[MLSawyer]

Well, my book launch went well on the 26th of March but I'm looking for feedback - reviews... getting the book out there as it's tiring to remain excited while one waits...

Anyway, I thought since I'm asking people to review my book, that I'd add a blog to my own website where I could write my own reviews... It's only fair to give back.

One review posted so far.

Is this considered a no-no in the writing world? Are authors supposed to review other works? Or could this turn out to be a disaster... Any thoughts?

[kmtolan]

This is a really tricky area, but permissible as long as the reviewer maintains a perceived unbiased stance as much as possible. Things might turn slightly southward if a reader notices blatant reciprocation, but reviews like this are still worth doing for the most part.

The thing with reviews is to avoid the appearance of bias, so for me there were reviews by fellow authors with my publisher, and friends, which I couldn't promote to their fullest as a relationship existed before the review. Still, that is just me. Opinions and mileage can certainly differ in this area.

Good luck.

Kerry

[KatG]

It used to be fine, as often folks who were doing a lot of reviews in the community then became writers. But I gather there are a lot of conspiracy theories going around now on the Net and so people are more sensitive about it. It might make sense only to review those books you liked, to let people know other authors who you found interesting, at least at first. You can also check out how other writers like Jim Hines, who does occasional reviews, handles it.

[Marian Perera]

I review books on my blog - albeit not books that have been put out by my publisher. But with one exception, I've never hesitated to say when and why a book didn't work for me.

The exception was a book so terribly written that I could find nothing complimentary to say about it except, "I'm sure the author had good intentions". I toned that particular review down a lot.

[Loerwyn]

To bolster Kat's post;
Jim Hines' latest review post (http://www.jimchines.com/2011/04/book-reviews/)
One of Mark Newton's review posts (http://markcnewton.com/2011/03/19/recent-reading-3/)

I believe Mark also does his reviews on Goodreads, as do some other authors.

[MLSawyer]

Thanks Guys. Will see how it all goes :)