tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15089389.post2274036929717840433..comments2024-03-07T17:13:54.927-05:00Comments on A Fuse #8 Production: Podcast Edition: Do You Trust Me?fusenumber8http://www.blogger.com/profile/16216979020263363698noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15089389.post-33683387516385608752006-11-29T14:23:00.000-05:002006-11-29T14:23:00.000-05:00Part of the reason I see some humor in this is tha...Part of the reason I see some humor in this is that it's not new; there are plenty of freebies/promotions floating around. Look at what happens for the press when a new film comes out -- does that mean that every film critic loves the film? Nope. Look at magazines and items promoted and given away -- again, it's pretty obvious where these items come from. <br /><br />Theoretically, may someone say anything just to get free books? Theoretically; however, I have yet to meet any of those people. (Now, if they gave us the wine and comfy chairs to read the books and row of computers to blog while we're drinking, I'm not sure what would happen.... KIDDING.) <br /><br />And as for the little things that influence a review, I'd guess there is much more influence (including influence that people don't admit to) going on with "real" reviews in newspapers/magazines. Look at the NYT best list and the authors on the list, via bookslut: http://www.bookslut.com/blog/archives/2006_11.php#010317<br />and look at this author/blogger whose views on the whole matter means that an unnamed mainstream media outlet won't review her books: http://blog.susan-hill.com/blog/_archives/2006/11/17/2506962.htmlLiz Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16671844475303001610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15089389.post-14200823550740818872006-11-29T12:03:00.000-05:002006-11-29T12:03:00.000-05:00An excellent point, anonymous. You eat their food...An excellent point, anonymous. You eat their food, you drink their wine, you coo over their titles, and then you are undoubtedly softened. Thank God I don't review books right after pub parties. Fortunately, in the cool clear light of day (which is to say, by the time I get an ARC in the mail) you might take a second look at the book you drooled over earlier and find yourself less than impressed. When I went to a Little, Brown & Co. party recently there was one book that seemed cool at the time. Later on, I gave it another glance and was definitely unimpressed. <br /><br />But there's no denying that I'm a persuadable beastie. And New York publishers have a distinct advantage over those not in the immediate vicinity. Then again, I've never ever been to a Penguin, Scholastic, or Simon & Schuster preview and they're located in NYC as well. Yet I give their books equal attention and love. If you were to go through all my reviews in a given year and see which books I've lauded, the lauds (is that a word?) would be distributed all over the map.<br /><br />Or am I just justifying? It's worth the debate. I can't just assume I'm not being persuaded. All I can really do is be alert at all times and not bang out some glowing review last minute simply because I remember that the book was first presented to me alongside a plate of delicious chewy chocolate chip cookies.fusenumber8https://www.blogger.com/profile/16216979020263363698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15089389.post-58348956998881813182006-11-29T10:46:00.000-05:002006-11-29T10:46:00.000-05:00I don't see an ethical issue in reviewing books yo...I don't see an ethical issue in reviewing books you received for free; when I've reviewed books (infrequently, for ALA divisional publications), the copy of the book was the only "payment" for the review, and I've always assumed that reviewers got their books free.<br /><br />Touting a book sweepstakes or the like is entirely different, and does require full disclosure. But reviewing? If anyone thinks that you're out there buying a book a day with your own money so that you can write about them on a (free) blog...well, I can't imagine it.waltchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09820646745646868292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15089389.post-21110370049873090042006-11-29T10:16:00.000-05:002006-11-29T10:16:00.000-05:00Still, as someone who has retired from reviewing, ...Still, as someone who has retired from reviewing, there's no denying that seeing a book presented by its creators at a pub party can influence how you feel about the book. Particularly if you see the author read. Thoughts?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com