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Can Blogging About Books Make You Money?

By L.a. Buroker

People who love books like to share their love of books, and they often do this by blogging about them. They'll do book reviews, write-ups on new releases, author interviews, and other posts related to their favorite genres. If you're one these hobbyist bloggers, you're probably not in it for the money...but I bet you wouldn't mind making a little!

Thanks to affiliate programs, it's always been possible to make a few pennies here and there promoting titles listed on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc., but changes in the last couple years are making it possible for more and more "book bloggers" to make respectable amounts of money from their sites. Few are making enough to live on, but lots are earning a nice part-time income from their passion.

The changes I speak of have largely been brought about by the eBook revolution.

The increasing popularity of eBook reading devices such as the Kindle, iPad, Nook, etc. has created a new audience of folks who purchase books (ebooks) regularly. People who previously bought a title or two a month are loading up their e-readers. Having novels automatically delivered to your device makes shopping super easy. The number of low-priced and even free ebooks is helping fuel people's excitement for digital purchases.

Also, the eBook revolution has made self-publishing or "e-publishing" easier than ever, and this has created a wave of independent authors selling their titles at affordable prices. While readers might cringe at the idea of spending $10 for an eBook from a mainstream author, they might go on to purchase several novels in the $0.99 to $2.99 price range. And, thanks to generous royalty rates from online retailers such as Barnes & Noble and Amazon, indie authors can still make money offering their works at these lower prices.

By now, you're probably wondering how all this translates into bloggers making money.

There are a couple ways book bloggers (people who review books, write about new releases, interview authors, etc.) are cashing in on this phenomenon. The first is with the affiliate marketing we mentioned before. That's basically being paid on commission for promoting books or ebooks for Amazon, Smashwords, B&N, etc.

Affiliate programs have been around since the being of e-commerce, but the eBook craze is making it easier to sell products to people. Ebooks can be purchased with a single click. They're then automatically delivered to people's e-readers. This eliminates shipping charges and extra steps dealing with shopping carts and filling in addresses and credit card information.

Another way book bloggers are profiting from the indie eBook revolution is by selling advertising directly or indirectly to independent authors. Though publishing houses look down their noses at these small hobby blogs, indie authors are eager to get the word out about their offerings. They're looking to be seen, especially on blogs that attract people who happen to be in their target audience. As you might imagine, a science fiction author would love to have his work displayed on a blog that reviews popular science fiction books and ebooks. And he might just be willing to pay for it!

If you have a book blog, you may be able to turn that hobby into a part-time income. If you don't have a book blog yet, but you enjoy reading, now might be the time to start!

The author maintains an e-publishing blog for ebook authors. She's written a popular post on How to Make Money Promoting Ebooks, and you might find it interesting if you're looking to start making some money with your book blog.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Can-Blogging-About-Books-Make-You-Money?&id=5756037] Can Blogging About Books Make You Money?

How to Become a Book Reviewer

So you want to be a book reviewer. You love to read books and you think you can make some extra money by writing book reviews, or maybe you're an author who is a bit frustrated that you can't get reviews so you decide to start reviewing books yourself, or you think by writing reviews, you might get people interested in reading your books.

Those are all great reasons to become a book reviewer, but how do you go about it, and what standards or guidelines do you need to follow?

Book Reviewer Qualifications
In this Internet age, anyone can be a book reviewer, but some basic qualifications are needed to become established as a reputable and reliable one. You don't need a Ph.D. in English, you don't have to be an expert in anything, and you don't have to be an author. But you do need to have a good command of the English language and be able to express yourself well. You also want to have a professional attitude, be fair, and be thoughtful about how you express your opinion, not only reacting based upon your own preferences but also considering the book's intended audience and what you think the majority opinion may be toward the book. In short, being balanced yet honest are key qualities for a successful book reviewer.

Getting Started
People get started reviewing books in numerous ways. Many authors begin by swapping books and writing reviews for each other as a way of mutually supporting their fellow authors. You might want to begin by writing reviews and posting them at Amazon or Barnes & Noble's websites, or any of the reader/book lover sites such as LibraryThing. You might even decide to set up your own blog or website where you can post your book reviews. Today, many bloggers are their own independent book reviewers. If you don't want to run your own blog, you might connect with bloggers to be their guest book reviewer. Don't overlook the possibilities of reviewing online or in print-potential homes for your book reviews are endless.

If you really want to learn the ropes of book reviewing, you may want to start out by writing reviews for an established book review service or publication. While print publications are phasing out book reviews, many magazines and newspapers still carry reviews. Some of these publications have an established book reviewer or book review team while others solicit reviews. Send a query to the publication and ask whether it would be interested in a review of a specific book, or whether you can write reviews for them-many of them receive books in the mail that they might be willing to send you. Online review services, including Reader Views, Review the Book, and Feathered Quill Reviews also have book review teams. Many of these services are set up so readers can choose the books they want to review. Some of these services offer monetary compensation for reviewing books while others offer only a copy of the book to be reviewed as compensation. In either case, it's a great way to get started earning your book reviewer credentials.

Finding Your Niche as a Reviewer
At first, you might want to review any book you can to earn your credentials and become known as a book reviewer, but over time, you might decide you want to become an expert reviewer for certain types of books, such as romance novels or self-help. Several reviewers/bloggers exist who focus solely on one type of book. If you are already an author, you may want to review books similar to yours, whether they are mysteries, thrillers, or cookbooks. If you have certain credentials, such as being an archeologist, a history professor, or a licensed psychologist, you may want to focus on reviewing books in those fields. If you're a stay-at-home mom, you may want to review children's books or parenting books. And by all means, don't forget the self-published authors. Yes, you might like to read John Grisham's novels, but he probably doesn't need your book reviews to boost sales, so consider writing a review for a self-published author who just wrote his first thriller and is trying to get exposure. That way, you will both be doing each other a favor, promoting the book together through your review. Self-published authors can be extremely grateful for your help and then refer their friends to you so you can quickly build your credentials and clientele.

Reviewing for Money
When you start out being a reviewer, you probably want to review some books for free just to get your name out there and build up your credentials. You might offer your services to the members of an authors association and give a special low price for a review. Many authors are not going to pay $50, much less $600 for a book review (yes, there are reviewers who charge $600), but they might be willing to give you a copy of their book and $25. As you become known and increase your credentials, you can always charge more. Don't be embarrassed about charging to write reviews. You are committing your time to reading the book, and it can take anywhere from a couple of hours to more than twenty to read a book, not to mention the time you spend writing the review and preparing it for publication, whether online or in print.

Good and Bad Reviews
Be prepared that if you decide to write negative reviews, some authors and readers will be angry. If you are charging for a review, you may especially have problems here. You will need to decide whether you will only write reviews of books you like, or be honest regardless of whether you like the book. You should always be ethical and not write good reviews just for the money-readers who find you have praised a book that is poorly written will quickly quit reading your reviews. Be upfront with authors and let them know you will be honest in your opinions. You might establish a policy that if you can't give three stars or higher in a review, you'll still write the review but not publish it, and that the author can consider the review as an evaluation with pointers for making the book better. You're bound to have someone not like a review you wrote, but while reviewers should be professional in what they say, reviews are also subjective and understood to be based in personal opinion.

Let the Book Reviewing Begin
I hope these few tips will help you get started on your career as a book reviewer. You will find that book reviewing can be time-consuming, but it can also be enjoyable and enlightening; you will probably become much more knowledgeable about topics that interest you while your horizons expand as you read new books you otherwise never would have experienced. Books can change the world, and by helping readers select the best books to read, you are doing your part to make the world a better place.

Irene Watson is the Managing Editor of Reader Views, where avid readers can find reviews of recently published books as well as read interviews with authors. Her team also provides author publicity and a variety of other services specific to writing and publishing books.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/55650279:50 PM 9/18/2018

Write Book Reviews For Other Authors

Why You Should Write Book Reviews For Other Authors

By Jan Verhoeff

If you're writing non-fiction books, you should be reading non-fiction books. Why? You might ask, and you know I'm going to tell you... If you're writing non-fiction, you'll want to read in the area you're writing, to make sure your content is fresh, different, and valuable.

But do use their books for inspiration, for publication style, concept delivery, and comparison. Other writers in your industry are a direct link and connection to other readers in your industry. Connect, and befriend writers who actively promote information in the industry! They will be your best assets.

Review Their Books -

Did you know that writers read every review? They do. They may say they don't, or tell you they don't care about bad reviews, but they do. And even moreso, they read and remember good reviews - and good reviewers. They'll think about the words and thoughts from a good reviewer, and quite often even mention them on their blog. But THAT isn't why you're writing the review.

The reason you should write reviews for other writers in your industry is to improve your ability to recognize and understand good information. The better the information in their book, the better your review should be. I would even encourage you to not write a bad review - even if the book is really bad - but to find something good to write about. If it's really bad, you can focus on the good part and mention that you found some parts to be redundant or overwritten, etc. but find and point out the GOOD first. Be sure your review on Amazon or Barnes and Noble includes at least a 100 words - seriously, you're a writer, you should be able to write at least 100 words about ANYTHING.

Visit Their Blogs - Does this writer have a blog? Or a discussion going on Amazon? Visit their blog, add comments to blog posts, mention that you've read their books, and add to the conversation on the blogs. Ask questions. Do you have any experience with other writers in this genre? Do you recommend other writers? Is there one thing you'd do differently now that your book is published? Find a quantifiable question and ask it.

Hopefully, they'll respond to your comment, maybe even visit your blog! Interacting builds connection, and you could make a new friend. Invite Them to Review Your Books and Visit Your Blogs -

Remember the basis for your interest? Building connections. Growing relationships. Doing whatever it takes to build an audience in your industry means actually connecting with other writers.

Are you looking for places to post your book reviews, beyond the book store, or your blog? There are many places to post reviews.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-You-Should-Write-Book-Reviews-For-Other-Authors&id=10196633] Why You Should Write Book Reviews For Other Authors

Use Book Reviews To Market Your Business

How To Use Book Reviews To Market Your Business

By Daniel Kanuck

Would you like to earn more money in your business? I guess that's kind of a rhetorical question, but it's something that I just had to ask you. You see most business owners want to make more money in their business, but they have no idea as to how to go about making it happen.

The bottom line is that any business can be made more profitable. All it takes is some hard work and dedication, and profitable days are soon ahead. If you've been working hard in your business and aren't seeing the sales that you had hoped for, then more than likely you're wasting your time on ineffective marketing techniques - or are either doing the technique completely wrong.

Today, I want to show you a technique that can get you more repeat sales, and will get your customers to follow your recommendations. This technique is powerful in the world of internet marketing (particularly in the field of affiliate marketing), but it can also be used in the offline world also.

Let's take a look at this marketing strategy: - Book reviews

Book reviews are a great way to get a customer to learn something new. It doesn't matter if you wrote the book, or if you're simply recommending another book for them to read. You can get customers to really take your advice seriously - assuming of course, if the book is good.

Before recommending a book to your customer list, make sure you've bought and read the book also. You want to do this because when a customer asks you about a topic in the book, you know exactly what they're talking about. And honestly... it's best if you can offer the book review about a book that you wrote.

This will make you seem like the obvious person to do business with. You see there's a concept called the "obvious expert in your niche" that not a lot of business owners know about. All this means is that prospects come to you, instead of you coming to them - because they feel like you're the obvious person that they should be doing business with.

In your book review, make it seem like an honest review. Point out any flaws that the book has and be sure to highlight its attributes. If you have problems writing a book review, simply follow the templates of affiliate marketers online.

For example, to find someone doing a book review online, just go to Google.com and type in "affiliate marketing review". You will see a lot of review-pages showing up in Google, and you will want to study the style of these reviews. After you have gotten the gist of how you should create your review, it's time to start putting what you learned into action.

Get started writing your book review and when you're doing, put it up on your website and also mail it out to your customers - with an included package insert that sells more of your services.

Book reviews are a great way to get a customer to trust you. Just make sure that the book is worthwhile, and that your customers will get the most out of it.

Good luck with using book reviews to make more money in your business.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Use-Book-Reviews-To-Market-Your-Business&id=6315023] How To Use Book Reviews To Market Your Business

How to Create a PDF File in 3 Simple Steps!

PDF has become the internet standard over the last few years, and many people and companies have found the ease of use of this well known document format: you can spread it easily, almost everyone can open it, it looks very professional and you don't have to worry about anyone modifying or stealing your text or images!

You can't browse around the internet nowadays without coming across a few PDF files. There's a good reason for that: more and more different software programs are being released, all using different document types, and there really was, and still is, a high need for 1 standard document format.

So PDF is a great format, and most people already know you can open these PDF files with the free Acrobat Reader tool. But what most people don't know is how to create a PDF File. And that's really a shame as creating your own PDF Files can be so easy, and even more important: it saves you so much trouble when trying to share your documents with friends, family or maybe the whole internet. So time to change that!

There are plenty of solutions around on the internet, one more difficult or pricey than another. I've picked, in my opinion, the simplest solution which works pretty straight forwarded and lets you create PDF files from almost any program. You can find it at http://www.mypdfcreator.com, but let's start with a small tutorial on the 3 steps to create your own PDF files:

Step1) Selecting Print

The MyPDFCreator tool acts like it's some sort of a printer. (You don't need a real printer to be able to create your own PDF documents.) This might sound a bit confusing, but it's actually really useful as you can now simply select the program from any application that can print. So let's say you want to simply convert a Word document to PDF. Open up your Word file, and click on File, and then Print to bring up the Print Window.

Step2) Selecting PDF Creator

You'll now see the standard Windows print dialog containing a dropdown list with printer names. Make sure PDF Creator is selected and then simply click on 'OK'.

Step3) Selecting the desired filename.

You'll now see a simple PDF Creator window with a few options and buttons. You can email your file directly, or apply some security settings if you want, but simply click on the large 'Save' button to select a filename and save your new PDF File.

And that's it: just follow these 3 simple steps and you'll have your own PDF file in a few clicks and in a matter of seconds. This works for all documents and programs: as long as you can print your document, you can save it as a PDF file!

You should check out the original http://www.mypdfcreator.com site, if you want or need some extra tutorials including screenshots/images.

Happy PDFing!

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Abby_Randal/63831

5 Proven Ways to Get Book Reviews

By Kathleen Gage

Getting a book published is a lot easier, and simpler, than in years past. From idea to publication it can be a matter of weeks, even days.

As in the past, publishing is the easy part. Sure, in the eyes of the author, that may seem farfetched. Yet, ask any author who has made money from their books and they will likely say the marketing takes more effort.

You see, once the book is written, it's done. With marketing, it's an ongoing process. One that must be attended to on a daily basis, if you want to get the best results possible.

The main thing you have to do is generate interest in your book. There are countless ways to generate interest including media releases, email broadcast messages, blog posts and paid advertising. One of the best, and often overlooked by an author, is reader reviews.

Reviews give readers a sense of what the book is about thus increasing sales. Reviews are also excellent social proof that the book is worth reading. Granted, some authors get bogus reviews, but ethical authors do what they can to get "real" reviews.

To give your reviews a lot of weight, avoid paying for them. Actually, your book can be banned from some sites if it is found the reviews have been paid for.

Additionally, avoid the, "I'll review your book if you review my book" temptation. This is a hard road to travel and Amazon frowns upon this practice.

The surest way to get great reviews is write a quality book.

Although you definitely should not pay for reviews, you can be proactive in your approach. The following will get you moving in the right direction.

1. Your immediate circle of influence including family, friends and business colleagues who would be willing to review your book.

2. Influencers in your industry whose review would make a difference to a potential buyer.

3. Connections, friends and followers on your social networks.

4. Other reviewers. Check out reviews of other books in your genre and contact the reviewers to see if they would be interested in reviewing your book.

5. Members of book clubs. There are lots of book clubs with members eager to review books.

The key is to be proactive about asking people. Once you have a few reviews, other readers will likely leave reviews. One way to encourage readers to review you Kindle book is to add a page at the end of the book requesting their feedback.

Something like, "I appreciate reader feedback and would appreciate a review left on Amazon." You can add a live link to make the process of them going back to the book page as simple as possible.

Hit #1 on Amazon - FREE report shows you how. If you're an expert who has written a book, or plans to, learn how to get to the top of the Amazon charts. http://www.oneonamazon.com

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?5-Proven-Ways-to-Get-Book-Reviews&id=9482414] 5 Proven Ways to Get Book Reviews

Steps on Becoming a Book Reviewer

So you want to be a book reviewer. You love to read books and you think you can make some extra money by writing book reviews, or maybe you're an author who is a bit frustrated that you can't get reviews so you decide to start reviewing books yourself, or you think by writing reviews, you might get people interested in reading your books.

Those are all great reasons to become a book reviewer, but how do you go about it, and what standards or guidelines do you need to follow?

Book Reviewer Qualifications
In this Internet age, anyone can be a book reviewer, but some basic qualifications are needed to become established as a reputable and reliable one. You don't need a Ph.D. in English, you don't have to be an expert in anything, and you don't have to be an author. But you do need to have a good command of the English language and be able to express yourself well. You also want to have a professional attitude, be fair, and be thoughtful about how you express your opinion, not only reacting based upon your own preferences but also considering the book's intended audience and what you think the majority opinion may be toward the book. In short, being balanced yet honest are key qualities for a successful book reviewer.

Getting Started
People get started reviewing books in numerous ways. Many authors begin by swapping books and writing reviews for each other as a way of mutually supporting their fellow authors. You might want to begin by writing reviews and posting them at Amazon or Barnes & Noble's websites, or any of the reader/book lover sites such as LibraryThing. You might even decide to set up your own blog or website where you can post your book reviews. Today, many bloggers are their own independent book reviewers. If you don't want to run your own blog, you might connect with bloggers to be their guest book reviewer. Don't overlook the possibilities of reviewing online or in print-potential homes for your book reviews are endless.

If you really want to learn the ropes of book reviewing, you may want to start out by writing reviews for an established book review service or publication. While print publications are phasing out book reviews, many magazines and newspapers still carry reviews. Some of these publications have an established book reviewer or book review team while others solicit reviews. Send a query to the publication and ask whether it would be interested in a review of a specific book, or whether you can write reviews for them-many of them receive books in the mail that they might be willing to send you. Online review services, including Reader Views, Review the Book, and Feathered Quill Reviews also have book review teams. Many of these services are set up so readers can choose the books they want to review. Some of these services offer monetary compensation for reviewing books while others offer only a copy of the book to be reviewed as compensation. In either case, it's a great way to get started earning your book reviewer credentials.

Finding Your Niche as a Reviewer
At first, you might want to review any book you can to earn your credentials and become known as a book reviewer, but over time, you might decide you want to become an expert reviewer for certain types of books, such as romance novels or self-help. Several reviewers/bloggers exist who focus solely on one type of book. If you are already an author, you may want to review books similar to yours, whether they are mysteries, thrillers, or cookbooks. If you have certain credentials, such as being an archeologist, a history professor, or a licensed psychologist, you may want to focus on reviewing books in those fields. If you're a stay-at-home mom, you may want to review children's books or parenting books. And by all means, don't forget the self-published authors. Yes, you might like to read John Grisham's novels, but he probably doesn't need your book reviews to boost sales, so consider writing a review for a self-published author who just wrote his first thriller and is trying to get exposure. That way, you will both be doing each other a favor, promoting the book together through your review. Self-published authors can be extremely grateful for your help and then refer their friends to you so you can quickly build your credentials and clientele.

Reviewing for Money
When you start out being a reviewer, you probably want to review some books for free just to get your name out there and build up your credentials. You might offer your services to the members of an authors association and give a special low price for a review. Many authors are not going to pay $50, much less $600 for a book review (yes, there are reviewers who charge $600), but they might be willing to give you a copy of their book and $25. As you become known and increase your credentials, you can always charge more. Don't be embarrassed about charging to write reviews. You are committing your time to reading the book, and it can take anywhere from a couple of hours to more than twenty to read a book, not to mention the time you spend writing the review and preparing it for publication, whether online or in print.

Good and Bad Reviews
Be prepared that if you decide to write negative reviews, some authors and readers will be angry. If you are charging for a review, you may especially have problems here. You will need to decide whether you will only write reviews of books you like, or be honest regardless of whether you like the book. You should always be ethical and not write good reviews just for the money-readers who find you have praised a book that is poorly written will quickly quit reading your reviews. Be upfront with authors and let them know you will be honest in your opinions. You might establish a policy that if you can't give three stars or higher in a review, you'll still write the review but not publish it, and that the author can consider the review as an evaluation with pointers for making the book better. You're bound to have someone not like a review you wrote, but while reviewers should be professional in what they say, reviews are also subjective and understood to be based in personal opinion.

Let the Book Reviewing Begin
I hope these few tips will help you get started on your career as a book reviewer. You will find that book reviewing can be time-consuming, but it can also be enjoyable and enlightening; you will probably become much more knowledgeable about topics that interest you while your horizons expand as you read new books you otherwise never would have experienced. Books can change the world, and by helping readers select the best books to read, you are doing your part to make the world a better place.

Irene Watson is the Managing Editor of Reader Views, where avid readers can find reviews of recently published books as well as read interviews with authors. Her team also provides author publicity and a variety of other services specific to writing and publishing books.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/55650279:50 PM 9/18/2018

New and old books Reports and Reviews

Book Reports - Sample Format

By Gwen Nicodemus

More books exist today than any one person can possibly read. Amazon lists tons of books. Libraries have many shelves on many floors of books. ISBN numbers have three more digits than they did before.

Because there are so many books, and because we have limited time in our lives, people write book reviews. A good book review can help a person decide whether he or she should invest the time into reading a book.

Book reports are the first step toward book reviews. Book reports for children are usually forms that the child fills out. Unlike the book report form, an actual book review is an essay.

Some elements of a book review are common. Use this checklist to make sure your book report is valuable to its readers.

Write an outline for your review. An outline helps you keep on track while writing the actual review. Identify the book's name and author. If the book you read is good and you recommend it to someone, that person needs to be able to find the book at the library or bookstore. This information helps people find books at libraries and bookstores. It is okay to include the genre of the book, the publisher, and the publishing date, but this information is less critical.

State your thesis. What is your take on the book? What is your thesis? Make this clear in the first paragraph of your review. "This book is a must read for ferret lovers." "This book is a waste of time unless you like ferrets." "This book had an interesting take on ferrets that went against current mainstream opinions."

Support your thesis while describing characters in the book, the setting, and the basic elements of the plot-but do not give away too much information. Children do book reports to prove to their teacher that they read and understood a book. You are doing a book review to provide a service. Giving away too much information takes away that service. If a person does decide to read the book, enough of the book needs to be a surprise that it is as enjoyable for them as it was for you.

Provide a conclusion reiterating your thesis.

Readability

Spell correctly. Use a spell checker. Read the review when finished and check for homonyms and other errors that spell checkers do not get.

Use correct grammar. Proofread your review and make sure the grammar is correct. Consult style guides when needed.

Do not over format your review. Stick to one font. Go ahead and use headings if you want to, but minimize the number of fonts you use. The majority of the text in your review should be in a serif font, because those are easier to read.

Give it time and proofread your review again. Let your review sit over night or for two days and then proof it again. Alternatively, better yet, have another person proof it.

Gwen Nicodemus is a freelance engineer/writer and a homeschooling mom. Visit her website, Notion Nexus, for unit studies, worksheets, notes, and educational videos.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Book-Reports---Sample-Format&id=5136213] Book Reports - Sample Format

How to Write an Effective Book Review

How to Write an Effective Book Review That Helps Readers Decide If They Want to Read a Book

By Marcia K Applegate

There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of people who review books for publication in magazines and newspapers, many more who review books on the Web. If you add in those who review magazines, newspapers, movies, theater, blogs, websites, Facebook styles, Twitter tweets, what have you, it may reach into the millions (well, that's an overstatement but you get my point).

Some reviewers are good enough at reviewing that they are paid and paid well for their thoughts on what they've read. Some do what I might characterize as a journeyman's job, competent but not inspired, while others are absolutely, abysmally awful, and shouldn't be allowed near a pen, pencil or computer when they're in a reviewing mode.

Reviewers-whether their interest is fiction or non-fiction, pop music or classical, television shows, movies, magazines, blogs or what-have-you-all have their own reviewing styles. I've been writing, for pay and for fun, for many years. And I've been reading. I've read hundreds of thousands of words in print and on the Internet, and have developed strong opinions not only on what makes good writing, but what makes a good review of writing.

What follows is an overview of my personal reviewing style, "reviewing style" meaning how I prepare to write a review, not the actual words I use. But make no mistake, the actual words come from the preparation.

Because I specialize in book reviewing, primarily mysteries and mainstream, with only a smattering about blogs and similar activities, and have never reviewed music or a movie-except among friends-I'm going to limit myself in this post to my thoughts on reviewing books. Another note for complete disclosure: I am not talking about reviewing textbooks, or technical or scholarly tomes that are written for a specific and equally technical or scholarly audience. I am talking about novels, anthologies of short stories, the kinds of things we read mostly for pleasure. So here is my answer to my own question. What makes a good review?

The first thing I do when I review a book is: I READ THE BOOK! Don't laugh. To write a review by snitching from other reviews or copying what booksellers advertise about it is not at all funny. It is not only unfunny, it's unfair to the writer, and it's dishonest. It shouldn't happen.

Yet I've read more than one book review that wasn't much different from a CliffsNotes. In such cases, it's easy to see that the reviewer had not actually spent time with the book, except possibly the jacket blurb. In recent days, I've read reviews of the same book in different publications that used identical language with no credit to a reviewer, so I couldn't tell if they were written by the same person or if others were "borrowing." Sometimes, reviewers apparently skimmed through the book, began to write too soon and in doing so, missed critical points.

Note, however, that I do read ABOUT a book before I settle in to read it for my review. I look at the publishers blurbs, knowing of course their biases. I read the jacket notes, and I always read the foreword and the afterword before I start the actual reading. In books that are heavily footnoted-such as the Teddy Roosevelt trilogy I'm reading now-I look at those back-of-the-book pages also, before I begin reading. I suspect that some writers would prefer that readers not read their afterword until afterward-sorry, couldn't resist-after they have finished the book, but I find that it makes the story more pleasurable to read, and that's what, to me, this kind of reading is about.

As I read a book for review, I note chapters and pages to read a second time. I don't make extensive notes because that interferes with reading; from the earliest pages I want to get a feel for the flow of the story, so I make more mental notes than physical ones. The times when I let my intent to publish a review of the book interfere with reading is when I find a sentence or paragraph that I may want to quote, or if there is a significant philosophical or cultural point being made that I don't want to lose.

Among the mental notes I make are my reaction to the writer's style, effectiveness in pulling me in, making me part of the tale being told. I look for idiosyncrasies in people and places that take them out of the ordinary. I note particular turns of phrase or uses of words or descriptions that charm me-or scare me sufficiently to include in the review. And I look for personal characteristics, about the tale being told or the writer, that I can describe that will give the reader additional insight.

My goals in writing a review are two-fold. First, I want to speak to the reader as if we were sitting at my kitchen table sharing thoughts about what we've been reading. I don't pontificate or lecture as if I possess some kind of arcane knowledge about what the writer was thinking. I use first person quite a lot-"I thought... I liked... I hope the reader... my reaction...." and so on. To sum all that up, I want some of me, some of my personal reaction to the book, to come through clearly.

Then, I want to capture the overall feel of the book, share a hint of what I learned about the actors in the story, and the settings in which the author put them without giving anything away that shouldn't be. Books, I believe, have their own unique personalities beyond their plots, even though they are paper and print or words on a screen, and I want the reader to sense that personality. That's what makes people want to read something.

If I really don't like a book at all, I won't write a review. I am a reviewer, not a literary critic. That's my own choice. I want to always treat a book's author with respect, and can usually find a delicate way to put a light critical touch in a review, if necessary. The writer has put time and effort into the work, I respect that, and my not liking it doesn't mean others won't.

But I will never resort to sarcasm or nastiness as some reviewers do. I recently-on this blog-wrote a diatribe about a major flaw in a book I had just read. It wasn't a review, it was just plain old-fashioned blow-off-steam criticism, and I did not use the writer's name or put any identifying material in it. And I will continue to read that writer's output.

I've had years of experience of having my own writing reviewed and reviewing that of others, accepting and giving criticism, and I've learned the importance of saying what I think, but saying it kindly. So that's how I look at my challenges as a reviewer of some wonderful books, some ordinary books, and some that are, well-unreviewable.

About Marcia Applegate

Retired communications consultant with major firms, writer, columnist, blogger, living in Asheville N.C., moved here from Chicago, love Asheville mountain scenery and people, still miss Chicago, though. Children, Grandchildren, great grands scattered across the country. Love reading, of course, love reviewing what I read, and have lots and lots of opinions on this and that.

Go to for this and other opinion articles and book reviews, mostly about mystery, but other kinds of reading as well. While you're there, look around, then leave me a comment telling me what you think.

I'd love to hear from you.

Mystery Lady tweets as meladolce.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Write-an-Effective-Book-Review-That-Helps-Readers-Decide-If-They-Want-to-Read-a-Book&id=6673141] How to Write an Effective Book Review That Helps Readers Decide If They Want to Read a Book

Steps on Becoming a Book Reviewer

By Irene Watson

So you want to be a book reviewer. You love to read books and you think you can make some extra money by writing book reviews, or maybe you're an author who is a bit frustrated that you can't get reviews so you decide to start reviewing books yourself, or you think by writing reviews, you might get people interested in reading your books.

Those are all great reasons to become a book reviewer, but how do you go about it, and what standards or guidelines do you need to follow?

Book Reviewer Qualifications
In this Internet age, anyone can be a book reviewer, but some basic qualifications are needed to become established as a reputable and reliable one. You don't need a Ph.D. in English, you don't have to be an expert in anything, and you don't have to be an author. But you do need to have a good command of the English language and be able to express yourself well. You also want to have a professional attitude, be fair, and be thoughtful about how you express your opinion, not only reacting based upon your own preferences but also considering the book's intended audience and what you think the majority opinion may be toward the book. In short, being balanced yet honest are key qualities for a successful book reviewer.

Getting Started
People get started reviewing books in numerous ways. Many authors begin by swapping books and writing reviews for each other as a way of mutually supporting their fellow authors. You might want to begin by writing reviews and posting them at Amazon or Barnes & Noble's websites, or any of the reader/book lover sites such as LibraryThing. You might even decide to set up your own blog or website where you can post your book reviews. Today, many bloggers are their own independent book reviewers. If you don't want to run your own blog, you might connect with bloggers to be their guest book reviewer. Don't overlook the possibilities of reviewing online or in print-potential homes for your book reviews are endless.

If you really want to learn the ropes of book reviewing, you may want to start out by writing reviews for an established book review service or publication. While print publications are phasing out book reviews, many magazines and newspapers still carry reviews. Some of these publications have an established book reviewer or book review team while others solicit reviews. Send a query to the publication and ask whether it would be interested in a review of a specific book, or whether you can write reviews for them-many of them receive books in the mail that they might be willing to send you. Online review services, including Reader Views, Review the Book, and Feathered Quill Reviews also have book review teams. Many of these services are set up so readers can choose the books they want to review. Some of these services offer monetary compensation for reviewing books while others offer only a copy of the book to be reviewed as compensation. In either case, it's a great way to get started earning your book reviewer credentials.

Finding Your Niche as a Reviewer
At first, you might want to review any book you can to earn your credentials and become known as a book reviewer, but over time, you might decide you want to become an expert reviewer for certain types of books, such as romance novels or self-help. Several reviewers/bloggers exist who focus solely on one type of book. If you are already an author, you may want to review books similar to yours, whether they are mysteries, thrillers, or cookbooks. If you have certain credentials, such as being an archeologist, a history professor, or a licensed psychologist, you may want to focus on reviewing books in those fields. If you're a stay-at-home mom, you may want to review children's books or parenting books. And by all means, don't forget the self-published authors. Yes, you might like to read John Grisham's novels, but he probably doesn't need your book reviews to boost sales, so consider writing a review for a self-published author who just wrote his first thriller and is trying to get exposure. That way, you will both be doing each other a favor, promoting the book together through your review. Self-published authors can be extremely grateful for your help and then refer their friends to you so you can quickly build your credentials and clientele.

Reviewing for Money
When you start out being a reviewer, you probably want to review some books for free just to get your name out there and build up your credentials. You might offer your services to the members of an authors association and give a special low price for a review. Many authors are not going to pay $50, much less $600 for a book review (yes, there are reviewers who charge $600), but they might be willing to give you a copy of their book and $25. As you become known and increase your credentials, you can always charge more. Don't be embarrassed about charging to write reviews. You are committing your time to reading the book, and it can take anywhere from a couple of hours to more than twenty to read a book, not to mention the time you spend writing the review and preparing it for publication, whether online or in print.

Good and Bad Reviews
Be prepared that if you decide to write negative reviews, some authors and readers will be angry. If you are charging for a review, you may especially have problems here. You will need to decide whether you will only write reviews of books you like, or be honest regardless of whether you like the book. You should always be ethical and not write good reviews just for the money-readers who find you have praised a book that is poorly written will quickly quit reading your reviews. Be upfront with authors and let them know you will be honest in your opinions. You might establish a policy that if you can't give three stars or higher in a review, you'll still write the review but not publish it, and that the author can consider the review as an evaluation with pointers for making the book better. You're bound to have someone not like a review you wrote, but while reviewers should be professional in what they say, reviews are also subjective and understood to be based in personal opinion.

Let the Book Reviewing Begin
I hope these few tips will help you get started on your career as a book reviewer. You will find that book reviewing can be time-consuming, but it can also be enjoyable and enlightening; you will probably become much more knowledgeable about topics that interest you while your horizons expand as you read new books you otherwise never would have experienced. Books can change the world, and by helping readers select the best books to read, you are doing your part to make the world a better place.

Irene Watson is the Managing Editor of Reader Views, where avid readers can find reviews of recently published books as well as read interviews with authors. Her team also provides author publicity and a variety of other services specific to writing and publishing books.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Irene_Watson/17463
http://EzineArticles.com/?Steps-on-Becoming-a-Book-Reviewer&id=5565027

Steps on Becoming a Book Reviewer

By Irene Watson

Those are all great reasons to become a book reviewer, but how do you go about it, and what standards or guidelines do you need to follow?

Book Reviewer Qualifications

In this Internet age, anyone can be a book reviewer, but some basic qualifications are needed to become established as a reputable and reliable one. You don't need a Ph.D. in English, you don't have to be an expert in anything, and you don't have to be an author. But you do need to have a good command of the English language and be able to express yourself well. You also want to have a professional attitude, be fair, and be thoughtful about how you express your opinion, not only reacting based upon your own preferences but also considering the book's intended audience and what you think the majority opinion may be toward the book. In short, being balanced yet honest are key qualities for a successful book reviewer.

Getting Started

People get started reviewing books in numerous ways. Many authors begin by swapping books and writing reviews for each other as a way of mutually supporting their fellow authors. You might want to begin by writing reviews and posting them at Amazon or Barnes & Noble's websites, or any of the reader/book lover sites such as LibraryThing. You might even decide to set up your own blog or website where you can post your book reviews. Today, many bloggers are their own independent book reviewers. If you don't want to run your own blog, you might connect with bloggers to be their guest book reviewer. Don't overlook the possibilities of reviewing online or in print-potential homes for your book reviews are endless.

If you really want to learn the ropes of book reviewing, you may want to start out by writing reviews for an established book review service or publication. While print publications are phasing out book reviews, many magazines and newspapers still carry reviews. Some of these publications have an established book reviewer or book review team while others solicit reviews. Send a query to the publication and ask whether it would be interested in a review of a specific book, or whether you can write reviews for them-many of them receive books in the mail that they might be willing to send you. Online review services, including Reader Views, Review the Book, and Feathered Quill Reviews also have book review teams. Many of these services are set up so readers can choose the books they want to review. Some of these services offer monetary compensation for reviewing books while others offer only a copy of the book to be reviewed as compensation. In either case, it's a great way to get started earning your book reviewer credentials.

Finding Your Niche as a Reviewer

At first, you might want to review any book you can to earn your credentials and become known as a book reviewer, but over time, you might decide you want to become an expert reviewer for certain types of books, such as romance novels or self-help. Several reviewers/bloggers exist who focus solely on one type of book. If you are already an author, you may want to review books similar to yours, whether they are mysteries, thrillers, or cookbooks. If you have certain credentials, such as being an archeologist, a history professor, or a licensed psychologist, you may want to focus on reviewing books in those fields. If you're a stay-at-home mom, you may want to review children's books or parenting books. And by all means, don't forget the self-published authors. Yes, you might like to read John Grisham's novels, but he probably doesn't need your book reviews to boost sales, so consider writing a review for a self-published author who just wrote his first thriller and is trying to get exposure. That way, you will both be doing each other a favor, promoting the book together through your review. Self-published authors can be extremely grateful for your help and then refer their friends to you so you can quickly build your credentials and clientele.

Reviewing for Money

When you start out being a reviewer, you probably want to review some books for free just to get your name out there and build up your credentials. You might offer your services to the members of an authors association and give a special low price for a review. Many authors are not going to pay $50, much less $600 for a book review (yes, there are reviewers who charge $600), but they might be willing to give you a copy of their book and $25. As you become known and increase your credentials, you can always charge more. Don't be embarrassed about charging to write reviews. You are committing your time to reading the book, and it can take anywhere from a couple of hours to more than twenty to read a book, not to mention the time you spend writing the review and preparing it for publication, whether online or in print.

Good and Bad Reviews

Be prepared that if you decide to write negative reviews, some authors and readers will be angry. If you are charging for a review, you may especially have problems here. You will need to decide whether you will only write reviews of books you like, or be honest regardless of whether you like the book. You should always be ethical and not write good reviews just for the money-readers who find you have praised a book that is poorly written will quickly quit reading your reviews. Be upfront with authors and let them know you will be honest in your opinions. You might establish a policy that if you can't give three stars or higher in a review, you'll still write the review but not publish it, and that the author can consider the review as an evaluation with pointers for making the book better. You're bound to have someone not like a review you wrote, but while reviewers should be professional in what they say, reviews are also subjective and understood to be based in personal opinion.

Let the Book Reviewing Begin

I hope these few tips will help you get started on your career as a book reviewer. You will find that book reviewing can be time-consuming, but it can also be enjoyable and enlightening; you will probably become much more knowledgeable about topics that interest you while your horizons expand as you read new books you otherwise never would have experienced. Books can change the world, and by helping readers select the best books to read, you are doing your part to make the world a better place.

Irene Watson is the Managing Editor of Reader Views, where avid readers can find http://www.readerviews.com/reviews of recently published books as well as read interviews with authors. Her team also provides author publicity and a variety of other services specific to writing and publishing books.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Steps-on-Becoming-a-Book-Reviewer&id=5565027] Steps on Becoming a Book Reviewer

What Do Book Reviewers Do?

By Michelle Spoils

Book reviewers are those that read books and review them, either on an amateur basis or as a professional. There are plenty of professional book reviewers that read books for a living and then write articles about these books, either recommending them or not recommending them. Book reviewers will read the book and then give a prospective reading a quick synopsis of the book without giving away any spoilers.

The book reviewers will usually tell the reader that they either liked the book or did not like the book within the first few paragraphs. The reader of the review will also be privy to why the reviewer did not like the book, without any many secrets or twists to the plot.

Because of the internet, there are amateur book reviewers all over the place. Anyone can review a book online. If you are looking for a start in this career, you can do so by reviewing books online. Although you will not get paid for this, you can use your reviews as clippings if you are looking for a job as a reviewer.

Book reviewers do not have the most glamorous of professions but it is steady work. Many book reviewers go on to write their own books, eventually, If you are considering writing your own book, one of the best ways to get started is by reading other books in the genre. If you become somewhat of an expert on the genre, you can then become one of the many book reviewers to whom others turn when they consider purchasing a book. Just as movie reviewers can have somewhat of an influence over the movie industry, you can have somewhat of an influence if you begin to publish your book reviews in places like The New Yorker or the New York times, both of which feature the top book reviewers.

If you have a book that you want reviewed, you can ask others who read in this genre to give your book a review. Some writers will have several book reviewers that they will use to tell them if they need changes in a story such as the plotline is too thin or the characters too one dimensional. Book reviewers also work as readers in large publishing houses to determine whether to recommend them to the publisher.

Book reviewers work in all types of capacities, both as professional and non professional. Anywhere you can find books for sale, you can usually find book reviewers. You might even get started in this field by reviewing books for your local book store. Again, this would most likely be a non-paying job, although you might work out a deal with them to allow you to get the latest releases for free.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Do-Book-Reviewers-Do?&id=1638925] What Do Book Reviewers Do?

Reviewing Books Make You a Better Writer

Reviewing Books Makes You a Better Writer

Reviewing Books Makes You a Better Writer
By Renee Kirchner

I have a suggestion for all of the unpublished or little published writers our there. If you want to improve your writing skills, read more books and get writing credits, you might want to apply to be a children's book reviewer. I decided to become a book reviewer over a year ago and it has helped me in many ways.

FREE BOOKS

I knew this would get your attention. Did you know that book reviewers receive FREE BOOKS in the mail? It's true. The publication that you work for will send you a list of books that need reviewing every month or quarter. You then choose books that look interesting and after the publication gets feedback from all of their reviewers, they mail books to each of you. The first time I got home and found a Federal Express envelope on my doorstep with a free book inside, my heart beat a little faster. Most months I receive 2 or 3 children's books that need reviewing. The books are usually hardcover, but not always. They are also new books and you will get to read them before the general public. I don't know about you, but that is exciting to me.

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWERS ARE IN DEMAND

We all have one thing in common: we love children's books. We wouldn't be trying to write for children if we didn't. Most book reviewers are in this business for the free books, but most of them want to read adult fiction. I like adult fiction, but my skills were needed on the children's side. The publishers get too many volunteers to review adult fiction.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

Getting started is surprisingly easy. I write reviews for both Kidsreads.com and Teenreads.com. I originally queried on the Internet to find companies that review books. You might want to start with an online review service and later offer your skills to a print newspaper or magazine. The online review services provide reviewers with free books, but generally do not pay them. Later you could become a paid reviewer when you have clips of your reviews to send to a magazine or newspaper. I wrote a sample review for a middle grade novel I had read. I sent the sample review to several on line review services and I was accepted as a reviewer soon after that.

MEETING DEADLINES

I have learned valuable time management skills as a reviewer. With each book that I receive, I get a review deadline. I usually have about one month to read and write my review of each book, but it is sometimes shorter. This has sharpened my time management skills and it has made me a faster reader. Writing reviews also forces you to cut through the book and write a tight summary. This skill could come in handy if you ever need to write a query letter or a synopsis of a novel.

READERS MAKE BETTER WRITERS

Every writer has heard that you won't have the skills to write unless you read. I now read at least thirty-six children's novels each year in order to write my reviews. Most of the books I have reviewed have been quite good. I have had the thrill of being one of the first to read new books by Patricia Reilly Giff and Walter Dean Myers.

If you like to read children's books as much as I do, I think you might enjoy being a book reviewer. It forces you to read and write on schedule. You will be surprised that when your writing life becomes more structured, you will be a much more productive writer. Good luck and happy reading!

Renee Kirchner is a parent, educator, and freelance writer who specializes in writing for children and parents. Visit her fun and informational blog for parents and their kids at www.family-friend.blogspot.com and find out more about Rneee's writing services offered at www.lieurancegroup.blogspot.com or email her at renee.kirchner@usa.net to discuss possible writing projects.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Renee_Kirchner/35083
http://EzineArticles.com/?Reviewing-Books-Makes-You-a-Better-Writer&id=341592

Using Book Reviews As a Promotion Tool

Can Blogging About Books Make You Money?

By L.a. Buroker

The changes I speak of have largely been brought about by the eBook revolution.

By now, you're probably wondering how all this translates into bloggers making money.

If you have a book blog, you may be able to turn that hobby into a part-time income. If you don't have a book blog yet, but you enjoy reading, now might be the time to start!

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Can-Blogging-About-Books-Make-You-Money?&id=5756037] Can Blogging About Books Make You Money?