Monday, September 24, 2007

MM PBO Reviews

I should start by saying that the current Crimespree Magazine carries a very lovely review of THE CONCRETE MAZE. Jennifer Jordan likes it. She really, really, likes it. Here's a snippet: "story telling at its finest." If youo're not sure if you can trust Jen4, get your own copy. oF course, there are plenty of fine independent mystery bookstores that would be happy to help you out.

In any event, my real intention with this post was to whine about not being able to get print reviews for my latest book. Everyone who has read it has loved it - not just my mom who actually had a few reservations since there are friends and family members portrayed under veils she thought were too thin - Everyone. And they weren't just being kind to me personally because I'm a swell guy. I know. I've asked them. But the print reviews have been few and far between. In fact, I only know of two - the aforementioned Crimespree and Spinetingler.

Now, before someone whines back "Torres probably didn't send out ARCs - can't have reviews without ARCs..." let me say that I did, in fact, send out ARCs both on my own and through my publisher - dozens of them. My publisher actually rarely sends out ARCs (rarely might be too strong a word, but allow me the hyperbole) but they sent out a bunch for this book. And, relatively speaking, I've gotten no attention for the trouble. Please, if someone out there has seen a print review for the book, let me know.

The lack of response from reviewers has well-nigh paralyzed me as a writer - I was going rewrite a hardboiled book for the same publisher, but if the best book I've ever written has dropped out of sight like a pebble cast into the ocean, then I really can't find the energy to bother. After all, there is a much easier way to get no reviews...

Sorry for the bitchfest. I'll be better tomorrow, I promise.

2 Comments:

Blogger Daniel Hatadi said...

Damn man, so sorry to hear that it's been going this way. Especially since NYT published your article recently. Would the novel ever come out in trade paperback format?

September 26, 2007 3:35 AM  
Blogger Steven said...

Hey Daniel,
I don't suspect the novel will ever come out in another format unless it has huge sales in PB...which is unlikely given the fact that I can't get anyone to review it. I was hoping for foriegn rights sales, but that also is unlikely without sales.

I must resign myself to the idea that my writing is an acquired taste. Ah well...

September 26, 2007 9:03 AM  

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