Radiah

Averages 6 books a month

Some authors don't read. As a reviewer do you read the reviews of others? I do read the reviews of a few trusted reviewers.

If you could change anything about the reviewing process, what would it be? I wish that some authors would really pay attention to ALL reviews instead of just the 5-star ones. Constructive criticism is the key to becoming a better author.

Do you feel black women are accurately portrayed in literature? If you feel the portrayal is inaccurate, what would you like to see instead? I feel this area could use some work. I would like to see more strong and educated women portrayed in literature. I would also like to see more confident plus size women in books without the story centered around their size.

What would you like to see more of coming from male/female authors in regards to women? I would like authors to show women who have good careers and in either healthy marriages or healthy relationships.

If you could drive one point across to all authors, what would it be and why? Invest in a good PROFESSIONAL editor. Your cousin who just proofreads your book, runs it through spell check, and tells you it's the best thing since sliced bread is not an editor. Your poorly edited book is a direct reflection of you. If you don't have the money to do this, then you aren't ready to be in this business.

If an author/publisher is interested in having you review their material, what should they know about you as a reviewer? That I review all types of African American fiction. That I'm a fair and honest reviewer.

About Radiah


Radiah is an underwriter. Along with her husband Charles, she is the co-founder of the book review website Urban Reviews (www.urbanreviewsonline.com). Urban Reviews hosts annually the Great Midwest Book Fest and the Fall Fiction Fest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Some of Radiah’s favorite authors are Eric Jerome Dickey, Carl Weber, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Mary Monroe, Valerie Wilson Wesley, and Claudia Mair Burney.