You can try to defend your story, but you can’t sit next to all of your readers and explain it to them.
Writing is hard. Getting reviewed is hard. It’s all part of the job.

Adrean Messmer – 20 March 2015

About Reviewing

How did you get started?

I once heard that if you can’t bring yourself to read someone else’s book, why should anyone read yours? I think that’s a pretty good point. So, I’m building up my karma points. I have stories I want people to read. Why not start by reading other people’s? Plus, I love giving my opinion.

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 make notes as I go. I highlight lines I really like and take note of my reactions to things as I read.

What are you looking for?

I’m looking for stories and characters that stick with me. Also, books that are easy to read. Not in that they’re simplistically written, but that they draw me in and keep me going. Genre-wise, I really want horror that scares me, fantasy that makes me believe in magic, and melds that do both.

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

It depends. If it’s a part of the story, that’s one thing. If it’s just bad editing, that’s a problem. Unless it’s an advance copy, it should be a finished product. That means editing. I would mention it in the review and knock my rating down a star.

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

A few hours if I can just sit down and read it. But, I have a kid, so that doesn’t ever really happen. Usually it’s more like a few days.

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

I kind of stole it from Netflix. One star is hated it, two is didn’t like it. I actually never post reviews that low up for indie authors.

Three is good. It means I liked it. Four means I liked it more. Both of those are very respectable ratings.

Five is my amazing. It means I couldn’t find any issues. I never skimmed, I never got pulled out of the story.

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

Look at the site that you’re sending your request to. Engage with the reviewer. I know it’s hard work, but it’s better to know what kind of thing your prospective reviewer likes. It’ll pay off. Also, spell the reviewer’s name correctly.

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

I haven’t 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?

I do. I think everyone has something of value to say. You can try to defend your story, but you can’t sit next to all of your readers and explain it to them.

Writing is hard. Getting reviewed is hard. It’s all part of the job.

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 don’t think reading will ever really die out. I know I love reading because it’s a trip in someone else’s head. You can’t get closer than that to another person.

About Writing

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

Too much exposition and starting the story too early. If you find yourself explaining a lot of stuff to me, you might not be telling the right story.

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?

More like the first twenty or so pages, but it is pretty important.

Is there anything you will not review?

I don’t really do Inspirational fiction. It’s just really not my thing. I like my stories dark and gritty.

About Publishing

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

I think, no matter where it is, the good stories will rise to the top.

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

I’m not sure. I want them to change, but I feel like indie authors really need to make sure their products are quality. That means well edited and with good covers.

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

Honestly, I think when it comes to the indie scene, reviews are the best. There is no gatekeeper here.

You can read Adrean’s reviews at Splatterhouse 5.