Many people who enjoy reading and writing decide to pursue a career as a book reviewer. Although there are no formal educational requirements for becoming a book reviewer, most have a high school diploma and, in many cases, a college degree in literature or a related field. For professional book reviewers, English or writing degrees are also popular options.
To become a book reviewer, you’ll need a lot of patience. There is no shortage of freelance writers who want to review books for newspapers, magazines, and websites. As a result, it’s critical to learn as much as possible about book reviewing, as well as the specific publication, ahead of time. Read as many book reviews as you can to get an idea of the tone and content of the reviews. Remember that book reviews are less formal than critics’ book critiques; reviews tend to focus more on the reviewer’s personal opinion, as well as the book’s perceived merits, rather than more technical literary information.
When you want to be a book reviewer, you must first decide what genre you want to write in. The majority of book critics specialize in one genre, such as mystery novels, literature, popular fiction, or historical fiction, to name a few. It should be a genre in which you enjoy reading and are familiar with the major themes and plot devices. Remember that a book review should discuss the plot and themes without giving anything away about the ending; additionally, most book reviewers try to find something positive to say about the book, even if they did not enjoy it overall.
Next, becoming a book reviewer is impossible without first sitting down and writing some reviews. Even if they are never published, having samples to show editors is important because most editors will not hire a reviewer without seeing some sample pieces. It may be easier to get started writing for a university newspaper or a local newspaper or bookstore while still in college. Another possibility is to write free reviews and post them on a blog. It will be easier to get more assignments once you have a few published pieces.
If they are paid at all, most book reviewers are freelance writers who are paid per piece. Some people simply volunteer to write book reviews in exchange for free books to review, sometimes even before they are released. The most important piece of advice for someone who wants to work as a book reviewer is to keep writing and to stick to deadlines. It can be difficult to get started, as with any freelance writing career, but for someone who enjoys reading and writing about books, it is an excellent choice.