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Exception to book review process for the exceptional Harry Potter? Not in America.

by Kay Day

Saturday Night Live offers a Harry Potter parody. Hermione has certainly grown up.

Author J. K. Rowling has expressed her annoyance over pre-release book reviews of ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.’ The reviews were published in the United States. China Daily reports Rowling said, “I am staggered that some American newspapers have decided to publish purported spoilers in the form of reviews in complete disregard of the wishes of literally millions of readers, particularly children.”

The fact that reviews are only now appearing contradicts the typical book review process in the United States.

Most reviewers want a copy of the book long in advance of publication—a publisher does a review copy—a black and white bound manuscript, usually book size, with no graphics on the cover or anywhere else. Many reviewers won’t even consider doing commentary on your book if it’s sent after publication. My publisher sent 50 copies to journals, magazines and newspapers about five months before my books came out. He comped another couple hundred free copies to booksellers at trade shows.

Of course, there are very few authors lucky enough to have Rowling’s problem. She’s more than likely very annoyed at the number of photographed pages that have popped up on Web sites, but those sites are not mainstream publications or bookselling sites. And those exposures are a copyright issue rather than something related to reviews.

I don’t advocate giving a story away—but if someone did it wouldn’t bother me as a reader. Once the book hits stores, all the slow readers will know the outcome before they finish the book anyway.

If you’re not a Rowling, be sure your publisher sends your book out well in advance of the sale date. Same goes if you’re self-published.

And after, do follow up with those who received a copy. Not long ago, a top airlines flight publication in India reviewed my last book. The review copy had been sent to them almost two years ago. We had sent two different inquiries in hopes of learning when a review would be published.

Most authors welcome reviews at any time.

Then again, most of us are not and never will be a Rowling.

~~~~Related Links:

http://www.jkrowling.com
Official J. K. Rowling/Harry Potter site

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2007-07/20/content_5439738.htm
Write-up about the U.S. review dustup at China Daily

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Posted in Books, Fiction, News, Publishing, Writing Business on July 19th, 2007

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