My review policy
Filed under Market Report, Soapbox on July 14, 2009
Tagged: book reviews, book trailers, fantasy fiction, Young Dragons
I’m a voracious reader. If you watch my “Currently Reading” widget, or friend me on Goodreads, you’ll note that I cycle through a book about once a week or so. I’d probably finish quicker, but I limit myself to reading during my weekday commutes (I take a 15-20 minute ride on the light rail). Given my penchant for devouring fantasy fiction, you would think that reviews would be a regular staple of this blog.
They are not, however. The reviews I have written are restricted to genre classics. I’ve chosen to refrain from reviewing the work of my contemporaries. That wasn’t always the case, and I stirred up some trouble for myself in the process. I’m not to keen on repeating that experience.
It would also be likely that any criticism I might level as part of a review would be seen as sour grapes. I had a single novel published as a result of a fairly high profile contest, and have since fallen back into obscurity. Meanwhile, a handful of my fellow entrants are getting published for the second or third time. I would be terribly embarrassed if someone interpreted a review I wrote as the tantrum of a spurned writer.
That doesn’t mean I won’t say anything when a colleague gets published. I’m more than happy to announce new releases. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It’s been a while since I did so, and a recent comment asking about 4E Forgotten Realms novels reminded me that the self-styled “Young Dragons” have had quite a few books published that fall under that heading. So, if you’re looking for some post-Spellplague action in Faerun, try some of these titles:
- Mistshore
by Jaleigh Johnson
- Downshadow
by Erik Scott de Bie
- The Restless Shore
by James P. Davis
- City of the Dead
by Rosemary Jones
I also want to take a moment to mention a site by WotC author Ed Bolme called christianbookvideos.com, where they host promotional book trailers. Book trailers have been around for a few years, but they seem to be coming into more use as a marketing tool.
Well, that’s enough plugging for today. Time to get back to my reading (and writing).
July 18th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Hey, thanks for the plug!
Just got back from the International Christian Retail Expo, where CBV was quite well received. Looks like we may have to post two videos a day to keep up now.
—Ed