I run a review series here on this website, called Hayley’s Comments. I review works from small-time authors, poets, and other writers, giving my honest and in-depth insight on them.
I’ve been an avid reader and writer my entire life. I’ve been writing for fun since I was in third grade, and self-published my first book when I was 15. Writing and literature is my passion, and that’s my biggest motivation for starting this series. I want to help spread the joy and entertainment that I’ve gotten over the years through reading.
So many fine works of literature, writing, and other forms of art go unnoticed or overlooked. Every year, millions of new books are published, and the average reader will read only 12 of them. What determines which 12 a person will read? As it stands, a small number of really popular books are read often, while a large number of unknown books are hardly ever read, if at all. The same thing applies for poems, plays, and other writings. Think of all of the interesting and amazing works that you haven’t read, all because the authors don’t have the means or the resources to promote them. I want to help change that, make things more even.
I’m Hayley, and here are my comments!
FAQ:
Important Note: All scores are calculated using a linear grading system; 0% is the worst, 100% is the best, and 50% is considered average. This is NOT an academic grading system, where anything lower than a 60% is considered “bad” or a “failing grade”.
Q: What kind of writing do you review?
A: I focus mainly on books, novels, novellas, and occasionally poems. I plan to eventually branch out into the world of plays and screenplays as well. Though I focus on fiction, I definitely will do nonfiction in the future. There’s a possibility that I might get into graphic novels/comics, manga, kids’ books, lyrics, and podcasts. I currently have no plan to review TV shows, movies, video games, or places.
Q: Can you review my book?
A: Sure! I’d be happy to consider your book for review. Go ahead and send a request via my contact form and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible if I decide to work with you. Make sure to include your name, details about the book, and a link to where I can buy it.
Q: Can I sponsor you?
A: Not exactly. You’re more than welcome to send me copies of your book or other works for review. Be aware, though, that I will still give my honest and complete assessment, and will not enter into any agreement with you as to what will be contained in the review, when the review will be released, etc. I also will not accept any monetary incentive in exchange for a review.
Q: What criteria do you use to determine my rating?
A: There are several things that I use to craft my reviews.
- Overall rating—an all-encompassing score based on a combination of all other scores. (1 to 100)
- Plot—how interesting and cohesive the plot of the book is. (1 to 10)
- Characters—how nuanced, engaging, in-depth, and thoughtfully-crafted the characters are. (1 to 10)
- Dialogue—the quality of the dialogue (when characters are speaking to each other). Flow, engagement, and quantity are all things that are considered for this score. (1 to 10)
- Settings—the quality of the places, buildings, and locations the book takes place in. Quantity, variety, and descriptiveness are all taken into account. (1 to 10)
- Pacing—how fast or slow the plot of the book progresses, and how well that fits with the plot and the message of the book. (1 to 10)
More questions will be added in the future!
Sources
https://www.theifod.com/how-many-new-books-are-published-each-year-and-other-related-books-facts/
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2016/09/01/book-reading-2016/