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June/July 2005
Marketing with Fran: When Can A Book Reviewer Expect To Be Paid?
(Parts I & II)
Book Marketing from A-Z, a compilation of the best marketing strategies of my top subscribers, has garnered 25 rave reviews from on-line reviewers. At one point, my husband asked, “What’s in it for them?”
Since I didn’t know, I queried these reviewers with three burning questions. I received so many excellent responses that I’ve divided this column into two parts. The reviewers’ websites will be listed at the end of Part II.
1) What are the advantages of being a reviewer?
** Free Books
“You can fill up your bookshelf with extraordinary books and read! read! read!” says Liana Metal.
“Free books are a huge plus,” says Jeremy Hoover.
“One of the biggest pluses is getting all the free books I can read – and on a variety of subjects,” says Joyce Handzo.
Free books, says Dehanna Bailee, provide “the opportunity to read works that I probably wouldn’t consider otherwise…I’m able to explore the different works out there without having to play hunt-and-find.”
Since reviewing “is not going to give you any cash,” reasons Lia Metal, “the only payment you get is the free book. However, you should think of this: isn’t it a decent payment after all?”
Bruce Von Stiers admits to enjoying “the free stuff” - cookbooks from Harvard Common Press for his wife, special subject titles from Collectors Press, hard-boiled detective and crime novels from Hard Case Crime, and “a steady stream of titles” from Zumaya Publications.
“If I could live in a library I would,” concludes Tami Brady.
“The free books are a definite advantage since I consult them when doing research,” says Cindy Vallar. “Most of the books I review are about maritime piracy, and being a reviewer allows me keep abreast of the latest research in the field and to meet/talk with authors with a like passion for the subject. These people sometimes become important contacts that I can later consult with when I have questions or need advice.”
** Education and Writing Improvement
Joyce Handzo, an author-wannabe, feels that reviewing helps train her “mind to pick up what works and what doesn’t,” and compares the skills she’s developing as a reviewer to a writing course. “I read other people’s books and notice what they are doing or what I think they should be doing.”
“Reading two to three books a month helps me be a better writer,” says Christina Whitcher. “Not only do I learn what works and what doesn’t, but why. That’s the biggest hurdle in becoming a better writer: knowing why what you’ve written does or doesn’t work.”
“From an academic viewpoint, reviewing for peer-reviewed journals actually provides access to books that I would not be able to see, given the limited ability of our library at the moment,” says John Walsh, reporting from Thailand.
“This job is the perfect chance for you to enhance your education in all fields,” says Lia Metal. “The more books you read the better chances you have to become a better writer.”
“Reading and reviewing books improves your craft, automatically,” says Geoff Rotunno.
“I feel being a book reviewer has greatly enhanced my writing skills,” says Suzie Housley. “I strongly encourage ANY avid reader to give it a try.”
** Networking
The reviewers cite contacts with authors, publishers and publicists as a big plus, and, for Christina Whitcher, the major reason for reviewing. “These contacts help to provide an overview of what’s going on in the industry, and an idea of the type of material publishers are buying.”
“Misty Wright, a writer but unpublished author, says, “I have made friends with many of the authors I review for and that is worth every minute of my time.”
Cheryl McCann agrees: “A book reviewer meets many wonderful authors and publishers and learns about the writing industry.”
Graciela Sholander has found another advantage in networking. “Many of the people for whom I’ve reviewed books have, in turn, helped me out in some way – help I never even asked for but which I appreciate immensely.”
** Name Recognition and Advancement
“Becoming known as a reviewer has also provided other opportunities, such as invitations to contribute papers or attend conferences,” says John Walsh. “It has also helped in obtaining work in writing encyclopedia articles, which is a paying market.”
“When I review books,” says Annette Gisby, “I also mention that I am the author of such and such, as it gets my name and my books’ names out there.” Posting her reviews on Amazon has also aided in name recognition. In the course of doing research for another book, she e-mailed a “very famous writer to ask about her book list.” The result was that the writer remembered her name since Annette had reviewed one of her books on Amazon years ago. “Good job it was a good review, eh?”
“Reviewing books can open doors you never expected – and lead to bigger, indirect payoffs down the road,” says Geoff Rotunno. “You have to be in it for the long term.”
“By providing free reviews, I gain recognition, credibility, and good karma,” says Bob Spear.
“Forget about free books!” says Lana Jordan of Lemon Drops Press. “Being a reviewer can give you something much more valuable: free publicity! Especially if you are an author as well; writing reviews is a great way to get your name out there and establish yourself as an expert. It’s a priceless opportunity to be quoted on book covers, in newsletters, on websites – in all of the author’s promotional efforts.”
“This past January I received an unexpected advantage in part because of my reviewing,” says Cindy Vallar. “I joined the staff of Solander, the magazine of the Historical Novel Society, as an associate editor. Part of my duties include writing a column called “Red Pencil,” where I share with readers and writers how an author goes from a rough draft to the published book. The first two columns spotlight books I’ve reviewed either for “Historical Novels Review” or my piracy column, “Pirates and Privateers.”
** Author Help and Appreciation
One of Shirley Johnson’s greatest joys is when an author thanks her for a review. “One author told me recently she was ready to give up promoting her work until I reviewed it, and she gained new hope. That was like a check for a million dollars to me.”
Suzie Housley also appreciates thanks. “I have had the privilege of meeting authors that I grew up on their stories,” she says. “I think one of the most memorable moments was when I received a personal thank you from an author who was one of my all time favorites.”
Tami Brady serves as the Dean of Religion and Spirituality at Suite University. “As such I am always looking for new course topics that would interest potential students and new potential course developers to write and teach these courses,” she says. “Therefore, if I see a book with a topic that might match our needs, I’ll ask to review the book. Then I can learn a bit more about the topic and the author. I have been so impressed by a few of these books that I contacted the authors and asked them to consider becoming a course developer at Suite U.”
“I enjoy helping good authors get their works recognized by providing a service,” says Cheryl McCann.
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Part II will cover whether authors make better reviewers and payment.
Marketing with Fran: When Can A Book Reviewer Expect To Be Paid?
Part II
2) Do Authors Make Better Reviewers?
“Since I am an author,” says Carolyn Scheidies, “I have insight into the heart of story construction as well as the heart of the author.”
“I find that authors usually make better reviewers,” says Mayra Calvani, “for the simple fact that they are more conscious of what writing a book is all about and are better able to explain the dynamics of a book, the technical aspects of it, and give a more thoughtful, critical evaluation.”
Author of The Art of Assessment: How to Review Anything (Mountain Mist Productions 2002), Maggie Ball likens reviewers to authors since “all reviews are pieces of creative writing.” Moreover, she feels that writing and reviewing books of the same genre provides “a much more intimate understanding of the processes involved….It may also make a reviewer more sympathetic and less harsh - more likely to carefully back up criticisms.”
Reviewers who are authors, says Bob Spear, “will have a clearer understanding of the writing process,” and less likely to suffer writer's block, says Cheryl McCann.
“I've a better understanding of the process an author goes through in writing a book, says Cindy Vallar, author of The Scottish Thistle (NovelBooks 2002). “I can better assess whether the author did the research and knows his/her craft. For me, the greatest advantage has been seeing how my writing skills have improved over the years. I always check the published review over what I wrote to see how the editor changed it. In doing so, I've honed my skills, and, since many of my assignments have maximum word lengths of 200-300 words, my writing is concise.”
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3) And what about payment?
The consensus is that book reviewers are generally not compensated. “Almost nobody can make a living from only writing reviews,” states Mayra Calvani, co-author a forthcoming book about writing reviews. “Personally, I like the system of the book itself being payment enough,” says Dehanna Bailee. Shirley Johnson agrees. “I receive no monetary reward for my reviews, nor do I expect that to happen anytime in the future…” Compensation would be “two-edge sword,” she adds, since she'd lose the freedom “to enjoy all the wonderful unknown works that I now have the pleasure to read.”
Staffers and freelance reviewers at a publication will sometimes get paid. Judith Colombo, for instance, has a bi-weekly column in The Weekly Gleaner, the North-American version of a leading Jamaican newspaper, and receives payment when the review is published. Heather Grove expects to be paid and will only post her reviews at Amazon and Epinions, two main sources of income. Heather Froeschl is adamant about getting paid - much like “any writer anywhere expects payment for their services,” she says. “Compare the reading of a book to doing research for an article and the effort is much the same, at least on my part. Compare the writing of a review to the copy writing of an advertising writer…The effort and skill, and the time spent is much the same, again, at least on my part.”
“I have never been paid for my reviews,” says Cindy Vallar. “I don't want to compromise my opinions or be forced into giving a good review when I don't think the book merits it. While I don't trash a bad book or attack its author, I do let my readers know that a book fails to measure up to my standards and why, giving examples where applicable to back up my conclusions. As a reader, I'm not sure I'd trust a reviewer as much if they received payment for a review. I'm not speaking about reviewers who earn a living from third parties, such as newspapers or magazines as an employee or freelancer, though. My cousin, who reviews children's books, is nationally syndicated but authors and publishers don't pay for her reviews.
Finally, Lana Jordan questions whether staff reviewers are legitimate. “I've seen book review 'services' advertised to authors that don't even guarantee a positive review,” she says. “I can't imagine that anyone would be willing to pay in the neighborhood of $300 or more, even for a good review. But throw in the possibility of a bad review, and there's no way. That's highway robbery. No one should be that desperate!”
Reviewers' Websites
Dehanna Bailee - http://dehanna.com
Maggie Ball - http://www.compulsivereader.com
Tami Brady - http://blether.com
Mayra Calvani - http://www.review-books.com
Judith Columbo - http://odin.prohosting.com/~night01
Heather Froeschl - http://QuillDipper.com
Annette Gisby - http://www.annettegisby.n3.net
Norm Goldman - http://www.bookpleasures.com
Heather Grove - http://www.burningvoid.com/review/2005/bookmarkingatoz.php
Joyce Handzo - http://www.inthelibraryreview.com
Jeremy Hoover - http://hooverreivews.blogspot.com
Suzie Housley - http://myshelf.com
Shirley Johnson - http://www.midwestbookreview.com
Lana Jordan - http://www.LanaJordan.com
Cheryl McCann - http://www.review-books.com
Michael Meanwell - http://www.enterprisingwriter.com/articles57.htm
Lia Metal - http://lianametal.tripod.com
Shirley Roe - http://allbookreviews.com
Geoff Rotunno - http://www.thebooxreview.com
Carolyn Scheidies - http://come.to/bookviews
Graciela B. Sholander - http://dreamitdoit.net
Barbara Scott - http://www.curledup.com
Bob Spear - http://www.heartlandreviews.com
Cindy Vallar - http://www.cindyvallar.com
John Walsh - http://www.bookpleasures.com
Christina Whitcher - http://www.Cfrancine.bizland.com
Misty Wright - http://www.writersunlimited.com
Francine Silverman is editor/publisher of Book Promotion Newsletter, a
bi-weekly ezine for authors of all genres, and author of Book Marketing
from A-Z (Infinity Publishing 2005), a compilation of the best marketing
strategies of 325 authors from all over the English-speaking world. Visit
Book Promotion Newsletter http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com
and click “Ask
The Experts” for answers to your book marketing
questions.
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