Glad to see that you're willing to pay for reviews. It's remarkable how many are not, or don't think a good review takes a lot of time to write.
The destruction of book reviews really hits the middle market, i.e. not the super star authors or the ones just starting out. In science publishing books are a really tough gig. The average advance is $5K if you're lucky, and as a friend once said, you really only start earning around $15K per year from royalties when you have a backlog of 5 books already in print. He told me that 30 years ago and I suspect it's even worse today.
If I didn't have the New York Review of Books and the Financial Times (which has a great Saturday review section), not sure where I would find out about books.
Your recommendation of books as an antidote to the scourge of social media and doomscrolling is spot on. We do need books. They are one of the essential tools—the main tool—I have to try to limit my time wasted online.
I’ve been debating whether to upgrade to a paid subscription and this book supplement finally clinched the deal for me. I hope you can make it happen. We need more people thoughtfully reviewing book on places with a large platform.
Count me in. The thing a supplement like this provides isn't even mainly about whether a review is positive or negative—it's that someone curated it and can help qualify it for other readers, which is something algorithms genuinely cannot do. They can serve you more of what you already like, but they can't hand you something unexpected the way a human can. That's the same thing in-person bookstores do that online ones can't. I have no interest in browsing virtual shelves, but I'll happily nose around the staff picks at Alienated Majesty in Austin for an hour. A book supplement run by readers is the written version of that.
This is a brilliant idea. It makes me sad, in a way, that we are having to rebuild what has been decimated. (I have had conversations with artists about starting physical newsletters centered on art.) That being said, I am glad this is something you are interested in doing. If you’re keeping a list, please add my name to help in whatever way I can. Whether it’s reviewing books or helping format/create the supplement!
Yes, I'm all in with this. I'm already a subscriber and will continue, of course. I'm dealing with big cuts with the arts publications I write for (Observer, etc.), so I'll be looking for more writing gigs myself. Count me in.
All of this is so disheartening. This last month has been chilling for me.
Books coverage matters!! I can't tell you the number of times I've had people reach out to me and say they bought or read a book based on an article I have written about it. Especially when it comes to niche books or books not written by an already bestselling author or a celebrity, books sections are a portal to discovery. I think it's particularly important to — in addition to "little magazines" or literary publications — have a robust books section in mainstream magazines and newspapers as well. Otherwise, people will just get the same few books pushed into their faces over and over. There is a hunger for books ... look at all the people gobbling up "Wuthering Heights" now, in anticipation of the new movie. People want to read!!! Anyway, I full-heartedly support your idea for a books supplement!
This is so true. The books section that one can stumble upon while trying to read about sports or politics. The music show you learn about when you’re going to read the book reviews. It’s the same pitfalls as the algorithm, only showing people more of what they already know they “like” or want, without the ability to discover what they didn’t know they were going to like or learn from.
Summer, I've been following your work for a long time, and I would love to support this. I have a radio show (on 2 stations) and podcast interviewing writers, publishers and others related to writing, for almost 20 years. I have not monetized it, it is really a labor of love. I have an idea for you - what about if, in addition to publishing in your newsletter, you could syndicate the reviews? I don't know how many others there are like me who could utilize (and pay for) your content. If you're interested, let me know!
Omg I love this idea! I am going to share this post and hope you get more (paid and unpaid) subscribers! I would gladly welcome recs outside of BookTok 😅
This sounds so wonderful and necessary. I do my best to review every book I read and to follow the authors I love... books saved my life as a young girl, and they have always been there for me at various moments in my life, to educate, entertain, and, yes, to make me cry. What other non-organic thing has the power to do all of that? So maybe a book collective, of sorts...Anyway, I think you are on to something! I will be watching...we need to ensure books are around forever, or I'm not sure life would be worth living without them.
When you get around to looking for reviewers, let me know. I have been writing longer reviews for my publication for a while, but I would also be interested in joining forces with others. All the best. Matthew
Glad to see that you're willing to pay for reviews. It's remarkable how many are not, or don't think a good review takes a lot of time to write.
The destruction of book reviews really hits the middle market, i.e. not the super star authors or the ones just starting out. In science publishing books are a really tough gig. The average advance is $5K if you're lucky, and as a friend once said, you really only start earning around $15K per year from royalties when you have a backlog of 5 books already in print. He told me that 30 years ago and I suspect it's even worse today.
If I didn't have the New York Review of Books and the Financial Times (which has a great Saturday review section), not sure where I would find out about books.
Thanks Paul, and yes, I will not on principle publish any unpaid reviews.
Your recommendation of books as an antidote to the scourge of social media and doomscrolling is spot on. We do need books. They are one of the essential tools—the main tool—I have to try to limit my time wasted online.
Amen, and thank you for subscribing.
I’ve been debating whether to upgrade to a paid subscription and this book supplement finally clinched the deal for me. I hope you can make it happen. We need more people thoughtfully reviewing book on places with a large platform.
Count me in. The thing a supplement like this provides isn't even mainly about whether a review is positive or negative—it's that someone curated it and can help qualify it for other readers, which is something algorithms genuinely cannot do. They can serve you more of what you already like, but they can't hand you something unexpected the way a human can. That's the same thing in-person bookstores do that online ones can't. I have no interest in browsing virtual shelves, but I'll happily nose around the staff picks at Alienated Majesty in Austin for an hour. A book supplement run by readers is the written version of that.
Thank you Stephen! And I completely agree. Algorithmic suggestions are so soulless.
This is a brilliant idea. It makes me sad, in a way, that we are having to rebuild what has been decimated. (I have had conversations with artists about starting physical newsletters centered on art.) That being said, I am glad this is something you are interested in doing. If you’re keeping a list, please add my name to help in whatever way I can. Whether it’s reviewing books or helping format/create the supplement!
Thank you!
Yes, I'm all in with this. I'm already a subscriber and will continue, of course. I'm dealing with big cuts with the arts publications I write for (Observer, etc.), so I'll be looking for more writing gigs myself. Count me in.
All of this is so disheartening. This last month has been chilling for me.
I'm by your side.
Thank you Dian. Truly. And this is good to know.
another ‘all in’ from me - I have been a paid subscriber for a few months, really looking forward to this book reviews thing
Books coverage matters!! I can't tell you the number of times I've had people reach out to me and say they bought or read a book based on an article I have written about it. Especially when it comes to niche books or books not written by an already bestselling author or a celebrity, books sections are a portal to discovery. I think it's particularly important to — in addition to "little magazines" or literary publications — have a robust books section in mainstream magazines and newspapers as well. Otherwise, people will just get the same few books pushed into their faces over and over. There is a hunger for books ... look at all the people gobbling up "Wuthering Heights" now, in anticipation of the new movie. People want to read!!! Anyway, I full-heartedly support your idea for a books supplement!
This is so true. The books section that one can stumble upon while trying to read about sports or politics. The music show you learn about when you’re going to read the book reviews. It’s the same pitfalls as the algorithm, only showing people more of what they already know they “like” or want, without the ability to discover what they didn’t know they were going to like or learn from.
YES!!! Yes, yes, yes. 1000x yes!
Summer, I've been following your work for a long time, and I would love to support this. I have a radio show (on 2 stations) and podcast interviewing writers, publishers and others related to writing, for almost 20 years. I have not monetized it, it is really a labor of love. I have an idea for you - what about if, in addition to publishing in your newsletter, you could syndicate the reviews? I don't know how many others there are like me who could utilize (and pay for) your content. If you're interested, let me know!
Food for thought, thank you!
Omg I love this idea! I am going to share this post and hope you get more (paid and unpaid) subscribers! I would gladly welcome recs outside of BookTok 😅
Thank you!!
*mashes Like button 10,000 times*
💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
This sounds so wonderful and necessary. I do my best to review every book I read and to follow the authors I love... books saved my life as a young girl, and they have always been there for me at various moments in my life, to educate, entertain, and, yes, to make me cry. What other non-organic thing has the power to do all of that? So maybe a book collective, of sorts...Anyway, I think you are on to something! I will be watching...we need to ensure books are around forever, or I'm not sure life would be worth living without them.
Thank you Dana 🙏
When you get around to looking for reviewers, let me know. I have been writing longer reviews for my publication for a while, but I would also be interested in joining forces with others. All the best. Matthew
Thanks!
I'd read and participate in a book supplement as a reviewer/blogger and former librarian and bookseller.
Excellent idea!
The pink section! My best friend had a punk band in the 80's that went by that name and only people who lived in SF got the reference
omgosh, I love that. I miss the days of a nice fat SF chron pink section on a Sunday,