Thanks Terry for that inside look. Many of the things you draw attention to . . .are hard! I work in healthcare and although you need truth, the dispensing of that truth--requires diplomacy! So kudos to you. And I can't begin to imagine those type of here's 5 books, need something in . . . God bless you sir!
I've always been kinda horrified when authors contact the negative reviewers of their books. I've only once thought of doing it but that was because the reviewer accused me and my publisher of running some sort of confidence game. She couldn't just hate the book. She had to create a conspiracy theory. But I eventually just shrugged. It's all part of the business. But I also have to confess that I haven't written a book review in 23 years. I don't want that power, however small or large it might be.
Thanks, Sherman. That reviewer sounds rather unpleasant, and potentially dangerous to the author's reputation. I think shrugging is the best response. When I was rounded upon over one of the reviews I mentioned I didn't retaliate because, in other contexts, several people have remarked on how they regard me as very trustworthy.
I can understand not wanting to exercise power as a reviewer, but do you not think that you are exercising power by NOT reviewing, especially with your reputation and following? Sorry to throw it right back at you! 😉
Terry, I liked the blunt critic you quoted and laughed out loud. Thought I’d share this anecdote of interaction.
A man is waiting for word from a publisher after he has sent his poems for review. Finally, he writes asking about them: “Can you let me know soon about my poems as I have other irons in the fire.”
Soon the letter arrives; it simply says: “Take out irons; insert poems.”
Thanks, Kate. The Critics' book reviews are often quite scathing, and all the more humorous for it. (https://thecritic.co.uk/). Cruel, I know, but serves people right for writing rotten books. Your anecdote made me laugh, thanks!
After I read your essay (😳I’m new, pardon the word “essay”!), I read some of your other work on Substack. A very satisfying sensation came over me--ahhh. In this world of ever proliferating requests to subscribe, you didn’t have to ask. I’m doing the asking. I WANT to read your words and hear your thoughts, as I would a enjoy a friend’s company.
Interesting. Yeah: I wouldn’t want to do book reviewing full time, that’s for sure. But I am attracted to doing book reviews on my stack. I’ve done several, including one on a George Orwell biography and one on Cormac McCarthy’s No Country for Old Men.
I've read in the past that a book reviewer can get some money for reviewing books but that you shouldn't quit your day job.
If I ever get into it, I'll take your suggestions that you gave to Anu. I have the one book review I did on my site. I wish I would have written reviews for all the books I've read since I started keeping track of the number. I'd be rich right now or maybe not! 🤣
Terry, I thoroughly enjoyed this read - what a great post! I loved reading the inside - romantic! - story of a book reviewer.
I've reviewed just the one book, but it was something I really enjoyed. I'm in the process of reading an altogether different book with a view to writing a post about it - it's not going to be a book review as such, but part-review, part exploration of one aspect of the subject which had really grabbed me.
How does one become a book reviewer? With that that question, I am afraid, I have slipped right into the false romanticism of that world! I write for my day job and I love developing features, blogs, anything long form on internationally oriented topics, but I’d fancy reviewing books even if to realize it’s drudgery:)
"even if to realise it's drudgery" 😃😃 Well, I would suggest simply starting to write reviews on your Substack, and then when you have a few up there (a) start asking publishers for review copies and (b) approach magazines that review books in your niche. Good luck!
Thank you for that advice! And sorry, I guess you wrote that piece so descriptively, it reminded me at some level, of the grim realism of the novels of Zola, Flaubert, Balzac and the word drudgery popped:) No, not advocating for a new title of the “realistic” life of a book reviewer😀.
😃
Thanks Terry for that inside look. Many of the things you draw attention to . . .are hard! I work in healthcare and although you need truth, the dispensing of that truth--requires diplomacy! So kudos to you. And I can't begin to imagine those type of here's 5 books, need something in . . . God bless you sir!
Thanks, Just Mud 😃
I’m with Dorothy Parker 🙌 Great post, thank you. I’ve saved for later reading.
Thanks Nat 😃
Oh, I've had many many many book review editors throw it back at me, as well! Hahahaha!
😂
I've always been kinda horrified when authors contact the negative reviewers of their books. I've only once thought of doing it but that was because the reviewer accused me and my publisher of running some sort of confidence game. She couldn't just hate the book. She had to create a conspiracy theory. But I eventually just shrugged. It's all part of the business. But I also have to confess that I haven't written a book review in 23 years. I don't want that power, however small or large it might be.
Thanks, Sherman. That reviewer sounds rather unpleasant, and potentially dangerous to the author's reputation. I think shrugging is the best response. When I was rounded upon over one of the reviews I mentioned I didn't retaliate because, in other contexts, several people have remarked on how they regard me as very trustworthy.
I can understand not wanting to exercise power as a reviewer, but do you not think that you are exercising power by NOT reviewing, especially with your reputation and following? Sorry to throw it right back at you! 😉
Terry, I liked the blunt critic you quoted and laughed out loud. Thought I’d share this anecdote of interaction.
A man is waiting for word from a publisher after he has sent his poems for review. Finally, he writes asking about them: “Can you let me know soon about my poems as I have other irons in the fire.”
Soon the letter arrives; it simply says: “Take out irons; insert poems.”
Thanks, Kate. The Critics' book reviews are often quite scathing, and all the more humorous for it. (https://thecritic.co.uk/). Cruel, I know, but serves people right for writing rotten books. Your anecdote made me laugh, thanks!
After I read your essay (😳I’m new, pardon the word “essay”!), I read some of your other work on Substack. A very satisfying sensation came over me--ahhh. In this world of ever proliferating requests to subscribe, you didn’t have to ask. I’m doing the asking. I WANT to read your words and hear your thoughts, as I would a enjoy a friend’s company.
Thank you so much, Kate, that's really kind of you. (I never know what to call these essays/articles/posts/newsletters either! )
Interesting. Yeah: I wouldn’t want to do book reviewing full time, that’s for sure. But I am attracted to doing book reviews on my stack. I’ve done several, including one on a George Orwell biography and one on Cormac McCarthy’s No Country for Old Men.
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/p/no-country-for-old-men
Very informative Terry!
I've read in the past that a book reviewer can get some money for reviewing books but that you shouldn't quit your day job.
If I ever get into it, I'll take your suggestions that you gave to Anu. I have the one book review I did on my site. I wish I would have written reviews for all the books I've read since I started keeping track of the number. I'd be rich right now or maybe not! 🤣
Thanks, Matthew. If you do get rich overnight, please pass my name to the editor 😂
Terry, I thoroughly enjoyed this read - what a great post! I loved reading the inside - romantic! - story of a book reviewer.
I've reviewed just the one book, but it was something I really enjoyed. I'm in the process of reading an altogether different book with a view to writing a post about it - it's not going to be a book review as such, but part-review, part exploration of one aspect of the subject which had really grabbed me.
Thanks, Rebecca. I'm looking forward to read you review. It sounds intriguing
How does one become a book reviewer? With that that question, I am afraid, I have slipped right into the false romanticism of that world! I write for my day job and I love developing features, blogs, anything long form on internationally oriented topics, but I’d fancy reviewing books even if to realize it’s drudgery:)
"even if to realise it's drudgery" 😃😃 Well, I would suggest simply starting to write reviews on your Substack, and then when you have a few up there (a) start asking publishers for review copies and (b) approach magazines that review books in your niche. Good luck!
Thank you for that advice! And sorry, I guess you wrote that piece so descriptively, it reminded me at some level, of the grim realism of the novels of Zola, Flaubert, Balzac and the word drudgery popped:) No, not advocating for a new title of the “realistic” life of a book reviewer😀.
i take that as a compliment, Anu 😁
Most definitely, Terry!
😎
Excellent. I appreciated your conclusion here, Terry. Right on!
Thanks, Sharron!
Thanks WhiteRose. I only replied to be polite, but if there's a next time I shall probably ignore it