Quick note to publishers, before I dive in. My bloggiversary date is June 6, 2006, so at this point I've been blogging for close to 7 years. I love publishers, authors, publicists and books, books, books! But, I'm a tiny bit burned out on the obligation to review and will be taking some time off from regular ARC reviewing. Having said that, there will be occasions that I'll accept a book, so please read the new review policy thoroughly and Happy Reading!
New Review/Blogging Policy - as of February, 2013:
1. I review only paper/cloth books. No e-books, ever. I tried electronic books and discovered that I need and desire a solid book in hand, the ability to mark passages with Post-its, the feel of placing a bookmark inside a book and the satisfaction of closing a book when done.
2. I am no longer accepting books for review on specific dates, aka "book tours" (unless I deliberately seek out a particular book and that's the only option). Those that have already been scheduled will still appear on the correct date.
3. Any books accepted for review are subject to being ditched if they don't work for me. If I choose to DNF (Did Not Finish) a book, I may write about it in a DNF post with other books that I did not complete. However, I reserve the right to say nothing about the book at all.
4. I will happily continue to accept unsolicited books and review them when I'm able (but, again, reserve the right to say nothing if I DNF a book). I will not, however, hand out my address for unsolicited books. I'm just going to stick with those who already have my name on a list.
5. I reserve the right to read what I want to read when I want to read it. I'm a very moody reader. While I try to read all review books in a timely manner, sometimes it will take me months to get to a particular book.
6. Since my reading, blogging and internet time have been limited and I'm in the preliminary/research stages of a 2 different writing projects, the only books I will accept for review at the moment are:
- WWII - fiction or nonfiction titles with particular preference for those set in the UK (although all WWII titles are welcome for consideration) - to aid in research for Project #1
If this changes, I'll update accordingly. I'm not an expert in WWII but it is my favorite time period to read about and just happens to be the time period I've chosen for a story I have in mind.
7. This should probably be #1, but oh, well. I have been waffling quite a bit about blogging, lately, and therefore may walk away at any time. At this point, I don't plan to give up blogging. I'm happy. My intent is to reevaluate my blogging direction on my 7th bloggiversary, on June 6, 2013. But, if I choose to quit, I'm quitting and that's that. If you send me a book, that's a part of the risk.
8. I'm addicted to books, so I'll never stop reading and writing about them. Even if I give up the blog, I'll still be writing reviews *somewhere*. At the moment, I'm hooked on Goodreads, so if I walk away from blogging I'll still post my thoughts -- or, at the very least, a rating -- at Goodreads.
To request a review:
You may write to me at bookfoolery at gmail dot com. I do not guarantee that I will reply because of time constraints. However, if I'm interested, I will definitely contact you within 2 weeks.
Important addendum:
My content at Bookfoolery is mine and mine alone. No advertisements, guest posts or additional content will be allowed at Bookfoolery. If you request a review, you will see a review if I finish the book (meaning if it doesn't become a DNF) but I will not post contests, interviews or other information, unless I choose to do so.
Second addendum:
I love books but I don't love only books. I'm still working on the direction of my content because I'm at a weird, in-between stage in my life, having just moved and empty-nesting without a job to keep me busy. Hence the potential to walk away. But, right now I'm happy just altering my direction a little.
I'm about to change my review policy if I keep getting requests. I'm so overwhelmed right now. It really ruins reading for me.
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling, Jenny. There are plenty of people who are fine with reading nothing but review books. I am not one of them. It doesn't ruin the reading for me, but I do have to mix in plenty of books off my shelves or I start to go nuts from feeling too scheduled.
DeleteI love this. I've been burned out on scheduled tours and reviews. I'm limiting the books I accept that have scheduled dates.
ReplyDeleteI think there comes a point that most of us just throw up our hands and say, "Enough," Holly. Best of luck to you. The hardest part is just not accepting the book and accompanying burden, in the first place.
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