River Street’s New Book Review Series
By: Hollay Ghadery
I write a lot of reviews. As many as I can, which admittedly, isn’t as many as I’d like. Reviews, to my mind, serve as a valuable part of my writing practice. By forcing me to engage critically with text, reviewing makes me think more about the writing craft: the choices we as writers make; the ones we don’t. Sharing books I admire with others is just a perk of the reviewing process.
And “admire” is an operative word here. I read a lot of books that don’t resonate with me. I don’t review them. I think about why I didn’t particularly like them—which is also a valuable part of refining my own voice as a writer—but then I take a deep breath, put on Scrubs, and fold laundry. The act of putting your writing out in the world is an act of hope and trust, both of which I feel are in short supply these days. I don’t want to add to the miasma.
So, with an aim to encourage other writers to share books that have provoked them to think critically, River Street Writing has started the River Street Reviews (RSR) series—a monthly book review feature. And River Street is paying contributors for their reviews. For now, every accepted 300-400 word review will receive a $20 honorarium. (In the process of applying for funding to increase both the honorarium and the frequency with which we publish reviews. Will keep you posted.)
In with the Old & the New
Another thing, unlike many book review platforms, RSR will accept some reviews of books that are older (up to a maximum 50% of the annual reviews). Helping bolster the sales of new books and the visibility about new writers is wonderful, and I hope the reviews shared here will do that, but the primary objective of RSR, as stated, is to encourage writers to develop their craft through critical thinking. Older books can do this as well as newer ones.
So, without further rambling, let’s get onto the nitty-gritty.
Book Reviews—What RSR is Looking For:
While I’m soliciting positive reviews, I am not suggesting that your review should be devoid of any constructive criticism. A positive review is a review that shows you’ve thought deeply about the text—and that can involve respectful criticism.
RSR prioritizes Canadian literature (translations included), but will, on occasion, consider international lit.
RSR cannot consider reviews of self-published books.
Book reviews to be 300-400 words. (Feel free to go over this word count, just not under.) Single-spaced. Please include your full name, the title of the book you are reviewing, the publisher, the book’s ISBN number, page count, and price in Canadian dollars.
Your review doesn’t have to be academic in nature. All that matters is that you show you’re responding to the work. (CAROUSEL Magazine is doing amazing things with experimental reviews if that’s something you’d like to try—and they will pay you for them too. Check it out.)
Accepting reviews of all forms of literature, from poetry to fiction, non-fiction, children’s literature, and graphic novels. If you’re not sure if your review is a good fit, drop a line.
RSR will publish reviews up to once a month for now.
Please DO NOT send completed reviews. Instead, send your short review pitch to riverstreetwriting@gmail.com or use our contact us form. The book you wish to review and the genre should be in the subject line. Include a brief bio in the body of the email.
If you’re a publisher with a book you would like someone to review, please contact us. We can try to set you up with a reviewer.
If your review pitch is accepted—and once it is submitted, and approved—you will be required to submit an invoice to River Street Writing for $40. As soon as we see an invoice, you will receive payment. No waiting. Neat, right?
That’s it!
Happy reading!