Every author puts a lot of time and effort into their book and it's very scary wondering if people will like it who don't actually know you personally. For me it was at least. It's hard to sell books these days and I'd rather have to review that a bad one. Naturally, everyone has different tastes and not everyone feels the same about every book. That is why I always look for something good to say about it, but like you, want to be honest. If we really hate a book so much that we couldn't even bother to finish it, we list it on our dud list on a separate page of our blog and let it go at that.

I consider myself a blogger who reads and sometimes reviews, does that make sense. I'll have to read the links you've given, but oddly enough I find more authors and publishers are noticing book bloggers,taking what we write more seriously. I ask for ARC's sometimes I get them, sometimes not, and I too love to share any books I've given.
I'm a new follower, and I look forward to your reviews.

My daughter just pointed to your picture and said, "Barbie!" Don't you feel special?

I hated that first chapter contest last year and swore never to enter again. I got glowing reviews from four judges, and a scathing one from the fifth. I swear it was a man who doesn't like YA, LDS, message driven romance. I guess judges are just like book bloggers, huh? You can't please them all. :-)

Anyway, I almost entered this year though I'd said I wouldn't. But in the end I wasn't ready.

Hope I get to meet the other Susan at Storymakers. And good luck in the contest. Maybe I'll be clapping hard when they call your name. We can always dream.

Karen - I know authors consider their books their "babies," and are as protective about them as they are their actual children, but when I review, I'm only looking at an object, a product, something that has no heart or feelings to hurt. You know? It's never, ever a personal attack.

Oh, I like the idea of a dud list.

Anita - That does make sense! I've peeked at your blog and really enjoyed it.

I think authors are noticing us more and more, which is only right considering how much we do to spread the word about great books. And, I have to say, the majority of writers I've dealt with have been wonderful.

Susan - LOL. Bless your baby :) I look nothing like Barbie, unless there happens to be an overweight, overtired, overfrazzled housewife version!

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with the contest. I'm sure I won't win, but I wanted to see what strangers had to say about my writing. My critique partner is wonderful, but probably a TAD biased :)

Let's definitely meet up at Storymakers. I'd love to chat with my "twin" in person!

Well...I'm not a book blogger, or an author. But I can't tell you how many books I have added to my reading list just from reading your blog! I think book bloggers are a valuable asset to authors and readers alike!
I love your straightforward, honest reviews.

I'm still trying to see if I can make it to Storymakers this year. I just landed an agent this past week, (SQUEE!!) and I've been dying to go to a great writers conference ever since I started writing three years ago. I need one more than ever now! Maybe I'll see you there! :D
As for reviews, I love yours. Keep them coming. I've slacked on my book review blog since I've been writing so much, and can't decide whether to keep my writers blog and delete my book blog or not. Too many decisions...

Let me know if you or Robin need somewhere to stay during your conference...I'm impressed that you have managed to write an entire chapter...I can barely string together a paragraph.

A big amen to what Valerie just said.

Ooh, I hope someday you get that book published - I'd totally want to read it. And yeah for people who aren't afraid of expressing negative opinions! I like your negatives as much as your positives.

Wow. Thanks for this amazing post. I love how your broke down and shared everything you'd come across.

I agree with you.

Sounds like while writers need to be less sensitive and bloggers need to be more sensitive.

To clarify, writers should be less sensitive about reviews (when they get negative ones) and bloggers need to be more sensitive (to writers feelings). Great post.

I personally think that book bloggers are ROCK STARS! As an author and a book publicist, bloggers are the lifeblood of the industry right now. In an industry where huge publishing powerhouses are crumbling and book review pages in newspapers and mags are shrinking, bloggers are the ones who are supporting and helping the book industry flourish. You guys make reading cool and are spreading the word about great books. Please keep it up! Don't let a few bitter people get you down. Authors LOVE book bloggers! (at least this author does!) xoxo
Megan

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