If I ask for a specific format to read and you’ve sent me a different one, I’m not going to lie, I will immediately reject you. Reviewers have a policy for a reason, and you’ll have a better chance of getting a review if you respect that.
N.M. Sotzek
About Reviewing
How did you get started?
When I began writing professionally (or at least on track to be at the time) I joined a writer’s website where we were encouraged to critique and review each other’s work. After my first book was published I wanted to help other authors so I became a reviewer for Reader’s Favorite. I joined those reviews up with a blog I had wanted to start for a while, and that’s where I am now.
How do you review a book? Is it a read first, and then make notes, or do you make notes as you go along?
I used to take notes, more when I made critiques rather than reviews. Now I review strictly as a reader, but I try to keep a professional eye open. It’s said that doctors make the worst patients, and sometimes it can be the same for authors which is why I try to remind myself to be a reader. I keep in mind that what I find to be not-so pleasant others may enjoy.
What are you looking for?
Above all I look for a good story. Other things vary by genre. In historical fiction I look for historical accuracy, and I’ll admit that I am quite particular about that. I also look for a unique concept and storyline. There’s nothing worse than reading the same story with the same characters over and over. I also look for professionalism. If you want me to give a professional review, give me a professional novel to read. In the self-publishing business, we need to be as professional as possible.
If a book has a great plot, great characters, but the grammar is less than perfect, how do you deal with that?
I cringe, but usually look past it. If the plot takes me in far enough to forget about the grammar then I consider it a good (albeit somewhat flawed) novel.
How long does it take you to get through, say, an eighty thousand-word book?
It generally takes me from a day to two weeks depending on how much I enjoy the book.
How did you come up with your rating system, and could you explain more about the rating system?
Personally, my rating system is based on what has already been published. I want something unique, so if I get a novel about angsty vampires it likely won’t get a high rating. When giving a “star” review, I actually look at the rating system on Goodreads and keep that in mind.
What advice could you give to authors looking to get their books reviewed?
Do your research. Show me you’ve done your homework. If I ask for a specific format to read and you’ve sent me a different one, I’m not going to lie, I will immediately reject you. Reviewers have a policy for a reason, and you’ll have a better chance of getting a review if you respect that. Also make sure you request a review from someone who accepts the genre of your novel.
Do you get readers emailing you and thanking you for a review?
Well, I just started but I’ve had feedback which really made me feel as though I’m helping.
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 to ‘argue’ with the reviewer – would you agree with that?
Absolutely!! As an author, I can honestly say that is exactly what we need to do. If there’s something I don’t agree with in a review I will discuss it with the reviewer to see where they were coming from. If it’s an issue of the reviewer not understanding something in the novel then it’s up to me to write better.
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 pastime is dying – do you think that’s the case?
I think people love to read because it’s an escape, it keeps our minds busy. It’s also a way for us to connect with something completely different from what we know. I don’t think the pastime is dying at all. The reason most current movies are doing well is because people have already read and loved the novel. Or it can go the other way, and the novel gains popularity because of the movie.
About Writing
What are the most common mistakes that you see authors making?
Spelling, but even traditionally published authors can have that problem. The most irritating mistake is not having a unique concept, or having one and not developing it to its full potential. I recently read a sci-fi novel with a really neat world and concept, but it was mentioned once and the rest of the novel had nothing to do with it. I think many authors have great ideas but don’t develop them within the novel.
We’re told that the first page, paragraph, 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?
Not necessarily. My own novel, for example, has an introductory chapter and while I feel it draws people in the tone shifts drastically after that. I try to read at least half of a novel before I stop. I haven’t stopped reading a book in quite a while though. I try to give the book the benefit of the doubt and think it could get better.
Is there anything you will not review?
Erotica. I get enough action at home, thanks. I also don’t read first drafts, only the published draft. I definitely have genre preferences, but I try to be open.
About Publishing
What do you think of the oft-quoted comment that the “slush-pile has moved online”?
Well if 50 Shades is any indication, I’d say it’s true. Not that I enjoyed it, but there are definitely hidden gems online and a bigger audience to find them.
Do you think attitudes are changing with respect to indie or self-published titles?
Partially. I think there’s still a stigma against indie books, unless it’s gained the popularity of a traditionally published book. It’s so easy to get a book out on a platform. It’s all the work in between that makes a good book stand out, and I think people are willing to look for those. I’ve stopped caring about the publisher because I once had pre-conceived notions about which publishers published books I enjoyed and found that more often than not I found they published a lot of books I really disliked.
Do you have any ideas or comments on how the industry can ‘filter’ good from bad, aside from reviews?
This is going to go against everything everyone believes about reading and writing…but reading the first and last chapters would help. Hear me out. This is what I do in bookstores. If I read the last few pages and they make me want to, no, need to know how the characters got there then it’s a good book. That method has yet to fail me.
End of Interview:
To read N.M. Sotzek’s reviews, visit On Writing.
