Comments on: The First Thing We Do, Let’s Kill All the Book Reviewers. http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/05/07/the-first-thing-we-do-lets-kill-all-the-book-reviewers/ Tendentious comments and cranky critiques by Lynne W. Scanlon P.E.A. (Publisher/Editor/Author) Fri, 16 May 2008 03:28:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0 by: News of a sort - World Class Ebooks http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/05/07/the-first-thing-we-do-lets-kill-all-the-book-reviewers/#comment-86253 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 05:59:29 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/05/07/the-first-thing-we-do-lets-kill-all-the-book-reviewers/#comment-86253 [...] Crumbs. Read Lynne Scanlon’s beat-up on book reviewers and you will never dare to write a review again. Not till next week, anyway. (Hands off — Saturday night? What kind of book is that?) [...] […] Crumbs. Read Lynne Scanlon’s beat-up on book reviewers and you will never dare to write a review again. Not till next week, anyway. (Hands off — Saturday night? What kind of book is that?) […]

]]> by: Big Bad Book Blog » Blog Archive » Big Bad Book Blog Newsfeed::8-14-07 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/05/07/the-first-thing-we-do-lets-kill-all-the-book-reviewers/#comment-35741 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:44:18 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/05/07/the-first-thing-we-do-lets-kill-all-the-book-reviewers/#comment-35741 [...] :: The Publishing Contrarian: The First Thing We Do, Let’s Kill All the Book Reviewers [...] […] :: The Publishing Contrarian: The First Thing We Do, Let’s Kill All the Book Reviewers […]

]]> by: Jakob http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/05/07/the-first-thing-we-do-lets-kill-all-the-book-reviewers/#comment-31720 Mon, 23 Jul 2007 06:09:11 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/05/07/the-first-thing-we-do-lets-kill-all-the-book-reviewers/#comment-31720 This is exactly what I expected to find out after reading the title First, Let's Kill All the Book Reviewers.. Thanks for informative article This is exactly what I expected to find out after reading the title First, Let’s Kill All the Book Reviewers.. Thanks for informative article

]]> by: dorothy_parka http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/05/07/the-first-thing-we-do-lets-kill-all-the-book-reviewers/#comment-23030 Thu, 17 May 2007 17:07:08 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/05/07/the-first-thing-we-do-lets-kill-all-the-book-reviewers/#comment-23030 Aww. I swear _some_ of us read the whole book. Although it was hard with "Special Topics in Calamity Physics." I try to be pretty objective when I review, but even if I am not digging something I can usually recognize something that may appeal to others' tastes. Overall, us book reviews are getting little to nothing for our work. PW, for example, pays $30 per review. If a book takes you 4 hours to read, and then at least another hour to write an informative review, that's $6/hour. A person makes more at Starbucks. I review because I love to read, and I love to gush about the books I like. But I learned quickly from my editors that I'm not the only person in the world and I need to think about the other people reading the reviews. If you're a good reviewer, you're reviewing genres you know well, offering valid literary criticism and giving the review reader a good idea of whether or not a book may appeal to them. Most of us are not writing for the NY Times, where they get to act out their personal dramas and destroy perfectly fine books. So, I see your point, but, I'd like a pass ;) But, yeah, that Updike review of the Einstein book was a waste of paper! Aww. I swear _some_ of us read the whole book. Although it was hard with “Special Topics in Calamity Physics.”

I try to be pretty objective when I review, but even if I am not digging something I can usually recognize something that may appeal to others’ tastes.

Overall, us book reviews are getting little to nothing for our work. PW, for example, pays $30 per review. If a book takes you 4 hours to read, and then at least another hour to write an informative review, that’s $6/hour. A person makes more at Starbucks.

I review because I love to read, and I love to gush about the books I like. But I learned quickly from my editors that I’m not the only person in the world and I need to think about the other people reading the reviews. If you’re a good reviewer, you’re reviewing genres you know well, offering valid literary criticism and giving the review reader a good idea of whether or not a book may appeal to them. Most of us are not writing for the NY Times, where they get to act out their personal dramas and destroy perfectly fine books. So, I see your point, but, I’d like a pass ;)

But, yeah, that Updike review of the Einstein book was a waste of paper!

]]> by: Marilyn Barnicke Belleghem http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/05/07/the-first-thing-we-do-lets-kill-all-the-book-reviewers/#comment-23026 Thu, 17 May 2007 16:22:05 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/05/07/the-first-thing-we-do-lets-kill-all-the-book-reviewers/#comment-23026 I can determine a lot about a reviewer by how they reveal themselves in the review. If the reviewer has a bias or two or three it usually peeks or snarls out between the lines they write. As an author looking for, of course, good reviews, finding reviewers who are open to hearing about my work and making a decision to actually read and review my book is a blessing. I have had reviews where I know the reviewer never read the book. I have also had reviews where my writing touched a nerve and while the reviewer didn't agree with my ideas they were thoughtful and respectful. I agree that reviewers in mass marketed media could build trust in their words if the readers knew more about the reviewer. Is the a review of reviewers? Just a thought. Marilyn I can determine a lot about a reviewer by how they reveal themselves in the review. If the reviewer has a bias or two or three it usually peeks or snarls out between the lines they write.

As an author looking for, of course, good reviews, finding reviewers who are open to hearing about my work and making a decision to actually read and review my book is a blessing.

I have had reviews where I know the reviewer never read the book. I have also had reviews where my writing touched a nerve and while the reviewer didn’t agree with my ideas they were thoughtful and respectful.

I agree that reviewers in mass marketed media could build trust in their words if the readers knew more about the reviewer.

Is the a review of reviewers? Just a thought.

Marilyn

]]> by: Lynne http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/05/07/the-first-thing-we-do-lets-kill-all-the-book-reviewers/#comment-22814 Tue, 15 May 2007 12:33:28 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/05/07/the-first-thing-we-do-lets-kill-all-the-book-reviewers/#comment-22814 Internationally acclaimed blogger, Michael Allen, has also posted about this situation, and he has linked to other postings as well. VERY interesting. <a href="http://www.grumpyoldbookman.blogspot.com/">Grumpy Old Bookman</a>    Internationally acclaimed blogger, Michael Allen, has also posted about this situation, and he has linked to other postings as well. VERY interesting.

Grumpy Old Bookman 

 

]]> by: Susan Balée http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/05/07/the-first-thing-we-do-lets-kill-all-the-book-reviewers/#comment-22243 Thu, 10 May 2007 19:50:07 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/05/07/the-first-thing-we-do-lets-kill-all-the-book-reviewers/#comment-22243 If a book is really bad, I won't review it. To me, that's like shooting fish in a barrel. On the other hand, if a well-known (and respected) author writes a lousy book, they're fair game. (I hated Alice Walker's "The Way Forward is with a Broken Heart" and had no problem enumerating its many problems -- including a pretty mean-spirited rendering of her ex-husband.) My rationale: Such authors should know better. Indeed, I'm sure they do, but they're being pressured by agents and editors to get something out or, worse, they have an axe they're dying to grind. If a book is really bad, I won’t review it. To me, that’s like shooting fish in a barrel. On the other hand, if a well-known (and respected) author writes a lousy book, they’re fair game. (I hated Alice Walker’s “The Way Forward is with a Broken Heart” and had no problem enumerating its many problems — including a pretty mean-spirited rendering of her ex-husband.) My rationale: Such authors should know better. Indeed, I’m sure they do, but they’re being pressured by agents and editors to get something out or, worse, they have an axe they’re dying to grind.

]]> by: Phil W http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/05/07/the-first-thing-we-do-lets-kill-all-the-book-reviewers/#comment-22211 Thu, 10 May 2007 16:26:55 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/05/07/the-first-thing-we-do-lets-kill-all-the-book-reviewers/#comment-22211 All of this makes me question the negative book reviews I've written. I remember disliking a novel from a popular Christian suspense writer. A strong start, weak finish, and my wife accurately predicted the bad guy by noticing he was the only character presented in a bad light. All of the other characters were essentially the same, male and female. I expected better than this, which is what I said on my blog and on Amazon. Would it better for everyone if I had held my tongue? All of this makes me question the negative book reviews I’ve written. I remember disliking a novel from a popular Christian suspense writer. A strong start, weak finish, and my wife accurately predicted the bad guy by noticing he was the only character presented in a bad light. All of the other characters were essentially the same, male and female. I expected better than this, which is what I said on my blog and on Amazon. Would it better for everyone if I had held my tongue?

]]> by: Susan Balée http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/05/07/the-first-thing-we-do-lets-kill-all-the-book-reviewers/#comment-22192 Thu, 10 May 2007 14:28:43 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/05/07/the-first-thing-we-do-lets-kill-all-the-book-reviewers/#comment-22192 Ouch. I'm a book reviewer and I read books cover-to-cover before I review them; my notes are throughout. I don't know *any* reviewers who write a review without reading the book. No doubt writers don't like negative reviews, but we're not writing them for the authors, but for the readers. Last year I wrote a review of Lisa Tucker's latest and I didn't much like it. However, I had loved "The Song Reader," so I made sure to encourage readers to buy that novel to see her writing at its best. This last month I reviewed T. Chevalier's "Burning Bright" (called it "history lite" and encouraged readers to find other, better historical novels by writers such as Maria McCann and Rose Tremain). I feel like I'm able to use all of the books I have read to help readers find the ones they will love and avoid the ones that aren't worth the dough people spend on them. I too have seen snarky, savage reviews (Dale Peck, the hatchet man, comes instantly to mind), but those are usually recognizable as the reviewer's desire to elevate himself. Joe Queenan is a very funny, snarky guy (I reviewed one of his books a few years ago) and he's definitely a self-aggrandizer. He doubtless reviewed the book about the guy who read the Britannica in order to have a straight man for his own jokes. (And, btw, someone gave us that book and it's on my TBR shelf.) By the way, I don't get paid much for my reviews, though I am a regular reviewer for The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Hudson Review. I review because I read and I have strong opinions -- I want to share them. I read reviews for the same reason. Don't diss reviewers, Lynne! Ouch. I’m a book reviewer and I read books cover-to-cover before I review them; my notes are throughout. I don’t know *any* reviewers who write a review without reading the book.

No doubt writers don’t like negative reviews, but we’re not writing them for the authors, but for the readers. Last year I wrote a review of Lisa Tucker’s latest and I didn’t much like it. However, I had loved “The Song Reader,” so I made sure to encourage readers to buy that novel to see her writing at its best. This last month I reviewed T. Chevalier’s “Burning Bright” (called it “history lite” and encouraged readers to find other, better historical novels by writers such as Maria McCann and Rose Tremain). I feel like I’m able to use all of the books I have read to help readers find the ones they will love and avoid the ones that aren’t worth the dough people spend on them.

I too have seen snarky, savage reviews (Dale Peck, the hatchet man, comes instantly to mind), but those are usually recognizable as the reviewer’s desire to elevate himself. Joe Queenan is a very funny, snarky guy (I reviewed one of his books a few years ago) and he’s definitely a self-aggrandizer. He doubtless reviewed the book about the guy who read the Britannica in order to have a straight man for his own jokes. (And, btw, someone gave us that book and it’s on my TBR shelf.)

By the way, I don’t get paid much for my reviews, though I am a regular reviewer for The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Hudson Review. I review because I read and I have strong opinions — I want to share them. I read reviews for the same reason.

Don’t diss reviewers, Lynne!

]]> by: Peter Riva http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/05/07/the-first-thing-we-do-lets-kill-all-the-book-reviewers/#comment-22183 Thu, 10 May 2007 13:51:50 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/05/07/the-first-thing-we-do-lets-kill-all-the-book-reviewers/#comment-22183 Dear Lynne, Reviewers serve a purpose - of sorts - helping readers of, say historical biographies of the 19th century, find possible next book purchases. It goes like this, if you liked this, read this one. Amazon does something similar (very sloppily) and new computer capabilities will refine this linking (and no doubt turn it into targeting, which I do not support). Critics serve a purpose only as a means to helping authors improve their craft. The problem with ALL reviewer-critics is that they meld the former (valuable to readers) with the latter (only useful to authors). There should always be critics (after all Pen or Nobel awards are a critical assesment of sorts) but they should be for the author's eyes only. The difficulty is that authors don't want to pay for the service (they should) and the critics want to boost fragile egos and use their bully-pulpit to engender respect for themselves more than serve the public. It's coming down to movie-like reviews, a two liner to describe the value of reading a book. The publishers' new web promotion sites are exactly like movie previews - often just as misleading. And where is the reader going to know what he or she wants to read next? Where's the bookstore salesperson who reads or knows all the books carried? Gone with the epic novel and true illustrated books. Honestly, currently, Amazon may offer the best resource for readers (and that's not saying much). Dear Lynne,
Reviewers serve a purpose - of sorts - helping readers of, say historical biographies of the 19th century, find possible next book purchases. It goes like this, if you liked this, read this one. Amazon does something similar (very sloppily) and new computer capabilities will refine this linking (and no doubt turn it into targeting, which I do not support).
Critics serve a purpose only as a means to helping authors improve their craft. The problem with ALL reviewer-critics is that they meld the former (valuable to readers) with the latter (only useful to authors). There should always be critics (after all Pen or Nobel awards are a critical assesment of sorts) but they should be for the author’s eyes only. The difficulty is that authors don’t want to pay for the service (they should) and the critics want to boost fragile egos and use their bully-pulpit to engender respect for themselves more than serve the public.
It’s coming down to movie-like reviews, a two liner to describe the value of reading a book. The publishers’ new web promotion sites are exactly like movie previews - often just as misleading.
And where is the reader going to know what he or she wants to read next? Where’s the bookstore salesperson who reads or knows all the books carried? Gone with the epic novel and true illustrated books. Honestly, currently, Amazon may offer the best resource for readers (and that’s not saying much).

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