Questions for Book Reviews

What is the most memorable book read or moment? Once you discuss the books you have read or those that were memorable, this is a good marketing tool to use the "word-of-mouth" and possibly book sales.

What do you look for in a book? Once you know what you look for in a book, as an author, you can write about it. This may be a need or want for your target audience as well. As readers, we will know what type of authors, genres, and books we would love to buy and read, once we have an idea what we desire in our book selections.

Like and dislikes? Genres? Authors? Writing styles? These are other tools we need to decide when selecting a good read, or what books to purchase. We can narrow down what we like to see in books, and dislike in those type of books. Genres: we can narrow this down too. We can write a list of fiction and nonfiction books we enjoy reading. Authors can also narrow down, which genres they feel comfortable writing. As they say, we write what we read. Writing styles can also be determined based on what we read and study the craft by taking courses online, at schools/professional business sites, and/or reading books on it. We can discover what writing style suits us best after reading books on writing and different genres in both fiction and nonfiction writing.

Free book or should an author pay for a review? Why or why not? This is a decision that the author has to make. A better way to look at not paying for a book review, you are mailing your book at no charge to the book club or book reviewer, and the reviewer does not have to purchase the book. This is their gift for their services provided (a book review to be posted on sites such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other social media networks). If you do pay for a review, the reviewer feels they should get paid for their the time it takes to read the material. However, they are getting a free book at no charge--should this be your payment?

Writing groups and manuscript critique services before book is in print? These are beneficial for the writer to create masterpiece work and best-sellers, since someone has reviewed and critiqued it before it was in print. You can find out if your book is well-developed such as characters, scenes, plot, etc. As writers and authors, we believe our work is a masterpiece and best-sellers, but when someone else reviews it before hand, they can point out things that needs to be added or deleted. You can start your own writing groups with other participating authors, writers, or creative writing classes with peer students that are willing to start it as a team project.

Book clubs review books, review groups, or personal picks to review your book? It is best to research and read past reviews from the review groups, book clubs that review books, and other reviewers. Be clear on what their submission guidelines or requirements are before sending your books. Some will require a query letter, bio/media kit, or press release before submitting your book. In addition, see what type of books or genres they normally read. Review how long it normally takes them to review and post their reviews too. The normal time to complete a review is two to six months.

Journey as a book review, how you got started and why do you review? Most reviewers are avid readers and love to read books in their spare time or free time. This is also beneficial since you get a free books and review the books you love most, even from authors you enjoy reading.

Special skills to be a reviewer? Avid reader? Do you read everything or have your certain preference? There are reviewers who say they will read anything, like myself, and came across a couple books I just did not like or had higher expectations of the writer/author due to their past work that I truly admired and loved.

Can authors live up to their readership, or want to venture off to other styles of writing, does it loose their readers? This is stating that some authors desire to write in other genres, however, they may have a following readership in a specific genre and loose your following once you write in another genre. Therefore, some authors are willing to take the risk to keep their following audience even though they write new material in a different genre. Others will write in pen names or pseudonym names, so research your favorite writers to keep up with their writings.

Why do authors send in book reviewers? Their purpose is to gain feedback, book sales, and/or find their target audience or readership. To build their name/brand as a writer.

These are some things to look out for when searching for a book review. There may be other questions that arise and make sure you do your homework or else you will be paying for it. You are also not to pay a reviewer to do a book review. They should be free of charge. If they are asking for money, you are at your own risk.

In conclusion, there are other people who claim to be reviewers and only want free books. Some may take longer than 2-3 months to complete a review. After a three to six month mark, it is okay to email or contact the reviewer or book club to see when your book will be reviewed. In some cases, they may not review the books at all and tell you once you contact them. Others may request a query letter before submission. Please read their submission guidelines carefully and fully.