subject: How to Become a Book Reviewer [print this page] Breaking into the book reviewing profession requires a lot of hard work and patience. Not all book reviewers start off writing for the New York Times Book Review. As with any profession, the best way to get started is to start from the ground up. This means working for publications or newsletters for free. This can be a challenge for someone who wants to get paid for the work she does, but in any writing profession it's important to build a clip portfolio. Experience is the key , and it is the best route to breaking into the book review business.
There are many publications, newsletters, and online websites that are looking for book reviewers. Some sites, such as Booksneeze, offer free books to bloggers for reviews. Another site that offers potential opportunities for beginning book reviewers is Popmatters.com. Popmatters is a website devoted to pop culture, providing reviews and essays on everything from books and video games to film, music, and television. Every once in a while Popmatters has openings for book reviewers. There is no pay, but the opportunities to build a clip portfolio on a reputable website are great. Another way to build up a portfolio is to write a book reviewing blog. Bloggers have become an intrinsic part of the web community and many bloggers have been able to build a reputation in their related field based on their writing. Setting up a blog devoted to books and book reviews is a great opportunity to break into the industry.
Before finding work as a book reviewer, though, it's important to know how to actually write a book review. Book reviews should be well-written, but compelling as well. They are designed to inform people about why a particular book is well worth their time or not. A good book reviewer needs to be a passionate reader who understands the mechanics of good writing and storytelling. While reviewing a book, there are several things that should be taken into consideration.
While reading, take notes. This will help you to remember relevant passages or information that stood out to you and your immediate thoughts upon reading them. Marking passages in the book or bookpaging relevant sections is also helpful.
Write down what you liked or didn't like about the book. Refer to your notes. Did the author do a good job in creating a compelling plot? Did the author bring a fresh perspective on a familiar subject? Does the author have an inventive writing style or voice? If, in your notes, you remarked on something that threw you off as a reader, include that in your review as well.
Include information in the review that is relevant. For instance, if the author is well-known, include information such as previous publications. If you are reviewing a first-time author, include that information as well. Information concerning the topic of the book being reviewed can also be relevant. For instance, if the book being reviewed is about the passage of the Civil Rights Act, then information relevant about that time (when the Act was passed, the players involved in the act, the social, political, and historical relevance of the Act) can be used to introduce the review.
Summarize what the book is about. If you are reviewing a work of fiction, summarize the plot, if that is possible, and the characters in the book. If it is non-fiction, describe the angle which the author approaches the subject. For instance, the author might tackle how President Lyndon Johnson pushed through the Civil Rights Act and the various challenges he faced in getting that done.
Write about the overall thesis or theme to the work. For instance, the historical non-fiction book about the Civil Rights Act might be about how the governing style of presidents determine success and failure in passing legislation. A novel, for instance, will have underlying themes in the plot.
Convey to your readers whether the book being reviewed is worth their time. If the book is compelling, emphasize the relevance of the topic, the author's writing style, the plot or characters. Be focused and clear. If you loved the book, say so. If you thought the writing was middling to poor, be clear about that as well. Include any relevant passages as examples.
These are general ideas on how to write book reviews. The best way to get a sense of what a good book review is like is to read one. There are many book reviewers, such as Michiko Kakutani of the New York Times, who have become reputable within the book publishing industry. Single out the reviewers who have affected your reading choices. Study why they are so effective and the ways in which you can become an effective book reviewer as well.
