That´s a very interesting question many people seem to be discussing right now on the Blogsphere. On opposite sides, but with a very sharp eye and acute criticism, Larry and Jonathan McCalmont.
As for myself, I simply don´t know. I´ve been doing book reviews a lot both for printed media, which pays me, but not handsomely, and for sites, which don´t pay me, but give me a lot of visibility, and right now that´s more important to me - for now, at least.
But that also brings up to the front an issue that I would definitely have chosen to keep quiet until now. Since I started this blog and, a few months before, the English Drops section of my Brazilian Portuguese blog, me and my partner-in-crime Jacques have received many books from several writers and editors - first Solaris Books, then Tachyon Publications, Night Shade Books, Senses Five, Pyr, and occasionally even some big players like Bantam Spectra or Gollancz (these last two, though, through authors like Steph Swainston and Felix Gilman), and several others. To all of you, thanks for being kind and trusting. We appreciate that a lot.
One small press, however (I won´t name names here), simply refused to send me review copies, and even published in its blog that "Though we appreciate them, we're not interested in folks offering to post reviews to Amazon, or small personal blogs." The title of their post? Free ARCs to Good Homes. (Yes, you know who you are.)
Now, that was offensive. Since when "small personal blogs" aren´t "Good Homes"? Ok, no publisher is obliged to send ARCs to blogs, but, really. Making my case, I´m a journalist, translator and university teacher (and soon-to-be an online magazine editor). Aside from teaching, the same applies to Jacques. We´re no kids playing in a sandbox. Not us, neither him, nor him. Nor anyone of these bloggers, for instance.
There, I´ve said it. On a second thought, maybe we should get paid after all - even though I tend to agree with Larry when he writes that
Right now, the most important thing about blogging to me is my continued improvement as a critic and the continuation of the greater conversation. Money comes as a result of that, it doesn't generate it.
Please, pardon the rant.
illustration by Fabio Cobiaco
Hmmm perhaps this small press hasn't caught on to the potential power these blogs may have?
I've stopped going by "official" reviews as I've been burned one time too many by buying a novel that was an absolute dreck on every level. Blogs is where I go for recommendations now, and it's a much better method of seperating the gold from the crap.
Jana, I think that´s the question. The small press is just starting to tap this potential power. The big press, though, just doesn´t believe at all in blogs - at least not in independent blogs (as for corporate ones, that´s another matter entirely).