Dec 20 2008
Meet Grasping for the Wind
Blog Name: Grasping for the Wind
Blog URL: http://otter.covblogs.com
RSS or Atom Feed Address: http://feeds.feedburner.com/GraspingForTheWind
Blog Owner: John Ottinger
1. What motivated you to create a book review blog?
Nothing, actually. I had had a blog for some time, and been posting random things online, when I started writing mini-reviews. I was trundling along, posting reviews every so often when Tia of Fantasy Debut (http://fantasydebut.blogspot.com/) found me. She was so excited about my work that i got excited too, and started working hard on promoting myself and writing more in-depth, and valuable reviews. And the rest is history.
2. What do you find most rewarding about book reviewing?
When someone tells me they added a book I recommended to their To-be-Read pile. I like seeing authors gain a potential reader they might not have otherwise had becasue of my review. It is also great to have the interactions with publishers, authors, and fans that I never had before the blog. I was a lonely child in a world where reading fantasy and science fiction was frowned upon, and none of my friends read in the genre, so I had no one to discuss my favorite books with. Now I do.
3. What types of books do you review?
Primarily science fiction and fantasy, in all its forms. However, most of my reviews have been sword=and-sorcery, epic/high fantasy, space opera, comic fantasy/sf, space opera, and various anthologies.
4. In what genre do you consider yourself to have the most expertise?
Science fiction and fantasy, also known as speculative fiction.
5. Is there any type of book that you absolutely will not review?
Horror or New Weird. I also do not read much from vanity presses or print-on-demand publishers anymore, as my review queue stretches rather long. But I will consider them, if the marketing is convincing enough.
6. Do you accept submissions from self-published authors?
See above. Only on rare occasions anymore.
7. Do you accept PDF versions or e-books for review?
That depends. I have done so on occasion, but I usually turn down ebooks these days. I like the feel of a book in my hand, and I always end up printing out ebooks anyway, since I do not yet have an e-reader (though a gift of one would always be acceptable!)
8. Can an author guest blog for you?
Most certainly. In fact, I encourage it. This is where I will accept work from POD or self-published authors. Though I don’t have time to review their work, I would be happy to use an article they wrote at my blog, and be sure to mention their self-published work in their author blurb.
9. Do you host book giveaways?
I have done so in the past with some success, and would be happy to do so again, so long as shipping the work is done by the author or publisher, rather than me.
10. Do you interview authors?
Yes, but I have to have read their book first. I will also interview people in the writing profession such as publishers, marketers, editors.
11. Do you ever host stops on an organized book tour?
Once upon a time, I did. I plan to do so again for a couple in February, but these are few and far between. So I will, but I need advance notice. I am however, working on a sort of roundtable discussion that will work somewhat like a blog tour, so stay tuned!
12. What is the average turnaround time for a review, from the time the book arrives in your mailbox until the review is posted?
That depends. Sometimes just a few weeks, sometimes several months. While I run this blog as a hobby, I also review semi-professionally, and those books take precedence, as they usually have due dates attached. But I will alwasy do my best to keep you in the loop about where I am on reviewing your book, and if I find I cannot ever get to your work, will return the volume to you at my own expense.
13. Do you cross-post reviews to Amazon or other sites?
Not at this time. Though I would be happy to let an author do so himself or herself, using my text and byline.
14. Will you notify an author by email when a review is posted?
Yes, absolutely.
15. Do you have any specific requirements for review submission?
See http://otter.covblogs.com/archives/2007/02/about-me.html for guidelines and contact info.
Please include a synopsis of your novel, any blurbs you have received, and a link to your website or blog in an email to me. I will respond within one to two business days.
16. Where can authors submit review queries and to whom should they be addressed?
I’d rather not post my email here, but if you follow the link above, you will find instructions for contacting me.
