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Book Reviewing for Library Journals: A Personal Perspective
by Melanie C. Duncan
Eight years ago, I started my first position as a reference librarian in a small public library. The library director handed me a stack of Library Journals and Booklists and suggested that I choose some titles for the collection. I immediately wanted to buy all of the books, but budgetary concerns and the director's firm "No!" kept me in check as I settled in to read the reviews.
As time went by, I began to notice a pattern to the reviews. Usually, there would be a brief description of the book followed by a critical comment or two about how well the author did his or her job. Even the longer essays about certain books followed the same general theme. I knew I could write reviews, just like the reviewers whose names appeared in LJ and Booklist -- they were librarians like me. The reviews seemed short, and I figured it shouldn't take any time to write one. I mean, how hard could it be compared to finishing a ten-page essay for English Lit?
It was, and still is, the hardest writing I've ever done.
I looked in the front of Booklist for the publishing information about the magazine and sent off a query letter to John Mort, who was the Adult Books Editor at the time. I mentioned where I worked as a librarian, the types of novels I enjoyed reading, and the time periods in history that fascinated me. I politely inquired if he needed another reviewer and gave him my contact information.
Three months went by, and I knew I would never hear from him. At the time, I didn't know publishing works on a different schedule than regular correspondence in that months can go by before you hear from an editor (and e-mail wasn't even an option at the time). Then one day, a box arrived in the mail with a book by an author I'd never heard of, and a request that I write a sample review. Luckily, John Mort saw something in that sample he liked, since he sent me another book a couple of weeks after receiving my first review. (Thankfully, that first review never saw the light of day.)
After reviewing for Booklist for five years, I decided I wanted to expand my reviewing horizons. I noticed LJ needed audiotape reviewers, so I contacted Ann Burns at the e-mail address provided (yes, I finally had e-mail!) and sent her some sample reviews from Booklist. Then I contacted School Library Journal, Kliatt, Public Libraries, ForeWord, and eventually Publisher's Weekly. I wrote reviews for them all until the sheer number of items needing reviews forced me to step back and reconsider.
I chose to become a reviewer in the first place because I wanted free books. As I progressively wrote more reviews, I found myself working for paying and nonpaying magazines while my free time evaporated into thin air. I decided to narrow down the list of magazines I reviewed for at about the same time the Christian Fiction columnist position opened up at LJ. I took it as a sign and contacted Rebecca Miller, the editor of the column. We corresponded by e-mail and talked on the phone; I used Ann Burns as a reference. Rebecca agreed to a trial column, and after she received it, she sent me a contract. I'm currently on my second year as the Christian Fiction columnist.
Yes, you can be a book reviewer, too! If you have a love of reading, a willingness to struggle to capture the critical essence of a 500 page book in 150 words or less (and I do mean struggle at times), and can grow a fairly thick skin to accept criticism of your reviews from your editor, then you are well on your way. Why not turn your hobby, family life, interests or profession into a sideline career as a book reviewer? If I did it, I know you can.
And coincidentally, my first editor, John Mort? He retired from editing to return to the public library life, wrote a novel, and now writes the Christian Fiction column for Booklist.
Reference Librarian Melanie C. Duncan has written over 300 reviews for the library publications mentioned above. She also publishes a monthly e-zine, The Bookdragon Review, focusing on genre fiction reviews, news and forthcoming titles.