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.

Blog Name: Best Fantasy Stories
Blog URL: http://bestfantasystories.com
RSS or Atom Feed Address: http://feeds.feedburner.com/bestfantasystories
Blog Owner: Scarlett Moore

1. What motivated you to create a book review blog?
For several years I’ve been reading books and providing mini-reviews for family and friends during book swaps. Two years ago I discovered blogging and felt it provided a great medium for sharing my opinions of books.

2. What do you find most rewarding about book reviewing?
The social networking aspect. I’ve met some amazing fellow book readers, bloggers, and writers. I particularly enjoy connecting with readers outside the U.S. The site has allowed me to make contact with people from all over the
world. I also love hearing from people who have read books based on my recommendations.

3. What types of books do you review?
I primarily review contemporary and urban fantasy, a subgenre of fantasy. Urban fantasy books contain magical, supernatural, and/or paranormal components, all occuring in a modern day setting. Urban fantasy, although a subgenre, is fairly varied and contains titles that can be categorized as action-adventure, romantic, drama, comedy, and mystery. I review all types of urban fantasy.

4. In what genre do you consider yourself to have the most expertise?
Urban fantasy.

5. Is there any type of book that you absolutely will not review?
I don’t review non-fiction, historical, or children’s books. I also don’t review books that firmly fall into the romance or erotica genre. However, I do review paranormal romance books.

6. Do you accept submissions from self-published authors?
Yes.

7. Do you accept PDF versions or e-books for review?
No, physical books only. However, if someone wants to provide a Kindle along with the e-book, I might reconsider . . .

8. Can an author guest blog for you?
Yes, if that author’s work has been previously or recently accepted for review. My readers love to hear what
authors have to say about the books they write.

9. Do you host book giveaways?
Yes and one of my New Year’s resolutions is to host a book giveaway contest every other month.

10. Do you interview authors?
I haven’t yet but I’d love to.

11. Do you ever host stops on an organized book tour?
No.

12. What is the average turnaround time for a review, from the time the
book arrives in your mailbox until the review is posted?
It takes between 2-3 weeks for me to read the book and get a review written and published on the site.

13. Do you cross-post reviews to Amazon or other sites?
For promotional purposes I may post reviews of the same book at different sites but each article is always original in accordance with Google’s duplicate content guidelines.

14. Will you notify an author by email when a review is posted?
Once a book has been selected for review the author is notified upon receipt of the book. I also notify the author once the review is published.

15. Do you have any specific requirements for review submission?
The review request should include a synopsis of your book, the publication date, a link to your website, and your preferred timeline for getting the book review published. Also indicate whether you’d like me to host a book giveaway contest (you’ll need to provide a final, bound copy of your book for this purpose). And of course, the book must fall into the urban/contemporary fantasy subgenre.

16. Where can authors submit review queries and to whom should they be addressed?
Please submit inquiries to Scarlett Moore at questions [at] bestfantasystories [dot] com.

Blog Name: Ramya’s Bookshelf
Blog URL: http://ramyasbookshelf.blogspot.com
Blog Owner: Ramya

1. What motivated you to create a book review blog?
I started this blog three years ago to keep tab of all the books I was reading. And I added a little snippet from each book I read, a little something to help me remember the book. But soon, I found other book lovers across the globe and became part of this wonderful book blogging community. Now, my blog’s become an addiction and I have so many new friends!

2. What do you find most rewarding about book reviewing?
I love reading good books and I had a very tough time getting to know about interesting books (before I got into the book blogging world). So I enjoy it when people find good books on my blog and decide to read them and actually enjoy the experience. That to me is the most rewarding part of this.

3. What types of books do you review?
I love a good story. So I usually read anything that is an interesting story - memoirs, fiction novels, YA books, etc. I enjoy chick-lits every now and then. Chick-lits are my recharging mechanisms after reading something heavy. My favorite books are , however , books by international authors. Books based in different countries from around the world. I love getting to know the culture and traditions of people from around the world, and books are the best solutions!

4. In what genre do you consider yourself to have the most expertise?
I do not consider myself an expert reviewer. I love books and I love writing about books I have read. I tend to write honest reviews and I don not shy away from mentioning things I did not like about a book. I think that helps my readers to get a fair view of the book and helps them make a more informed decision. I read a wide range of books and don’t really concentrate on any one genre.

5. Is there any type of book that you absolutely will not review?
Self-help and religious propaganda books.

6. Do you accept submissions from self-published authors?
Of course! I can imagine how tough it would be for self published authors to get the word across about their book. If I like the premise of the book, I would definitely read books by self published authors and do my share in spreading the word about the book!

7. Do you accept PDF versions or e-books for review?
Not frequently. I find it tough to read ebooks. My day job involves being stuck in front a computer all day and I don’t like to stare at the screen when I am back home as well.

8. Can an author guest blog for you?
Sure! I have authors guest-blogging for me frequently and I enjoy reading and posting what they have to say!

9. Do you host book giveaways?
Never hosted one until now but I am not averse to the idea.

10. Do you interview authors?
Yes. I am part of virtual book tours and I host about 3 to 4 authors each month on my blog. I interview a few of them and I allow a few to submit a guest post.

11. Do you ever host stops on an organized book tour?
Yes. I am part of TLC book tours, pump up your book promotion and Promo 101 Virtual Blog Tours. I love the experience.

12. What is the average turnaround time for a review, from the time the book arrives in your mailbox until the review is posted?
Usually a week (if that is the only book I receive that week). Some weeks are crazy and I receive more than 10 books. At that time, I read books in priority order. I try to complete all my reviews for books within a month of receiving the book (even if it is not part of a tour).

13. Do you cross-post reviews to Amazon or other sites?
I post some reviews on LibraryThing. Never posted on Amazon but I plan to start doing it soon.

14. Will you notify an author by email when a review is posted?
If the author has contacted me requesting a review, I usually let them know that the review is up. If the publicist contacts me, then my email is directed to the publicist.

15. Do you have any specific requirements for review submission?
Hmm.. not exactly.

16. Where can authors submit review queries and to whom should they be addressed?
Authors can contact me - Ramya. My email address: ramyasbookshelf(at)gmail(dot)com

Blog Name: The Bluestocking Guide: Reviews by a Partial, Prejudiced, and Ignorant Reader
Blog URL: http://web.me.com/bluestocking_bb
RSS or Atom Feed Address: http://web.me.com/bluestocking_bb/The_Bluestocking_Guide/Book_Reviews/rss.xml
Blog Owner: Bluestocking a.k.a. Brooke

1. What motivated you to create a book review blog?
I’m always looking for something good to read, and I buy my books. The problem is it is hard to know when you pick up a book whether or not it is going to be as good as the review on the back of the book. Also, I like some unusual reads like all things Star Trek and Star Wars. Not a lot of people review the kind of books that I enjoy reading. I figured there are probably a lot of people like me who don’t know what to read or buy. So my blog is designed to give you the information on great reads especially if you plan to purchase a book.

2. What do you find most rewarding about book reviewing?
Well, it’s fun to keep track of how much I read. It’s also nice having people give their opinion on the same book in the comments. I think what I like most of all is when people decide to read or re-read one of the books that I review based upon my discussion of the book.

3. What types of books do you review?
I review Classics, Young adult (particularly fantasy), historical fiction, mysteries (cozies and detective), thriller/horror, Christian fiction, plays, humanities, some biography, non-fiction, and classical text.

4. In what genre do you consider yourself to have the most expertise?
I have the most expertise in fiction- all genres.

5. Is there any type of book that you absolutely will not review?
I won’t review books with a lot of profanity or sex. Also I won’t review romance novels. I’m not talking about books with romance elements. I’m talking about “bodice rippers.”

6. Do you accept submissions from self-published authors?
I will accept submissions from self-publishers. Beware, I am completely honest.

7. Do you accept PDF versions or e-books for review?
I would prefer print, as I have a difficult time reading on a computer screen.

8. Can an author guest blog for you?
Sure

9. Do you host book giveaways?
Yes.

10. Do you interview authors?
I conduct audio interviews with authors on my podcast, Inklings.

11. Do you ever host stops on an organized book tour?
Yes. I enjoy them and look forward to more.

12. What is the average turnaround time for a review, from the time the book arrives in your mailbox until the review is posted?
Usually a week or two. If it is an Advanced Review then it will be a matter of days.

13. Do you cross-post reviews to Amazon or other sites?
I usually cross post on Metaxu Literary Network. I will post on Barnes & Noble.com if requested. I do not post on Amazon because they will have the rights to my review.

14. Will you notify an author by email when a review is posted?
Yes

15. Do you have any specific requirements for review submission?
It needs to be bound as a book- no paper clips or staples. I usually read on the train so I don’t want the book falling apart.

16. Where can authors submit review queries and to whom should they be addressed? 
Bluestocking (Brooke)
thebluestockingguide [at] me [dot] com

Blog Name: Poisoned Rationality
Blog URL: http://lastexilewords.blogspot.com
Blog Owner: Lexie

1. What motivated you to create a book review blog?
I needed a way to not only keep track of what I was reading, but also to speak my opinion as honestly as I could about a variety of books. I review for a site as well, but the site is limited to Romance books 6 months or older. Since I tend to read a lot of older books or fantasy, I wanted somewhere to talk about those as well.

2. What do you find most rewarding about book reviewing?
Reading the books and maybe helping someone’s opinions. I try to be detailed about what issues I felt had arisen in the books I read, though that leads to spoilers occasionally. I try to keep major plot spoilers out of the reviews though. Whenever I read reviews I would always get a general idea of how the reviewer felt, but then when reading the book I’d think ‘Doesn’t anyone else find it aggrevating that the male lead’s age has changed twice?’ because its those sorts of nitpicks that bother me and possibly others. Better to be forewarned and forearmed as they say.

3. What types of books do you review? 
Urban fantasy, high fantasy, young adult, Regency Romance, Time Travel Romance, Star Trek (TnG, DS9, Mirror Universe), Anthologies, Science Fiction Romance, and Dark Fantasy. I also read mysteries, regular fiction and historical fiction, but only if the premise sparks my interest.

4. In what genre do you consider yourself to have the most expertise?
Fantasy or Regency, since those are my main two reading categories. I’m branching into Urban Fantasy a lot more lately and manga/Japanese Light Novels are also a large category for me.

5. Is there any type of book that you absolutely will not review?
I try to avoid erotic romances–my younger (16) sister tends to read a lot of the books I get for her school’s newspaper. Horror along the lines of Stephen King or John Saul is a definite never as well as most auto-biographies/memoir sort of books. Hard Science Fiction is a hit or miss for me as is contemporary romance, inspirational romance and teen ‘drama’ books (like Gossip Girl or Clique).

6. Do you accept submissions from self-published authors?
Yes, see no reason not to.

7. Do you accept PDF versions or e-books for review?
I do, but they tend to take longer for me to review because a) I can’t stand staring at my computer screen for more then a hour at most and b) I don’t have a printer to print the book out to read at my leisure.

8. Can an author guest blog for you?
That would have to be negociated between myself and the author. Since my blog is pretty much all about my interests and fandoms, the author would have to understand that their guest blog would have to fit within those parameters.

9. Do you host book giveaways?
As of right now I am a poor college student who babysits on the side to earn gas/bill money. In the future, if I get a better job, maybe, but right not I can’t economically do that.

10. Do you interview authors?
Haven’t done it before, but I love to e-mail authors and ask them questions so I can’t see it being any different right?

11. Do you ever host stops on an organized book tour?
Never even seen a book tour, so I’d have to say not.

12. What is the average turnaround time for a review, from the time the book arrives in your mailbox until the review is posted?
For print books anywhere from two days to a month, depending on personal life, mood and length of the book. Like I said above e-books take longer and tend to be closer to two months depending on length.

13. Do you cross-post reviews to Amazon or other sites?
No, only because Amazon has dealt me unfairly in the past when I try to post my honest opinion about books. Plus since they require you to purchase the book now its even harder.

14. Will you notify an author by email when a review is posted?
If they’d like. Since all my reviews have been about relatively older books so far, don’t see any reason to. I’ll send them a copy of the review before I post it, if they would like even so that we can discuss any problems I might have had and I can adjust my review accordingly.

15. Do you have any specific requirements for review submission?
Please e-mail me first with a synopsis or back cover blurb, as well as the genre/page count/publication date/etc. If there is a time sensitivity for the review, let me know that as well so that I know to read that before a book that isn’t due for another 3 months. If the book is part of a series please also mention that, as well as if its first in the series or if I should bone up on the other books first.

16. Where can authors submit review queries and to whom should they be addressed? 
Lexie at Lexie.Cenni (at) gmail.com I check my mail on a daily (if not every five hour) basis except when I’m babysitting.

Blog Name: 52 Books and 52 Weeks
Blog URL: http://52booksand52weeks.blogspot.com
RSS or Atom Feed Address: feed://52booksand52weeks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
Blog Owner: Ellie
1. What motivated you to create a book review blog?
I have loved reading my whole life, and I also love blogging, and after I realized tons of people have book blogs, why not combine the two?

2. What do you find most rewarding about book reviewing?
Being part of a community and finding out about all these awesome new books!

3. What types of books do you review?
* YA
* Adult
* Historical Fiction
* Romance
* Chick Lit
* Realistic Fiction
* Pretty much everything except non-fiction

4. In what genre do you consider yourself to have the most expertise?
YA/Teen

5. Is there any type of book that you absolutely will not review?
Horror or Harlequin Romance

6. Do you accept submissions from self-published authors?
Yes

7. Do you accept PDF versions or e-books for review?
I’ll consider it.

8. Can an author guest blog for you?
I haven’t yet, but I’m open to it!

9. Do you host book giveaways?
Again, I haven’t but am totally open to that and willing.

10. Do you interview authors?
Not yet but I would like to.

11. Do you ever host stops on an organized book tour?
I haven’t but I would.

12. What is the average turnaround time for a review, from the time the book arrives in your mailbox until the review is posted?
Around 2 weeks to 6 weeks; if you need a review earlier and tell me, I will do my best to oblige.

13. Do you cross-post reviews to Amazon or other sites?
Sometimes.

14. Will you notify an author by email when a review is posted?
If they ask me to.

15. Do you have any specific requirements for review submission?
Please include a detailed description of the book including genre, intended age group, and the official release date..
Please also state what you are looking for, when you want the review by, previous books that you have written (if any) and anything else important.

16. Where can authors submit review queries and to whom should they be addressed?
Queries can be sent to Ellie at my52booksand52weeks AT yahoo DOT com, or you can comment/follow my blog at http://52booksand52weeks.blogspot.com and indicate that you are interested in sending me a copy of your book. Thanks!

Blog Name: OCD, vampires, and rants, oh my! (Also known as Genre Reviews.)
Blog URL: http://community.livejournal.com/genrereviews/
RSS or Atom Feed Address: http://community.livejournal.com/genrereviews/data/rss
Blog Owners: Anna and Sarah

1. What motivated you to create a book review blog?
The love of reading and book discussion. We’re sick, sick people who enjoy dissecting what we’ve just read and spouting off opinions, so it just made sense to start a book blog.

2. What do you find most rewarding about book reviewing?
Every so often, someone mentions how they found just the perfect book through one of our reviews, which is really what the book blog labour of love is all about, isn’t it?

3. What types of books do you review?
There are four genres we specialize in: fantasy, science fiction, horror, and romance. There tend to be a lot of line-blurring between the genres, so it just made sense to do the four of them together. (Think urban fantasy or paranormal romance, which both often have elements of all four genres.) We take YA fiction, erotica, alternate history, anthologies, LGBT, and some chick lit, as well as the standards in the genres.

4. In what genre do you consider yourself to have the most expertise?
Well, since there are two of us, there are two different answers to this one. Anna’s been reading fantasy forever, and the same could be said of Sarah and horror. Of course, the branching out happened back in high school, so we’ve got a pretty broad background in that reading thing.

5. Is there any type of book that you absolutely will not review?
We try to stick pretty close to genre fiction, hence the name. So anything outside of those genres isn’t something we’d put up on the blog.

6. Do you accept submissions from self-published authors?
Yes, absolutely!

7. Do you accept PDF versions or e-books for review?
Yes, yes we do.

8. Can an author guest blog for you?
Sure! If any author is interested, just zip over an e-mail to let us know what you’d like to talk about.

9. Do you host book giveaways?
Yes! We love giving away books.

10. Do you interview authors?
We haven’t yet, but would be willing.

11. Do you ever host stops on an organized book tour?
It’s not something we’ve done, but it’s something we’d consider.

12. What is the average turnaround time for a review, from the time the book arrives in your mailbox until the review is posted?
It varies, depending on how many books we have in queue and who’s doing the review. Most of the time we try to have a review up within two weeks of receiving the book.

13. Do you cross-post reviews to Amazon or other sites?
Shorter versions of reviews are cross-posted to appropriate livejournal communities with links to the full thing.

14. Will you notify an author by email when a review is posted?
If the author has sent the book, yes. If the book is something we’ve picked up on our own, not usually.

15. Do you have any specific requirements for review submission?
Just that it should fall into one (or more) of the genres: science fiction, fantasy, horror, romance. And, uh, if you’re contacting us through e-mail, please make sure your spam filters allow us to e-mail you back!

16. Where can authors submit review queries and to whom should they be addressed?
Queries can be sent to us through genrereviews AT gmail DOT com or through a livejournal private message, if you have an account.

Blog Name: POD Book Reviews & More (PODBRAM)
Blog URL: http://iuniversebookreviews.blogspot.com/
Blog Owner: Floyd M. Orr

1. What motivated you to create a book review blog?
After learning how to market my own four POD books over a five year period, spending sizable funds and enormous quantities of time and effort, I thought it might be rewarding to try to help other deserving new authors. I tend to be very meticulous instead of prolific, in both my writing and in everything else I do, so I set out to make PODBRAM the best of its kind. We don’t review the most books, and we certainly do not dole out gushingly positive reviews like bubblegum. All our review team members are mature, experienced writers moonlighting as true book critics. We try to be the premiere free, legitimate POD review site on the web.

2. What do you find most rewarding about book reviewing?
Receiving nice e-mail messages and comments on the site from authors and readers who appreciate the effort we put into PODBRAM. Seeing our names on authors’ book jackets, in their Acknowledgments, and on their websites is always fun, too!

3. What types of books do you review?
We actively seek out mature, qualified, writers who are dedicated to their craft. We want to compose thoughtful, honest reviews, and the duds of the self-publishing universe drag down our mood and our purpose. Look over some of the books we have reviewed at PODBRAM and you will see a very eclectic pattern. We are far more concerned with quality than genre. We have little interest in children’s books, poetry or religious zealotry. We aren’t too thrilled with reading the same old formulaic tripe in the romance, horror, or scifi genres, either.

4. In what genre do you consider yourself to have the most expertise?
Nonfiction in general, particularly that of a social, contemporary, or political nature, light social commentary, horror, thrillers, and mysteries. Other reviewers on our team specialize in historical fiction, science fiction, military, espionage, history, comedy, and other genres.

5. Is there any type of book that you absolutely will not review?
The authors I refer to as cheaters are the main ones I refuse to review. These subjects include get-rich-quick schemes, celebrity trash, and other titles that are all too easy to sell to morons. We at PODBRAM generally have no interest in children’s books, poetry or pornography, either. We are looking for serious books by authors who are serious about writing, and that particularly means editing and proofreading.

6. Do you accept submissions from self-published authors?
Absolutely. We review books from all publishers except Lulu. Those are referred to our associates at The Lulu Book Review.

7. Do you accept PDF versions or e-books for review?
No.

8. Can an author guest blog for you?
No.

9. Do you host book giveaways?
No.

10. Do you interview authors?
Yes, we offer very extensive, detailed interviews of accomplished authors who particularly have something of value to offer to our readers. Visit the website to see exactly what I mean by extensive and detailed.

11. Do you ever host stops on an organized book tour?
No.

12. What is the average turnaround time for a review, from the time the book arrives in your mailbox until the review is posted?
The timeframe is subject to how busy we are at the time. We have five reviewers, and usually your book will be selected by the reviewer who feels he or she can most likely read and review your book promptly. You will be notified at the time if the wait is longer than a few weeks. Often the turnaround is within a few days.

13. Do you cross-post reviews to Amazon or other sites?
According to the reviewer, we post reviews at various other sites. All reviews are posted at PODBRAM and Amazon, and in some cases, these are individually composed reviews. In addition, we have reviewers that post to their own review sites or to Blogger News Network.

14. Will you notify an author by email when a review is posted?
Absolutely. We offer the best personal service available. An author selected for review will receive notification when his book has been received, as well as when his reviews have been completed. See our website for more detailed information.

15. Do you have any specific requirements for review submission?
All an author has to do is to ask nicely. Be sure to mention the title of your book, your website, and your contact e-mail address. I will promptly research you and your book online to see what sort of author you seem to be. If I immediately discover numerous errors of editing or proofreading in your book, I shall let you know that your book has not been accepted for review at PODBRAM. If your book fits into what I call the cheating category, or there seem to be other careless discrepancies in your credentials as a serious author, you will be promptly dismissed. If you pass these two hurdles, and I am either not interested in or too busy for your book, then I send your information out to the other team members. If one or more of them requests your book, the one who seems to want it more will be selected and you will be notified immediately of the address of the reviewer. This whole process can take as little as ten minutes or as long as 48 hours. Most authors are notified as accepted or rejected either the same day or the next.

16. Where can authors submit review queries and to whom should they be addressed?
Contact Floyd M. Orr at ice9 at nctv dot com or comment on any post.
PODBRAM used to be known as iUniverse Book Reviews (iUBR). The name was changed to PODBRAM when I decided to set up a team of reviewers and open up the submissions to all publishers, both traditional and POD. The URL has been left as it was simply because of the many links to the site already set up all over the web. We still probably review more books from iU than any other publisher, but we have no business relationship with the company other than as authors. Although it was not covered in this interview, PODBRAM offers a wealth of helpful information about the POD publishing and marketing experience, in addition to the book reviews.

Blog Name: Anna’s Book Blog
Blog URL: http://annavivian.blogspot.com/
RSS or Atom Feed Address: http://annavivian.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss
Blog Owner: Anna Lemkau

1. What motivated you to create a book review blog?
I originally started doing reviews on my blog at MySpace, but then found that blogger had way more to offer so I decided to just do a blog that concentrated on reviews, books, & authors. Also I love books and I just want to get my thoughts out there and hear what everybody else thinks of the books. Plus I love to help promote authors and their books.

2. What do you find most rewarding about book reviewing?
It’s nice to get my thoughts on a book out there. But what is most rewarding is helping to the promote the author and getting the word out about the genre.

3. What types of books do you review?
Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Historical Romance, Fantasy, Erotica, Science Fiction, Futuristic, Young Adult.

4. In what genre do you consider yourself to have the most expertise?
Paranormal Romance

5. Is there any type of book that you absolutely will not review?
Contemporary Romance, Inspirational and Westerns

6. Do you accept submissions from self-published authors?
Yes.

7. Do you accept PDF versions or e-books for review?
Yes, I’m addicted to e-books. So I’m definitely up to doing reviews on them.

8. Can an author guest blog for you?
I haven’t done it yet, but I’d be open to it.

9. Do you host book giveaways?
Yes, I do. I run contests every few months or so.

10. Do you interview authors?
I haven’t yet, but I’m open to the idea.

11. Do you ever host stops on an organized book tour?
I haven’t before.

12. What is the average turnaround time for a review, from the time the book arrives in your mailbox until the review is posted?
If the book is an ARC …once I have the book in my had it’ll take me 4 to 7 days. But if it’s just a regular book on my reading list, It can take longer depending on what else I’m reading.

13. Do you cross-post reviews to Amazon or other sites?
Yes. Amazon, Barnes & Noble and several other Book sites

14. Will you notify an author by email when a review is posted?
Yes, I make sure to get a hold of them through email or MySpace. Sometimes they find the review before I get an chance to notify them.

15. Do you have any specific requirements for review submission?
Just that it be one of the genre’s I read.

16. Where can authors submit review queries and to whom should they be addressed?
darkhunters76 AT msn DOT com, Anna

Blog Name: Kay’s Bookshelf
Blog URL: http://www.kaysbookshelf.com/
RSS or Atom Feed Address: http://feeds.feedburner.com/KaysBookshelf
Blog Owner: me my name is Andreea but online I go by Kay
1. What motivated you to create a book review blog?
I am a very very passionate reader, and as such I have read lots and lots of books over time. After a while I have begun to notice how I don’t remember anything (or very little) about many of the books I knew I’d read. Very annoying. So I started this blog as a way to keep a detailed track of what I read

2. What do you find most rewarding about book reviewing?
Well, the very reason I started this blog in English was the fact that this way it could reach a wider audience. I’m quite happy when I see people looking for various book-related things and finding the answers on my blog. I love receiving comments or questions about the books reviewed. And, of course, I love the fact that everything is written down so whenever I need to know something about a particular book I can just look it up

3. What types of books do you review?
Um… anything? Never tried graphic novels though. Besides that I don’t initially shrink away from anything. I have given up a couple of books I didn’t like enough to keep reading until the end though. However right now no particular type comes to mind that would make me say “no” without even opening the book. My favorites are historical fiction and everything related to time-travel, but I have been positively surprised by at least one book of any genre, so I’m fairly open to anything coming along.

4. In what genre do you consider yourself to have the most expertise?
Fiction. I don’t know, I read about anything that comes my way, I don’t think I’ve preferred any genre over another over time. I may go through a period when I feel like reading only this or only that, but all in all I don’t think I’ve preferred anything in particular for long stretches of time.

5. Is there any type of book that you absolutely will not review?
Nothing comes to mind.

6. Do you accept submissions from self-published authors?
I don’t see why not. I enjoy a good book regardless on who published it.

7. Do you accept PDF versions or e-books for review?
Of course, I love e-books, my to-be-read pile is now a huge folder on my laptop. A brilliant thing storage-wise

8. Can an author guest blog for you?
I’m sorry but no. It’s my very very personal blog and I’d like it to stay this way (personal as in it expresses my own opinions not, of course, as in I write in it about me only )

9. Do you host book giveaways?
Never thought about it. It would be a bit hard though given that I mainly read e-books

10. Do you interview authors?
Never thought about it either. I mean I did once, when I had a huge question related to Audrey Niffenegger’s Time Traveler’s Wife, but I couldn’t think for the life of me of more questions than the one actually bothering me. Plus I ended up postponing it indefinitely anyway.

11. Do you ever host stops on an organized book tour?
Never had the chance. To be honest I’m not actually sure I even know what that is (I do have an idea, of course, but I’m not sure about the details)

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 usually start reading the book that very day and post the review the very day I finish it. Also I usually try to get it done within a week at the most.

13. Do you cross-post reviews to Amazon or other sites?
One more thing I didn’t actually think about.

14. Will you notify an author by email when a review is posted?
Always and absolutely. Plus I keep my breath until his/her answer arrives.

15. Do you have any specific requirements for review submission?
Nothing comes to mind. No.

16. Where can authors submit review queries and to whom should they be addressed?
The email address is groovyblog AT gmail DOT com. The name is either Andreea or Kay.