Library:GettingPublished Book Reviews
Book reviews can be a good first step in gaining publishing experience and building your publication profile. In some cases, unsolicited offers to review new books are well received. It is not recommended to send an unsolicited review, as the book may be already in the process of being reviewed by someone else. Check the guidelines on the journal website to see their policy on book review submissions. Many journals will have a list of the number of reviews submitted and accepted per year, length of reviews, and whether or not unsolicited offers to review are accepted.
Selecting a Book to Review
Wendy Belcher, Managing Editor of "Aztlán: A Journal of Chicano Studies" offers these tips in selecting a book to review: Choose a book that,
"(1)is in your field, (2) is on a topic for which you have sound background knowledge, (3) has been published in the past two or three years, (4) and has been published by a reputable publisher (i.e., any press affiliated with a university, or large commercial presses)" - From Writing the Academic Book Review by Wendy Belcher
Resources on Book Reviews
Online
- Writing the Academic Book Review by Wendy Belcher - This article, written by the Managing Editor of "Aztlán: A Journal of Chicano Studies" is an excellent starting point. It offers tips on choosing a book to review, which journal to submit to, a list of questions to keep in mind as you are reading the book, and pitfalls to avoid when writing the review.
- Scholarly book reviewing in the social sciences and humanities : the flow of ideas within and among disciplines by Ylva Lindholm-Romantschuk
Print Books
- Writing for Academic Success: A Postgraduate Guide by Gail Craswell - Includes sections on: different types of reviews conducting an academic review how to structure the review.
- Handbook for Academic Authors by Beth Luey - Includes a short section on things to consider when selecting and reviewing a book.
Additional library resources can be found through the Book Reviews link.
Finding Books to Review
Academic journals often list books recently received for review or recently published in their area. Many discipline-specific listservs have postings of new books available for review.
Humanities & Social Sciences Online (H-Net)
- Publishes reviews of academics works. Journal editors often post messages here looking for reviewers. You can also search and read the reviews online at H-Net Reviewsto get an idea of the style.