I think there will always be readers and those who love reading. Reading can draw you into new worlds and explore concepts in a depth and from point of views that is not always found in other modes of entertainment. I think that what readers like definitely changes over time, and it is important for authors to reflect that in their writing.
JA Curtis – 21 March 2021
About Reviewing
How did you get started?
I’m relatively new to the reviewing scene, but I’ve spent the last few years on the writing scene, giving feedback as a beta reader. I decided I wanted to help authors by promoting their work, while at the same time helping readers by giving an honest review.
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 read through the book, making mental notes as I go. Sometimes I will talk with someone else (usually my husband) about what I like, or what frustrates me about the book I am reading to help me process. Then when the book is done, I like to sit down and write the review. Most of the time, I write the review as soon as possible while it is still fresh, but other times I have to wait a day or so to process what I read before writing the review.
What are you looking for?
As a reader, I am looking for an escape. I want to connect with characters and have a well- paced plot that makes me want to keep turning the pages. I am interested in YA fantasy/sci-fi/dystopian books.
If a book has a great plot, great characters, but the grammar is less than perfect, how do you deal with that?
I am not one to notice minor grammar mistakes. However, if the grammar mistakes are frequent, or they significantly impact the reading experience, or if the book has been out for over a year and significant grammar mistakes still have not been corrected, then the grammar mistakes will be mentioned in the review and may affect ratings on Amazon and Goodreads.
How long does it take you to get through, say, an eighty thousand-word book?
It depends on how gripping I find the book, and what else I may have going on, but usually it will take anywhere from a couple days to a week.
How did you come up with your rating system, and could you explain more about the rating system?
I review a book using two basic criteria. 1.) My understanding of good writing practices for creating a compelling novel. 2.) enjoyability.
Enjoyability is weighted a bit more than good writing practices because if you break a rule of writing and I’m still enthralled with the book, that is more important to me than following some set of rules. However, following the rules are a good way to create a book that is enthralling. Hopefully, that made sense. 😊
This may change, but for now, the only time I give star ratings is on Goodreads and Amazon. On my blog and other social media I simply state what I thought was done well and what could use some work.
What advice could you give to authors looking to get their books reviewed?
To me, it is about two things and I’ll break it down into percentages. Let me just say, as a writer, I know getting these two things right can be really difficult, and I am learning more about this myself. But for me as reader/reviewer it is 20% cover and 80% blurb. If you have a decent, professional looking cover, then I’m more likely to WANT to read your blurb. The blurb should be intriguing and high stakes. If I’m intrigued and the stakes are high, either physically or emotionally, then I will be more likely to choose your book to read.
Do you get readers emailing you and thanking you for a review?
I’ve had authors thank me for the review, but I have not yet had a reader thank me for a review. But, like I said, I am rather new to this.
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?
Definitely. As a reviewer I have to balance the interest of the reader and the author. I want to promote an author’s book, but nobody will take a reviewer seriously who doesn’t give honest reviews. I need to generate reader trust in my reviews and help set a standard in the Indie industry in order to build respect for all independently published authors. In that vein, I try to hold traditionally published books and independently published books to the same standard. Arguing with a reviewer is unprofessional and will only serve to give that author a bad name within the industry.
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 there will always be readers and those who love reading. Reading can draw you into new worlds and explore concepts in a depth and from point of views that is not always found in other modes of entertainment. I think that what readers like definitely changes over time, and it is important for authors to reflect that in their writing.
I also think that there are more and more ways to get creative content out to people. My brother, for example, has never been a reader. But recently he has gotten into audio books. Also, I can’t speak to the statistics, but I do think that people may go through different times in their life when they read more than others. That is true with me. I think it is hard to really say what the statistics really mean and what they will be in the future.
About Writing
What are the most common mistakes that you see authors making?
Again, I’m still pretty new, but one thing that frustrates me when I am reading, is when the pacing is off for an extended period of time and if that happens, I will mention it in my review. I don’t like reading multiple chapters of writing about the setting without anything significant changing in the book or with the tension being diffused for too long.
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?
No. There are plenty of books that don’t start out well that have AMAZING endings. I put down the first Harry Potter book, but a few years later I picked up the second, and I was HOOKED. I think having a great beginning is important and helps with getting into the book. I LOVE a great beginning. However, I no longer put books down because the beginning doesn’t grab me. Now if I am halfway through the book and I haven’t been grabbed at some point, that is when I start thinking about whether the book is worth continuing. And of course, a poor beginning may be written about in the review.
Is there anything you will not review?
Yes. I review YA Fantasy, Sci-fi, and Dystopian books (all subgenres included). I will occasionally review middle grade and adult books in the same genres. I do not review any books in any other genre. I also will only review books with limited swearing, nor erotica/sex scenes (off screen ok) and no overly gory descriptions of violence (think PG-13 level violence).
About Publishing
What do you think of the oft-quoted comment that the “slush-pile has moved online”?
I think that competition in the market will help the best books rise to the top. However, I also think that there are A LOT of different tastes out there and there is an audience for those books that would otherwise have ended up in the so-called “slush-pile.” Making it as an independent author is hard, and I think the more sites like IndieView and other places can help to legitimize the independent author industry.
Do you think attitudes are changing with respect to indie or self-published titles?
I think so. I think being self-published is becoming more respected. Especially as there are more and more hybrid authors out there and the Indie industry begins to establish itself more firmly, and more and more indie books are rising to the top of the charts. I still think there are people weary of reading self-published books because they don’t know what they are going to get when they pick up a book, but as they read more quality self-published books, the more they are willing to try others.
Do you have any ideas or comments on how the industry can ‘filter’ good from bad, aside from reviews?
I’m sure there are other ways out there, but I can’t think of any. Reviews are a great start. I think maybe establishing Indie Author Organizations and setting industry standards of some sort might be helpful.
End of Interview:
For more from Ms Curtis, check out the review page on her website.
