Review guidelines/policy

[Wendy Ewurum]

I've almost finished putting together my new blog that will focus on book related matters only. One of the things I still have to do is come up with a review guideline or something for the authors who's books I'll review. Please help me out here, I'd would like to know what it is that you think is imperative for an author to know about the reviewer and their work before they submit their work for review?

[Urban Sprite]

The genres you will read and the ones that you won't.  If you don't like certain genres, make that clear as it will save a writer submitting their work to you.  Most will send a synopsis of their book to give you an idea of what its about, but you might want to request they send one with their submission (just in case they hadn't thought about it). 

 

Give them an idea of what you will be focusing on in your review...realism, the characters, what you liked/didn't like etc. Where will you post your review besides your blog? Some writers like you to post it on Amazon, Barnes & Nobel etc.  If you don't want to do that, make it clear you don't.

 

If you're going to use a rating system. Explain what it means.

 

Look at the policies on a few other bloggers sites.  It may help you to formulate your own policies.

[Kathy Maxwell]

I have mine posted on a sidebar.  Go check it out!

Books Kids Like

[Tome Keeper]

The first thing you need to do is explain what you will and won't review, so author's know if they can submit to you or not. You then should detail what you require from the author in order to review the book i.e. summary of book, links to sites, review copy. Also include details of the format you prefer (paper, e-book - which type of e-book).

I find it helpful to provide almost a disclaimer, explaining that I cannot guarantee a review, even if given a review copy, I can't guarantee when the book will be reviewed and stating what, as a minimum, I will provide in the review (i.e. cover art, summary, review, links), and where I will post the review. It's basically to cover you should an author get annoyed. If you will sell/giveaway review copies, then you need to make that clear as well.

If your site is going to be ad-sponsored, you might want to mention it to authors. For example, I use Amazon text links for all the books, which could earn me money. I make authors aware of this in case they have any objections.

To see an example, my review guidelines are here http://tomesofthesoul.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-guidelines.html

[Latoya H]

I really like your review policy...I am currently working on one for myself.

[Wendy Ewurum]

Everyone has been so wonderfully helpful. Thank you, thank you ever so much.

[Jennifer Kitchens]

I agree.  Just be clear about what you will and won't take: genres, paper or ebook, etc.  Also make sure they know how to contact you and how long it will take for you to do a review.  

 

You can check mine out if you want.  There is a link on the right near the top "Book Review Policy"

 

Clean Romance Reviews

[Evangeline Han]

I put my review policy together after visiting various blogs to get an idea of how it's done. Feel free to check it out: http://sugarpeach.wordpress.com/reviews/review-policy/

[Wendy Ewurum]

Your policy is nothing short of perfect.

[Evangeline Han]

Thanks! I still frequently edit the policy. Feel free to use and modify it.

[Wendy Ewurum]

Thanks Eva/ I really appreciate the offer

[Belle's Bookshelf]

I don't have a review policy written out on my blog. Is this a necessity?

[Evangeline Han]

Yes. Publishers and publicists won't bother to ask you for info. They are busy people! Having a review policy will help tell them what you review, what you don't, and any other stuff they should know. :) Get a review policy, it's just so vital for a book blog.