- Formerly known as "Writers Manual" -

The Writer Gazette welcomes you!
Look to us for all your writing resource needs!

A Book Reviewer's Beginning
'How I became a Book Reviewer'
by Danielle Naibert

I have been asked numerous times how I got involved in the world of book reviewing. I usually shrug and say, 'it just happened'. But in all reality, it was a long process to get to where I am now. I had to get involved with publishing companies, interact with numerous authors and stretch out into the world of press releases.

I began writing basic book reviews for online zines. I didn't receive any pay or contributor copies but I did receive bylines and respect from
authors. I soon discovered that I could earn money for book reviewing when I fell into a site called Epinions: http://horrorstore.epinions.com. I've been with Epinions for a couple years now and with this site I have earned a new venue for reviewing books. There are other websites where I have started posting my reviews such as Readersvine, Themestream (now closed) and WrittenbyMe. Authors began contacting me, asking me to review their books and add them to the above sites.

It wasn't an all-of-a-sudden deal. I was lucky to receive one book a month at first. I mainly purchased most of the books I reviewed until I was pleasantly surprised in one week by two different directions. One was Keith Herber of Cinescape (www.cinescape.com); he had asked for reviewers on a writing list. I jumped for the opportunity to be included with this interesting site, and I crossed my fingers hoping my email to him would reach him quicker than others from the list. It did, and that was the beginning of working with Mr. Herber.

The other pleasant surprise was an email from the author, Dorothy Morrison. I, out of plain terror, wrote her a letter thanking her for her wonderful book that had touched me deeply as a person. She went to the review, liked it and asked if I would be interested in reviewing for her publishers. I, of course, jumped at the chance, emailed Llewellyn Publications, and within a week I started to receive postcards pertaining to books needing reviewers. I have now been with Llewellyn Publications for one year and enjoy working with them tremendously.

Because Cinescape and Llewellyn Publications trusted my skills as a reviewer, I was able to trust myself and venture out completely into the publishing world. I started using my skills from when I had worked in advertising and spread the word out that a freelance reviewer was open to review books of all genres and from new or established authors. Emails started to pour in from newcomers to the writing world. My book reviewing offered them a free promotional tool, and what author doesn't take advantage of something free.

For others who are interested in writing reviews, I recommend read...read...read. And not just books, but book reviews. 

Basic Outline of Book Review:

• Don't let your book review become too much like a book report.

• A good review should have your personal touch to it. 

• Tell the reader how much the book did or didn't touch you and why.

• Include information about the author's writing style, characters and settings, but don't tell the reader what the whole book is about.

• Find a style that fits you and work with it. I started with very basic reviews until I learned where my own talent led to, and I believe it has brought me to where I am today.

• And lastly, don't give away the ending! 

How To Get Involved with Reviewing:

• Join online writing sites and write reviews on books you have purchased.

• Join writing lists (Topica and Yahoo have a large variety of listings)

• Read online zines and see which ones interest you and are open to submissions for reviewers. Read them for a couple months before jumping in with a query.

• After writing a few reviews that you feel good about, send the URL to the author. (Include a short letter of course, not just the site)

• Check out publishers that are open to reviewers. There are some publishers that look for reviewers for their online sites, this is a good opportunity to show your work to them. I also recommend writing reviews up at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other sites like Authorsden (where you leave a review right on the author's own site)

I am now involved with over 100 authors and over five different publishing companies. I do not charge for my services as a book reviewer; it is a pleasure not a chore. Of course, I do get compensated for my work. Authors have asked me to do their press sheets,  which I do charge a low cost of 20.00 to 75.00 dollars for. I have been asked to write back-cover blurbs, which I do not charge for, but have received payments for without asking. Other compensations have been money donated to my personal site which, of course, is always welcome as money donated to site is used for future contests and purchase of books which I then donate to the local library and schools. But the largest payment I receive for my work, is the respect I have gained from the publishing world, and the honor I have for authors, new and established. The written word is more important to me than the money it brings in but, of course, the cash flow is nice also.

Besides working as a freelance reviewer, Danielle Naibert is also a published author of two books and over 200 short stories. Authors are welcome to email her for more information for reviews at subs@lakefield.net To read some of her reviews and interviews with authors:

The Book Reviewer Site http://www.thebookreviewersite.com
Epinions http://horrorstore.epinions.com/user-blackelve