tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628081882250550441.post1013852467011426724..comments2023-09-20T08:52:59.534-07:00Comments on There's a place I dream about: Lessons from Libaria for WritersDanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15043881305977386629noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628081882250550441.post-78560125186956054982011-01-01T15:02:57.354-08:002011-01-01T15:02:57.354-08:00When I first started most of our reviews were post...When I first started most of our reviews were posted internally for only librarians to access but later the database had a public interface and the reviews were attached so anyone anywhere could get onto DPS's website to view the books and reviews. The self-published authors were more involved in the process as they personally requested the reviews as opposed to the publishers who just sent us boxes of books to review. DPS is a big school district so the authors who got upset about poor reviews saw dollar signs. They wanted the money that a big district purchasing their book could offer. One author who was local in particular-- it's not just about a library buying one or two copies of a book. Language Arts departments might also buy books based on our recommendations-- classroom sets. <br /> <br />I didn't mention it in my post but I saw the same thing at BnN-- poorly written books cranked out because of name recognition (don't have to do any advertising). In kids books, what I often saw were books that were written to fill a niche. The publisher wanted high interest, low reader novels for middle schools so they would commission (I guess) someone to write it. The book would have a terrible story line, terrible pictures, and yet would sell because when you punched in the age requirements you needed in your library with a reading level it was one of 50 books that filled the bill. OR, we want history books that are fun at a certain reading level and they have a certain form-- each books is almost just like the other you just change the info to fit the new circumstances like "You wouldn't want to be a Roman Gladiator" That series looks great until you've read one too many of them... (and one too many is 3). LOLDanettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15043881305977386629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628081882250550441.post-68713026742592742302011-01-01T11:37:44.445-08:002011-01-01T11:37:44.445-08:00I love this perspective. I've noticed also how...I love this perspective. I've noticed also how many bad books are out there, and wonder why. I have to keep reminding myself that this is a business, and publishers will publish what they believe they can sell, and quality of writing is only one component in that equation.<br /><br />When you talk about author's reactions to reviews, though, it made me wonder just how wide-reaching your reviews were? I envisaged something written for internal use only to help advise the library on what to buy, but this sounds like your reviews reached a wider audience than that.Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.com