I spotted this month’s prompt in the Insecure Writer’s Support Group newsletter and couldn’t wait to respond. Here’s their question:
Book reviews are for the readers. When you leave a book reviews do you review for the Reader or the Author? Is it about what you liked and enjoyed about your reading experience, or do you critique the author?
Obviously, I review books on my blog. In fact, it’s more of a book review blog than a blog about writing. I think I switched over to focusing more on book reviews many years ago because I started having less to say about my writing journey here. As for me, I review books more for the author than the reader. And I think that’s why I focus more on what I enjoy about a book rather than a full critique of the author’s book.
However, I have to say, I admire the book reviewers who go into extensive depth. It’s not like I haven’t, but it’s only on occasion. I just don’t normally have the time (seriously, just reading a book lately is an accomplishment). For me, if I had my sights set on becoming a professional reviewer, I’d probably focus more on creating better blog posts. Lately, I like to simply share my thoughts and support authors.
On another note…
I’ve had a couple of my short stories published this year. One of them was recently published in a magazine that did such a great job of making sure the story was ready for their literary magazine. They even sent me the final proof to look over. Then publication day came and went, and I barely heard a peep out of them. November had been busy for me. It wasn’t until December rolled around that I thought, “I wondered what happened to that issue I was in?”
I was at least expecting an email or to be tagged in the announcement on social media or something. But nothing. It was odd.
And it’s the first story I’ve published where I was disappointed about the lack of promotion. It’s one of my favorite stories I’ve ever written, and it’s like…it was just brushed off.
Maybe that’s an unfair way to see it, but for the first time, I wanted more than a simple publication. I wanted to know that it had been read.
As I look ahead to 2024, I plan to continue my short story writing pursuits. I’m not ready for the ever-present “writing a novel” goal. That’s something I really have to want to do. Or, I’ll do it because I have an idea itching at me that I have to put down. I can’t just do it just because that seems to be the next stage after short story writing.
But next year, I want to focus on a couple of things: 1) increasing my speed from first draft to final draft and 2) submitting to more literary magazines that support their contributors. I want to contribute to a literary magazine that really does its part of promoting the people who publish with them.
I’d love to know your thoughts. Do you review books? And if so, how do you approach it? And what are your 2024 goals?
What a downer not to get any social media mentions for your story, and congratulations on the publication! One time, my publisher failed to upload the correct version of my ebook to Amazon, and I didn’t realize it till publication day. *face palm*
It is tough to find time to write long reviews. I sometimes do that for books that enthralled me. I do like to share my favorite quotes, and Goodreads makes that easier.
I love the look of your blog!
Thanks for the compliment on my blog! Aww I could totally see that publication error happening to me and not even noticing.
Congrats on getting your stories published. I think it’s fine that you review books the way you do. Like you said you’re not a professional reviewer. I only post positive reviews too, and they are much shorter than the ones book review bloggers post.
Thank you for the kudos. And I way prefer to do the short posts.
Congratulations on the stories, commisterations for your publishers’ publicity failings. Job description, surely ?
Having chosen indie publishing, after my first and only agent died, I’m learning, slowly, how this works. A bruising one star review would be devastating for any writer, perhaps especially for independents.
Promotion is vital, and like many others, this is what I struggle with.
Next year, meaning in just over three weeks, back to reviewing.
Oh promotion is so hard. I’m sure it isn’t helping I’m not active on social media anymore.
Congratulations on your publications! It’s a great accomplishment. I’m currently submitting to magazines as well and I know that’s a tough road. It sucks that they didn’t hype it up on pub day though! I definitely get what you mean about how you review books. I think I’m similar. I just recently started doing book reviews to try to get back to reading more, and also have some steady content for my blog. I’m just aiming for one a month right now, but maybe more in the future. Enjoyed your post!
That’s a great way to do it on your posts!
How heartbreaking that there wasn’t any promotion for your story, but congratulations on your publications that’s AWESOME!
I enjoyed reading your response as a writer and reviewer to why you review (and for who). I think I am a bit balanced between the author and reader with a slight skew towards the reader. I love helping readers find books that they will LOVE, and so I tend to focus my reviews on the big picture, the feelings I had while reading, and things that could be challenging for some readers. No two readers are the same and things that drive me up a wall like multiple POVs can be another reader’s kryptonite, so I try to be as balanced as possible.
Thank you for the congrats! I love you put that much into your reviews. That’s so nice you do that!