It’s in their review policy that they will not accept self-published books. I don’t understand why such snobbery. I’ve lost count of how many awful books came with a big publishing house seal.

Michelle – 27 May 2014

About Reviewing

How did you get started?

I’m embarrassed to say that I started writing reviews when I wanted to rant about a book I didn’t like. But it quickly evolved to writing all types of reviews, bad and good ones. Right now, I just focus on books I can recommend, so there won’t be any ranting on my blog. Only 3 stars and above books make the cut.

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

It’s usually read first and then write a review, no notes. Sometimes I will post a reading progress comment on Goodreads, but not often.

What are you looking for?

A great read. My favorite genres are PNR (YA and Adult), Historical Fiction (must have romance), Contemporary Romance (YA, NA, Adult).

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

It depends. I can deal with a few missing words, minor grammar mistakes. It’s my experience that no matter how many times you read a document, or have a professional edit your manuscript, some minor errors can still slip through the cracks. However, glaring grammar mistakes will hide a great plot and characters. If that happens, I won’t even notice the great plot/characters.

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

It really depends on how engaging the story is. I can read a novel in two days or it might take me a couple of weeks. However, it never goes beyond that time frame. If I haven’t finished a book in a couple of weeks, most likely the story is not for me and I will not finish it.

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

I use the Goodreads rating system.

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

First, follow the review policies of each blog to the letter. Second, have your book on Goodreads. I will most likely not review a book that is not on Goodreads. Third, write a compelling blurb for your book. And finally, pay to have an eye-catching cover designed. It’s sad but the majority of people will judge a book by its cover.

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

It happens a lot on Goodreads.

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?

Absolutely. If anything, you should thank that person because no matter the outcome, he/she took the time to read something you wrote. I know that some reviewers might be really mean, but you must detach yourself from your work. A lot of authors feel personally attacked when someone writes a bad review.

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?

If think it’s the other way around. I think there are more people reading now. You can see that by how many book to movie adaptations Hollywood is producing.

About Writing

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

Writing predictable, formulaic plots, and creating clichéd, one dimensional characters.

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?

No. I will usually read about three chapters before I give up on a book. Unless the writing is abysmal.

Is there anything you will not review?

Any book preaching any kind of religion, erotica, books about zombies, non-fiction.

About Publishing

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

There is some truth behind it.

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

Yes and no. It’s true that more and more self-published titles are gaining recognition but at the same time, if you are an unknown author, most of the book review bloggers will not even consider your book. It’s in their review policy that they will not accept self-published books. I don’t understand why such snobbery. I’ve lost count of how many awful books came with a big publishing house seal.

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

Not really because the notion of good and bad is too subjective. I may find Fifty Shades of Grey one the worst books ever written but what about the millions of people who read it and love it?

End of Review:

Read Michelle’s reviews at Flying Saucers 22.