra Calvanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01444333264952371471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-52684612594009868112008-11-10T07:14:00.000-06:002008-11-10T07:14:00.000-06:00Hi Mayra and Anne,How did you come up with the tit...Hi Mayra and Anne,<BR/><BR/>How did you come up with the title? Sounds like there might be a story behind it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179114314622312316.post-77900884963109903422008-11-09T15:56:00.000-06:002008-11-09T15:56:00.000-06:00Over the summer (I believe) there was an article i...Over the summer (I believe) there was an article in a book review paper in which the author basically blasted book reviewers as taking away jobs from professional reviewers and that book blogs were essentially putting our substandard reviews and would hurt sales of an authors work. What is your opinion on that article?<BR/><BR/>What do you think the advantages/disadvantages of book blogger reviews?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com