CCBC-Net Archives
the "right person"
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: GraceAnne A. DeCandido <ladyhawk>
Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 09:12:57 -0400
One thing that may not be well known, or appreciated, is how well the book editors at places like Booklist and Kirkus know their reviewers, their particular interests and proclivities. It is rare for a reviewer to get a book that he or she would hate on sight, or whose style or subject would be in an area they simply don't have a feel for. Editors are careful about that.
How much credence can you give a thumbs-down review? Well, what does it say? Does it clearly explain why the reviewer felt it was not worthy-- too didactic, too sentimental (personal buttons of mine), lack of imagination, poor character development? Or was it here is the plot, and I don't like it?
Aside to Karen Breen-- I reviewed Mysterious Thelonius for Kirkus, and loved it. I didn't think you even needed to know about jazz to love it, because the bounce of the words on the page was enough to enthrall a child (or an adult). GraceAnne (sig file way below)
GraceAnne A. DeCandido Blue Roses Editorial & Web Consulting, New York City ladyhawk at well.com http://www.well.com/user/ladyhawk/gadhome.html What's Ladyhawk reading now? http://www.well.com/user/ladyhawk/books.html
A word after a word after a word is power.
Atwood
Received on Wed 16 Sep 1998 08:12:57 AM CDT
Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 09:12:57 -0400
One thing that may not be well known, or appreciated, is how well the book editors at places like Booklist and Kirkus know their reviewers, their particular interests and proclivities. It is rare for a reviewer to get a book that he or she would hate on sight, or whose style or subject would be in an area they simply don't have a feel for. Editors are careful about that.
How much credence can you give a thumbs-down review? Well, what does it say? Does it clearly explain why the reviewer felt it was not worthy-- too didactic, too sentimental (personal buttons of mine), lack of imagination, poor character development? Or was it here is the plot, and I don't like it?
Aside to Karen Breen-- I reviewed Mysterious Thelonius for Kirkus, and loved it. I didn't think you even needed to know about jazz to love it, because the bounce of the words on the page was enough to enthrall a child (or an adult). GraceAnne (sig file way below)
GraceAnne A. DeCandido Blue Roses Editorial & Web Consulting, New York City ladyhawk at well.com http://www.well.com/user/ladyhawk/gadhome.html What's Ladyhawk reading now? http://www.well.com/user/ladyhawk/books.html
A word after a word after a word is power.
Atwood
Received on Wed 16 Sep 1998 08:12:57 AM CDT
