Blaze

Let's face it - women read more.  Surveys consistently find that women read more books than men, especially fiction. Is it surprising then that many reviewers today are women?  Well, we managed to pry a few female reviewers from their books to get their take on reviewing from the female perspective.



We hope you enjoy!





Blaze

Some authors don’t read. As a reviewer do you read the reviews of others?

I seldom read the reviews of others because I have discovered that they are either watered down truths or juiced up lies.

If you could change anything about the reviewing process, what would it be?

Reviewing has become very random and everyone’s a critic. Therefore, the weight a review once held is now taken for a grain of salt. I would like to see a format in place that dissects the read from both an objective and subjective stance, allowing the author/publisher/reader a detailed look into the critique of their work. A process that welcomes the voices of all but maintains the integrity of those who take this industry seriously. Ultimately a blueprint that is used to separate the supporter of the author and the reviewer who actually read the book.



Do you feel black women are accurately portrayed in literature? If you feel the portrayal is inaccurate, what would you like to see instead?

Not at all! Let me say this. When the axe came into the forest the trees said, “The handle is one of our own.” I started with that because this accepted and very lowly view of black women is perpetuated by us. How devastating? We are more than neck rolling, gum popping, weave wearing, multiple children having, no to low income, ghetto gossiping, low aspiring men eaters. I would like to see the full scope of whowe are displayed. Black women who need their black men for the right reasons, educated, spiritual, movers and shakers, single women who aren’t sexually loose and fly at the mouth. And black women with black features more importantly. We have natural beautiful hair. We have darker hues than French vanilla. We have beautiful dark brown eyes not hazel. We have full noses and lips. We are very interesting creatures without the stereotypes so I would like to see us painted correctly.

If you could drive one point across to all authors, what would it be and why?

Education specific to this industry is fundamental. Without the knowledge gained from taking English courses, the talent that fueled the beginning of the writing journey will be smothered by editing issues, etc., thus turning what could have been a gem into a stone. Business courses will propel an independent author in all the right directions to success or be a guideline on how to not be bamboozled if they are opting to go with a company. A lack of research/education is evident when not implemented and I don’t suggest that anyone wants to openly look like a fool.

If an author/publisher is interested in having you review their material, what should they know about you as a reviewer?

I spare no punches and I go beyond the review.

Blaze is from New Orleans, La. No matter where I’ve been, there’s no place like it. She is in college earning her Bachelors of Science degree for Early Childhood Education. Blaze is passionate about the growth and expansion of black people. She dabbles a little in creative writing but her true passion is learning then teaching. The birth of Blaze Reviewz came from years of reading and seeing the contradictions of many reviews that lead her down the path of disappointment. Blaze’s reviews can be located on her websitewww.blazereviewz.wordpress.com, Goodreads, Amazon, and Facebook.