Currently, I have closed my doors for review requests. I will reopen again after I get finished with the review books I have so far. All requests sent during this period will go unread, but those authors will get a response directing them to this message for future reference for my next opening.
Exception: As is normally the exception when I close to requests…short stories no more than about 15-20 pages (I guess, maybe up to 7,000 words) are still allowed for request. I can normally squeeze a short story or two in my busy schedule. This is why I stay open for short, short stories, it’s in order to be able to help out with reviews even in a small way.
Genres I review:
- Fiction: I’m open to a large variety of fiction books. In the past I’ve reviewed paranormal, horror, contemporary, romance, sci-fi, etc. I really don’t have many genres that I run away from.
- Exceptions: I’m not really into Christian fiction, or any other religious books to be honest. Nothing against the genre, just not my cup of tea. Also, Military fiction. I have some books in the genre on my shelves that I want to read, but for the most part, I’m not drawn to them. Historical/Historical Romance…I haven’t had much luck with the historical genres. While I DO read Fantasy, I haven’t been able to get into epic/high fantasy novels. I’ve tried before because a lot of them seem great. I think they’re just not for me. One exception to that has been The Grimoire Saga (as you’ll see in my reviews, I LOVED the first two books so far). Because of that, it’s not out of the question for me to accept one for review, but it’s just very rare. (The common length of an epic fantasy doesn’t help either, for me as a reader at least.)
- I’d like to make a special statement that I DO read and review erotica. I’m a (fairly new) erotica author, and I enjoy reading it. Basically, in the erotica I read…I like there to be a plot and not just sex with no substance. Just keep in mind that I’m not into ALL subgenres of erotica. Mainly, I don’t think I’ll be reading anything with bestiality, any form of incest, tentacles, lactation, etc. Also, I’m a little jaded by the billionaire and “50 Shades of (enter almost any word)” craze. Not my thing, at the moment.
- Non-fiction: I don’t read many non-fiction books. I’ve reviewed a few but it’s rare that I find one that I want to read. This doesn’t mean that I won’t consider a non-fiction request, it’s just a long-shot that I’ll want to review it.
- Non-Fiction that I won’t consider: health/fitness, how-to, cookbooks, (again) religious.
- I’m more likely to lean toward memoirs and personal memoirs.
- Poetry: I’m a poet above all else. With that said, I don’t get much poetry reading done. I take my time with a collection and this leads toward me not getting to finish a collection for some time. I also find it difficult to review much poetry because of how close to it I am with my own writing. I tend to have a “this was enjoyable (or not)” reaction to it, but I don’t try to pick it apart as much as I do with a novel.
- With that said, I DO accept requests for poetry, but I’ll be VERY picky with them because I have a large pile of poetry for review as it is and I don’t want to keep people waiting many months. Plus my reviews tend to be difficult to write when it comes to poetry.
Reading levels I read in:
- I read books in almost all reading levels.
- Some middle grade
- Young adult
- New Adult
- Adult
- I don’t normally read children’s books (like picture books and that sort of thing).
- I don’t have much experience with that level of book and don’t feel I could review them adequately enough.
HOW TO REQUEST A REVIEW
- Please, only send your requests through email. I will not accept a request through Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, or any other medium.
- Please read over this article on review requests that I wrote for S.M. Boyce’s blog “How to Query Book Bloggers and Reviewers.” This will help you find what is good and not so good to put in your requests for me, and for requests to most other reviewers.
- Email to: miztrebor88@gmail.com
In your request, I’d like to see:
- Blurb
- Genre, reading level, etc.
- Reading level isn’t always necessary. But I like to know if something’s, for example, YA. But Adult novels? Eh, they’re pretty easy to spot. Also if it doesn’t really fit into one of the standard “suggested reading levels” don’t sweat it. Genre is the most important piece of info here.
- Series title and book number (if applicable)
- It’s obvious, but only send a request for a book 1 of a series please. Unless you can see on my blog or Goodreads that I’ve already read the books up until the one being requested.
- Links to book around the web.
- A polite and personal request, and possible reasoning for seeking me out.
- If the request looks like a copy and paste job, your chances have decreased. This doesn’t not mean you can’t copy and paste the blurb and links. But if I can tell this has been a mass email request or the same one you’ve been sending around to everyone, I probably won’t consider it.
- Basically, I just want to know that you took the time to look over my reviews and policy because you care about your book and want to find the best fit in a reviewer.
- Link to you. Not required, but if you have a website, blog, Goodreads, please share. Checking out the way an author conducts his or herself on the web is a big thing. I’d like to work with authors who are professional and know what they’re doing.
- PLEASE: Request a review of only one book at a time. While I know authors are in need of reviews for multiple books if they have written more than one, please don’t put me in the position to choose between the two. Keep each request to ONE book. That helps to focus on the book and not just throw too much information at me.
What not to include:
- DO NOT SEND ME A FILE OF THE BOOK in the initial request.
- Wait until I’ve agreed to review the book please.
- If I get a request WITH the book file, I WILL NOT read the request. I will copy the body of the email, and save that. I will also promptly DELETE the original email.
- This also includes requests with coupons to grab the book for free from places like Smashwords. WAIT until I’ve agreed to review the book, please.
- Reasonings for this can be found in the article I mentioned above. Please read that if you don’t understand why you shouldn’t send the file so early.
- Please don’t include quotes from other reviewers or other forms of praise.
- I simply don’t care that some reviewers LOVED the book. I look at a book for what it is and don’t let myself get influenced by other’s reactions.
- On a similar note, please do not assume that your book is going to be LOVED by me. (I’ve had a good many authors write in the request that they know I’ll love the book. It’s just a bit annoying to read.)
FORMATS I READ IN
- I own a Kindle. Please make sure you can provide a .mobi file of the book. I don’t need it to be gifted through Amazon, I know that cost us authors money.
- I also accept print copies, but I know that it’s not the cheapest option to send reviewers, so only offer this if it’s necessary or to your liking. I’m perfectly fine with ebooks.
- I will not accept PDF files for review. I do not read on my computer, and these files do not read well on my Kindle or Kindle Fire. Sorry.
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH MY REVIEWS
- ALL of my reviews are honest. I will only write my honest opinion of the book. It will never be a personal attack on the author. If it’s a negative review it’s because I felt the book deserved it, not the author. Same thing goes for a positive review.
- All that I state in my reviews will be as constructive in criticism as humanly possible.
- I will post my reviews on my blog, Goodreads, Amazon/B&N/etc. If I’m able to review it on a store’s site, I will to the best of my ability.
- I know that you need to have purchased a book from Smashwords to review there. If your book is there and you’d like me to post the review, please provide a coupon so I can “purchase it” from SW and I’ll leave a review.
- It takes about 2 minutes to copy and paste a review. I’m all for spreading the word around, so it’s not a hassle for me to post it multiple places.
- I don’t accept money for reviews blah, blah, blah. Just feel this needs to be said because some reviewers do (I’ve heard at least). Getting the copy of the book is “payment” enough. I get a book, you get a review. Sounds fair enough to me.
