Review Policy

Thanks so much for considering My Bookish Ways to review your book (host your giveaway, interview…)!

I’ve included a few things on this page that will help you decide if your book is a fit for the site, but if you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. You may contact me directly at mybookishways (at) yahoo (dot) com, and if you would be so kind as to put the title of the book in the subject line, that would be great.

I mainly review genre fiction (ie: urban fantasy, fantasy, mystery, sci-fi, horror, and thrillers), with occasional diversions. Sometimes,  when I feel particularly feisty, I write for Crime Fiction Lover and Criminal Element, where I indulge my love for all things mystery and suspense. I’m also a contributor to SF Signal, a Hugo Award winning science fiction fanzine and review for Library Journal and Mystery Scene Magazine.

*Due to the immense size of my TBR pile, if you haven’t heard from me in 3 business days or so, you can assume I’m not interested (or have finally been overtaken by my book pile). I  DO NOT accept self-published titles at this time, but wish you all the luck in the world!

Stat stuff: The blog has been active since Dec. 2010, and I get about 4,000 visitors per month, of which around 2,800 of those are unique visitors (via Google Analytics), if you’re curious about that sort of thing. 

I offer my honest opinion in all of my reviews, however, if I can’t recommend a book, I probably won’t review it (there are just too many books in the pile). If I don’t have anything nice to say about a book, or if I can’t finish a book, I won’t post a review. I see My Bookish Ways as my recommendation site, so, if I receive a book and it turns out it’s just not for me, I’ll be happy to include it in a giveaway, but the receipt of a book won’t guarantee a review. The exception to this is if I’ve requested a book specifically. I no longer give starred reviews on my site, however, I do use star reviews on Goodreads, Librarything, etc. Since I try (usually) to keep my reviews relatively short and sweet, it’s always pretty obvious what I think of a book.

I DO try to review books in a timely manner and maintain my own review schedule according to release date, etc, and will always do my best to get reviews posted to coincide with those dates.

INTERVIEWS & GIVEAWAYS: I love, love, love doing interviews and I especially enjoy featuring new authors and those authors that may not be rockstars yet, but are diamonds in the rough (I bet you can name a few of those.) Don’t get me wrong, I like the rockstars too:) I’m pretty thorough in my author research before writing interview questions and really like getting to know the author behind the pen, so to speak. As for giveaways, I find them fun for everyone and am happy to do them, however, I’ll only give away books that I would normally read or recommend.

I will never sell review copies, but may include them in a contest or giveaway unless I’m asked not to.

I happily accept digital galleys for review, and we’re a listed Review Organization Accepting NetGalley Titles

Legal stuff (boring, yet necessary)

*DISCLAIMER (my own): All reviews are my own opinion. I DO NOT get compensated for doing this. I do it to connect with other readers and authors and as a way to get through a TBR pile that’s threatening to take over my house and possibly half of my block. I do receive books from authors and publishers in return for honest reviews. Getting a book from an author or publisher does not affect my review in any way.

(Official)FTC Disclaimer: In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, My Bookish Ways would like you to know that while I do purchase my own books for review, you can assume that most books reviewed here at My Bookish Ways were sent to me by the publisher or author.  As always, receiving a book from a publisher or author in no way guarantees a review, and I will always give my honest opinion about  a book.