I then contacted the third one who had sent a sample review earlier. At first she said she was interested, but indicated she didn't do POD or vanity books. I quickly wrote back and told her that most of our books to be reviewed were POD. She declined to be considered further, indicating that she just couldn't do this kind of book.
Okay, I admit it. At first I was irritated, just a little bit offended. Yes, she does reviews of books that were published--but then, so do we. We just don't "refuse" books that are submitted to us by POD authors. I felt like she was implying that we weren't professional reviewers! Well--Boo Hiss! I say!
Admittedly, we do have some books that come to us with errors. We either refuse to review them or work with these authors to have them corrected. We want to support new authors!
Why should I spend a lot of time reviewing books by James Patterson, Jonathan and Faye Kellerman, Dean Koontz, Linda Howard, N. Roberts/J.D.Robb, Robert B. Parker?and all the many favorite authors I read all the time? These individuals are great authors and everybody knows it! On any bookstore site, you will always find "lots" of great reviews for these books.
I would much rather spend my "review" time with bright new shining stars that are fitting their writing into their busy lives. They are trying to follow their dreams while doing all that needs to be done to keep bread and milk on the table. I can stand to read and mark a few errors to help them move forward in their writing experience. Sometimes I even get to ghostwrite a paragraph or a book closing or a word or two within their books that helps them say what they want to say, just a little bit better.
Having over 40 years of writing experience of one type or another, I take most afternoons and evenings and spend time with my beloved favorite authors. If I wrote a review, what could I say? "Great! As Always!" I do that once in awhile in this blog
Ah, but it is so much more fun, more exciting, to be able to say that I was there right at the beginning--I helped make this individual's first book happen! I let people know that this new author, though lacking a lot of writing experience, has dreamed and believed enough in himself/herself to ensure that they broke into the publishing world--whether through POD, a small press publisher, self-publishing, or even vanity!
I've enjoyed lots of great books that I might never have had the opportunity to read had I not agreed to read books that are by these new authors, finding a place for themselves via the new technologies in publishing.
So, to those of you, including the big publishers, who don't have time or don't care to "risk" money on these new authors...well, I can only pity you. If God has given me a talent to read/enjoy books and a skill that allows me to help new authors find their way in the harsh publishing world, then that may indeed be the path He's chosen for me. And, Wow, am I having a lot of fun doing it!
March, 2006 Entry, Book Reader's Heaven Blog
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Comments: 16
It's great that you are willing to do that for unknown authors. My husband writes various types of books and hasn't published any as of yet. So when he does decide to try and publish, I hope it's someone like you behind that desk that reviews his book(s). God bless you!
If he has one book written, why not try helping him submit it? This is a lot of clerical-type work that is very time consuming...if you could help him, he could maybe proceed at a faster pace.
POD - or Print on Demand for those who don't know - isn't the four letter word of yesterday. It's the ONLY way small press publishers can publish their books and not break the bank. They can do small print runs. I think Samhain does 2500 book print runs.
But these publishers are being recognized by New York. The owners of Samhain just signed a deal last year with Kensington Books to become their next imprint, like Brava or Aphrodisia. They're not going to stop doing their own business, but they will be sending their choice books to Kensington, who will then print them mass market. It's an exciting time, to be sure.
True, you have to be "careful" who you publish through, I've heard horror stories about Publish America, for example. But legit publishers should be given a chance. The great thing about small press publishers is they are willing to take more of a risk on stories New York wouldn't touch. And in that vein, you can find some rare gems that never would have gotten published otherwise - not because the story sucks or the author is a newbie, but because the story was so different, that it breaks the "New York mold" if you will.
As you can tell, I'm a firm advocate of POV. :P There's nothing wrong with them. The books from my publishers are trade paperback in size, but the quality is amazing. I'm sure as they get more well-known and have more money in the bank, they will be doing mass market within 5 years.
~~Becka
I have reviewed POD books when a new author or a publisher asks me to. Many of the POD authors aren't as good as some of the well-known authors but that is to be expected. There were times that I did find a gem of an author and was happy to have read and reviewed their book.
POD is a great way for new authors to get their books read and reviewed. But I do understand when a reviewer doesn't want to spend their time reviewing POD. But I give you lots of credit reviewing them because every new author needs someone to take a good look at their book.
My opinion regarding self-published books is that they deserve an added measure of consideration. They may not be as good, BUT, big-name authors have had a literary agent, readers, editors and publishers working with them! Why shouldn't they have been better. But I rarely find a book that is not pleasurable to read--unless of course, it is a topic/nonfiction in which I'm not interested...and even then it is rare that I do not learn something new.
While I appreciate your opinion, I really can't see the difference. As a professional, I am prepared to deal with a book in whatever shape it is in...if it is really bad--we refuse to review. If the story is good but there are problems, then we discuss them with the author, and if there are issues that cannot be corrected, we include that in our review. If it is good/great, why should I care who published them. I am being paid for a service--it is important to me to be consistent with the process and the authors for whom I provide that service. No matter who the publisher was/is.
Thanks so much for your feedback and comments...
I have some rare POD books, some with unique writing and a take on life. As with any kind of writing, self- published or Print to demand books can be wonderful - or abysmal. I'm glad to see this comment today.
Rick...you are correct that there is still a stigma; however, you might be surprised that very few authors in relation to the total volume of books EVER have a best sellers...no matter who the publisher is...I don't remember the exact number but the average for per book sales is very low...it all goes back to the author and how they promote... Thanks for your comments...
Becka - thanks so much for adding the explanation. You are correct that print on demand is a process...that many publishers are not using. A lot of people use it for publishers like iUniverse, BookSurge, etc., which are publishers that are paid by the author to print their books...they are not small press or publishers...who are merely a smaller version of a large corporation.
Re Public America--I had hoped they had improved a numbers of years ago when they supposedly restructured...but I'm sorry to say that I've heard nothing but problems from authors who go to them. Unfortunately, they normally publish a beautiful book--but then they expect the author/family/friends to sell it...and get a very low percentage if "anything."
Thanks for your comments!
However, I do agree with you that writers would definitely understand the desire and need to be published and to continue on with their chosen career!
Awwww Shucks! Inez...
Thank you both for stopping by to read!