Only One keyStroke Away Online Book Club: Behind The Reviews

Showing posts with label Behind The Reviews. Show all posts

Teresa Beasley

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.

Teresa Beasley
Average 11 books a month

Are all reviews valid?

I cannot speak for other reviewers. My reviews are valid opinions of the books I have read and what I have experienced from the content. I take reviewing books very seriously and believe they are helpful tools for the sale of authors’ books.

What must any good review possess?

In my opinion, a good review should possess an overview of what the reviewer received from the book (meaning what they believed the book was about), it should include why the reviewer gave the rating he or she gave, and include reasons the reviewer would recommend the book to others or the reasons the reviewer would not recommend the book to others (such as any issues with editing, content, timeline, and/or storyline).

What would you like to see less of coming from male/female authors in regards to women?

I would like to see less of women being portrayed as victims. What about our men? Do they always have to be portrayed as the villains?

Do you feel black women are accurately portrayed in literature?

If you feel the portrayal is inaccurate, what would you like to see instead? Please don’t let me get started on that…I believe black women are portrayed accurately in some situations. Black women are portrayed as victims, being insecure, being naïve, having no common sense, no self-esteem or being mentally unstable. Black women are rarely portrayed as strong, independent business women that are educated and are fine with being alone. I would like to see more of these stories instead of the same old abuse, men troubles and women trying to take their fellow black woman’s man.

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

Please, authors, obtain professional editing. A book with potential or a good storyline can be diminished because of lack of editing. Please do not try to edit your own books; even authors that are professional editors still have a professional editor editing their books. Having your book proofread, grammar and spell checked is not getting your work fully edited.

If you could give an overall rating for AA fiction today, what would be your rating?

I would give a 4-star for an overall rating for AA fiction today. In the last two years I have only read about four books that I felt were 5-star books.

Teresa Beasley is an aspiring author, avid reader and book reviewer who enjoys reading and spending time with her family. She is the owner of Got'cha Covered Publishing and PR, a publishing and public relations company that emphasizes and promotes the works of others. Teresa is also the owner of Authors & Readers Book Corner, an informative blog for authors and readers that hosts book tours and reviews. She is a native of Evansville, Indiana, but resides in Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband and children. Teresa is currently working on her debut novel, “It Happened to Me.” Her reviews can be found on Amazon, Goodreads, Shelfari, and Barnes & Noble.

Blaze

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.

Laverne aka Missy

Laverne Brown aka Missy

Averages 5 books a month

What do you wish to achieve with each review? To get as many self-published/independent authors’ books in the hands of readers. But honestly this task is getting harder and harder due to the quality of work being mass produced.

In your opinion, is it important to review everything you read? Umm “to review everything I read.” Well, if I accept a book from an author/publisher or promoter, giving them my word that it will be reviewed, yes, I think it deserves that review. But, no, I don’t review everything; my personal reads will sometimes get a blurb but not a full review.

Do you feel black women are accurately portrayed in literature? If you feel the portrayal is inaccurate, what would you like to see instead? In the books that I read, I am pleased with the female characters. Some are strong protagonists, others are struggling and yet others just don’t get it, and that is our reality.

Before I read a book or accept one from an author, I research the author, their writing and the characters they write about so that I can try to minimize frustrations with things that go against what I believe in as a reviewer.

Many male authors write from the perspective of women through their female characters. Do you find them to be on point? Some are and others are not. RL Taylor, Rickey Teems II, and Brian W. Smith all write about some empowering women who lead, fall and empower others. I enjoy the writing of these three authors, but they will also get down and dirty on their female characters just as they would on the brothers. Rickey Teems wrote about a character named Faith who didn’t start out strong, but she found her strength within her by the end of the story. (Unshakable Faith)

Is reviewing a service that reviewers should be compensated for? When authors throw a book together with minimal care or when they don’t QA their baby after it comes from the publisher, editor or whomever, YES I feel I should be paid. Especially when the editing issues are causing me to read sentences over and over again to figure out what the author is trying to say. It is not my job to determine the author’s message but to deliver that message to other readers.

Missy, derived from Misdemeanor, is a nickname from her reviewing time with RAWSistaz, back in the day. She enjoys reading, dancing at home and working out with Leslie Samson’s “Walk at Home” DVDs. Most important to Missy is her time spent chatting with friends. Her love of books started with a childhood subscription to Scholastic Highlights. Currently you will find her in her Chicago home reading her favorite genre Christian fiction and non-fiction. Missy has several published articles in an online magazine and her reviews can be found online at Amazon.com, Goodreads and Myspace under her book club name of Reader’s Paradise.

Lisa M.

Lisa M.
Averages 15 books a month

Many are satisfied with just reading. Why do you also review? I review because it makes me really examine what I am reading. It makes me look for things in a story that others might not otherwise really pay attention to such as punctuation, spelling, proper use of words, and if thought was really put into the novel. I find when I review I discover new authors and develop a strong sense of familiarity with a lot of them through their writing. If I enjoy the author and have never heard of them before, I tend to go out and purchase other novels written by them just because I enjoyed the first one so much. On the other hand, if I can give some constructive criticism and it helps the next reader to enjoy the novels that the author is producing then I have done my job as a reviewer as I always want to give an honest review.

Do you judge a book by its cover? Sometimes I do. Since I've been reviewing, not as much so as in the past. A cover can be very misleading as I have found while reading some of the books I have reviewed. So I must say not really since I've become a reviewer.

Will you remove or change a review at an author’s request because of a disagreement in your assessment? Unfortunately, I don't think so. I try to be very fair in my reviews and I don't intentionally look for things to critique and criticize an author for, but in reviewing the author should want an honest opinion and should not only seek someone to always compliment them but tell them the truth. If I am anything as a reviewer, I am brutally honest and won't hold back on letting you know how I feel about the novel.

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 sometimes we as black women do get a bum rap in some stories. Sometimes, though, we really do come off like the characters in some of these books. I would like to see us portrayed in a more positive way, not always having to come off as bitchy or argumentative, mouthy, etc, but a lot of the times, unfortunately, the characters tend to show a lot of some black women's attributes. Thankfully we are all not like that.

If you could drive one point across to all authors, what would it be and why? Please edit your work, read and re-read the product you are putting out for people to purchase. Put a lot of thought into the storyline. I so hate to read a novel and there are so many grammatical errors, missed words, incorrect spellings, and non-flowing storylines. I just cringe when I have to review a book like that! Please, please, please get a proper editor; that is all!

Lisa M is a happily married mother of five. She works for a dialysis facility in Illinois. Lisa loves to read and finds great pleasure in getting lost in a great book. Great books transport her to a relaxing place where she can escape the everyday hustle and bustle of life, if only for a few hours. She is a member of The Real Divas Read 012812 Book Club, a fun loving bunch. Lisa is also a reviewer for OOSA Online Book Club. Her reviews can be found on Amazon or Goodreads.

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.

Monique aka Deltareviewer

Averages 11 books a month

Why do you like to read? I LOVE to read because it opens another world for me. Many times I can escape into someone else's life and try to predict how the story will unfold. I often laugh, cry and fuss at the characters and the crazy decisions that they make. Reading is better than watching reality TV...most times.

What must any good review possess? A good review must talk about the character development, the flow of the storyline and address any editing issues or problems with the story. The focus has to stay on the book and not the author.

Is reviewing a service that reviewers should be compensated for? I don't feel that reviewers should be compensated for a review (other than supplying a copy of the book). To me, when you pay someone for a review you have the expectation that it will be favorable.

Do you feel black women are accurately portrayed in literature? If you feel the portrayal is inaccurate, what would you like to see instead? Black women are so diverse that I feel it's hard to answer this question. You have to read across all genres to see black women from various aspects and not many readers do that. I would like to see more stories about every day middle class black women which deal with every day issues...but that isn't what is popular with readers today.

If you could drive one point across to all authors, what would it be and why? Avid readers want quality not quantity...so perfect your craft. Treat writing like you would a big time corporate job - research, spend the time and money on a good editor, listen to your readers and learn from the reviews (good and bad).

If you could give an overall rating for AA fiction today, what would be your rating? 4 out of 5...there are hundreds of unknown African American authors that have written in genres other than urban lit that mainstream readers don't know about. Readers need to try other genres - historical, Christian, romance, sci-fi...to see that there are well written books to be read.

About Monique

Monique is a Professor of Political Science and Coordinator of the Reach Higher Adult Degree Completion Program at a college in Oklahoma. She has dedicated an endless amount of time and hard work to support the community working with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc and OKC Urban League Young Professionals. Monique loves to read and has been reviewing for over ten years. She has reviewed for LooseLeaves.com, RAWSISTAZ, Real Page Turners, and numerous other online sites, magazines and newsletters, but most recently she has posted reviews on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com.

Orsayor

Averages 5 books a month

Are all reviews valid? No! Submitting reviews such as - "The book was fiyah," "This author has done it again" (Done what again?), and etc. are NOT valid reviews.

What must any good review possess? 1) The ability to give readers a short descriptive synopsis of the book without giving away the ending. You are writing a review not a book report, so it's very important not to give away key information/spoilers about the book. Remember, you want people to read the book. 2) Give a very honest critique of the book. If there are grammatical errors, gross contradictions, and lack of character development, include it in your review. Don't be afraid of being labeled a "HATER," even though I don't understand why telling the truth means you are a HATER; but that's another subject. 3) Let readers know valid points/reasons why they should or should not read a book.

What would you like to see less of coming from male/female authors in regards to women? I would love to see less womanizing men, more diversity, and an independent mix in characteristics so that they relate to everyday women/men.

Do you feel black women are accurately portrayed in literature? If you feel the portrayal is inaccurate, what would you like to see instead? No! I don't feel African-American women are accurately portrayed in a large percentage of AA literature. I would love to see more full-figured African-American women portrayed in a positive light. As a full-figured woman, I resent the fact that some authors portray full-figured women as being depressed, desperate, and lonely. An author that will remain nameless gave me his opinion on the subject.

"I suppose we idealize men and women and when we read we want the ideal and not what we see in our daily lives...it's the same reasons why most books have most characters who are rich, driving expensive cars when that is not the norm."

I respected his honesty, but if you were to scan a lot of AA authors Facebook pages, you will see a lot of full-figured women buying their books.

If you could drive one point across to all authors, what would it be and why? Step out of your comfort zone. Don't take readers down the same road and think just because you have changed the name of the characters, that it's a different story. Some AA literature has become so predictable that I can read a synopsis and predict the ending. Real readers are smart individuals, so we call smell bullshit coming a mile away.

If you could give an overall rating for AA fiction today, what would be your rating? C-.

About Orsayor

Orsayor is a mom, wife, judgment worker, cake stylist and owner of Simmons Sweets. She is a book reviewer for OOSA Online Book Club, Urban Reviews, Book Sneeze, Tyndale Publishing, Astraea Press, and NetGalley. She also runs her own book reviewing blog, The Book Referees. www.bookreferees.com. Some of her favorite authors are Electa Rome Parks, Joseph Finder, E. Lynn Harris, John Grisham, Stephen King, John Patterson, Nikki Giovanni, Donald Goines, and Brian W. Smith.