As an author I love my readers and reviewers. It’s always been said the best way to thank an author is to leave a review. I love reviews! They give me insight as to whether my readers loved my story or didn’t. It also points out anything from missed edits to whether or not they connect with my characters. So, thank you reviewers!
You are appreciated and because you are part of the big picture...
I believe you deserve some recognition.
You are appreciated and because you are part of the big picture...
I believe you deserve some recognition.
Join me today in a chat with reviewer...Kathy Heare Watts...
Welcome Kathy :)
Tell us Kathy...how many books you can read in a year?
Using Goodreads, which is something I highly recommend, in 2014, I started keeping a running total and it was 421 books that included a review. In 2015, it was 836 books. So far in 2016 it is 496 books.
WOW! That’s a lot of books! Authors...we better keep writing!
Do you set goals Kathy?
I set my Goodreads goal at 700 books, and I am sure I will meet that goal. I am slightly ahead of target but will not read as many as last year.
For every book I read and finish, I write a review. Now, if for some reason I do not feel I can complete a book, then I have not earned the right to leave a review. I will be the first to admit that there are books that I just honestly could not get into the plot or characters, and that is rare. I refuse to hurt an author by leaving a negative review because the book is not my cup-of-tea. If the book was an ARC (advanced reading copy) then I will contact the author and let them know that I cannot proceed.
You amaze me! What makes you so passionate about reviewing books?
To me, a review is like a way to say “thank you” to an author for their hard work. I have so much respect for their talent. Until a few years ago, I honestly had no idea that people even reviewed books. Then I was involved in a book event on Facebook and several authors inquired about people reading their book and leaving a review.
That was how I got started.
Facebook got me started in events too; I believe that’s how we met :) We all have busy lives in and out of our ‘fictional world’...What do you do when your time schedule or project plan is upset by unforeseen circumstances?
In June 2014, I was actually on Facebook in a book event and my husband had been working at the garden. He came up to the house, showered and I thought he was just laying down. He came to me after about 10 minutes to tell me I needed to take him to the hospital. He had a heart attack and ended up having to have 2 stents during the heart cath. We were at the hospital for at least 4 days an hour from home. I just had to contact any author that I had committed to read for on a deadline and explain what happened. We all have things happen to us and most authors are very understanding.
I remember when that happened. I was more worried about your hubby and you...and here you contacted me about extending a deadline. And I’d already believed you were an amazing woman. Over our years of friendship and getting to know each other, you continue to amaze me. You are a strong, loving woman! You always think of others first. So what about you...what was the last book you read for fun?
I mean, without reviewing or proofing it.
This year I had been reading and reviewing books for Kay Dawson and she mentioned her 13-year-old daughter, Morgan Dawson, wrote and published her first book, The Wagon. I bought the book when it came out and let me tell you, this young lady has talent and I look forward to more books in this series.
**This is a sweet historical romance novella written by a 13 year old author -
professionally edited and formatted for publishing**
Before we continue...I just have to add the link for this talented young author,
Morgan Dawson and her book The Wagon
Click Here for Your Copy
Kathy, can you tell us what you feel is the most important skill a
book reviewer should possess?
When reading a book, the reader needs to accept that sometimes you won’t like a character or maybe several characters, sometimes it is a situation, and even an ending. I have read books that have taken me outside of my comfort zone. That did not make it a bad book, actually what it did was made me think, and even react.
I have seen reviews that complained about the Hero or heroine, or a situation and actually the reviewer stated that “if I wrote this book, I would do blah, blah, blah different” One book I just read is ranking as a best seller, but the reviews are all over the place. The author did a trilogy and the third book ending left the reader with questions. Did the Hero and heroine find each other or are they both dead? Personally, I thought the ending was brilliant, because the author made the reader react and think.
A review is not a book report, it is a summary. How did the book make you feel, what did you like, etc. Did it keep you on the edge? I have stated that I was laughing out loud at some of the antics. You can mention that you enjoyed the story and will be reading more from this author. If there is something negative, the best thing you can do is write something positive first, mention the negative, and then follow up with a positive note.
I love to hear if my readers connect with my characters. And to hear about what they liked and didn’t only helps improve my writing. To me...all feedback is helpful and appreciated. Before we end our chat, can you tell us a bit about you and
how you’ve come to love reading and also reviewing?
I have loved reading as far back as I can remember. As a young girl it was Charlotte's Web, Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume books. I loved romance books and back in the day, I had several of those monthly memberships to Harlequin. In high school I remember reading Mrs. Mike and Jane Eyre, along with so many other books.
Due to carpal tunnel, I prefer to read on an ereader, and I have both a Nook Color and a Kindle Fire HDX 64 gb. I have over 31,000 books on my Kindle, with most of them stored in cloud.
The encouragement of authors that I met on Facebook, asking for readers to do reviews is what started me on this journey. I have over 1700 reviews on Goodreads and Amazon. I actually have to turn down authors that ask me to read and review for them, my plate is full. This month is very busy, I even have 6 books that are historical fiction that I am judging for a contest, and that is on top of all the other books previously committed. Trust me; I have to keep lists, yes lists to keep up with deadlines.
I am on several review sites on Facebook, and have a select group of authors and publishers that I read and review for. I have a few authors that I have helped with beta reads and then a few that I do line-edit proofreading for. The trick is not to overestimate what you can handle when there are deadlines involved.
About me, in October, I will turn 58, and celebrate 40 years of marriage to my husband Steve. We have 3 adult children and 10 grandchildren. Besides reading and reviewing books, I am “field-trip grandma” for the grandchildren that live near us.
Our son is military and his family is in Missouri.
Our two daughters and their families live near us in TN.
You can follow me at Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter with the links below.
Kathy on Facebook Kathy at Goodreads Kathy at Twitter
What more can I say Kathy...you simply continue to amaze me! Thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to share with us. I hope you know how much you’re appreciated and loved in and out of our fictional world. You Rock!
Tell us Kathy...how many books you can read in a year?
Using Goodreads, which is something I highly recommend, in 2014, I started keeping a running total and it was 421 books that included a review. In 2015, it was 836 books. So far in 2016 it is 496 books.
WOW! That’s a lot of books! Authors...we better keep writing!
Do you set goals Kathy?
I set my Goodreads goal at 700 books, and I am sure I will meet that goal. I am slightly ahead of target but will not read as many as last year.
For every book I read and finish, I write a review. Now, if for some reason I do not feel I can complete a book, then I have not earned the right to leave a review. I will be the first to admit that there are books that I just honestly could not get into the plot or characters, and that is rare. I refuse to hurt an author by leaving a negative review because the book is not my cup-of-tea. If the book was an ARC (advanced reading copy) then I will contact the author and let them know that I cannot proceed.
You amaze me! What makes you so passionate about reviewing books?
To me, a review is like a way to say “thank you” to an author for their hard work. I have so much respect for their talent. Until a few years ago, I honestly had no idea that people even reviewed books. Then I was involved in a book event on Facebook and several authors inquired about people reading their book and leaving a review.
That was how I got started.
Facebook got me started in events too; I believe that’s how we met :) We all have busy lives in and out of our ‘fictional world’...What do you do when your time schedule or project plan is upset by unforeseen circumstances?
In June 2014, I was actually on Facebook in a book event and my husband had been working at the garden. He came up to the house, showered and I thought he was just laying down. He came to me after about 10 minutes to tell me I needed to take him to the hospital. He had a heart attack and ended up having to have 2 stents during the heart cath. We were at the hospital for at least 4 days an hour from home. I just had to contact any author that I had committed to read for on a deadline and explain what happened. We all have things happen to us and most authors are very understanding.
I remember when that happened. I was more worried about your hubby and you...and here you contacted me about extending a deadline. And I’d already believed you were an amazing woman. Over our years of friendship and getting to know each other, you continue to amaze me. You are a strong, loving woman! You always think of others first. So what about you...what was the last book you read for fun?
I mean, without reviewing or proofing it.
This year I had been reading and reviewing books for Kay Dawson and she mentioned her 13-year-old daughter, Morgan Dawson, wrote and published her first book, The Wagon. I bought the book when it came out and let me tell you, this young lady has talent and I look forward to more books in this series.
**This is a sweet historical romance novella written by a 13 year old author -
professionally edited and formatted for publishing**
Before we continue...I just have to add the link for this talented young author,
Morgan Dawson and her book The Wagon
Click Here for Your Copy
Kathy, can you tell us what you feel is the most important skill a
book reviewer should possess?
When reading a book, the reader needs to accept that sometimes you won’t like a character or maybe several characters, sometimes it is a situation, and even an ending. I have read books that have taken me outside of my comfort zone. That did not make it a bad book, actually what it did was made me think, and even react.
I have seen reviews that complained about the Hero or heroine, or a situation and actually the reviewer stated that “if I wrote this book, I would do blah, blah, blah different” One book I just read is ranking as a best seller, but the reviews are all over the place. The author did a trilogy and the third book ending left the reader with questions. Did the Hero and heroine find each other or are they both dead? Personally, I thought the ending was brilliant, because the author made the reader react and think.
A review is not a book report, it is a summary. How did the book make you feel, what did you like, etc. Did it keep you on the edge? I have stated that I was laughing out loud at some of the antics. You can mention that you enjoyed the story and will be reading more from this author. If there is something negative, the best thing you can do is write something positive first, mention the negative, and then follow up with a positive note.
I love to hear if my readers connect with my characters. And to hear about what they liked and didn’t only helps improve my writing. To me...all feedback is helpful and appreciated. Before we end our chat, can you tell us a bit about you and
how you’ve come to love reading and also reviewing?
I have loved reading as far back as I can remember. As a young girl it was Charlotte's Web, Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume books. I loved romance books and back in the day, I had several of those monthly memberships to Harlequin. In high school I remember reading Mrs. Mike and Jane Eyre, along with so many other books.
Due to carpal tunnel, I prefer to read on an ereader, and I have both a Nook Color and a Kindle Fire HDX 64 gb. I have over 31,000 books on my Kindle, with most of them stored in cloud.
The encouragement of authors that I met on Facebook, asking for readers to do reviews is what started me on this journey. I have over 1700 reviews on Goodreads and Amazon. I actually have to turn down authors that ask me to read and review for them, my plate is full. This month is very busy, I even have 6 books that are historical fiction that I am judging for a contest, and that is on top of all the other books previously committed. Trust me; I have to keep lists, yes lists to keep up with deadlines.
I am on several review sites on Facebook, and have a select group of authors and publishers that I read and review for. I have a few authors that I have helped with beta reads and then a few that I do line-edit proofreading for. The trick is not to overestimate what you can handle when there are deadlines involved.
About me, in October, I will turn 58, and celebrate 40 years of marriage to my husband Steve. We have 3 adult children and 10 grandchildren. Besides reading and reviewing books, I am “field-trip grandma” for the grandchildren that live near us.
Our son is military and his family is in Missouri.
Our two daughters and their families live near us in TN.
You can follow me at Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter with the links below.
Kathy on Facebook Kathy at Goodreads Kathy at Twitter
What more can I say Kathy...you simply continue to amaze me! Thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to share with us. I hope you know how much you’re appreciated and loved in and out of our fictional world. You Rock!
Escape with a Book by Angela Ford
Sweet..Spice..Suspense..Romance
angelafordauthor.com
Facebook.com/writerangelaford
@AngelaFord67
Sweet..Spice..Suspense..Romance
angelafordauthor.com
Facebook.com/writerangelaford
@AngelaFord67
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