Why Authors Can't Really be Book Reviewers

I've had a thought musing in my mind over the past several months. I worried that I was the only one who felt this way. I even wondered if people would judge me for having this opinion. I kept it to myself.

Then I came across this discussion over at Stacia Kane's blog. WARNING: I keep this blog all things PG, but that post has a touch of language in it.

The discussion is about if you are published, soon to be published, wanting to be published ... should you review books?

See, I used to do that a little bit but realized the children's publishing community is a small world and I started wondering if giving reviews of other novels was a good idea.

I'd like to say that I absolutely love every book I pick up, but that is not honest or fair.

No one does or should.

But I think as authors (and I would propose aspiring authors as well) we need to think about how we present ourselves within our professional community.

If I adore a book, I'll feel free to shout it out. If I don't so much...I'll keep my lips sealed.

It is a professional courtesy....and maybe a little bit of hoping that other authors will extend that same courtesy to my work. Let the book review sites be honest. Let them review what they desire, say what they desire, rate things as they feel they should.

As writers, it is a line we should give serious consideration before crossing.

Question: what do you think about this? it's okay to disagree...let's have a discussion!
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Published on February 06, 2011 17:32
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