In any given month, I receive dozens of requests for reviews. Some are from the big NYC houses, several are from small metaphysical presses, and a few are from publicity firms/publicists.
At times, an author contacts me directly. Some of those authors self-publish their work, and even go so far as to disguise this fact by "naming" themselves as a publishing company.
With the exception of most Tarot decks and books, and the very rare gem, most self-published books are complete crap. They are self-published for a reason; the author did not:
1. Dedicate time (years) to the craft of writing, including language mechanics
2. Hire an Editor, or seek out professional/peer criticism
3. Research the market
(Remember: I said "most").
I've had self-published authors, even after I've given them constructive criticism and refused to review their book because I didn't want to trash it, beg me (repeatedly) to re-read the book and reconsider my opinion (even citing what "other people" are saying about the book).
Guess what? I don't care what Joe Schmo anonymous/unknown says about your book. I've read and reviewed enough books in my life (thousands)--not to mention written my own published works--that I know what's crap...especially if I have 5-10 salient points to demonstrate why.
Of course, being a softie at heart, I tend to wear down easily, especially after an email reply saying something like "I understand that the quality of self-published books are usually poor, but mine is different! And, I write about ____ (a subject of obvious interest to me), and I know you'd love it!"
I just received yet another one of these books last week (pitched to me as using the Cinderella fairytale to relay profound life truths) and, guess what?
Crap. Again.
Repetitive. Simplistic. Using the wrong word in several instances (for example, "implement" when the correct word would be "incriminate"). Lack of cohesion. Rambling. After giving it the good ol' college try (30 pages), I quit.
And I resolved to never, ever review self-published books again unless it's 1. Tarot related 2. By a traditionally-published author 3. By an author whose work I have read and admired on the web
Just now, I received yet another request. This time, someone tracked me down using Facebook. As always, they blow smoke up my proverbial butt, telling me how much they love me/my website. (Sorry, praise doesn't sway me anymore than criticism does.) I answered politely:
"Hi there,
I don't review self-published books. Sorry!
Blessings,
Janet"
The tone of her reply was, not surprisingly, much different from the sycophantic first one:
"I am sorry to hear that. Exclusionary policies always surprise me, and especially in the spiritual realm. Even Thomas Merton said 'If you want to help other people, you have got to make up your mind to write things that some men will condemn.' Anyway, my heart goes out to you.
Love and Light,
[Self Published Writer]"
I replied: "Condemning what people write is a far cry for refusing to review self-published work." (And, this person didn't even ask me WHY I didn't review self-published work.)
So here it is: Why I don't, and will not, review (most) self-published books.
Let me also say that if a writer has had a publisher choose to publish a book--which is a major committment not only in money, but also in time, marketing and other resources--the writer has passed some arduous tests (98% of the time) during the entire publication process, from first draft to finished copy.
So if I refuse to read or review your self-published work, please don't take it personally. I only have so much time for reviewing, and prefer to dedicate that precious commodity to works I deem worthy, interesting or original.
-- Janet Boyer
