Category Archives: Reviewing

More Visibility Numbers

Posted on March 24, 2013 by Cheryl

Over at Neth Space there’s a bit more information on the question of who gets reviewed. Neth gets sent books to review, and for the last 6 months those broke down as 70% books by men, 30% by women. For … Continue reading →

Posted in Feminism, Publishing, Reviewing, Science Fiction | Comments Off

Bristol Women’s Literature Festival #BWLF

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Cheryl

On Saturday I popped over to Bristol to catch part of the inaugural Bristol Women’s Literature Festival. I was dipping my toe into this, partly because Literature Festivals have a habit of not wanting any of those icky science fiction … Continue reading →

Posted in Conventions, Feminism, Publishing, Reviewing | 1 Comment

VIDA Follow-Up

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Cheryl

I was reminded by a conversation on Facebook triggered by my earlier post today that there is a big positive feedback loop operating here. If the only books people hear being talked about are books by men, then those are … Continue reading →

Posted in Feminism, Reviewing | Comments Off

VIDA-Style Numbers For Us

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Cheryl

As with last year, the LadyBusiness blog has produced a VIDA-like analysis of reviewing in the SF&F community. The post is here. The numbers are not surprising. It is a valuable service they are providing, though doubtless depressing to actually … Continue reading →

Posted in Feminism, Reviewing | 5 Comments

Some Thoughts for Authors

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Cheryl

I have a lot of catch-up to do after two days away, but I’d like to start with a couple of thoughts for authors. The first was prompted by meeting up with my friend Jon Turney in London. Jon, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Ebooks, Publishing, Reviewing | Comments Off

Book Review – Seraphina

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Cheryl

If you happened to be watching my Twitter feed last week you will have noticed some discussion between Aliette de Bodard, Rachel Swirsky and myself regarding Rachel Hartman’s novel, Seraphina. I managed to find some time yesterday to write some … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Reviewing | Comments Off

In Praise of Net Galley

Posted on February 10, 2013 by Cheryl

In this week’s Coode Street the boys talk about the burgeoning phenomenon of eARCs. Given what we know of the B Ark, I’m not sure of the terminology, but unlike Jonathan I like them a lot. You see, if you … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviewing | 12 Comments

Who Reviews What? – 2013 Edition

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Cheryl

Ros Jackson of Warpcore SF has emailed me regarding the 2013 update of her very useful “Who Reviews What?” list. You can find it here. This year, at my request, Ros has included “anthologies” in the list of categories, which … Continue reading →

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Review Policy

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Cheryl

I’ve seen a significant upturn in requests for book reviews of late. I have no idea why. I review very little, and a review here is probably worth no more than one or two sales, but I keep getting requests … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal, Reviewing | Comments Off

Requests for Publicity

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Cheryl

I have been meaning for some time to post a proper review policy on this blog (which would basically say, “No, I will not review your book, don’t waste your time asking.”). The main reason I haven’t done so is … Continue reading →

Posted in Marketing, Reviewing, Salon Futura | Comments Off

Who Reviews What – A Guide

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Cheryl

Ros Jackson of Warpcore SF has compiled a useful guide listing which book bloggers review which types of book. Speaking as a publisher, I find this an excellent innovation. If I have a new book I am trying to get … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviewing | 2 Comments

Out Bristol Magazine

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Cheryl

Our local LGBT magazine, Out Bristol, runs book reviews, so I have given them one (for Heiresses of Russ 2011). Don’t expect anything in depth — most of the audience won’t be SF&F readers — but with any luck I’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviewing | 1 Comment

Some Linkage

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Cheryl

There was no bloggery yesterday as I was in London all day. That may turn into a project of some sort, but I won’t know for a while. Now I’m catching up. Here are a few stories of interest. Locus … Continue reading →

Posted in Feminism, Gender, Reviewing, Science Fiction | 3 Comments

Making Progress

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Cheryl

It has been a bit quiet here today because I have been busy working on a new website for the bookstore. I’m quite pleased with what I have thus far. I also have a deadline, because Juliet’s book is due … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviewing, Wizard's Tower | Comments Off

Invisibility Watch

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Cheryl

It being International Women’s Day (and before anyone whines, International Men’s Day does exist — it is in November), here’s a brief visibility update. Most of you will probably have seen VIDA’s report on the visibility (or lack thereof) of … Continue reading →

Posted in Feminism, Reviewing | 1 Comment

Please Don’t Nominate Me

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Cheryl

No, this is nothing to do with the Hugos. The Guardian is reporting the creation of a new literary prize especially for reviewers. It is to be called the Hatchet Job of the Year. And someone thinks that this is … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviewing | 4 Comments

Respect

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Cheryl

It has been a busy day here, full of minor annoyances, so I’ve not had time to write anything much. However, I would like to give a quick shout out to a couple of people who have done good things … Continue reading →

Posted in Cricket, Reviewing | 3 Comments

Flying Snowmen

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Cheryl

Yes, I know it is ridiculous of me to think that anyone who reads this blog doesn’t also read John Scalzi. However, you may not pay close attention to everything that Scalzi posts, especially if he posts it on a … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviewing | 11 Comments

Some Thoughts on Reviews

Posted on December 3, 2011 by Cheryl

Larry Nolen has recently done a couple of long posts (here and here) about the relationship between reviewers and publishers, and how this appears to have changed somewhat in the era of book bloggers. Broadly speaking I agree with him. … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviewing | 2 Comments

One Man’s Candor

Posted on June 8, 2011 by Cheryl

It appears it is open season on reviewers again. There was a little kerfuffle on Twitter this morning that Damien G. Walter has on life support over here. In addition Rose Fox put out a heartfelt plea for candor on … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviewing | 3 Comments