I try my best not to completely trash a book, because I know it’s a hard process, but they are seeking me out for my honest opinion, not just an advocacy piece.

Amanda – 11 March 2014

About Reviewing

How did you get started?

Well, I was helping a friend out with her marketing business, and I was finding book blogs like mine for some of her clients. I realized that, since I like books, and since I believe strongly in giving every book a shot in the real world, I made an account and got started.

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

Generally, I read and make notes as I go. To be honest, I don’t make many notes, other than what I notice and file away for later. Then I bring it up in the review. For me, it’s all about enjoying the plot.

What are you looking for?

A good book. I’m not going to set any limits on genre, or length, or anything. I just want to enjoy the book, and be hungry for another.

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

I’ve actually had this happen to me before. I tried to ignore the grammar so that I could get through the book, because I know that not everyone has the best grammar, but that shouldn’t disqualify a book from getting a good review.

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

I guess it all depends on how much time I have to devote to the book. If I’m reading it in stops and starts, it could take anywhere from two to three days to a week. But if I’m just reading in one sitting, I could probably read it in a day or two.

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

Well, I just used the basic five-star template, and replaced the stars with tea cups. If I love the book, with no flaws, I give it a five. If it’s something that was nice, but I didn’t overly love, it generally gets a three. Basically, it goes down with various degrees of how much I liked it, weighed against plot, grammar, etc.

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

I’m not n author myself, but I have been through the querying process on behalf of other authors, and I know how hard and discouraging it is. But it’s just a matter of finding the right blog, the right amount of readers of that blog, and so forth. Remember, this is all about getting publicity for your book.

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

Of course. Generally after I’ve told them I’ve accepted the book, I’ll get thanks for my time. I don’t think I’ve gotten a thank you after a review yet.

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?

My point on this is that the author has sought out this reviewer, and has asked them to perform the very service they might not be happy with. As a reviewer, I try my best not to completely trash a book, because I know it’s a hard process, but they are seeking me out for my honest opinion, not just an advocacy piece. I would not tolerate anyone arguing with me, because that would be a huge sign of disrespect for my blog and my opinion. If you can’t handle that you may get a bad review, then you shouldn’t be querying for reviews.

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 pastime is dying – do you think that’s the case?

I think people love reading because it helps them escape from their lives, and bury themselves in another person’s world. I don’t think I could ever fully explain why I love reading, other than the answer I just gave, but it’s something that makes me happy, and is something I’m intensely passionate about. I think that reading as a pastime is dying, but only because we are inundated in so many other things to do. As a college student, I find it supremely hard to find the time to read, and if I do have it, I’m usually watching movies. I think it’s just a matter of disconnecting from the media world and taking some time to find out how fun reading is again.

About Writing

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

I don’t think I’ve noticed a pattern yet. If anything, as a rule, double check grammar and everything, especially since most of these books have already been published by the time they make their way to me.

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?

I established a rule with myself recently, where I give a book twenty pages before I put it down. If it hasn’t hit me by then, I usually give it up, because I don’t enjoy reading a book I don’t love.

Is there anything you will not review?

Yes. Nonfiction, zombie fiction, and some thrillers and adult fiction.

About Publishing

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

I mean, I think it’s somewhat true. But I think that’s the sign of the times. This is the digital era, so it only makes sense that the publishing adapt to the medium.

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

I think they are, somewhat. Some people are still firm on their stances that indie pubs are bad, and some are starting to become more open to indie books. However, I think that what the stigma is really against is badly written self-published books, not self-published books themselves.

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

Honestly, it’s all down to a person to decide for themselves whether they love or don’t love a book. That’s the only way to determine good and bad, because each person has their own tastes.

End of Interview:

Read Amanda’s reviews at Cozy Tea Corner.