5 Reasons I Turned Down Your Review Request

five reasons no review

…even though I said I was open to reviews.

  1. Yes, I’m theoretically open to review requests, but like with the books I actively request, I have to WANT to read it.
  2. I might actually have a bit of a backlog with other books I’m reading and just don’t have time to squeeze yours in right now.
  3. I spotted editing problems in your blurb or preview. The first time this happened, I told the author I would read his book if he got it professionally edited, and I did, and I enjoyed it, and he’s now a very successful self-published author. But I won’t do this anymore because if you’ve released a book I can’t read, I’m not wasting my time making allowances.
  4. You’re self-published and I don’t accept requests self-publishers anymore (unless we have previously worked together).
  5. Yes, I require you to jump through hoops. Why? Because I am going to dedicate a week or more of my life to reading your book in what little spare time I have, and I want to make sure you know ALL of my demands beforehand.
Nemo
Nemo

About Nemo

A lover of kittens and all things sparkly, Nemo has a degree in English Literature and specialises in reviewing contemporary, paranormal, mystery/thriller, historical, sci-fi and fantasy Young Adult fiction. She is especially drawn to novels about princesses, strong female friendships, magical powers, and assassins.

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4 thoughts on “5 Reasons I Turned Down Your Review Request

  1. Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight

    First of all, you’re reading The Heartless City right now?! I LOVED that book!!!

    Second, I always feel bad when I turn down review requests that do actually fall within the genre requirements I listed, especially when the author clearly read my policy and put in the effort to follow my instructions… but I’m not going to force myself to read something I don’t want to read out of guilt. So yes, actually wanting to read the book is definitely the most important thing! And editing problems in the blurb, well, that’s pretty much a no-go for me with any book period because if you can’t even proofread the blurb, I have no hope for your book.

    1. Nemo

      The Heartless City is AMAZING. I’m really loving it.

      I don’t feel so bad turning down a review request because I’m sure they’re asking lots of other people, too. I certainly only want to read books that I want to read. Actually, The Heartless City inspired this post, because I’d just said no to two previous cold callers, and then Andrea Berthot contacted me and her book sounded so good that I wanted to jot down why I picked hers and not others.

  2. Eilonwy

    Because I am going to dedicate a week or more of my life to reading your book in what little spare time I have…

    THIS. I know people who can read and review a book (or more) a day, but the rest of us are making a big time commitment and need to be picky! I hope the people asking you for reviews can understand that.

    1. Nemo

      Yep, between working full-time, running this blog which takes 30 hours a week, running a household, caring for my mentally ill husband, and trying to make time for other hobbies, I don’t have a lot of time for actual reading. I get most of my reading done in my lunch break, and a good book will lift my spirits help me go back to work in a good mood, whereas a bad book will bring me down.

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