SEEDLINGS by Aaron Paul Lazar

December 2008

Book Reviews (and how they can help the aspiring author)

by Aaron Paul Lazar
www.legardemysteries.com

If you're a writer, posting book reviews can be a unique way to gain name recognition and open up a whole new world of contacts. When I was asked to write my first review, I balked. Sure, I loved the book. Matter of fact, I adored it. But who would want to hear what I had to say?

I'd never ventured into this arena, but I gave it a try. In the end, folks seemed to enjoy the review of The Margaret Ellen by R.C. Burdick. And guess what? I met writers who became valued colleagues and critique partners, was fortunate to become friends with readers who enjoyed the same genres as I, and was offered reviews of my books as an unexpected side benefit.

This first review turned into a few dozen as time rolled on, and opened up gateways for my own books that I'd never envisioned. I became a reviewer for Midwest Book Reviews, Compulsive Reader, In the Library Reviews, and more. I still consider myself first and foremost a novelist, but when I can squeeze them in, I pen a few reviews each year.

So - if you have time - consider writing a review for a special book. First of all, as testimony to the work itself. And secondly, as a possible venue to expand your marketing field in the future.

Here are a few tips I've gathered along the way:

1) Only review books you feel are well written, in the genre(s) you enjoy, and that have something worthwhile between the covers. There's no point to accepting a poorly written or edited book for a review.

2) Read the first page or chapter or so to see if the book suits you. You don't want to accept a book that you'll have to slog through. There are too many great books out there to waste a moment on a slow or tedious read.

3) Read up on some guidelines for reviewers, such as can be found in The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing by Mayra Calvani and Anne K. Edwards. You'll also find hundreds of places to post your reviews in books like this.

4) Follow the review with a brief bio of yourself, with links to your work. If the reader enjoys your review, they may also enjoy your books.

5) Don't take on more than you can handle. If it starts to impact your writing time, cut back. It's hard to say "no," to a writer, but sometimes you just have to do it. Be kind, but be firm. (It took me forever to learn how to do that without being besieged with guilt. And I'M STILL SO SORRY TO EVERYONE WHOSE BOOKS I COULDN'T FIT IN!)

6) Add a page on your website with "Recommended Reading." I've done so on my LeGarde Mysteries site, with the book covers, links to purchase sites, and links to my own reviews.

7) Post your review in as many places as possible. Do a search for bookstores where the book is being sold, review sites, social networking sites, and more. The more exposure your review has, the more copies of the reviewed book will be sold, and the more name recognition you'll gain.

8) Be sure to always include the pertinent book info such as publisher, ISBN, website for purchase, price, genre, etc.