tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post81158070771949523..comments2024-03-29T09:17:03.691+02:00Comments on Thoughts from Botswana by Lauri Kubuitsile: Writers Reviewing BooksLaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112458658109887868noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-56348111948220754432010-12-11T23:46:43.804+02:002010-12-11T23:46:43.804+02:00I think a writer can provide a review regardless o...I think a writer can provide a review regardless of their opinion of the work as long as they are honest and objective. I think, at least sometimes, people begin a review by comparing the work at hand to how they would do it, and that leads to conflict.<br /><br />If you are fortunate enough to have Lauri do a review, you can take her opinion to the bank - she's good, very good.Paulhttp://www.richardpnixon.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-2717654416564976692010-12-04T18:23:56.011+02:002010-12-04T18:23:56.011+02:00I thought of this post when I read this one by Mel...I thought of this post when I read <a href="http://readandwritestuff.blogspot.com/2010/12/maybe-im-crazy-one.html" rel="nofollow">this one</a> by Melanie Jacobson. It certainly is "a difficult conundrum" as Sue said.Miriam Drorihttp://andewallscametumblindown.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-89989649418304252452010-12-02T18:41:16.503+02:002010-12-02T18:41:16.503+02:00Anon- If you want your manuscript edited anywhere ...Anon- If you want your manuscript edited anywhere you hire an editor unless it's been accepted for publication then the publisher will have it edited for you.Laurihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11112458658109887868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-20592444886900318142010-12-02T16:16:28.505+02:002010-12-02T16:16:28.505+02:00like I think it would be difficult for a writer to...like I think it would be difficult for a writer to actually sit down and read a book in order to review it when they dislike it, otherwise the review would turn out bad, and people reading that review may end up being biased. then again it depends on how the writer reviews the work,either in regard to their on preference or professional look just as COLD AS HEAVEN mentioned, it really just depends.<br />I wanted to ask as an unpublished author in Botswana, what procedure would one follow to have their work appraised(manuscript appraisal) and edited?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-54505453320556058462010-11-30T17:57:08.540+02:002010-11-30T17:57:08.540+02:00I don't enjoy vicious reviews by readers or an...I don't enjoy vicious reviews by readers or another author. There's enough nastiness and negativity in this world without adding to it on something as minor as a book review. <br /><br />If a reviewer tries hard enough, surely they can find *one* nice thing to say that they really mean? If they can't, then they should simply say "this book was not to my taste, but others may enjoy it." <br /><br />To keep my review balanced, I try to use the sandwich method of review - praise/criticism/praise. That way the author knows I'm not just a sychophantic fan or vengeful competitor, but am reading the work as intelligently as I can. My latest blogpost is on some reviews I've done, so this is a timeous debate! :) <br /><a href="http://judycroome.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Judy(South Africa)</a>Judy Croome | @judy_croomehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17455755011354905278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-39388956890392900082010-11-30T15:56:28.452+02:002010-11-30T15:56:28.452+02:00I think it's quite natural that writers review...I think it's quite natural that writers review books, but the writer should review with the professional glasses on. I think in many cases, the opinion of a writer may be different from that of the average reader. Another example; in my work, which is cience and research, our pblications always go through peer review (by colleagues working in the same field) before our articles are eventually published. It's part of the quality control system >:)<br /><br /><a href="http://cold-as-heaven.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"> Cold As Heaven </a>CA Heavenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07558100567878233142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-56645504552384379202010-11-30T14:43:35.119+02:002010-11-30T14:43:35.119+02:00"Famous 3-way conversation" - I Like tha..."Famous 3-way conversation" - I Like that! Ha!<br /><br />This discussion is going on among South African writers on Facebook and someone commented that she didn't like reviews from non-authors since they didn't know how difficult it was to write a book, that and author has the correct perspective. There are plenty of angles from which one can view this issue.Laurihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11112458658109887868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-67787950241492250192010-11-30T13:47:05.543+02:002010-11-30T13:47:05.543+02:00oops...I should have proofread before hitting subm...oops...I should have proofread before hitting submit: I meant to say I "rarely" write proper reviews, not really write them....Sue Guineyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13556228394020314560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-25553076430029526212010-11-30T13:45:47.216+02:002010-11-30T13:45:47.216+02:00A difficult conundrum, to be sure. That was the o...A difficult conundrum, to be sure. That was the origin of my "Great Conversation" posts. By interviewing writers, I can publicize their work, give them a platform to talk about what they want, and not have to actually review. I really write a "proper" review. The ones that I have, though, have been unsolicited (ie Clare Dudman's latest, and Debi Alper's earlier work). That seems to work for me. But I do believe that writers have to expect criticism which I give if I need to - but there is always something good to be said as well. (This reminds me -I'll ask Tania what she wants to do about our famous 3-way convo).Sue Guineyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13556228394020314560noreply@blogger.com