My flabbers are also gasted. I can’t imagine writing a review of a book I haven’t read cover to cover. Writing reviews is work I enjoy, but writing a good review is work. And it should be. For me, interviews are more difficult, but I do them when the market prefers an interview. Another reason I might do an interview instead of a review is when the author is a friend. I follow the National Book Critics Circle standards, and reviewers are charged with being objective, so we’re not supposed to write reviews of friends’ books. I always offer to do the interview in person or over Zoom and then have it transcribed, edit it, etc., because of what you mentioned—I don’t want to put the work back on the author. But sometimes authors insist on written interview questions so they can finesse their answers. Loved this newsletter and I hope you’re feeling better.
Loved this, very well stewed, and also Cleveland Review of Books is where I pitched a review of Nin Andrews’ memoir! Have had my eye on them for a while, I agree about your assessment of their criticism. The past few years I’ve been having trouble placing a review or interview, despite pitching, despite having already published reviews at places like LARB and Bitch. I wonder if anyone else is having this problem? Or if I need to just be sending out a completed draft. It’s been sort of frustrating, but I assume it’s because the publications are inundated?
Oh my gosh, I love that we were thinking in the same wavelength. Pitching is REALLY hard right now and it is actually so much easier, I think, with a draft, unless you know folks on the masthead--but that's a frustrating bet to take too! I think they are, AND the good ones are really reading everything so if it's an easy no, they ignore it or pass. Also, at the moment, so many books were pushed back because of Trump shit that they're all coming out later in the year, so you're competing with like a year of books in the span of six months, just another factor in all this.
Thanks for your reply, Cassie! It helps to know this industry stuff, how the tariffs are impacting publishing schedules. Makes sense. I'll work on the review first, and will start pitching with an attached finished draft. Thanks for your encouragement and insight.
I got my first, um, not great review recently and I was pleasantly surprised (flabber: gasted, haha) by how much it did not hurt my feelings! My thin-skinned self was somehow completely fine...maybe even kind of dementedly delighted?... with a review that felt like it genuinely engaged with the story I worked very hard on, even if it wasn't the reviewer's favorite. Criticism is an art form of its own—one authors need in order to live in a world that continues to ask for books!—and I love your advice to work on reviews with the energy people bring to their poetry. I hope you still write about that Steve Madden interview too!!
Oh my gosh, Stuart! Good for you! I am such a sensitive little bat I probably would take it to heart, but maybe not if it actually engaged with the work! That’s the whole point! Sending you ten more glowing reviews!
Such a good point on the power of book reviews for writers starting out, Cassie. Writing reviews can definitely help a writer build momentum and new relationships with editors.
"Regular shmegular"....my new phrase! If the reviewers and the reviewees are struggling to find which way to go with a book, it might be time for one of your Maps. Great writing today Cassie, you keep me reading and smiling.
I have been reading/ reviewing well over a decade. I've been quoted in books, been thanked, been a character... However, I ALWAYS read the book and leave an honest review and a disclaimer to same. I take the time because I respect the work that goes into a book. I am not going to simply rework what the editor or publisher has sunmerized. I am not paid for this.
My flabbers are also gasted. I can’t imagine writing a review of a book I haven’t read cover to cover. Writing reviews is work I enjoy, but writing a good review is work. And it should be. For me, interviews are more difficult, but I do them when the market prefers an interview. Another reason I might do an interview instead of a review is when the author is a friend. I follow the National Book Critics Circle standards, and reviewers are charged with being objective, so we’re not supposed to write reviews of friends’ books. I always offer to do the interview in person or over Zoom and then have it transcribed, edit it, etc., because of what you mentioned—I don’t want to put the work back on the author. But sometimes authors insist on written interview questions so they can finesse their answers. Loved this newsletter and I hope you’re feeling better.
The best part is that there are options! ❤️
Loved this, very well stewed, and also Cleveland Review of Books is where I pitched a review of Nin Andrews’ memoir! Have had my eye on them for a while, I agree about your assessment of their criticism. The past few years I’ve been having trouble placing a review or interview, despite pitching, despite having already published reviews at places like LARB and Bitch. I wonder if anyone else is having this problem? Or if I need to just be sending out a completed draft. It’s been sort of frustrating, but I assume it’s because the publications are inundated?
Oh my gosh, I love that we were thinking in the same wavelength. Pitching is REALLY hard right now and it is actually so much easier, I think, with a draft, unless you know folks on the masthead--but that's a frustrating bet to take too! I think they are, AND the good ones are really reading everything so if it's an easy no, they ignore it or pass. Also, at the moment, so many books were pushed back because of Trump shit that they're all coming out later in the year, so you're competing with like a year of books in the span of six months, just another factor in all this.
Thanks for your reply, Cassie! It helps to know this industry stuff, how the tariffs are impacting publishing schedules. Makes sense. I'll work on the review first, and will start pitching with an attached finished draft. Thanks for your encouragement and insight.
I got my first, um, not great review recently and I was pleasantly surprised (flabber: gasted, haha) by how much it did not hurt my feelings! My thin-skinned self was somehow completely fine...maybe even kind of dementedly delighted?... with a review that felt like it genuinely engaged with the story I worked very hard on, even if it wasn't the reviewer's favorite. Criticism is an art form of its own—one authors need in order to live in a world that continues to ask for books!—and I love your advice to work on reviews with the energy people bring to their poetry. I hope you still write about that Steve Madden interview too!!
Oh my gosh, Stuart! Good for you! I am such a sensitive little bat I probably would take it to heart, but maybe not if it actually engaged with the work! That’s the whole point! Sending you ten more glowing reviews!
💙💙💙
i love this
Such a good point on the power of book reviews for writers starting out, Cassie. Writing reviews can definitely help a writer build momentum and new relationships with editors.
"Regular shmegular"....my new phrase! If the reviewers and the reviewees are struggling to find which way to go with a book, it might be time for one of your Maps. Great writing today Cassie, you keep me reading and smiling.
I have been reading/ reviewing well over a decade. I've been quoted in books, been thanked, been a character... However, I ALWAYS read the book and leave an honest review and a disclaimer to same. I take the time because I respect the work that goes into a book. I am not going to simply rework what the editor or publisher has sunmerized. I am not paid for this.