It is definitely important to capture your audience within the first few pages. Many readers won’t go beyond the first few pages if it drags.

KC Baylor – 29 July 2013

About Reviewing

How did you get started?

I am a writer first so when I saw the amount of reviews not showing proper respect to the author I decided to review books to do just that.

How do you review a book? Is it a read first, and then make notes, or do you make notes as you go along?

I review books by taking notes as I read the story. Taking notes helps me remember the best or worse of the story and keeps my review on track.

What are you looking for?

I look for a great plot and realistic characters that will take me on a mental journey. I don’t need tons of poetic words and descriptions that are not related to the storyline.

If a book has a great plot, great characters, but the grammar is less than perfect, how do you deal with that?

The sad truth is that many writers including myself are not always great editors. When it comes to reviewing a story that has the great plot and character development but lacks proper grammar I base my review on the storyline. However, I will mention that there were a few grammatical errors that need to be addressed.

How long does it take you to get through, say, an eighty thousand-word book?

I am a very fast reader so I can read an eighty thousand-word book in about a day and a half if it’s good. If the book is not to my liking it may take a bit longer.

How did you come up with your rating system, and could you explain more about the rating system?

My rating system is pretty simple 1 to 5 with five being the best and if I would recommend the read to others.

What advice could you give to authors looking to get their books reviewed?

The best advice I can offer any author looking to be reviewed is recognize you are asking a reviewer who is approached often. Respect the reviewer by asking for the review and not assuming they will want to review your work. Never, ever send your book in the body of the email or use language that assumes ex: looking for a review my book is in the body of the email or attached. Can’t wait to hear back.

Do you get readers emailing you and thanking you for a review?

I receive mail from tons of readers who were happy that I shared my opinion on a book. They also let me know that my review was accurate or that it inspired them to try a book.

My advice to authors on getting a “bad” review (hasten to add that might mean a perfectly honest, well written, fair review – just bad from the author’s point of view) is to take what you can from it and move on. Under no circumstances to “argue” with the reviewer – would you agree with that?

It can be really painful to have your book criticized or having the reader not share your same views. However, authors should read the review with an open mind. Take what is useful for example mentions of bad grammar and leave what is not relevant. Not every reader will be a fan of your work but you should always remain professional by not arguing with the reviewer.

About Reading

We talk a lot about writing here on the blog, and possibly not enough about reading, which is after all why we’re all here. Why do you think people love reading? We’re seeing lots of statistics that say reading as a past-time is dying – do you think that’s the case?

I believe people love to read a story that takes them on a visual journey. Reality can be a bit scary sometimes so reading provides an escape. I don’t think reading as a past-time is dying I just think readers are using different methods which are more digital in natural.

What are the most common mistakes that you see authors making?

One of the most common mistakes authors make is not including marketing in their overall writing plan. Many writers only focus on writing their story, they hate the idea of marketing and so their work stays hidden. Another mistake authors make is putting out their first draft without editing their manuscript.

We’re told that the first page, paragraph, chapter, is absolutely key in making or breaking a book. Agents typically request only the first five pages of a novel, what do you think about that; if a book hasn’t grabbed you by the first five pages, do you put it down?

It is definitely important to capture your audience within the first few pages. Many readers won’t go beyond the first few pages if it drags. I personally will continue to read the story simply because it may take a writer to get into the flow of things. However, if the story confuses me within the first few paragraphs I put it down. There is nothing worse than having to read and then reread a story to ‘get it’

Is there anything you will not review?

I will not review books aimed at children. I am also not a fan of fantasy or sci-fi unless it grabs early.

About Publishing

What do you think of the oft quoted comment that the “slush-pile has moved online”?

Granted there are more and more writers taking the online route for their publishing needs but I think it’s great to leverage the playing field. The traditional publishers are no longer able to dominate and dictate what are good reads for the masses.

Do you think attitudes are changing with respect to Indie or self-published titles?

I believe that self-published titles are always going to be looked down upon because that is what people do. We need to feel a certain sense of exclusivity that comes with being traditionally published. However, I also see the self-publishing route changing the lives of many new authors. If the author takes the proper steps in creating a well written, well edited piece of work they become competitive and combine that with marketing know-how and you have a best-selling indie author

Do you have any ideas or comments on how the industry can “filter” good from bad, aside from reviews?

Reviews are the best way to filter good from bad but then again it can also be a bit biased. Not everyone is interested in all genres. Letting the reader decide what they think is good or bad is the best policy. When it’s good you’ll know because word of mouth is and has always been the best marketing strategy.

End of Interview:

Read K.C. Baylor’s reviews at Urban Fiction News.