 |
- Column - The Art of Reviewing - |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
December 17, 2000 Book Reviewing Today By Editor-in-Chief Charlotte Austin As The Charlotte Austin Review enters its ninth month of operation, with well over 600 published book reviews, 90 feature author interviews, and 26 columns, it is appropriate and perhaps overdue to speak of book reviewing in general, and of the philosophy that I bring forward in particular. To say that reviewing is an art may accurately sum up this difficult task. Whether in print or electronic formats, publications featuring book reviews adhere to different policies. Some publish mixed reviews, pointing out the positive and the negative aspects of a book, while others prefer to publish favorable reviews only. There is room therefore, for a delicate balance. Philosophy - Few may remember Magic Pen, a tiny Website featuring writers' resources launched about four years ago. In less than one year, Magic Pen had taken on a life of its own and developed into The Quill Magazine (www.thequill.com), a hugely popular site with an international readership and a paying market for writers, with monthly articles on the craft of writing. The little acorn continued to grow, evolving into what is The Charlotte Austin Review today. Although we may look quite different from these humble beginnings, our mission remains the same: To celebrate, encourage and promote the works of writers and authors at all levels of their careers. This ambitious mission is carried out by different means, one of which is by regularly featuring author interviews and by publishing a number of reviews of carefully selected books from a wide spectrum of authors, cultures and categories. Foremost in my philosophy on book reviewing are the following beliefs and guidelines: 1. Reviews should fit the publication’s focus; 2. Reviews are meant to call readers’ attention to certain books; 3. Reviews are not editorial or literary critiques; 4. Mixed reviews may be beneficial. However, a book that does not appeal at least in some aspects should not be reviewed; 5. Reviews should constructively mention what areas may be improved upon, as well as areas of success; 6. Reviews must reflect honesty, respect and empathy for the author’s work; 7. Published reviews are recommendations for readers to buy the book. Online book reviewing - Facilitated largely by the growing accessibility of the Internet, reaching international markets has taken on new meaning. As a consequence, book reviewing online has emerged and developed into a respectable occupation, providing exposure and finding potential readers in traditional out-of-reach areas or countries. Unthinkable just a few years ago, large and small publishing houses today include online book reviewing in their promotion budgets for Websites with interesting readerships. The reviewer's role - A review should primarily tell the reader what the book is about, as well as inspire, intrigue and entice. It should include a fair, balanced and educated appreciation of the author’s work and intention. Reviews of best selling or award-winning novels should also offer a short clip about the author, previous publications, awards received and other notable information. There is no doubt that book reviewing in general has gained in popularity. Several factors may account for this renewed interest, and among them, the following: 1. An increase in the volume of published books; 2. A bigger awareness for reading with the emergence of online discussion groups, book clubs, writers’ groups and booksellers online, to name just a few; 3. A more knowledgeable population; 4. Books used as gifts; 5. Reviews seen as an integral part of the promotion process; 6. An increased awareness of the challenge to draw readers’ attention to certain books; 7. Reviews are seen as recommendations to buy the book. The world has become a smaller and more challenging environment. Boundaries between countries barely exist, walls have crumbled away, and alliances such as the European Community flourish. The business world is no different. It's a jungle out there, and the publishing industry itself has experienced difficult growing pains for some time. With new techniques readily available, and publishers no longer able to carry yesterday's substantial budgets, succeeding in having one's book noticed can be a real challenge. Today, best selling and lesser-known authors must bear at least some of the promotional burden, with a large portion of authors left entirely on their own. As a consequence of these factors - and there are others - the reviewer's role has taken a huge leap forward with authors, editors and publishers seeking to have their books noticed and reviewed positively if possible. Some well-known and respected reviewers actually receive fan mail, I am told. Will we see the day when reviewers become stars in their own right? In the larger scheme of things, at what personal and professional cost do we, or should we, continue to sponsor the arts, such as writing and publishing? Would our society be all the poorer if we didn't celebrate, encourage and promote? And what would the world be without books, in any format? Coming in the January 2001 column on The Art of Reviewing: The Editor's Role. Happy Holidays! |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||