The Book Bloggers

Blog Name: Aricia’s Gay Book Blog
Blog URL: http://ariciasgaybookblog.blogspot.com/
RSS or Atom Feed Address: http://feeds.feedburner.com/AriciasGayBookBlogBlog
Owner: Aricia Gavriel

1. What motivated you to create a book review blog?
There are scores (and more) of great blogs talking about new books, but a lot of my all-time favorites are older books, titles that came out in the 1970s and 80s. These books are being lost, or at least forgotten, because very few books are reprinted these days, and reviewers don’t often talk about old books. I review new ones too, but I review old favorite novels and writers, and I always find sources and include links to where you can get a copy — often at much lower prices than you’d get new books. This should help writers who are trying to market a long backlist. Some authors working today have forgotten titles from 20 years ago. It would be so nice if their earlier work were remembered.

2. What do you find most rewarding about book reviewing?
“Saving” older books from being forgotten! In the stores (at least in Australia) you only ever see bestsellers. In online stores, you have to know what, and who, to search for … how will you stumble over something great? A review is invaluable help. But who reviews older books? I do! They’re all available from online sellers, if folks knew where to look and what to search on. This is where I come in.

3. What types of books do you review?
Right now, specifically m/m gay books, old and new. Might branch out further as time goes by. However, the plots could be anything from historicals to crime and SF — it’s the m/m content that sets them into their own category.

4. In what genre do you consider yourself to have the most expertise?
I’ve read a lot of SF and fantasy, (gay and not), but would consider myself an “expert” in the sub-sub-genre where the SF and fantasy has a gay spin.

5. Is there any type of book that you absolutely will not review?
No. I’ll review anything … but if I think it’s a bad book, I’ll say so! Not wanting to hurt people’s feelings, I therefore stick books I like — or have, so far. I don’t have a problem with erotica, but if a book is hateful about some sector of the community (gay, colored, female, pagan, handicapped, obese, homeless…), expect me to speak out about it.

6. Do you accept submissions from self-published authors?
Absolutely. Some of the best fiction being written today is coming out direct from the authors. Mainstream publishers are only in it for the bucks, and newcomers (or writers in small niches) haven’t been able to break in for many years. They have two options: self-publish or give up. I applaud writers with the courage to learn the trade from the ground floor on up and become masters of every aspect of the business from writing and editing to layout and graphic design, and marketing. (However, I sigh over those writers who publish “too soon,” with immature skills in all departments. The end product is … sad.)

7. Do you accept PDF versions or e-books for review?
I’d be glad to! So far, I’ve been able to pull all books reviewed off my own shelf. I’d have to think long and hard about buying books to review (like many people, I’m counting the pennies these days), but it a writer or publisher chose to send an ebook or PDF, I’d be delighted.

8. Can an author guest blog for you?
Yes. Right now I’m not “configured” for it, but I’d be happy to set something up.

9. Do you host book giveaways?
Would be happy to, if I had the physical stock. Regarding ebook giveaways — absolutely. This is so easy to organize via Lulu, Smashwords, Payloadz — I could even use my Box account.

10. Do you interview authors?
I haven’t had the opportunity yet, but now you mention it … it’s a fine idea.

11. Do you ever host stops on an organized book tour?
Sadly, no. I don’t have the facilities, blogging as I do out of a laptop on the corner of a busy desk in the rumpus room!

12. What is the average turnaround time for a review, from the time the book arrives in your mailbox until the review is posted?
I would guess, 2-3 weeks. I’d put priority on a book that had been sent to me, and would need time to read and post … allowing for real life to intervene and throw everything into uproar, as it always does.

13. Do you cross-post reviews to Amazon or other sites?
No. Everything I write for my blog is written afresh.

14. Will you notify an author by email when a review is posted?
If I were in contact with them, I certainly would. Most of the writers I’ve reviewed so far are “names” from 20 - 30 years ago … some of them are deceased! … but the current “names” seem to be very aware of the reviews. For example, Josh Lanyon and Mel Keegan have left comments.

15. Do you have any specific requirements for review submission?
My blog is called “Aricia’s Gay Book Blog,” which gives you a line on what I review — and who my readers are. So long as a book has a m/m facet to it somewhere, that’s fine. I’ve reviewed books in every genre, from historicals to SF and fantasy, plus biography. I haven’t looked at non-fiction yet, but I’ll get around to it.

16. Where can authors submit review queries and to whom should they be addressed?
Contact me (Aricia Gavriel) either via the blog, or at ariciagavriel [AT] gmail [DOT] com.

I’m a voracious reader from way back, and have been a “proofie” or proofreader for Mel Keegan and DreamCraft since 2003 (which perhaps qualifies me as a reviewer). I don’t have any personal aspirations to be a novelist but I’m enjoying the living daylights out of blogging, and I post every couple of days. The blog is still a “start-up,” it’s been online only since 11/29/08, but already I have numerous regular readers in all parts of the world — including China, Malaysia and the Middle East! — and to my surprise, I score very highly on the Google searches. All very gratifying.