Publisher input
Here's a question for the book bloggers out there: how many of you accept free copies from publishes, on the assumption that you'll consider reviewing them?
I ask because I'm getting a bit of a roster of requests now, from small publishers I already do a fair bit to support (including teaching their books - hi, Rachel!) as well as from larger ones to whose fortunes I would have assumed I was incidental. I mean, do Random House and National Geographic, to use a couple of examples, really need me? My default position is that I'll pursue my own interests, thank you very much, but of course I do cheerfully follow up recommendations from people - no man is an island etc.
Maybe I'm missing something, but I haven't seen many policy statements out there from places like the inestimable Baby Got Books, John Mutford at The Book Mine Set, Kate at Kate's Book Blog, Beth at BooksEtc., Patricia at BookLust, RagDoll at My Tragic Right Hip, The Literate Kitten....
I ask because I'm getting a bit of a roster of requests now, from small publishers I already do a fair bit to support (including teaching their books - hi, Rachel!) as well as from larger ones to whose fortunes I would have assumed I was incidental. I mean, do Random House and National Geographic, to use a couple of examples, really need me? My default position is that I'll pursue my own interests, thank you very much, but of course I do cheerfully follow up recommendations from people - no man is an island etc.
Maybe I'm missing something, but I haven't seen many policy statements out there from places like the inestimable Baby Got Books, John Mutford at The Book Mine Set, Kate at Kate's Book Blog, Beth at BooksEtc., Patricia at BookLust, RagDoll at My Tragic Right Hip, The Literate Kitten....
Comments
My policy is pretty simple: a) I accept only fiction, because it's all I feel qualified to write intelligently about, b) I decide on an individual basis if I'm willing to review a book, because I'm only one man and I still have a day job outside the industry, and a life to boot, c) I do not guarantee good reviews, only that they will be fair, honest, and up within roughly a month (though usually sooner).
I hope this helps.
The New York Times does not have a policy statement that I've ever seen nor has any newspaper I've ever read said "The following book was received free from the publisher" - but it almost always is. We're not the New York Times, but you get my meaning.
I cheerfully accept books that I have every intention of reading or that sound interesting. If I have a good relationship with the publisher, I may even ask for an advance of a book that I fully intend to read. It has happened.
That said, there are only three publishers that send me things on a regular basis. Two large houses, and one that is very small. Occasionally I will be contacted by an author directly, and I have also received advance copies from my local book seller in instances where we may plan to host the author for an event - if we both like the book.
My policy to all is -- feel free to give me books, but I reserve the right to not read it and to not like it. I also refused offers for books that I have no interest in reading.
More often than not, I'm reading a book that I bought from a store. I like to read what I want to, and I don't ever want to feel obligated to read something. However, there have been a few wonderful occasions where an excellent book that I would not have read otherwise has turned up in my box.
Clearly I'm going to have to think harder about this.
When I was debating the issue with myself, I looked around for a lit blog policy of ethics to adopt or modify but couldn't find anything like that.
I'm all for transparency, and you've got me thinking that some sort of statement on the site wouldn't be a bad idea.
The worse part of reviewing books sent to me is that I'm always tempted to give better review than I might otherwise.
So I turn down pretty much all email review requests, and very rarely get books now.
But you've got me thinking...perhaps I should have some sort of note on my blog saying please don't bother, and that I only review books that I like, not ones that I receive for free. There's so many book bloggers out there already doing a great job of reviewing books.
Tim, I like your idea of passing books on, since I've been a beneficiary of your largesse once already, but then isn't that deducting a volume from the sales receipts for that book? With small publishers I don't like the idea of getting a free book when their margins are likely pretty slim already.
I'm leaning now toward accepting books from publishers - but the pondering continues....
I don't get review copies because of my blog but because I'm a book reviews editor. It would be impossible to find a reviewer for every book I receive, even if I wanted to. Which I don't. Publishers understand that mailing a book out is no guarantee of a review, positive or otherwise. I do think it's bad form not to write something about a book you've specifically asked for, however.
Along with explaining what I want to receive, the statement will also mention that I'll donate unwanted books to local secondary school libraries. Thanks for all the input, people!