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newsletter archives
August 2006 - Interview with Irene Watson:
Readers should use the Internet to find out about books and read reviews. Authors should be getting each book reviewed, and on this subject we talked to Irene Watson, the managing editor of Reader Views. This is informative for authors, publishers and readers, and provides some good information about why books are reviews, how to get them reviewed and the benefits.
Tell us about yourself
I am the Managing Editor of Reader Views, an online book review service. I started Reader Views on a whim for two reasons – I was bored, and, I saw a need. As an author myself, I had a hard time getting reviews considering there are 200,000 titles published yearly and they all need reviews.
At first I was just going to get a few people to help me to review books. I put out a call for reviewers and was amazed at the response. Then I put out a call for books. Needless to say the response was overwhelming.
My background is psychology and business administration and had retired from both and wrote my memoir. After I found a publisher for my memoir, I spend hours and hours searching the web on how to market my own book. The many months I researched I gained much experience and knowledge of market demands, marketing, and all the “ins and outs” of getting a book published and getting “out there.” I found out what worked and what didn’t. I want to share my knowledge with other authors.
Tell us a little bit about your company
Reader Views is an online book review service located in Austin, Texas. We have 60 reviewers, residing throughout the United States and Canada, who come from a variety of life experiences and have varied interests. Aside from regular reviews we offer express reviews (a review within 2 weeks of receipt of book) as well as low-budget publicity and editing services. We also have literary awards, a literary contest and a book giveaway contest. We are in the process of creating a foundation on behalf of Reader Views.
How important is it to get your book reviewed?
Extremely important. Reviews are what sell the books. Endorsements on the back of the book are read by the potential buyer. Shoppers at online book stores read the reviews to see what other readers are saying. Market surveys indicate that word-of-mouth and reviews are the two most influential factors whether or not the customer is going to buy the item. Reviews may be used in the media kit, on the author’s website, and sent to other reviewers. The more people the authors can get to talk about their book, the better chance they have of succeeding in the buyer’s market.
What can “Reader Views” do for authors, publishers and readers, respectively?
Everything but publish the book. For the author we can not only proof read or completely edit the manuscript, we can also provide a manuscript critique to see if there is potential for the book. Then we can offer a package where we make up the galleys and send them out for review. Once the book is published we can interview the author as well as internationally distribute a press release. We have a variety of low-cost publicity packages or we can custom design the package for the author. In some instances, we work with the publisher rather than the author. They are offered the same services. We also offer literary awards and literary contests. As far as the readers go, we give honest and fair opinions of the books. Our reviewers actually read the books and offer their review. We also have a book giveaway contest every month.
How do readers participate?
Several ways. One is to visit our site regularly. We are constantly putting up new reviews. The other is by subscribing to our weekly newsletter. Every Monday we feature a couple of books, which include author interviews, and we list all the books that had been reviewed during that week. The readers can link to the reviews of the books as well as purchase them. We also have a monthly book giveaway.
What advice would you give to authors and publishers on the subject of reviews and publicity?
Do the most you can on the budget you have. Getting reviews is certainly one of the more important things. Start getting reviews during the final stages of the manuscript and the galley stage. Be sure the galleys are bound and sized to look like the book, except of course for the cover. The cover has a life of its own on a galley. Times have changed and if the author wants a review of the galley, it has to look like a galley. These should be sent out at least 3 to 4 months before pub date. Send out ARCs [Advance Reader Copy] at least 2 months before the actual pub date. Many of the magazines work 2 to 3 months in advance and in order to get a review for pub date, it’s important that they have the ARC early. Basically, most of the preparation and work has to be done before the pub date. Once the book is published it has about a 4-6 month shelf life. It’s important to get the momentum and buzz going well in advance of pub date.
Any additional comments?
Many authors self publish their book only to find that they have no funds left for publicity, let alone sending out their books for review. Because of their budget restraints many don’t have their books edited professionally. They may use a spell checker and that’s about it but that just doesn’t do it. Recently we received a book that had a good story line, however, the reviewer just wasn’t able to read it because the errors were so evident that they were distracting from the story. I randomly opened the book to a page and read it. I counted 12 errors on that one page. When I contacted the author regarding his review, he told me that he didn’t have the funds to have the book edited. Trying to sell a book that isn’t edited properly doesn’t work – word-of-mouth is powerful and word will spread.
Having a book published is a process. It’s a fallacy that the hardest part is find a publisher. In my opinion, the hard work is self-promotion. Publishers just don’t publicize the books; the authors have to do that themselves. They themselves are their best promoters. And, yes, it takes some funds to do so. Publishing a book and sitting back expecting hordes of people to buy it just isn’t reality. Reality is that the authors themselves have to take responsibility to become the sales person.
Bookhitch would like to extend our thanks to Irene Watson for giving advice, and informing us about the reviewing and book publishing process. If you would like more information about Reader Views, then you can visit their website at http://www.readerviews.com. We have certainly learned a great deal about getting reviewed and it’s importance.
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