You finished that book you were reading and you loved it! Hated it! Were totally confused by it! And you know you want to write a review, but how?
Well, our friends at goodreads have some helpful hints that we'd like to pass along.
Why write book reviews?
Book reviews help books get noticed and gain credibility. As a published writer, you will want to receive reviews to show readers that your book is widely-read and well-received. You will probably give away books and ask for reviews as part of your marketing plan. It stands to reason that if you write positive, honest reviews for other writers, they will do the same for you.
Where are reviews posted?
These days, the answer is ‘lots of places.’ Many writers post book reviews on their own blogs. If you choose to do this, presumably you are reviewing books that will draw readers who will in turn be drawn to your books. You can also post reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, library websites, or submit them to other people’s review blogs. If you really want to get serious, there are a lot of literary journals that accept freelance reviews.
How long are book reviews?
That will depend largely on where you are planning to submit your review. Check for guidelines, and assume that you will write anywhere from 100 to 1500 words. Be succinct, but give enough to serve the purpose of the review.
Points to Consider:
●What if you really don’t like the book? Always write your reviews with integrity. If you honestly don’t like a book, write your review as if you are in a critique session with the author. Use positive words and avoid sarcasm.
●Take time to read reviews written by other readers, but keep in mind that many of them are not professional writers.
●Review the book that has been written, not the book you think the author should have written. For example, don’t criticize a book for being sci-fi instead of a romance. It isn’t fair to criticize an author for failing to achieve something he or she never intended to achieve.
●Choose your words with the same care you would use when writing your own book.
For more information, including a template for crafting that review, click HERE.
We'd add one more point:
Not every book is for every reader. If a book has lots of glowing reviews, but you couldn't stand to read beyond the first chapter, then it's clearly not a bad book, but a book that doesn't suit your tastes.
It's possible to say that in your review without being nasty toward the author or the reviewers who loved the book.
Find something positive to say, as well as, what you found to be a negative. Be fair, be balanced, be honest, but always be nice in how you word things.
Now, get busy on that review!
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