Why I Write Book Reviews

By Paula Martinac

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It’s been thirty-five years, but I still have a folder containing clippings of the reviews my first novel received in newspapers and journals. The reviews meant a lot to me — not just because they encouraged sales, but because they affirmed me as an author and indicated that people were actually reading the book I’d spent years sweating over.

That’s a big reason why I write reviews of other authors’ books. I’m not talking about a quick “Loved it!” on Amazon or Goodreads, but reviews that go a little deeper into plot and craft and convey to authors that someone is paying attention. Is there anything better for an author than reading a review that “gets” your work?

At the same time, I see the reviews I write as a public service, helping readers decide which titles they might enjoy. My own reading time is limited, and I always look at reviews to help me pick my next book.

But being a reviewer benefits me, too. It engages me differently than reading for pleasure; I slow down and read with intention. I might take note of craft techniques that work well and that I might like to try in my own work. And because I often review historical fiction, which is what I write, I get to see what’s being published and by whom, and that keeps me in touch with publishing trends.

Believe me, authors notice who reviews their books, so reviewing is a kind of networking that can provide reviewers with credibility and contacts. I like to think it keeps me connected, as if I’m engaging in a conversation with the larger literary community. “Writing reviews … reminds us we’re all in this together,” says David Wogahn on The Brevity Blog.

With all this in mind, and as a service to our literary community, Charlotte Lit is launching a new blog feature called “Lit Reviews,” and we’re looking for Lit members who’d like to take on occasional reviewing assignments. These reviews will be short (300–400 words) and will concentrate on work by authors in our immediate orbit: current Lit members; graduates of our Labs; faculty; and past and present contributors to Litmosphere. They’ll cover all genres of books for adults, including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

If you’re a current Lit member who’s interested in becoming one of our reviewers, please visit charlottelit.org/reviews for more information, then drop us a line at reviews@charlottelit.org.

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Authors, take note! If you’re an author in the Charlotte Lit orbit and you’ve had a book published within the past year — or have one forthcoming — congrats! Please click here to visit our review page for information about submitting your book for possible review.