The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing by Mayra Calvani and Anne K. Edwards, coming April 2008
See Reviews bottom of page ABOUT THE SLIPPERY ART OF BOOK REVIEWING. Are you passionate about books? Do you have the desire to share your thoughts about a book with readers, yet are unsure about what makes a good review? Are you curious about the influence reviews have on readers, booksellers, and libraries? The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing will show you how to write a well-written, honest, objective and professional book review, as well as the different types of reviews, how to rate books, the signs of an amateur, what to do with terrible books, the legalities and ethics of reviews, how to publish your reviews and even make money while you’re at it. In sum, everything you’ll need to know about book reviewing, including hundreds of sites and publications where you’ll be able to publish your reviews. Title: The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing Authors: Mayra Calvani and Anne K. Edwards Publisher: Twilight Times Books Reviewer: Francine Silverman http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com Genre: Nonfiction Do you love to read and write? Book reviewing combines both passions and readers rely on your judgment. In fact, most people do read reviews to select their reading materials, according to Mayra Calvani, co-author with Anne K. Edwards of The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing. To bolster her assertion, the authors cite a poll showing that 74% of 100 respondents are sometimes influenced by reviews before buying a book. A multi-genre author and reviewer, Calvani writes that when she began reviewing in 1998 there were no books on writing reviews and that little has changed. That’s why she and mystery author/reviewer Edwards decided to offer guidelines on how to write and publish thoughtful, well-written reviews no matter their length, type or genre. The Slippery Art is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in book reviews - writers, reviewers, publishers, publicists, librarians, booksellers and readers. There are examples of good and bad reviews and ways to handle adverse reactions to your review by the author, publisher and/or publicist. Also covered are the absolute don'ts of a review, i.e., don’t give away the ending. The book also deals with the problem of too many books and too little time. Reviewing, the authors state, can become addictive and at times overwhelming. Included are sections on how and when to build a review site, whether for single or multiple genres, one or several reviewers, or to sell ads. The resource section alone is worth the price of the book. There are many advantages to being a book reviewer. You will share your views with readers, receive complimentary copies, gain credibility, and may even be invited by a publication to write reviews and articles. But you won’t get rich. As Jim Cox, editor at Midwest Book Review, has said: “Here’s the secret to being financially successful as a book reviewer – marry rich.” REVIEWS The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing By Mayra Calvani & Anne K. Edwards PUB: Twilight Times Books ISBN: 978-1-93353-22-7 Genre: Reference/Writing Trade paperback 186 pages (Price $16.95) Dist. Baker & Taylor, FAP Books Inc Release date: June 15, 2008 You talk about challenges! Reviewing a book on how to review books--that’s a challenge. So you think you want to review books. Then this should be the next book you read. Find out if you have the right attitude, and tools that it will take to be a reviewer. I've been reviewing novels for about a year. I wish I'd had this book when I started. After reading The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing you will find that reviewing is indeed an art. It's a learned skill that can impact the work of the author, and the publisher, as well as what the reader selects for his/her own enjoyment. You will learn how the reviews that you write will effect you and your believability, and the readers and their trust in you. This book tells you how to find books to review, how to read a book for review (things to watch for, and how to track them), how to construct that review (using tact when necessary), and where to submit reviews. There are numerous examples depicting the dos and don'ts of reviewing; in-depth descriptions and differences between the "reader" or "reviewer" reviews, and the meaning and effects of Pre-publication or Post-publication reviews. You will get the answers to questions: Can you make a living doing reviews? What are the perks of reviewing? and so much more, including extensive listings. As a writer this book gave me insight in my own writing, and as a reviewer I learned a lot about the business of reading. Calvani and Edwards have provided the world of publishing with something that was sorely missed, a well written, easy to understand and follow, book of instruction and information on and about the fine art of reviewing. This book has found a permanent place on my reference book shelf. ***** Review by Wanda C. Keesey (author of Lost In The Mist) http://www.wandakeesey.com ******** Title: The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing Authors: Mayra Calvani and Anne K. Edwards Publisher: Twilight Times Books Reviewer: Francine Silverman http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com Do you love to read and write? Book reviewing combines both passions and readers rely on your judgment. In fact, most people do read reviews to select their reading materials, according to Mayra Calvani, co-author with Anne K. Edwards of The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing. To bolster her assertion, the authors cite a poll showing that 74% of 100 respondents are sometimes influenced by reviews before buying a book. A multi-genre author and reviewer, Calvani writes that when she began reviewing in 1998 there were no books on writing reviews and that little has changed. That´s why she and mystery author/reviewer Edwards decided to offer guidelines on how to write and publish thoughtful, well-written reviews no matter their length, type or genre. The Slippery Art is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in book reviews - writers, reviewers, publishers, publicists, librarians, booksellers and readers. There are examples of good and bad reviews and ways to handle adverse reactions to your review by the author, publisher and/or publicist. Also covered are the absolute dont´s of a review, i.e., don´t give away the ending. The book also deals with the problem of too many books and too little time. Reviewing, the authors state, can become addictive and at times overwhelming. Included are sections on how and when to build a review site, whether for single or multiple genres, one or several reviewers, or to sell ads. The resource section alone is worth the price of the book. There are many advantages to being a book reviewer. You will share your views with readers, receive complimentary copies, gain credibility, and may even be invited by a publication to write reviews and articles. But you won´t get rich. As Jim Cox, editor at Midwest Book Review, has said: "Here´s the secret to being financially successful as a book reviewer - marry rich." ************** |
