April 2, 2009

Skloot’s Tips for Successful Book Reviewing

After seven happy years serving as a vice president, I have just finished my second term on the National Book Critics Circle board of directors.  While I was on the board, I put together a document  of tips for breaking into book reviewing called, Strategies for Breaking in and Staying in:  Getting started as a critic, building your reviewing portfolio, going national, and keeping editors happy.  It’s no longer available on the NBCC’s website, and I’ve gotten quite a few requests for it recently, so I’ve posted it here for those interested.

I put these tips together a few years ago — if
folks stumble across broken links that need fixing, please let me know
and I’ll update.  And do post any tips I didn’t think of in the
comments section below.

I’m sure I’ll run for the
NBCC board again at some point in the future. As you’ll see in the tips
document, if you’re interested in book reviewing, I highly recommend
membership.  

(Props to Elaine Vitone for helping me put together this tips document.  And to Anik McGrory, who drew the Fox Critic image above — which I’ve always adored — for the original Critical Mass blog.)