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Writing Reviews
Oct. 18th, 2009 09:36 pmSo, I write reviews for a number of different types of places, and the process for me is different depending on for whom I'm writing them. I first started writing book reviews for a magazine that ended up not getting off the ground called Teen Scene, and I did some semi-serious reviews on the first incarnation of Virgil and Beatrice. Since then, I've started writing for School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Flames Rising, and I've done one or two for Mythprint.
For SLJ, I try to do incredibly concise reviews, keeping it simple, providing at least one semi-quotable blurb if the book is good. (I don't worry so much about the blurb aspect if the review is highly critical.) I'm also focused on whether the book is going to fit in most school library collections. Even if it's excellent, if it's only going to work in large libraries that have expansive, say, graphic novel collections, the SLJ audience needs to know both parts of the equation (the book is awesome but might have a limited audience).
When I did reviews for Mythprint, I ended up being so unbiased in the way I was presenting my review of a novel, it was hard for one of my fellow Mythopoeic Society members to tell whether or not I actually liked the book! I was focused on critically analyzing what was done well (and where the author missed the mark), and so left out any of my own emotional reaction to the title. (I'd change this upon doing it again!) for Flames Rising, I try to offer the same kind of critical commentary at Flames Rising, but those reviews end up being more personal and emotional, especially when I get going on a good rant (which editor![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
matt_m_mcelroy has said he appreciates now and again). I'll also send off-the-record rants or gushing to PW editor Rose Fox when I send in PW style reviews (following the style guidelines for the magazine).
When I post book reviews at a bookseller like amazon, I go all personal and don't worry about doing a critical analysis or a synopsis. After all, the publisher's synopsis is right above, so I don't really need to talk about the book's plot or characters -- just what was awesome about it. It means to me that I can do a review on amazon and then still do a more "serious," longer review elsewhere. I haven't done a bunch of amazon reviews, but almost all of them are done for authors who I like beyond just their novels -- these are writers who I'm invested in, whether through their blog or through another personal connection (say, belonging to a fandom or something).
At any rate, I just posted a review of Soulless to amazon and figured I'd cross post it here as an example of the type of review I fire off over there. You'll note it's more detailed than my mini-review, while being less detailed than anything you'd see from me over at Flames Rising. (Speaking of which, I owe Matt so many reviews at this point I'm worried about ever catching up!) Without further ado, a Soulless review:
( Review of Soulless )
For SLJ, I try to do incredibly concise reviews, keeping it simple, providing at least one semi-quotable blurb if the book is good. (I don't worry so much about the blurb aspect if the review is highly critical.) I'm also focused on whether the book is going to fit in most school library collections. Even if it's excellent, if it's only going to work in large libraries that have expansive, say, graphic novel collections, the SLJ audience needs to know both parts of the equation (the book is awesome but might have a limited audience).
When I did reviews for Mythprint, I ended up being so unbiased in the way I was presenting my review of a novel, it was hard for one of my fellow Mythopoeic Society members to tell whether or not I actually liked the book! I was focused on critically analyzing what was done well (and where the author missed the mark), and so left out any of my own emotional reaction to the title. (I'd change this upon doing it again!) for Flames Rising, I try to offer the same kind of critical commentary at Flames Rising, but those reviews end up being more personal and emotional, especially when I get going on a good rant (which editor
matt_m_mcelroy has said he appreciates now and again). I'll also send off-the-record rants or gushing to PW editor Rose Fox when I send in PW style reviews (following the style guidelines for the magazine).When I post book reviews at a bookseller like amazon, I go all personal and don't worry about doing a critical analysis or a synopsis. After all, the publisher's synopsis is right above, so I don't really need to talk about the book's plot or characters -- just what was awesome about it. It means to me that I can do a review on amazon and then still do a more "serious," longer review elsewhere. I haven't done a bunch of amazon reviews, but almost all of them are done for authors who I like beyond just their novels -- these are writers who I'm invested in, whether through their blog or through another personal connection (say, belonging to a fandom or something).
At any rate, I just posted a review of Soulless to amazon and figured I'd cross post it here as an example of the type of review I fire off over there. You'll note it's more detailed than my mini-review, while being less detailed than anything you'd see from me over at Flames Rising. (Speaking of which, I owe Matt so many reviews at this point I'm worried about ever catching up!) Without further ado, a Soulless review:
( Review of Soulless )
