Should I Notify an Author After a Review?

[Jacob Topp-Mugglestone]

What do you think?
My blog isn't terribly large (drying-ink.blogspot.com), but I've heard different opinions on this. After I've reviewed a book, should I notify the author?

Thanks!

Jacob Topp-Mugglestone

[Jen - Devourer of Books]

If you received the book as a review copy it is definitely good form to notify whoever sent it to you. If it is from your own TBR pile or the library, it is really up to you, possibly depending on how 'big' the author is and how much you liked the book. I would email Jodi Picoult or John Grisham, especially about a so-so review, but I would notify most first time authors if I liked their book.

[Trish Collins]

If I like the book, I notify them. If I didn't like the book, I keep quiet. :)

If it's a big name author, I wouldn't bother (like Margaret Atwood).

Basically, I agree with what Jen said.

[Jacob Topp-Mugglestone]

Thanks for the advice - it was my TBR pile, but that about answers it.

[Nicola O.]

I usually notify the author, but I've gotten lazy about it lately. Good reminder.

[Karen Zemek]

Personally, I love to hear about positive book reviews that people write about my book (My Funny Dad, Harry) but if it's not a good review, I'd rather not hear about it. If I get a copy of a book to review, I always send my review first to the author for their approval before posting it. If I send someone a free copy to review, I expect them to let me see the review after they finish it. Reading a good review and finding someone liked my book really makes my day irregardless of how popular a blog they have!

[Maw Books]

That is really interesting Karen. I NEVER get an author's approval before posting a review. I'm not reviewing for them. I'm reviewing for my audience. To tell you the truth, even if it was a review copy, I think it's slightly dishonest to let the author of that much sway/input over the review. There was only one time that a book was so bad that I told the author I wouldn't review the book. Other than that, no blogger should ever feel the need to get an authors "approval" before posting. One can share the review with an author before posting but that should never influence what content actually gets posted.

To tell you the truth, I find this type of behavior a bit disturbing. Anyways, that my (obviously opinionated and strong) two cents.

[monnibo]

The only reason I could see for sending something (to anyone) for approval, would be accuracy of fact. But this would be in more of a technical writing / journalism situation. Book reviews are based heavily on personal opinion.

[Nicola O.]

If I get a review copy far in advance, sometimes I will send the text of the review to the publicist (rarely the author) -- not for approval, but in case they want to pull quotes and in case there are any issues with any passages I may have quoted. I usually schedule advance reviews to post about a week before the release and I like to confirm this too.

I've never offered nor been asked to modify what I wrote, but I think it's a nice courtesy and part of the relationship between the reviewer and the publicist.

[Anysia]

If it's a review copy I notify the publicist (I try not to deal with authors directly). I do this as a common courtesy even if they don't ask (which they usually do). I can't imagine having to track down all the reviews that result from review copies being sent out. Also, it gives publicists a record that I do follow through with a review.

As far as I'm concerned, that is my only obligation when I receive a review copy. Things I will NOT do:

*Pull a negative review.
*Allow pre-approval of a review.
*Alter a review (unless there are factual errors).

If you send me a book you take your chances on whether the review is positive or negative--but you do get a review.

[Anysia]

Sigh. Apparently editing a comment is no longer functional on this site.

I meant to add that if it is my own book or a library book then I don't notify anyone.

[Bart]

The only time I notify an author of a review, is when it is a review copy. Otherwise I always tend to find it a bit disquieting when I know an author has read my cobbled together thoughts ;)

[Books For Sale]

It's always nice to notify the author and offer them an interview. I've done it a lot and you would be surprised that even some fairly major authors will accept an interview on a small blog.

My best interview yet has been with New York Times best selling author Susan Beth Pfeffer.