I think it’s one of the most relaxing pastimes that can expand someone’s horizons exponentially. Sitting in the comfort of my home, I can travel to different time periods, immerse myself in the lives of fascinating characters, and be drawn into a flow that transcends time. Oh, how I love it!
Alanna of Indie Mystic Magazine – 26 January 2021
About Reviewing
How did you get started?
I began reviewing books for Spiral Nature Magazine in May 2018. In my first year, I reviewed over 40 recently published titles. Eventually, I became the Reviews Editor for Spiral Nature, and began coordinating between writers, authors, and publishers to assign titles. Unfortunately, Spiral Nature ceased publication in August 2019. In the interim, I began working for a small consulting company for self-published authors. In this position, I realized how important reviews are for independently published books, as much of my time in this position was focused on market outreach. In November, I decided to launch my own website called Indie Mystic, which is a magazine that honors the path of those who take the route of individuation. I am now doing book reviews again for a variety of genres and am overseeing a team of 10 reviewers for Indie Mystic.
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 read the book in its entirety before writing a review. There may be small notes I make as I go along in order to remember things I want to include in my review. However, for the most part I read the whole book – beginning, middle, and end – before reaching a conclusion. I find I am better able to collect my thoughts and articulate them this way.
What are you looking for?
In a fictional book, what I am looking for most is absorption. I am an avid reader and will happily push other tasks to the side when I get really into a book. I love the feeling of being consumed by what I’m reading. What draws me in the most are the characters and the interaction between them in the plot. I want to feel I am truly within the context of the plot, able to connect with characters psychologically, and feel the interplay of dynamics as the story unfolds.
In a nonfiction book, I want clarity, organization, and good research. I appreciate writers who detail who they are and why they are sharing this information. I also prefer nonfiction that is culturally relevant or presents a compelling new view of a subject. My favorite types of nonfiction books are ones with practical tips and methods developed by an author. I like when I read books that contain information I can use to enhance my view of the world, lifestyle, or way of doing something.
If a book has a great plot, great characters, but the grammar is less than perfect, how do you deal with that?
This is the worst! A wonderful story can be truly destroyed by poor grammar. For the most part, I will make a note of the poor grammar in the review, but I will also focus on the highlights of the story. I often reach out afterwards to authors or publishers to tell them the exact mistakes I found. Many times I also offer my editing services, which is another branch of the publishing spectrum I work in!
How long does it take you to get through, say, an eighty thousand-word book?
If I am loving the book, probably two days. However, if I am reading for leisurely enjoyment, more like three or four. For a book review , I would estimate 3 days until I finish and write the review.
How did you come up with your rating system, and could you explain more about the rating system?
I think I am unique in that I don’t rate numerically. I like to describe the experience of reading the book and highlight the craft of the author. I will admit, I rarely give a “bad review.” Instead, I focus on the author’s craft, and I write my honest opinion of the author’s writing style, flow, and character/plot development. I prefer to use my words to highlight the attributes of the book and explain who may or may not enjoy reading the book to help a reader decide if it’s the right choice for them.
What advice would you give to authors looking to get their books reviewed?
I would suggest just sending a copy of the book if possible, rather than an email asking if someone wants to review it. I am much more likely to review a book that I’ve already received a PDF version of in my email or a hardcopy mailed to Indie Mystic’s address.
I also suggest reaching out to small niche reviewers. Not all reviews need to be on the scale of Kirkus or Goodreads. There are many bookstragraming hobbyists who are much more likely to be willing and able to do a review for self-published authors. Even if they only have a few hundred followers, chances are those followers are avid readers interested in the genre covered by the reviewer.
Do you get readers emailing you and thanking you for a review?
I have had readers email me in the past about reviews. More often, people will comment online offering their appreciation or saying it inspired them to buy the 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?
Yes, I would definitely agree with that. As a review editor, I’ve worked with dozens of reviewers and come to realize they all have their own opinions and styles of writing. I’ve had reviewers cover books I’ve already read and been shocked at how different their opinion of the book was compared to mine. A few times, I was even disappointed I had to post their review, as I felt it did not do the book justice. However, honesty and valuing everyone’s opinion is what makes book reviews credible. It’s a bummer when this happens, but the most professional thing you can do is accept it and continue on with your craft.
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 believe reading is dying as a pastime, but I do think the publishing industry is changing! That’s a different topic though… Back to reading, I think it’s one of the most relaxing pastimes that can expand someone’s horizons exponentially. Sitting in the comfort of my home, I can travel to different time periods, immerse myself in the lives of fascinating characters, and be drawn into a flow that transcends time. Oh, how I love it!
My greatest concern about reading is that it is not being fostered in education now that technology has replaced pen/paper and books are listened to or read on a tablet. I don’t believe reading is being promoted the same way it has been in the past, as it’s frankly been overcast by a shift towards developing new education methodologies suited for digital devices and shorter attention spans. I encourage adults to read with children, help them to find genres they like, and create space for relaxation when the mind can wander in the imaginational realm.
I also have noticed there’s a huge comeback of the book club, which gives me hope. I am personally in three. New websites such as Bookclubz.com are making it easier to find reading communities and take part in the discussions happening.
About Writing
What are the most common mistakes that you see authors making?
The most common mistake that I see authors making is not finding their tribe. Networking is essential for one’s writing career, but it doesn’t have to be in a sales-oriented way. I just mentioned book clubs – those are a wonderful way for authors to engage with other readers in a community that shares an affinity for a certain type of book. Join or reach out to book clubs, find people who also enjoy your genre on Instagram or Facebook, follow a podcast and ask to be a guest, invite other authors to meet and discuss their work with you. This is how collaboration and community thrive, and relationships are key to success.
Social media ads, funnel clicks, and email marketing are all wonderful tools, but they lack the person to person connection that readers really appreciate. Make yourself accessible as an author: chat with readers, have a blog, share what you’re reading. We are in a time where being yourself is valued just as much as a well-polished professional image. Plus, these connections can take you in new directions, such as speaking engagements or writing conferences, and are how new opportunities can arise.
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 can usually tell pretty quickly if I will like the author’s writing style based on the first few pages. Now this is very different than if the plot will hook me; for this, I usually give myself the first few chapters. However, the first few pages absolutely set the tone for the book. Most readers can figure out right away if a book is right for them based on the start. I did recently put a book down, but it was after the first three chapters. That tends to be when I can aptly decide that I will no longer continue.
Is there anything you will not review?
Since right now all my reviews are only for Indie Mystic, I have a pretty targeted type of book that I’m looking for to stick with the theme of the magazine. These are mostly books about overcoming challenges, promoting new social paradigms, inspirational wisdom, psychology/self-help, spiritual/paranormal fiction, cookbooks for healthy living, and childrens books. However, I am hoping to start my own book review site that will grant me more freedom to review a wider span of genres in the upcoming year.
With my method for Indie Mystic, reviewers pick the books they would like to review. I create a list that goes out on the first of the month with about a hundred titles. They reviewers go through the list and make a selection of 2-3 books. Doing it this way allows for more reviews monthly on Indie Mystic, and it also helps to create more diversity in books reviewed.
About Publishing
What do you think of the oft-quoted comment that the “slush-pile has moved online”?
The entire world has moved online! Perhaps this quote was the case at the start of the transition to online, but at this point education, socializing, and financial management are all digital. Online is the future. More now than ever before, there is the wonderful ability to connect with people from all over the world. I work almost entirely online and most people I work with I have never met in person. My current client that I am consulting on self-publishing her first book is up in Canada; my writers for Indie Mystic are from all over the United States. There’s beauty in this and some of the most remarkable relationships would never blossom otherwise. Like I said, the publishing industry is rapidly changing and online is now where it is at.
Do you think attitudes are changing with respect to indie or self-published titles?
Absolutely. Yes. 100%. Self-published authors can create books that look just as well-designed and professional as publishing companies in a much shorter time span. There will always be clout associated with having your book published by a major publishing company, but authors are now choosing to opt for creative and financial control and going the route of self-publishing. This liberation from publishers being the only way to get a book into the world is creating more freedom and room for a diversity of voices. More and more book readers are seeking indie titles. I love seeing authors continue to forge this path.
Do you have any ideas or comments on how the industry can ‘filter’ good from bad, aside from reviews?
Reviews are the bread and butter of the publishing industry. Who’s to say if it’s good or bad but the readers themselves? Therefore, I think they will remain some of the most effective methods for determining the quality of a book. Those reading the book are the ultimate judges, though I don’t believe one must write or publish with the aim of pleasing the readers. Reviews help to open a dialogue about books and create an opportunity for the reader to put forth their own ideas. In this way, the book continues to impact reader’s conversations, thoughts, and feelings. An honest testimony is ultimately one of the best ways to gauge a book’s quality for interested readers.
End of Interview:
Check out Alanna’s reviews as well as those from the rest of her team at Indie Mystic.