“I also think that many books of quality are rejected by mainstream publishers simply because the theme may be off the beaten track or unconventional or unpopular at the moment, and those manuscripts end up in the “slush pile,” too.”
Andrea, of The Queen’s Quill Review 5 May 2012
About Reviewing
How did you get started?
I have always been an avid reader, but when I discovered the Historical Novel Society back in 2000 (and was finally able to put a name to my reading tastes), I jumped right in and asked to be a reviewer. I’ve been reviewing for the Society ever since then and have been reviewing books on my personal reading blog since 2010.
How do you review a book? Is it read first, and then make notes, or do you make notes as you go along?
I read the first 50 or so pages to decide if the novel is worth the time and effort of a review. Once I have made a decision, I read and take notes at the same time. Whenever an intriguing or meaningful passage arises, I pull out the trusty highlighter and pen and mark away (only in paperbacks, though!) Most of my intense brain work occurs the night after I finish a book, though, as my mind processes what I’ve read.
What are you looking for?
A plot that grabs my attention quickly and is well thought out, with multidimensional, fleshed-out characters, and a story that takes me out of my own time and space. If I close a book and feel disoriented in terms of where or who I am, the book receives high praise indeed. I am also seeking to be educated through reading, but in a subtle manner (hence my love of historical fiction).
If a book has a great plot, great characters, but the grammar is less than perfect, how do you deal with that?
I am a manuscript editor by day—editing for mechanical and substantive issues is my work, and I simply cannot overlook numerous grammatical and spelling errors. An abundance of errors tells me that the author does not understand the necessity of employing a second pair of eyes. A book still in its “raw” form when submitted for review tells me that the author does not take his or her work and audience seriously enough to merit a reviewer’s focus. In the case where a book has marvelous potential, I will respond to the author with this praise and strongly suggest a thorough edit.
How long does it take you to get through, say, an eighty thousand-word book?
I will assume a 300-page printed book here, but I might be way off. I used to be a lightening-quick reader, covering a 300-page book in two to three days, but since the birth of my daughter (who is 14 months now), reading time has to be squeezed in, usually after she’s asleep at night. So, I have decided to review one book per month on my blog, simply because of the time constraint. My goal eventually is to review two Indie books per month.
How did you come up with your rating system, and could you explain more about the rating system?
I don’t use a numerical rating system. I write a synopsis of the plot and then discuss the features that I believe make it a good read or not. I was a literature major in college, and now being an editor, I find I enjoy writing thoughts about the themes, characters, and events in the book, its history, and the author’s background rather than using a rating system. My choice of words to describe my enthusiasm for a book IS my rating system : )
What advice could you give to authors looking to get their books reviewed?
When I read a request email that contains grammatical and spelling mistakes, I lose enthusiasm for and hope in that author’s book. If I could give one single piece of advice to authors, it would be please make a positive first impression on the potential reviewer. First impressions DO matter.
At risk of sounding extraordinarily repetitive, I recommend that authors have their books thoroughly edited before publishing them and sending them out for review. In my opinion, if an author doesn’t take time enough to care about the quality of her or his work, why should the reviewer spend valuable time reading it?
Do you get authors e-mailing you and thanking you for a review?
I have received thank yous from authors, yes (and it is much appreciated!), and I have received disappointed or angry reactions as well. My goal is to write impartial and honest (never blunt or rude) reviews, and I understand that honesty (or constructive criticism) is difficult to take when it’s not what one wants to hear.
My advice to authors on getting a “bad” review (hasten to add that might mean a perfectly honest, well-written, fair review—just bad from the author’s point of view) is to take what you can from it and move on. Under no circumstances “argue” with the reviewer—would you agree with that?
Absolutely. But many authors do not agree with us. In the past, for example, my opinion had often been challenged (while in my position as reviews editor of the HNS Online magazine) when I rejected a book for review. The author would demand to know the reason and would commence to argue with me about my decision. The HNS policy is not to engage authors, a policy which I have decided to employ also on my reading blog. As hard as we try to retain complete objectivity as reviewers, each reviewer’s reading preferences and tastes are inherently subjective, a fact that authors must accept.
About Reading
We talk a lot about writing here on the blog, and possibly not enough about reading, which is after all why we’re all here. Why do you think people love reading? We’re seeing lots of statistics that say reading as a past-time is dying—do you think that’s the case?
I can only answer this question through the lens of historical fiction, as that is my passion. I think that what draws us to the reading experience is the opportunity for our minds to distance themselves from our current personal, social, or political situations and be consumed in another time and place. It is a form of distraction from current realities, perhaps, or a form of pleasure seeking.
I’m afraid that if reading is a dying activity, the cause may be the abundance of other fast-paced and addictive hobbies out there—video games, for example. I think these things offer immediate gratification that the slow process of reading a novel does not. However, I have hope because of the e-book and e-reader trends that are currently consuming the publishing industry, as reading in a different medium seems to be appealing to many of us gadget addicts (and I am one of them!).
About Writing
What are the most common mistakes that you see authors making?
I’ve got a short list that applies especially to Indie books : )
1) Specifically, switching between first and third person narration throughout the text. This technique is sometimes effective, but for the most part, winds up simply confusing the readers.
2) Generally, not hiring an editor. I say this not only because of my profession but also because it’s amazing to see how blind we all become to words we read over and over—even editors need other eyes to look over their work and offer fresh ideas.
3) Not paying attention to formatting, layout, and cover design. This is probably the biggest problem I run across. Authors need to remember that no matter how captivating the story is or how many glowing reviews a book may receive, no one will pick up a novel in a bookstore or online that doesn’t have an eye-catching cover. It’s the way our brains work, unfortunately.
4) Not listening to constructive criticism from reviewers, especially if the same issue is repeatedly brought up.
We’re told that the first page, paragraph, or chapter is absolutely key in making or breaking a book. Agents typically request only the first five pages of a novel—what do you think about that? If a book hasn’t grabbed you by the first five pages, do you put it down?
No, I give each book more of a chance, at least 50 pages. I can’t count the number of books of which I’ve had to struggle through the opening chapters but have been rewarded with an amazing reading experience. It does take time for a plot to congeal, and I think the 5-page rule is a superficial method of eliminating books that may not have the fast pace that our impatient society now expects.
That being said, there have been many Indie books that I have eliminated after reading the first chapter due to reviewing criteria, such as dull or nonsensical writing or too many editorial issues.
There has been a lot of talk recently about Agency pricing and Apple and the Big 6. What are your thoughts on that?
Honestly, I prefer not to focus on the business aspects too much at the moment. I’ll stick to what I know and keep learning about the business side of the industry : )
Is there anything you will not review?
I generally don’t review mysteries, crime novels, or Westerns. These categories of fiction are simply not to my taste. Non-fiction is also off the table.
About Publishing
What do you think of the oft-quoted comment that “the slush-pile has moved online”?
I think there is some truth to that statement. I have definitely seen my share of Indie/e-books that deserve to reside there! But I also think that many books of quality are rejected by mainstream publishers simply because the theme may be off the beaten track or unconventional or unpopular at the moment, and those manuscripts end up in the “slush pile,” too. The goal of indie reviewers should be to separate the wheat from the chaff—and that is where the potential of the internet and Indie publishing comes into play.
Do you think attitudes are changing with respect to Indie or self-published titles?
Not just yet, in my opinion. I’m not sure the majority of Indie authors have quite earned a new attitude from the reading public-yet. But our goal at the Historical Novel Society Indie Reviews, and what I personally am working toward with my blog, is to heighten the standard of self-published and Indie titles. Dare I say it, but the quality of most Indie books is way below those of mainstream publishers. The lack of attention to details–mechanical, plot-wise, and design-wise–hinders many Indie authors from reaching their potential.
Do you have any ideas or comments on how the industry can “filter” good from bad, aside from reviews?
Honestly, I’m not sure there’s another way to “filter” aside from reviews, but reviewing is what I know so I’m biased, I suppose. Industries do tend to “self-regulate” over time—perhaps we will see some subsidy-publishing companies that play loose with rules and disclosure policies and take authors for a ride go out of business. That’s my hope in any case.
End of Interview: You can find Andrea’s excellent book review site here.
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