Nov 30 2008
Meet SMS Book Reviews
Blog Name: SMS Book Reviews
Blog URL: http://smsbookreviews.blogspot.com
RSS or Atom Feed Address: http://smsbookreviews.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss
Blog Owner: Kathleen Garber (Callista)
1. What motivated you to create a book review blog?
I started out writing reviews at Amazon but then they added the rule that you couldn’t add reviews if you hadn’t bought from them and I hadn’t at the time. So I started up a blog (this was in 2001) and moved my reviews over. For many years I just posted a review here and there when I remember then in 2006 I found the book blogging community and I haven’t looked back.
2. What do you find most rewarding about book reviewing?
I like sharing my thoughts with others in the hopes that they will find a book they like but might not have heard about otherwise. I really want to get the word out about non-fiction and how fun it can be to read too!
3. What types of books do you review?
I review lots of different books but I prefer Non-fiction, especially Parenting and Paganism and anything life related like Psychology, Sociology, Culture or Gender Studies and the like. I love children’s and teen’s fiction and non-fiction too. For adult ficiton, my top picks would be mysteries and crime novels with paranormal a close second.
4. In what genre do you consider yourself to have the most expertise?
I would say Parenting and children’s picture books are what I’ve read the most of. I’ve also read quite a bit of Pagan books and books about life (marriage, culture, gender, sexuality)
5. Is there any type of book that you absolutely will not review?
I will not review romance, political, business books or Christian non-fiction and I don’t like too much Christian Fiction.
6. Do you accept submissions from self-published authors?
Yes
7. Do you accept PDF versions or e-books for review?
No. I find it very hard to read on a screen.
8. Can an author guest blog for you?
I’ve never done it before but would be willing to give it a go.
9. Do you host book giveaways?
I cannot at this time ship books out myself but if the author or publisher can do the shipping, I can hold the giveaway.
10. Do you interview authors?
I’ve never done an author interview but am not entirely opposed to doing one. I don’t wish to do lots but if an author requests it, I wouldn’t say no.
11. Do you ever host stops on an organized book tour?
Yes I’m a part of MotherTalk, Kids Book Buzz and I have done tours with Multnomah Books.
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’m quite swamped right now but I try to get a review done within 3 months. I”m working on making that wait time shorter. However I can get a book done within a week if need be. If the book is time sensitive, I just need to know beforehand.
13. Do you cross-post reviews to Amazon or other sites?
I cross post reviews to Good Reads and will cross post to Amazon if asked.
14. Will you notify an author by email when a review is posted?
Yes I save all requests as emails and send a reply when the review is up.
15. Do you have any specific requirements for review submission?
I want to know what the books are ahead of time and agree to review them. I don’t send out my address for random books to be sent to. I live in Canada so make sure you can send there.
16. Where can authors submit review queries and to whom should they be addressed?
Please send queries to Callista or Kathleen.
