The last few days have brought reports that John Locke as well as other self published authors bought reviews---often positive only reviews. Some authors and readers have expressed shock that this was going on.
I am rather surprised that so many had no idea this sort of thing was going on. I started back in 98 reviewing and it was happening then. Though back then, probably not at the organized level that it has been done in recent years.
I really should not have to say this, but I will. For the record---my reviews are not paid for in any way, shape or form. Where the material comes from is always noted on the review. And yes, I do read the entire book from start to finish. My reviews are generated from reading the books involved and not by skimming the book for fifteen minutes or surfing sites.
The same is true for those guest reviewers I allow to have reviews on the blog. Real reviews matter and if you read mine, or one from a guest reviewer, you can rest assured that they are very much real.
Kevin
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
8 comments:
I do get books from folks wanting reviews. I'm careful to pick out things I might like as I don't care tro write about stuff I don't like. I think I may have been dropped from some publisher's lists as I received a number of books out of the blue and just couldn't get into them.
Maybe the fault was mine, maybe the book's, but I just drop those after a bit and never write about them.
Most writers that ask, I know one in particular that sent me three books at one time, tell me there's no obligation implied to review stuff they send me.
I turn down writers often that send me emails asking if I be interested in reviewing their works. I politely decline if it looks like something I have no interest in. I feel I would be doing the writer an injustice trying to review a book I was predisposed to not liking.
I guess that makes me a bad reviewer. So be it.
I was once asked by a writer with whom I had occasional e-mail contact to review one of his books. I declined because it was not my kind of reading matter, and I'd be doing him and readers a disservice to read and review a book I probably wouldn't like even if it were well-written--and I know this one would have been because the man is a very experienced, high-quality writer. He must have been insulted because my subsequent attempts to reach him by e-mail bounced.
Thanks for the review, will have to check it out!
Randy,
I never take something with the expectation of it being a bad book. Of course, sometrimes i get suprised. :))
I am sure I have been dropped from a number of publishers because of my slow pace. The shipments that used to arrive at my door unannounced have gone way down. Most of the authors and others understand why things are so slow, but every now and then I get one that just can't understand.
I am doing the level best I can and if that makes me a bad, guy, so be it.
Those are the tricky ones, Barry.
Not sure what you are referring to, Jeanette, but, thank you.
Over at my blog, Cats and Crime, I do book reviews two or three times a month. I've stated more than once on the blog that I don't accept books for review. I pick the books I review. I only do reviews of books that feature cats, werecats (and usually a crime), or dragons (you have to read the blog to know why I do the last one).
All that said, I get romances, thrillers, noir, westerns, and more with no cats anywhere in sight sent to me. I don't review them. If people can't take the time to read my blog, I can't take the time to read their books!
Like Randy and Barry, I don't review books that I know I wouldn't like and couldn't do justice to even if it was written by a friend and/or a great writer.
Oh, and BTW, I've never been paid for a review.
I get horror books. I never do horror, Fiona. I have said it many times and yet the request to do them keep coming. The only author I have ever made an exception for is Hunter Shea as he and I go way back.
I really learned who was reading my blog and who wasn't back at the end of last years when I expanded about Sandi and the cancer. Some folks would start off an e-mail with---Hope things are great there days --or something else like that and then launch into their pitch for a book. Reading and reviewing was the last thing I had on my mind for months...
Post a Comment