Kidlitchat Transcript – May 25
| 1:01 am | kidlitchat: | TOPIC: Do reviews still matter? Did they ever? #kidlitchat |
| 1:02 am | LaFabuliste: | Omggggggggg Twilight has taken over Glee. Is that relevant at all to our topic tonight? #kidlitchat |
| 1:02 am | deegarretson: | good topic, because I’m very curious about this. #kidlitchat |
| 1:02 am | Buffyandrews: | RT @gregpincus: TOPIC: Do reviews still matter? Did they ever? #kidlitchat |
| 1:03 am | lisagailgreen: | I’ll be curious to hear what everyone has to say on this subject #kidlitchat |
| 1:03 am | LaFabuliste: | Reviews. Hmm. Reviews v. Hand selling? Hmm. #kidlitchat |
| 1:04 am | Buffyandrews: | Someone told me they buy the books that Amazon suggests after they read one and have found that they like the picks. No reviews. #kidlitchat |
| 1:04 am | sharifwrites: | I pay attention to blog reviews and ratings/reviews on Goodreads and Amazon. #kidlitchat |
| 1:05 am | Buffyandrews: | A lot of newspapers are eliminating or severly downsizing their books sections, which typically were on Sundays. #kidlitchat |
| 1:05 am | laurielyoung: | I was wondering what effect electronic devices would have on reviews?more due to electronic access, or less? #kidlitchat |
| 1:05 am | reneekurilla: | #kidlitchat I’m new to publishing, but I’ve found I’m actually indifferent to bad reviews – because to me, the book is an accomplishment |
| 1:05 am | Books4Kids_revs: | I never buy a book anymore without checking reviews #kidlitchat |
| 1:05 am | HornBook: | I find Amazon reviews mostly too long and self-serving #Kidlitchat |
| 1:05 am | LaFabuliste: | One of my fav. things to do is to read the 1 star reviews on Amazon for my fav books. “A Kiss for Little Bear” is the best. #kidlitchat |
| 1:05 am | gregpincus: | I think that trusted review sources are more important than ever #kidlitchat |
| 1:06 am | Buffyandrews: | Are more people seeking reviews online than in a print product? #kidlitchat |
| 1:06 am | AudryT: | RT @gregpincus: TOPIC: Do reviews still matter? Did they ever? #kidlitchat |
| 1:06 am | PaulWHankins: | The best reviews for me come from PLN. Folks like @donalynbooks and @ProfessorNana, but this is on teaching side. #kidlitchat |
| 1:06 am | EgmontGal: | I have faked an Amazon review on two occasions. I’ll admit it. #kidlitchat |
| 1:06 am | himissjulie: | exceptions are made for unstoppable trends, of course; and we honor most requests. but reviews guide the majority of our buys. #kidlitchat |
| 1:06 am | Buffyandrews: | @EgmontGal Shame on you:) #kidlitchat |
| 1:07 am | EgmontGal: | As a reader, I really enjoy reviews. They have definitely lead me to buy many many times #kidlitchat |
| 1:07 am | reneekurilla: | #kidlitchat though – I’m talking mostly about the illustration standpoint… |
| 1:07 am | sharifwrites: | @Buffyandrews I’ve purchased based on the suggested books on Amazon. Of course I still click on the links to see the ratings. #kidlitchat |
| 1:07 am | EgmontGal: | @PaulWHankins Paul, what is PLN? #kidlitchat |
| 1:07 am | gregpincus: | Print reviews still add a “legitimacy” that hasn’t been replace by blog reviews. But peer-to-peer reviews/recs are driving sales #kidlitchat |
| 1:07 am | HornBook: | Librarians for sure need prof. reviews more than blog reviews #Kidlitchat |
| 1:07 am | EgmontGal: | @Buffyandrews Twice in my career for books I really liked that we had big expectations for! It points out how faked those can be #kidlitchat |
| 1:08 am | boylebob: | I was under the impression that starred reviews were the ones that really mattered. #kidlitchat |
| 1:08 am | PaulWHankins: | I’ll tell you who trusts reviews: pre-service teachers. If you want that book in a classroom, show it through standards lens. #kidlitchat |
| 1:08 am | LaFabuliste: | I’m much more of a hand-sold/word of mouth reader. Reviews are fun to read if I’ve already read a book- almost like a discussion #kidlitchat |
| 1:08 am | dosankodebbie: | I’m here I’m here. Am v. interested in topic “Do Reviews Matter?” #kidlitchat |
| 1:08 am | RosemaryMarotta: | I think that prof reviews are nice but I don’t think they drive sales.. #kidlitchat |
| 1:08 am | JanGangsei: | I definitely pay attention to professional reviews, but word-of-mouth also plays a big role when I decide what to buy. #kidlitchat |
| 1:08 am | himissjulie: | @HornBook Amazon reviews are the worst. half the time they aren’t even talking about the book. “*, can’t read on kindle yet.” #kidlitchat |
| 1:08 am | LaFabuliste: | Though, admittedly, the process is TOTES different for bookstore buyers/librarians. #kidlitchat |
| 1:09 am | AudryT: | I wrote an Amz review once that I knew would be controversial. It got a ton of thumbs up & down but who knows if it sold copies. #kidlitchat |
| 1:09 am | PaulWHankins: | @EgmontGal Personal Learning Network or PLC, Community. Tight network of like-minded professionals sharing resources. #kidlitchat |
| 1:09 am | Buffyandrews: | How do reviews stack up against TV appearances etc. In other words, what translates into sales? #kidlitchat |
| 1:09 am | laurielyoung: | .@LaFabuliste I agree?I like to read the reviews after I have read a book and see if I had the same opinion as the reviewer. #kidlitchat |
| 1:09 am | wardomatic: | I find that 4 most negative reviews on Amazon-the reviewer had beef w/something that didn’t really correlate to the book itself. #kidlitchat |
| 1:09 am | gregpincus: | Yes… and makes sense. RT @HornBook: Librarians for sure need prof. reviews more than blog reviews #Kidlitchat |
| 1:10 am | HornBook: | @RosemaryMarotta depends on the book and market. #Kidlitchat |
| 1:10 am | gregpincus: | @RosemaryMarotta And yet professional reviews can drive sales in the library/teacher areas. That can be sizable still. #kidlitchat |
| 1:10 am | LaFabuliste: | @wardomatic YES! Like, “A Kiss for Little Bear,” reviewer says “This is a Christian home. Too much kissing in this book.” #kidlitchat |
| 1:10 am | Books4Kids_revs: | With any reviewer, professional or not, it’s important to find someone with the same tastes. #kidlitchat |
| 1:10 am | sharifwrites: | @gregpincus I still look for the trusted reviews, and any awards and mentions. #kidlitchat |
| 1:11 am | kellyhashway: | It comes down to the fact that reviews are subjective. What one person likes another will hate. #kidlitchat |
| 1:11 am | bonnieadamson: | I don’t read reviews on Amazon any more–too self-serving, i.e., ax to grind either pro or con, it seems. #kidlitchat |
| 1:11 am | EgmontGal: | @Buffyandrews S+S sold 5,000 copies of He’s Just Not that into you AFTER Oprah show ended on day of author appearance #kidlitchat |
| 1:11 am | PaulWHankins: | I have seen teachers grab up titles that were reviewed in light of their 6 Trait applications for writing. Model/mentor books. #kidlitchat |
| 1:11 am | carolgrannick: | RT @gregpincus: @RosemaryMarotta Professional reviews can drive sales in the library/teacher areas. That can be sizable still. #kidlitchat |
| 1:11 am | LizB: | Depends on who you are talking about re reviews. And how reviews defined #kidlitchat |
| 1:11 am | gregpincus: | @wardomatic The “beef” issue can show up in professional reviews, too. Or a focus on something that wasn’t the author’s intent #kidlitchat |
| 1:11 am | RosemaryMarotta: | @gregpincus true but authors want their book sold…sometimes what is popular is not liked by critics #kidlitchat |
| 1:11 am | LaFabuliste: | @EgmontGal Well, when the Big O says buy it…. #kidlitchat |
| 1:12 am | EgmontGal: | Getting several starred reviews can really really help a book with library and school sales. Huge difference. Stars really help. #kidlitchat |
| 1:12 am | Buffyandrews: | @EgmontGal Not that’s power. I’ve been trying to get on Oprah. Hasn’t worked yet. (Smiles) #kidlitchat |
| 1:12 am | HornBook: | Prof reviewers tend to review less often from their personal opinions #Kidlitchat |
| 1:12 am | kellyhashway: | Reviews are subjective. What one person loves, another will hate. #kidlitchat |
| 1:12 am | ReadingVacation: | Hanging back reading the tweets tonight #kidlitchat |
| 1:12 am | PaulWHankins: | This is why many teachers point to Owl Moon as a mentor text for writing. If I see a teacher using it well, I’ll get it. #kidlitchat |
| 1:12 am | wardomatic: | @LaFabuliste I had 2 1-star reviews for my 1st book-both didn’t like Michael Phelps. That’s it. Umm..did you even READ the book? #kidlitchat |
| 1:12 am | LaFabuliste: | Maybe prof. reviews get over the first hurdle– book from warehouse to the bookstore. After that, word of mouth, etc? #kidlitchat |
| 1:13 am | gregpincus: | @RosemaryMarotta Sure. And sometimes the other way around  #kidlitchat |
| 1:13 am | EgmontGal: | @LaFabuliste Wait, Twilight has taken over Glee? What am I doing on kidlitchat? Edward, I’m coming! #kidlitchat |
| 1:13 am | KateMessner: | In my teaching life, I read SLJ reviews but also love recommendations from trusted book bloggers & teachers online. #kidlitchat |
| 1:13 am | AudryT: | These days, I find myself skipping Amazon and reading reviews on Goodreads, instead. Anyone else do that? #kidlitchat |
| 1:14 am | RosemaryMarotta: | I do think that prof reviews are needed as they help bring some books to the forefront that might not be noticed #kidlitchat |
| 1:14 am | kellyhashway: | @AudryT I use Goodreads, too. #kidlitchat |
| 1:14 am | deegarretson: | @gregpincus I’ve heard from a few authors who were amazed at what the reviewers read into the books-agendas that weren’t there #kidlitchat |
| 1:14 am | EgmontGal: | @PaulWHankins I wrote a reader’s report recommending we turn down Owl Moon.It’s true. Jane knows.Yet here I am, still with a job #kidlitchat |
| 1:14 am | gregpincus: | Would we all agree there’s a difference between a review and a recommendation? Does that reframe this convo? #kidlitchat |
| 1:14 am | LaFabuliste: | @EgmontGal Only for a little bit at the beginning. Apparently, Figgins thinks vampires are real…. #kidlitchat |
| 1:14 am | LisaDez: | @KateMessner Congrats on the E B White award! #kidlitchat |
| 1:14 am | kellybarnhill: | #kidlitchat I love reading reviews. Not so much for the advice, but just to see people interacting with STORIES. Makes the heart happy. |
| 1:14 am | sharifwrites: | @AudryT I buy from Amazon and look over the reviews anyway, but I prefer Goodreads for ratings. #kidlitchat |
| 1:15 am | sharifwrites: | @AudryT I find that Goodreads is more compatible to my tastes. #kidlitchat |
| 1:15 am | DeeScribe: | @gregpincus Agreed. I think recommendations more effective. #kidlitchat |
| 1:15 am | PaulWHankins: | @EgmontGal This is why I love you. You have a million stories like this. I traded poems with Yolen for the month of November. #kidlitchat |
| 1:15 am | kamtonnes: | I take advantage of the reviews that Follett provides on their TitleWave site. #kidlitchat |
| 1:16 am | gregpincus: | w00t! RT @LisaDez: Congrats @KateMessner on the E B White award! #kidlitchat |
| 1:16 am | EgmontGal: | @KateMessner Kate, you’re just here with us mortals, not out celebrating your victory? Congratulations!!! Yay for your EBWhite! #kidlitchat |
| 1:16 am | RosemaryMarotta: | @DeeScribe @gregpincus recommendations were always popular ways for store staff to give suggestions #kidlitchat |
| 1:16 am | kellybarnhill: | RT @gregpincus: w00t! RT @LisaDez: Congrats @KateMessner on the E B White award! #kidlitchat |
| 1:16 am | lindsayeland: | @kellyhashway Agreed! Word of mouth and knowing that a friend/fellow writer liked it means more than a random review…for me #kidlitchat |
| 1:16 am | wardomatic: | How relevant are reviews from SLJ and PW? Is that where librarians and booksellers get their recommendations? #kidlitchat |
| 1:17 am | MichelleDEvans: | Do many of you write reviews or recommendations? if so for who? #kidlitchat |
| 1:17 am | TheAsianAngel: | I don’t put a lot of stock in critics who are looking for the profound. A book doesn’t has to move the Earth, just me. #kidlitchat |
| 1:17 am | EgmontGal: | @PaulWHankins Thankfully I DON’T have a million stories of turning down major prize winners. #kidlitchat |
| 1:17 am | LizB: | @gregpincus yes. & difference between “I love” & “why a reader will love” #kidlitchat |
| 1:17 am | HornBook: | @wardomatic who cares about those rags?  #Kidlitchat |
| 1:17 am | AudryT: | @sharifwrites As an author, I find Goodreads reviews more reflective of a book’s target demographic. Amz reviews feel random. #kidlitchat |
| 1:18 am | kellybarnhill: | @HornBook Ha! #kidlitchat |
| 1:18 am | RosemaryMarotta: | @MichelleDEvans I try to post recommendations on my blog vs reviews…only books I like for the most part … #kidlitchat |
| 1:18 am | kamtonnes: | @wardomatic I use SLJ and PW, amongst others, when buying for my school library. #kidlitchat |
| 1:18 am | KateMessner: | Thanks, you guys!! #kidlitchat |
| 1:19 am | wardomatic: | @HornBook Ha! Nice response! #kidlitchat |
| 1:19 am | deegarretson: | I use Goodreads but haven’t yet explored Shelfari. Anybody know the differences between the two sites? #kidlitchat |
| 1:19 am | AmyBaskin: | @wardomatic That’s where our k-8 librarian gets her ideas for new book purchases. Congrats on the nod from Betsy in SLJ btw! #kidlitchat |
| 1:19 am | nykat4: | My students did great book rec’s last week- 1pair made a movie ‘trailer’, even got his dad to be in it! Other kid made Scratch 1 #kidlitchat |
| 1:19 am | EgmontGal: | @wardomatic A lot of librarians order from SLJ. I’ve seen a star there bump up sales. PW not as much. #kidlitchat |
| 1:19 am | dawnmetcalf: | RT @gregpincus: w00t! RT @LisaDez: Congrats @KateMessner on the E B White award! #kidlitchat |
| 1:20 am | JanGangsei: | @kellybarnhill Yes! I enjoy just reading reviews to see how a reader responds to a story. Must satisfy the English major in me. #kidlitchat |
| 1:20 am | dawnmetcalf: | Yes, I think reviews still matter. Word of mouth is what sells a book. (I just wish they wouldn’t get so personal/mean, tho’!) #kidlitchat |
| 1:20 am | dawnmetcalf: | RT @TheAsianAngel: I don’t put a lot of stock in critics who are looking for the profound. A book doesn’t has to move the Earth, just me. #kidlitchat |
| 1:20 am | AmyBaskin: | Oh! And don’t forget @hornbook! @Wardomatic Our librarian makes some of her best choices while perusing @hornbook! #kidlitchat |
| 1:21 am | HornBook: | @dawnmetcalf mean how? #Kidlitchat |
| 1:21 am | DeeScribe: | Some reviewers seem to have emotional basis for disliking book – nothing to do with book itself. #kidlitchat |
| 1:21 am | himissjulie: | most kids librarians use SLJ, Kirkus, PW, @Hornbook. YA the same, add VOYA #kidlitchat |
| 1:21 am | carolgrannick: | Since economic downturn I use @hornbook to put books on hold at the library, then buy what I love to read again. #kidlitchat |
| 1:21 am | LaFabuliste: | Favorite part about being a bookseller was putting something into a kid’s hand and saying “This was awesome. Read a few pages.” #kidlitchat |
| 1:21 am | LaFabuliste: | #handsellingftw #kidlitchat |
| 1:21 am | AudryT: | One thing reviews tell you — kids hate being “forced” to read a book. (100s of Goodreads reviews by students show that.) #kidlitchat |
| 1:21 am | RosemaryMarotta: | @EgmontGal @wardomatic I think PW is more for trade not the average person libarians I know depend on slj which helps patrons #kidlitchat |
| 1:21 am | PaulWHankins: | When I review a book for the INcK, I get to do it as a teacher. If I’m not able to connect with our use a title, I don’t review. #kidlitchat |
| 1:22 am | dawnmetcalf: | @HornBook I don’t mind criticizing the book, but criticizing the author in a personal way is just uncalled for, IMO. #kidlitchat |
| 1:22 am | kellybarnhill: | @DeeScribe But that’s true of the most readers. I’ve had books that I’ve hated at particular points in my life and loved later. #kidlitchat |
| 1:22 am | gregpincus: | @Karennina_Posa Blog reviews do drive sales. How many? That is the great unknown and probably unknowable. #kidlitchat |
| 1:22 am | carolgrannick: | @LaFabuliste Yes, that’s wonderful…In a library as a volunteer, too! #kidlitchat |
| 1:22 am | TheAsianAngel: | I’m always baffled when people give a book a low star rating and then include a comment about how great it was. #kidlitchat |
| 1:22 am | DeeScribe: | @PaulWHankins Agreed. I don’t review books I don’t connect with. #kidlitchat |
| 1:22 am | LizB: | Many libraries have collection dev policies requiring book has prof reviews in order to purchase #kidlitchat |
| 1:22 am | dawnmetcalf: | RT @gregpincus: @Karennina_Posa Blog reviews do drive sales. How many? That is the great unknown and probably unknowable. #kidlitchat |
| 1:22 am | PaulWHankins: | The teacher reviewer gets to speak to extensions of a work that sometimes the author may not have thought about. #kidlitchat |
| 1:23 am | HornBook: | Also Booklist v. important for youth librarians #Kidlitchat |
| 1:23 am | LaFabuliste: | AH Best part of working in a library, too! Because there’s no limit, mom can’t say “Only get a paperback.” They can take SO MANY #kidlitchat |
| 1:23 am | kellybarnhill: | @dawnmetcalf True, but too often folks assume that criticism of the book=criticism of the author. It’s not always so. #kidlitchat |
| 1:23 am | himissjulie: | buying books that are favorably reviewed as to merit also helps librarians when books are challenged. #kidlitchat |
| 1:23 am | MichelleDEvans: | really? RT @gregpincus @Karennina_Posa Blog reviews do drive sales. How many? That is the great unknown and probably unknowable. #kidlitchat |
| 1:23 am | kamtonnes: | I often buy books sight unseen, so I depend on reviews to have any clue about quality. #kidlitchat |
| 1:23 am | KateMessner: | Yes! RT @PaulWHankins:The teacher reviewer gets to speak to extensions of work that sometimes author may not have thought about. #kidlitchat |
| 1:23 am | kellybarnhill: | @gregpincus Is there good information that they do at ALL? Or is it just anecdotal at this point? #kidlitchat |
| 1:24 am | AudryT: | *nods* Lots of enthusiastic online reviews = word of mouth. RT @dawnmetcalf: Word of mouth is what sells a book. #kidlitchat |
| 1:24 am | RosemaryMarotta: | I want my blog to help suggest books as if they were in a store…it was the best part of working in a bookstore #kidlitchat |
| 1:24 am | DeeScribe: | I think online book buyers rely on reviews more. #kidlitchat |
| 1:24 am | HornBook: | Some writers seem to think anything less than a starred review is mean! #Kidlitchat |
| 1:24 am | dawnmetcalf: | @LaFabuliste LOL! “Is this a kissing book?” – Princess Bride #kidlitchat |
| 1:24 am | PaulWHankins: | I’m just not in a position to be critical. I promote reading. I promote good, useful texts for classroom teachers. #kidlitchat |
| 1:25 am | kamtonnes: | Possible tangent: I’ve bought books personally bc I’ve “met” the authors on Twitter! #kidlitchat |
| 1:25 am | himissjulie: | RT @LizB: @gregpincus yes. & difference between “I love” & “why a reader will love” #kidlitchat |
| 1:25 am | kellybarnhill: | @HornBook Yeah, authors arguing about their reviews is about as attractive as authors arguing their rejection slips. #kidlitchat |
| 1:25 am | DeeScribe: | @PaulWHankins As an author I also have professional respect for other authors. #kidlitchat |
| 1:25 am | Books4Kids_revs: | Amazon could probably provide data that shows that blog reviews sell/or don’t sell books. But I doubt they’d share. #kidlitchat |
| 1:26 am | elizaosborn: | @kamtonnes Same here! Last handful of books I’ve bought have been bc of Twitter. Agents, editors, authors, or readers pimping. #kidlitchat |
| 1:26 am | angie_frazier: | @kamtonnes I agree, I often buy books by authors I know online. #kidlitchat |
| 1:26 am | kellybarnhill: | @kamtonnes Me too! #kidlitchat |
| 1:26 am | carolgrannick: | RT @DeeScribe: @PaulWHankins As an author I also have professional respect for other authors. #kidlitchat |
| 1:26 am | PaulWHankins: | If you give me a book that can be “draped” across content areas, I can sell this to pre-service and veteran teachers. #kidlitchat |
| 1:27 am | wardomatic: | Checking out the site…okay, so how did I not know about @HornBook before all this? Now I feel stoopid. http://www.hbook.com #kidlitchat |
| 1:27 am | LizB: | Many people I know in real life buy books traditional way, in store, don’t read online reviews / revs. #Kidlitchat |
| 1:27 am | TheAsianAngel: | Will you buy a certain book if it’s touted as “like” a book you’ve enjoyed or “fans of X will love…”? #kidlitchat |
| 1:27 am | AmyBaskin: | AmyBaskin @CynLeitichSmith ’s Cynsations rev/int.s make me pick up books. And Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. #kidlitchat |
| 1:27 am | LauraHamor: | hi all! #kidlitchat |
| 1:27 am | RosemaryMarotta: | It is important to sometimes see a merit in a book even if we don’t personally like it…suggestions should keep reader in mind #kidlitchat |
| 1:27 am | dawnmetcalf: | @HornBook @kellybarnhill Yes. Everyone is entitled to opinions of the work, but not “the author is X/Y/Z” assumptions. JMO #kidlitchat |
| 1:27 am | boylebob: | @AmyBaskin 7 Impossible Things Before Breakfast is wonderful for finding out about new books. But how many people view the blog? #kidlitchat |
| 1:27 am | kellybarnhill: | @wardomatic Horn Book = Awesome. #kidlitchat |
| 1:27 am | carolgrannick: | @TheAsianAngel These days, not unless I’ve read it and loved it… #kidlitchat |
| 1:27 am | kamtonnes: | @TheAsianAngel I’m pretty suspicious of that kind of suggestion. #kidlitchat |
| 1:27 am | Tiare75: | I think that what entices an author to buy another author’s book differs from what entices other readers. #kidlitchat |
| 1:28 am | dawnmetcalf: | @TheAsianAngel Ooo! Good question! #kidlitchat |
| 1:28 am | LaFabuliste: | @Hornbook is 100% (if inadvertently) responsible for all good things that have happened to me in kids’ lit. So, um, thank you! #kidlitchat |
| 1:28 am | HornBook: | Hornbook, etc aren’t reviewing for the end-reader, but for fellow professionals building collections #Kidlitchat |
| 1:28 am | lindsayeland: | RT @RosemaryMarotta: It is important to sometimes see a merit in a book even if we don’t personally like it…suggestions should keep reader in mind #kidlitchat |
| 1:28 am | gregpincus: | @MichelleDEvans @kellybarnhill There is anecdotal and a few “amazon affiliate” stories. But I have bought book from blogs. #kidlitchat |
| 1:28 am | wardomatic: | @AmyBaskin I agree. I love Seven Imp Things. http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/ #kidlitchat |
| 1:28 am | DeeScribe: | @RosemaryMarotta Totally agree with this about keeping open mind about books even if they are ‘not our thing’. #kidlitchat |
| 1:28 am | donalynbooks: | @dawnmetcalf I agree! Criticize the work, not the author! #kidlitchat |
| 1:28 am | vleemahoney: | Congrats, @KateMessner! Wonderfulnews! RT @gregpincus: w00t! RT @LisaDez: Congrats @KateMessner on the E B White award! #kidlitchat |
| 1:29 am | PaulWHankins: | @carolgrannick And not to self-promote, but with a WIP, I have to beieve in WCAGA, right? I celebrate the great YA coming out. #kidlitchat |
| 1:29 am | donalynbooks: | RT @PaulWHankins: I’m just not in a position to be critical. I promote reading. I promote good, useful texts for classroom teachers. #kidlitchat |
| 1:29 am | kellybarnhill: | @dawnmetcalf Absolutely. It’s important to separate the author from the work. In a review, only the book matters. #kidlitchat |
| 1:29 am | dawnmetcalf: | RT @elizaosborn @kamtonnes Same here! Last books I’ve bought have been bc of Twitter, agents, eds, authors, or readers pimping. #kidlitchat |
| 1:29 am | AmyBaskin: | @boylebob Good q! Not many reg. folks, but I imagine many indy booksellers do, then hand sell their faves. #kidlitchat |
| 1:29 am | gregpincus: | @Karennina_Posa Who is the intended audience of a review? Who reads, say, the local newspaper review? #kidlitchat |
| 1:30 am | dawnmetcalf: | @kellybarnhill Bingo. #kidlitchat |
| 1:30 am | franklyj: | RT @dawnmetcalf: RT @elizaosborn @kamtonnes Same here! Last books I’ve bought have been bc of Twitter, agents, eds, authors, or readers pimping. #kidlitchat |
| 1:30 am | carolgrannick: | @gregpincus I think local newspaper reviews can be good for local signings, no? #kidlitchat |
| 1:30 am | TheAsianAngel: | @kamtonnes Thank you!!! I never believe statements like that. #kidlitchat |
| 1:30 am | kellybarnhill: | @gregpincus As have I. I guess I’ve always wondered if someone had ever actually crunched the numbers. #kidlitchat |
| 1:30 am | wardomatic: | Also: How important is the NYT Bestseller list? #kidlitchat |
| 1:30 am | PaulWHankins: | @TheAsianAngel I don’t know if I buy on this platform. If I see a textual connection (or “Ladder” ((Lesense), I’m interested. #kidlitchat |
| 1:31 am | LaFabuliste: | @wardomatic Important to a certain kind of parent. “I want a bestselling award winner that teaches moral lessons.” #kidlitchat |
| 1:31 am | gregpincus: | @kellybarnhill Can you crunch the numbers of how many bought from a NYTimes review? Or a @HornBook review? #kidlitchat |
| 1:31 am | AnnaZiska: | I like reading the reviews on Goodreads as well. Plus the teens in my family are always suggesting great books. #kidlitchat |
| 1:31 am | kamtonnes: | @wardomatic I never have a clue what’s on the NYT Bestseller list, unless it’s @realjohngreen. #kidlitchat |
| 1:31 am | AudryT: | @gregpincus Seems to me a reviewer needs to have a target audience for their review & know what that audience is looking for. #kidlitchat |
| 1:31 am | LaFabuliste: | And, for us, parent often equals buyer. #kidlitchat |
| 1:31 am | PaulWHankins: | RT @donalynbooks: @dawnmetcalf I agree! Criticize the work, not the author! #kidlitchat |
| 1:31 am | HornBook: | @wardomatic very. Drives all kinds of discounting. #Kidlitchat |
| 1:32 am | DeeScribe: | @carolgrannick I agree local newspaper reviews are good for local signings. #kidlitchat |
| 1:32 am | PattyJMurphy: | Hey, @gregpincus: Sorry I’m late! Good to see eveyrone here especially @hornbook!PS Congrats to you, @katemessner! #kidlitchat |
| 1:32 am | TheAsianAngel: | @carolgrannick Exactly how I feel. Just because two books are about mermaid love doesn’t mean I will like both. #kidlitchat |
| 1:32 am | RosemaryMarotta: | @wardomatic I am not a fan of nyt bestseller…although I am sure it more accurate now it was not always that way #kidlitchat |
| 1:32 am | Books4Kids_revs: | RT @AudryT: @gregpincus Seems to me a reviewer needs to have a target audience for their review & know what that audience is looking for. #kidlitchat |
| 1:33 am | alovett9: | Does everyone agree with this? Librarians? I dunno RT @HornBook: Librarians for sure need prof. reviews more than blog reviews #Kidlitchat |
| 1:33 am | kamtonnes: | Possibly ignorant question: Is there a source for book sales statistics? #kidlitchat |
| 1:33 am | deegarretson: | @AnnaZiska the teens I know are getting their book recommendations from friends. But where’s the point of origin? #kidlitchat |
| 1:33 am | RosemaryMarotta: | congrats Kate @katemessner #kidlitchat |
| 1:33 am | alovett9: | This is true! RT @HornBook: Prof reviewers tend to review less often from their personal opinions #Kidlitchat |
| 1:33 am | dawnmetcalf: | @HornBook Can you explain the relationship re: “discounting”, please? #kidlitchat |
| 1:33 am | MichelleDEvans: | RT @kamtonnes: Possibly ignorant question: Is there a source for book sales statistics? #kidlitchat |
| 1:33 am | AudryT: | @gregpincus What made WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON an instant hit? Instant hits don’t materialize from nothing. #kidlitchat |
| 1:34 am | tardisgrl: | Gt point! RT @himissjulie: buying books that are favorably reviewed as to merit also helps librarians when books are challenged. #kidlitchat |
| 1:34 am | TheAsianAngel: | @dawnmetcalf Thanks! I’ve just seen so many books lumped together at stores with the message “Did you like Twilight, etc?” #kidlitchat |
| 1:34 am | jimhill: | @wardomatic Seven Imp has been my go-to source for learning the field. #kidlitchat |
| 1:34 am | alovett9: | RT @HornBook: Also Booklist v. important for youth librarians #Kidlitchat |
| 1:34 am | kamtonnes: | @AudryT One of the authors @realjohngreen has a huge audience in his nerdfighters. #kidlitchat |
| 1:34 am | LauraHamor: | Congratulations @KateMessner!!!!!!! #kidlitchat |
| 1:34 am | dawnmetcalf: | @AudryT @gregpincus I’m sure an already-established fanbase of rabid #nerdfighters might have helped! #kidlitchat |
| 1:34 am | franklyj: | NYT best sellers may initially get my attention but if I don’t like what I read when I hold the book in my hands, I won’t buy #kidlitchat |
| 1:34 am | LaFabuliste: | @AudryT @realjohngreen’s MASSIVE internet following. Nerdfighteria, I believe they’re called? #kidlitchat |
| 1:35 am | gregpincus: | @AudryT Every blogger should have a target audience. BUT, people who follow a blog are all potential buyers . Connection rules. #kidlitchat |
| 1:35 am | LizB: | @alovett9 @HornBook absolutely librarians need prof reviews. Also Blog review no help in challenge. #kidlitchat |
| 1:35 am | PaulWHankins: | @AudryT I know the folks I follow, and I think some folks follow me. There are swing-folk in the reading community. #kidlitchat |
| 1:35 am | kamtonnes: | @LaFabuliste Yes, the “community” is Nerdfighteria. www.nerdfighters.com. Powerful group! #kidlitchat |
| 1:35 am | gregpincus: | @AudryT I think we’d both agree that the authors’ reputations, track record, and John Green’s million+ followers helped #kidlitchat |
| 1:35 am | AnnaZiska: | Good question! RT @deegarretson: @AnnaZiska But wheres the point of origin? #kidlitchat |
| 1:36 am | dawnmetcalf: | @TheAsianAngel Oh yes! *rolls eyes* I once asked for some superhero YAs and was handed WINGS b/c it was on NYT list. (??) #kidlitchat |
| 1:36 am | wardomatic: | @jimhill It’s fascinating, isn’t it? I love 7 Imp’s focus on the illustrator. Great stuff. #kidlitchat |
| 1:36 am | PaulWHankins: | @AudryT WG, WG was getting heavy promotion at NCTE in November. Most of us were ravenous for the title. #kidlitchat |
| 1:36 am | dawnmetcalf: | RT @gregpincus: @AudryT Every blogger should have a target audience. BUT, people who follow a blog are all potential buyers . Connection rules. #kidlitchat |
| 1:36 am | RosemaryMarotta: | @gregpincus @AudryT totally agree~ #kidlitchat |
| 1:37 am | himissjulie: | @alovett9 yes, yes we do. as @lizburns mentioned, if a book in our collection is challenged, it helps us prove it is “good” #kidlitchat |
| 1:37 am | Shelltex: | @TheAsianAngel Yes! I agree. All vampire books aren’t Twilight and all contemp YA isn’t reminiscent of Sarah Dessen. #kidlitchat |
| 1:37 am | DeeScribe: | I think reviews by teens on their blogs have helped sell my YA. #kidlitchat |
| 1:38 am | himissjulie: | I meant, @lizb mentioned. d’oh. #kidlitchat |
| 1:38 am | adamselzer: | I’m late. What’s the topic? Vampires? Blog reviews? VERY relevant topics to me. #kidlitchat |
| 1:38 am | kamtonnes: | I struggle with finding ways to “sell” books to my students. #kidlitchat |
| 1:38 am | hatbooks: | RT @gregpincus: TOPIC: Do reviews still matter? Did they ever? #kidlitchat |
| 1:39 am | TheAsianAngel: | Yes, I can back connecting on edicational level RT @PaulWHankins: If I see a textual connection (Lesesne), I’m interested. #kidlitchat |
| 1:39 am | KateMessner: | I think most professional reviews are really good about this. RT @donalynbooks: I agree! Criticize the work, not the author! #kidlitchat |
| 1:39 am | chasingray: | I know that write differently when reviewing for Booklist or my column vs my blog #kidlitchat |
| 1:39 am | AmyBaskin: | @adamselzer Hi Adam! TOPIC: Do reviews still matter? Did they ever? #kidlitchat |
| 1:39 am | AudryT: | @gregpincus *nods* The internet is a big boost to fandom. Mass fan love is a powerful “review” of an author’s work. #kidlitchat |
| 1:39 am | LaFabuliste: | Pre blog/internet days, how did people pick books? BC I picked mine by the fantasy unicorn sticker used by the library. #kidlitchat |
| 1:40 am | JanGangsei: | How about those 1-star reviews that popped up on Amazon due to no digital edition of book… does/can this hurt ranking? Sales? #kidlitchat |
| 1:40 am | TheAsianAngel: | @PaulWHankins As I spell educational with an “i”. Sheesh. #kidlitchat |
| 1:40 am | dawnmetcalf: | RT @AudryT: @gregpincus *nods* The internet is a big boost to fandom. Mass fan love is a powerful “review” of an author’s work. #kidlitchat |
| 1:40 am | DeeScribe: | @chasingray I agree – think blogs are generally more informal reviews. #kidlitchat |
| 1:40 am | LauraHamor: | a bad review never stopped me from reading a book, but a good review has lead me to a book. #kidlitchat |
| 1:40 am | RosemaryMarotta: | sometimes it bothers me when an author seems to write for teachers & librarians vs the reader…so to get good reviews… #kidlitchat |
| 1:41 am | himissjulie: | RT @LaFabuliste  reblog/internet days, how did ppl pick books? I picked mine by the fantasy unicorn sticker used by the library. #kidlitchat |
| 1:41 am | adamselzer: | @JanGangsei Yes. Those 1 star reviews for irrelevant/idiotic reasons CAN hurt. Esp. if you don’t get a high volume of reviews. #kidlitchat |
| 1:41 am | AudryT: | I was a WGWG buyer outside of fan circles. I NEVER saw any promotion/ads for it. I saw giddy Twitter reviews & bought it. #kidlitchat |
| 1:41 am | RebeccAgent: | joining late and yes, reviews CAN still matter, but a bad review doesn’t =the death of a book and a good won doesn’t = success #kidlitchat |
| 1:41 am | PaulWHankins: | @TheAsianAngel I got it, Jo. I’m not that kind of English teacher (though I have been diagramming Tweets tonight). #kidlitchat |
| 1:41 am | chasingray: | @JanGangsei I I think it can – you have to read the reviews to realize the 1 stars really have nothing to do with content. #kidlitchat |
| 1:41 am | Shelltex: | I hate that Amazon has a review feature. #kidlitchat |
| 1:41 am | adamselzer: | But publicity/availability has always trumped reviews. People don’t often see reviews when in the store (cept blurbs) #kidlitchat |
| 1:41 am | AnnaZiska: | I also do not like to read Amazon reviews(not the buyer reviews). They give away so much. #kidlitchat |
| 1:42 am | DDHearn: | @himissjulie I admit that I often picked a book by the cover. Didn’t read Wrinkle in Time for ages because of awful cover. #kidlitchat |
| 1:42 am | TheAsianAngel: | Amen. RT @Shelltex: All vampire books aren’t Twilight and all contemp YA isn’t reminiscent of Sarah Dessen. #kidlitchat |
| 1:42 am | Tiare75: | @RosemaryMarotta I think that sometimes, too. But on the other hand, how can we judge who the author is writing for? #kidlitchat |
| 1:42 am | himissjulie: | @RosemaryMarotta I’ve heard of teaching to the test but never writing to the reviews. example? #kidlitchat |
| 1:42 am | CynLeitichSmith: | Waving to everyone at #kidlitchat! Once I’m off this crazy speaking/travel/deadline schedule, I’d love to drop in and visit a while! |
| 1:42 am | LaFabuliste: | Well, sometimes 1-star reviews are also “I never got the book,” “I got the book but it was torn/3 weeks later” etc. #kidlitchat |
| 1:42 am | gregpincus: | @AudryT Are we at the point where huge fandom can be created and make reviews less relevant? #kidlitchat |
| 1:42 am | chasingray: | I do not review for myself in the column – but for the audience. In my blog I write what I personally like. 2 diff things. #kidlitchat |
| 1:42 am | franklyj: | @JanGangsei I hope not. I don’t even look at Amazon reviews when purchasing books. Can someone else determine what I’ll like? #kidlitchat |
| 1:42 am | hatbooks: | Reviews lead me to most of the English-language books I buy since I live in a non-English speaking country. #kidlitchat |
| 1:42 am | jimhill: | @wardomatic Agreed. I like seeing a good selection of books from someone too. I hit the library with a big list right after. #kidlitchat |
| 1:42 am | kamtonnes: | I never read Amazon reviews. I don’t have any reason to trust the reviewers. #kidlitchat |
| 1:43 am | lindsayeland: | @AnnaZiska I agree! They have the ending of lot’s of books that I don’t buy cause I feel like I already know too much #kidlitchat |
| 1:43 am | himissjulie: | @DDHearn a lot of kids (&adults) pick books by cover. & most libs. make it easy to find genres by using stickers. #kidlitchat |
| 1:43 am | carolgrannick: | @CynLeitichSmith Waving back! #kidlitchat |
| 1:43 am | gregpincus: | @Shelltex Really? I love Amazon reviews. In fact, it’s often the “bad” ones that confirm I’ll like something #kidlitchat |
| 1:43 am | HornBook: | @AnnaZiska reviews of kids books give away more because they’re not meant for the end-reader. #Kidlitchat |
| 1:43 am | RosemaryMarotta: | @himissjulie no real examples just heard a few authors discussing putting things in books because teachers like certain things #kidlitchat |
| 1:43 am | Tiare75: | @DDHearn I often chose books by the cover, too, when I was a kid and teen. Still do, sometimes. #kidlitchat |
| 1:43 am | chasingray: | @gregpincus I think fandom always had that capacity – I’m a Star Trek fan, so I know critics can be irrelevent. (ha) #kidlitchat |
| 1:43 am | AudryT: | Has a review stopped you from buying a book? If so, what in the review stopped you? #kidlitchat |
| 1:43 am | RebeccAgent: | multiple starred reviews definitely impacts a book’s visibility in industry’s eyes #kidlitchat |
| 1:43 am | DDHearn: | @jimhill I, too, have gotten so many good ideas for books to read from #kidlitchat. My list is much too long to conquer. #kidlitchat |
| 1:44 am | dawnmetcalf: | Have to cut it short. Thanks to @gregpincus for a wonderful topic at #kidlitchat & thanks especially to @HornBook for being brilliant! |
| 1:44 am | gregpincus: | @CynLeitichSmith We’ll be here when you get done. I know that won’t be next week! #kidlitchat |
| 1:44 am | shadowmaat: | @adamselzer Vampire blog reviewers. They’re very bloodthirsty. #kidlitchat |
| 1:44 am | RosemaryMarotta: | @Tiare75 sometimes a book screams to me—no kid would read this… #kidlitchat |
| 1:44 am | DDHearn: | @himissjulie I’m giving away my age, but those stickers weren’t around when I was a kid. So the cover really meant a lot. #kidlitchat |
| 1:44 am | DeeScribe: | @gregpincus A bad review won’t put me off a book either. #kidlitchat |
| 1:44 am | lindsayeland: | @AudryT When they give away the ending. Then I sometimes think…”what’s the point?” #kidlitchat |
| 1:44 am | KatApel: | Regional librarian was saying recently she buys books based on reveiws – but is often disappointed. Not what she’d expected. #kidlitchat |
| 1:44 am | AnnaZiska: | That’s sad RT @HornBook: @AnnaZiska reviews of kids books give away more because theyre not meant for the end-reader. #kidlitchat |
| 1:44 am | PaulWHankins: | I’ll share: face-out display may not be a review, but it is a heck of a preview. Cover art matters. #kidlitchat |
| 1:44 am | himissjulie: | @RosemaryMarotta authors need to just write a damn good book. once they start pandering to what “the system” wants, we’re doomed #kidlitchat |
| 1:44 am | RosemaryMarotta: | @RebeccAgent starred reviews help win awards #kidlitchat |
| 1:45 am | LaFabuliste: | Ohhh, I loved that unicorn sticker. I met @robinmckinley and Philip Pullman through that sticker. #kidlitchat |
| 1:45 am | AudryT: | @gregpincus I think a huge fandom make reviews less relevant for readers influenced by popularity, but not for cautious readers. #kidlitchat |
| 1:45 am | chasingray: | A bad review from someone I trust will put me off buying the book – and I trust several bloggers. #kidlitchat |
| 1:45 am | AuthorTaraKelly: | Hi kidlitters! #kidlitchat |
| 1:45 am | DeeScribe: | @KatApel Hi Kat I agree reviews aren’t always reliable. #kidlitchat |
| 1:45 am | KatApel: | RT @RebeccAgent: multiple starred reviews definitely impacts a books visibility in industrys eyes. <Can see why.> #kidlitchat |
| 1:45 am | bonnieadamson: | RT @PaulWHankins: face-out display may not be a review, but it is a heck of a preview. Cover art matters. #kidlitchat |
| 1:45 am | RosemaryMarotta: | @himissjulie totally agree….good writing is a joy #kidlitchat |
| 1:45 am | PattyJMurphy: | RT @lindsayeland: @AudryT When they give away the ending. Then I sometimes think..”whats the point?” <<Soo agree! hi lindsay! #kidlitchat |
| 1:46 am | the1stdaughter: | Isn’t that the truth! RT @RosemaryMarotta: @Tiare75 sometimes a book screams to me—no kid would read this… #kidlitchat |
| 1:46 am | adamselzer: | Plenty of packagers set up books specifically based on stuff to push the buttons of teachers/librarians/reviewers. #kidlitchat |
| 1:46 am | AuthorTaraKelly: | Ah reviews. Why does it seem like the bad or meh reviews are the ones people see the most? #kidlitchat |
| 1:46 am | rj_anderson: | If I’m interested in a book’s premise, I won’t be put off by 1 or 2 bad reviews — I’ll still want to read it to see for myself. #kidlitchat |
| 1:46 am | KatApel: | @DeeScribe Hiya Dee! #kidlitchat |
| 1:46 am | TheAsianAngel: | @dawnmetcalf Well…some superheroes HAVE wings so maybe kinda sorta close? #kidlitchat |
| 1:46 am | himissjulie: | @LaFabuliste robin mckinley! Swoon! I love her! #kidlitchat |
| 1:46 am | PaulWHankins: | @RosemaryMarotta Teachers still like high interest and exemplary attention to craft. Put these in and I am sold. #kidlitchat |
| 1:46 am | chasingray: | It’s very hard to review for Booklist – such a tight number count. But you think about libraries with every book you review. #kidlitchat |
| 1:46 am | gregpincus: | @lindsayeland Perhaps in the “any publicity is good publicity” way, sure. Or controversy. #kidlitchat |
| 1:46 am | Books4Kids_revs: | @AudryT “Mom & Pop” reviews of bks for younger children can stop me from buying based on violence… etc #kidlitchat |
| 1:47 am | DDHearn: | I would think some good professional reviews would help sales with libraries, and maybe stores would pick book up, too. #kidlitchat |
| 1:47 am | himissjulie: | @deegarretson yep. and it is hard to give a kid a book with an ugly cover. that’s why reissues of older books are so vital. #kidlitchat |
| 1:47 am | Shelltex: | @gregpincus Ha! I love that you want to read it when it gets blasted on Amazon. Overall a useless feature though, I think. #kidlitchat |
| 1:47 am | rj_anderson: | As a teen I judged books by their covers & jacket copy almost exclusively. I still go by those things if I have no other info. #kidlitchat |
| 1:47 am | gregpincus: | I’m wondering, @hornbook, if you see the professional reviewer role changing due to internet and/or budget issues? #kidlitchat |
| 1:47 am | KateMessner: | @AuthorTaraKelly Tara!! Happy release day for HARMONIC FEEDBACK! #kidlitchat |
| 1:47 am | DDHearn: | @AuthorTaraKelly I know it’s the bad reviews of my own books I remember far longer than the good ones. Don’t know why. #kidlitchat |
| 1:47 am | chasingray: | Put a girl on the cover and most boys won’t buy it. I REALLY wish pubs would dump photo covers for that reason. #kidlitchat |
| 1:47 am | AuthorTaraKelly: | Pro reviews scare me..they tend to stick with the book. Reader reviews, not so much. #kidlitchat |
| 1:47 am | jimhill: | I don’t rely on reviews as much as trusted referrals. If @doctorow says read it, I’ll give it a shot, for example #kidlitchat |
| 1:47 am | DeeScribe: | @rj_anderson Me too, and blurb. #kidlitchat |
| 1:47 am | himissjulie: | @RosemaryMarotta I live in fear of the day we have accelerated reader type books cranked out like 1984. *shudder* #kidlitchat |
| 1:48 am | kellybarnhill: | A friend of mine was astounded that the bad reviews brought WAY more traffic to her blog than the good. #kidlitchat |
| 1:48 am | the1stdaughter: | @AuthorTaraKelly I’m not sure I agree with that. I review children’s books and see A LOT of positive reviews. Not all of course. #kidlitchat |
| 1:48 am | KatApel: | Some reviews focus on literary merits (which we can appreciate as industry) but these don’t always translate to e’day readers. #kidlitchat |
| 1:48 am | rj_anderson: | It took me YEARS to read Lois McMaster Bujold even though everyone told me she was fantastic, because covers were so dreadful. #kidlitchat |
| 1:48 am | gregpincus: | @Shelltex I disagree it’s useless – you can learn trusted review sources on Amazon, too, if you take the time #kidlitchat |
| 1:48 am | Shelltex: | I do like to see blog reviews and I do one on my blog now and again. #kidlitchat |
| 1:48 am | AuthorTaraKelly: | @KateMessner Thank you! #kidlitchat |
| 1:48 am | himissjulie: | RT @chasingray: Put a girl on the cover and most boys wont buy it. I REALLY wish pubs would dump photo covers for that reason. #kidlitchat |
| 1:48 am | PaulWHankins: | RT @jimhill: I don’t rely on reviews as much as trusted referrals. If @doctorow says read it, I’ll give it a shot, for example #kidlitchat |
| 1:48 am | RosemaryMarotta: | covers are important but I love books I have read that I only got in prebound form…no cover art…;) #kidlitchat |
| 1:48 am | adamselzer: | I think bad reviews hurt more than good ones help. I’ve had books with GREAT pro reviews that stores wouldn’t touch. #kidlitchat |
| 1:48 am | Tiare75: | @himissjulie My kids are much more interested in books I read years ago once they are reissued with updated covers. #kidlitchat |
| 1:48 am | KatApel: | @kellybarnhill Wow! so make sure you’ve got a great blog post up if you’ve just got a bad review. #kidlitchat |
| 1:48 am | franklyj: | Teenage neice says she buys b/c of cover. Should authors have more say about their covers? #kidlitchat |
| 1:49 am | AuthorTaraKelly: | @the1stdaughter I just mean in general. Like a good review on a blog will have maybe 1 comment. A bad review will have 20… #kidlitchat |
| 1:49 am | Shelltex: | I’m trying to review all the ARCs I got at TLA to repay the publishers for providing them with a tiny bit of publicity. #kidlitchat |
| 1:49 am | HornBook: | Tighter budgets mean fewer and more carefully chosen books, which cuts both ways for reviewers #Kidlitchat |
| 1:49 am | chasingray: | @rj_anderson I hear you on that! #kidlitchat |
| 1:49 am | LizB: | Librarians can’t read all books they buy or are in library. May need to know ending 2 do RA well. They need that in prof review #kidlitchat |
| 1:49 am | deegarretson: | RT @KateMessner: @AuthorTaraKelly Tara!! Happy release day for HARMONIC FEEDBACK! #kidlitchat |
| 1:49 am | kellybarnhill: | @KatApel Exactly. #kidlitchat |
| 1:49 am | LaFabuliste: | If/when I’m published, is it possible to request a non-photo cover? Do authors have that input? (Should know, but, eh, I don’t) #kidlitchat |
| 1:49 am | himissjulie: | @chasingray or the never ending PINK! gah. MJ’s Thunderbird was about death and cars, but it was pink, so boys–nope. #kidlitchat |
| 1:49 am | AudryT: | @himissjulie FALLEN. Girl, photo. #kidlitchat |
| 1:49 am | MGNinja: | I write reviews where I only discuss the positive aspects of the book #kidlitchat |
| 1:49 am | AudryT: | @franklyj No. Authors don’t automatically know what’s best for their book, visually. #kidlitchat |
| 1:49 am | bonnieadamson: | @chasingray Would love to see pendulum swing back to high-concept typographic covers: so elegant. #kidlitchat |
| 1:49 am | Shelltex: | @AuthorTaraKelly I won’t do a negative review. I’d just skip reviewing the book before I’d do that. #kidlitchat |
| 1:50 am | chasingray: | Keep in mind that comments do not = sales. I have bought many books from blog reviews I never publicly commented on. #kidlitchat |
| 1:50 am | KateMessner: | @LaFabuliste Authors can make requests/give feedback on covers but generally have no official say in things. #kidlitchat |
| 1:50 am | alybee930: | RT @KateMessner: @AuthorTaraKelly Tara!! Happy release day for HARMONIC FEEDBACK! #kidlitchat |
| 1:50 am | AuthorTaraKelly: | When you skim book reviews, which do you click on first? The good reviews…or the bad ones? #kidlitchat |
| 1:50 am | DDHearn: | @LaFabuliste I think today the photo covers are the rage. As an illustrator, I’m kind of sad about that. But the worm turns. #kidlitchat |
| 1:50 am | PattyJMurphy: | BTW @kellybarnhill …Love your soon-to-be-published book’s NEW title:) #kidlitchat |
| 1:50 am | jimhill: | @franklyj No, authors aren’t art directors! #kidlitchat |
| 1:50 am | chasingray: | @himissjulie Yep, pink is a killer. I almost feel like most pubs don’t care about boys buying YA books. #kidlitchat |
| 1:50 am | DeeScribe: | @franklyj Some pub allow author input. Original pic was not like my mc at all. Publisher changed it – for the better. #kidlitchat |
| 1:50 am | HornBook: | If a library only wants great books, it needs reviews. If it only wants high circ, it doesn’t. #Kidlitchat |
| 1:50 am | the1stdaughter: | @AuthorTaraKelly That’s definitely true. My few negative reviews lead to tons of comments generally. The others, just average. #kidlitchat |
| 1:50 am | kellybarnhill: | @LaFabuliste Nope. We get no control. I’ll find out my cover in a couple weeks and I’m sweating bullets. Please don’t be ugly! #kidlitchat |
| 1:50 am | kamtonnes: | RT @bonnieadamson: @chasingray Would love to see pendulum swing back to high-concept typographic covers: so elegant. #kidlitchat |
| 1:50 am | RosemaryMarotta: | @AuthorTaraKelly I always go to good reviews first… #kidlitchat |
| 1:51 am | PaulWHankins: | @himissjulie Today, it is Reading Counts. I was able to place @adamselzer’s book today after putting a pink sticker on it. #kidlitchat |
| 1:51 am | deegarretson: | @himissjulie pink is just ill-advised. a lot of girls won’t buy a too-pink cover either #kidlitchat |
| 1:51 am | AuthorTaraKelly: | @jimhill Not true. I’m an art director Or I like to think I am. #kidlitchat |
| 1:51 am | LaFabuliste: | @DDHearn Ha! Then maybe in 20 years when I actually finish something, I can have a landscape or something. #kidlitchat |
| 1:51 am | KatApel: | @MGNinja Have friend who won’t review a book if it’s negative. She only reviews postively. If she reviews, you know she likes. #kidlitchat |
| 1:51 am | chasingray: | @BonnieAdamson YES! When I see something like that it makes me swoony. #kidlitchat |
| 1:51 am | hatbooks: | So why write a negative review? Why not keep silent on those books without enough merits to recommend? #kidlitchat |
| 1:51 am | AudryT: | Pink, a problem? Meh. We had a SUPER-PINK cover that sold across all demographics. I hand-sold it to many boys at conventions. #kidlitchat |
| 1:51 am | himissjulie: | @AudryT isn’t that cover actually a painting? I covet that dress, regardless. and are boys reading it? #kidlitchat |
| 1:51 am | DeeScribe: | Me too RT @Shelltex: @AuthorTaraKelly I wont do a negative review. Id just skip reviewing the book before Id do that. #kidlitchat |
| 1:51 am | kellybarnhill: | @franklyj One would think. But no. *sob* #kidlitchat |
| 1:51 am | kamtonnes: | My 13-yr-old daughter judges books by cover, title, description on the back. #kidlitchat |
| 1:51 am | rj_anderson: | @kamtonnes Ooh, yes! The graphic designer in me would love more classy typographic covers! #kidlitchat |
| 1:52 am | TheAsianAngel: | @AuthorTaraKelly Bad ones first. I want to know where people found shortcomings or if they were just being petty. #kidlitchat |
| 1:52 am | LaFabuliste: | Hmm.. Dear Pub: Please, no photos, no white girls, no hands and apples. Love, Christina. #kidlitchat |
| 1:52 am | wardomatic: | @deegarretson Tell that to the Pinkalicious author! #kidlitchat |
| 1:52 am | chasingray: | Why do pubs send ARCs to bloggers who do bland “I LUV IT/*****” reviews? Do they just not want indepth reviewing anymore? #kidlitchat |
| 1:52 am | DDHearn: | @LaFabuliste It probably will take that long for fully illustrated covers to be popular again. #kidlitchat |
| 1:52 am | AuthorTaraKelly: | @TheAsianAngel Yep..I read the bad ones first too. #kidlitchat |
| 1:52 am | kellybarnhill: | @deegarretson I know I wouldn’t have when I was fifteen. Pink=puke during my black-lipsticked teenager days. #kidlitchat |
| 1:52 am | chasingray: | RT @LaFabuliste: Hmm.. Dear Pub: Please, no photos, no white girls, no hands and apples. Love, Christina. #kidlitchat |
| 1:53 am | truthuniversaly: | RT @LizB: Librarians can’t read all books they buy or are in library. May need to know ending 2 do RA well. They need that in prof review #kidlitchat |
| 1:53 am | karenrivers: | (whispers) I like pink. #kidlitchat |
| 1:53 am | himissjulie: | @KatApel I agree with positive reviews. or, you can write that it wasn’t yr cuppa, but XYZ would LOVE it. #kidlitchat |
| 1:53 am | KatApel: | @jimhill Not art directors – but it is nice when they’re consulted. Like @DeeScribe I’ve had that experience. Is a win/win. #kidlitchat |
| 1:53 am | kamtonnes: | Kids also find a lot of books because they’re at the Scholastic Book Fair. #kidlitchat |
| 1:53 am | MGNinja: | I’m convinced there are plenty of bad books with good covers that sell well #kidlitchat |
| 1:53 am | chasingray: | @AudryT Good for you! but hand selling isn’t common in the age of amazon. #kidlitchat |
| 1:53 am | HornBook: | @hatbooks Neg reviews can help books get better. It wasn’t til Hazel Rochman started knocking books for poor sourcing that #Kidlitchat |
| 1:53 am | DeeScribe: | @TheAsianAngel My 1st cover pic was of street kid, but my mc didn’t live on streets. My editor didn’t like it either. #kidlitchat |
| 1:53 am | Shelltex: | @DDHearn I don’t like photo covers featuring MC because I want to create my own vision of him/her as I read. #kidlitchat |
| 1:53 am | LizB: | @deegarretson @himissjulie dislike assumption that all girls love pink. Not true. #kidlitchat |
| 1:53 am | lisa_schroeder: | Um, I have a pink cover. And I think it’s doing fairly well? Okay, so boys probably aren’t readint it, but… #kidlitchat |
| 1:53 am | the1stdaughter: | @chasingray Very true. I don’t have time to comment on every book blog unfortunately, that doesn’t mean I don’t buy. #kidlitchat |
| 1:53 am | lindsayeland: | @kamtonnes I do the same as your daughter a lot of times! #kidlitchat |
| 1:56 am | bonnieadamson: | @jimhill Agree–and I’m the mother of two girls. It’s just silly. #kidlitchat |
| 1:56 am | AuthorTaraKelly: | I definitely notice covers, but I’ve always bought books based on the blurb and the first page. #kidlitchat |
| 1:56 am | LaFabuliste: | @RosemaryMarotta SJDNFIDFHGNDTGDTG (that’s what I think). #kidlitchat |
| 1:56 am | j_ro333: | #kidlitchat Secret? I’ve never once read a book review. |
| 1:56 am | LizB: | @chasingray exactly! Librarians etc need to know that for readers advisory etc. #kidlitchat |
| 1:56 am | hatbooks: | @HornBook “Negative reviews can help books get better” yes, can, if well executed and constructive. #kidlitchat |
| 1:56 am | wardomatic: | Egads, no! RT @RosemaryMarotta: what do you think of a store having a section for “boy bks” & “girl bks”? #kidlitchat |
| 1:56 am | Shelltex: | @gregpincus I concede then. I haven’t taken the time. I just hate thought of people bashing books on there. Some have agendas. #kidlitchat |
| 1:56 am | ReadingVacation: | I wasn’t going to comment tonight, but us tween girls do like pink covers #kidlitchat |
| 1:56 am | KaiStrand: | @RosemaryMarotta too limiting #kidlitchat |
| 1:56 am | franklyj: | @adamselzer As I kid I often ignored books with tattered covers. Little did I know those were the good ones. #kidlitchat |
| 1:56 am | karenrivers: | Have had one book reprinted- orig cover was a handrawn pic of girl, new was hot pink with photo, outsold the original 10x over. #kidlitchat |
| 1:56 am | j_ro333: | #kidlitchat Secret #2? I never will. |
| 1:56 am | DDHearn: | @bonnieadamson But, you know, a lot of teen girls love glitter, and the book is supposed to sell to them, isn’t it? #kidlitchat |
| 1:57 am | rj_anderson: | Cover draws me in, jacket copy tells me if the story is my kind of thing, first paragraph tells me if author can write well. #kidlitchat |
| 1:57 am | PaulWHankins: | @BonnieAdamson I love nice dust jackets, but HappyFace and Shooter were just not practical for high-volume usage. #kidlitchat |
| 1:57 am | TheAsianAngel: | I ? pink. On top of being my fave color, it POPS (as does purple). It’s Raining Cupcakes & Princess for Hire always stand out #kidlitchat |
| 1:57 am | chasingray: | @LizB It bugs me that they throw $$ at some titles though – and ignore requests for others. I don’t see budget tightening. #Kidlitchat |
| 1:57 am | himissjulie: | perhaps books should be issued with several different covers to appeal to a broad range. #kidlitchat |
| 1:57 am | Akitron: | RT @rj_anderson: Cover draws me in, jacket copy tells me if the story is my kind of thing, first paragraph tells me if author can write well. #kidlitchat |
| 1:57 am | sotomorrow: | RT @HornBook: @AnnaZiska reviews of kids books give away more because they’re not meant for the end-reader. #Kidlitchat |
| 1:57 am | DDHearn: | @RosemaryMarotta I guess this author didn’t like picture books much. I agree with him a bit, though. Using imagination=good. #kidlitchat |
| 1:58 am | kamtonnes: | Interesting idea… RT @himissjulie: perhaps books should be issued with several different covers to appeal to a broad range. #kidlitchat |
| 1:58 am | gregpincus: | @Shelltex Yes, some have agendas. That’s unfortunate, but part of the social thang. #kidlitchat |
| 1:58 am | kellyhashway: | I’ve got to run. Thanks for a great chat, everyone! #kidlitchat |
| 1:58 am | chasingray: | @LizB My Booklist editor told me – always warn on the dead animals…librarians MUST know. #kidlitchat (so I suffer for you guys) |
| 1:58 am | j_ro333: | Awesome suggestion! RT @BonnieAdamson: Can we just ban glitter on covers? That would be a start . . . #kidlitchat |
| 1:58 am | bonnieadamson: | @PaulWHankins Ah, but a jacket like HappyFace is worth the effort, don’t you think? #kidlitchat |
| 1:58 am | AudryT: | @KateMessner @kellybarnhill @HornBook As a writer, I learn a lot from reading the reviews of other authors’ books. #kidlitchat |
| 1:58 am | chasingray: | @kamtonnes Harry Potter was issues with adult covers – worked for them. #kidlitchat (I loved those covers) |
| 1:58 am | HornBook: | I watched a cover discussion at @egmontgal this afternoon. It was fascinating. #Kidlitchat |
| 1:58 am | gregpincus: | Folks, I have to take off. I think there are some more convos to have about this. #kidlitchat |
| 1:59 am | lindsayeland: | @HornBook I hadn’t thought of that…good to know and I can see how that would be the case #kidlitchat |
| 1:59 am | sotomorrow: | RT @RosemaryMarotta: sometimes it bothers me when an author seems to write for teachers & librarians vs the reader…so to get good reviews… #kidlitchat |
| 1:59 am | RosemaryMarotta: | @DDHearn he wrote yr…character was supposed to be overweight but drawing on cover didn’t really show that…confused kids #kidlitchat |
| 1:59 am | kellybarnhill: | @AuthorTaraKelly You are the first person I’ve ever met who said it was the blurb that got’em. Fascinating! #kidlitchat |
| 1:59 am | bonnieadamson: | @DDHearn I think they think they’re supposed to like glitter. I refuse to believe glitter is a genetic choice. #kidlitchat |
| 1:59 am | gregpincus: | Big thanks to @hornbook for stopping by and to all of ya’ll for chatting during BEA, Glee, Idol, and life! #kidlitchat |
| 1:59 am | lisa_schroeder: | @lindsayeland @DDHearn A B&N EE told me CUPCAKES is doing well. Her opinion? The bright cover stands out against all the dark. #kidlitchat |
| 1:59 am | DeeScribe: | Thanks everyone for a great chat. Off to lunch:-) #kidlitchat |
| 2:00 am | himissjulie: | @LizB many girls do, but not all. perhaps ideal situation would be a wide variety of covers…if only that was cheap to do. #kidlitchat |
| 2:00 am | AuthorTaraKelly: | @kellybarnhill Yep, I don’t care how pretty a cover is. If the premise doesn’t interest me, I won’t even look at it. #kidlitchat |
| 2:00 am | PaulWHankins: | @BonnieAdamson okay,Happyface is too cool. But I take the DJ off for student use. #kidlitchat. Shooter had police tape as dust jacket (?) |
| 2:00 am | ladypandora16: | As a girl I’m offended. RT: @adamselzer I had one librarian tell me girls always wanted books that were “pink” and “new.” #kidlitchat |
| 2:00 am | the1stdaughter: | @chasingray I’d definitely like to know how they decide which books to throw money at. #kidlitchat |
| 2:00 am | bonnieadamson: | @gregpincus Me, too, Greg–great chat, everyone. Carry on at will! #kidlitchat |
| 2:00 am | RosemaryMarotta: | @lisa_schroeder it is also because it is good book #kidlitchat |
| 2:00 am | AuthorTaraKelly: | @kellybarnhill Unless it came recommended by someone I trust, of course. #kidlitchat |
| 2:00 am | KatApel: | Great to catch the tail. Thanks @gregpincus and @bonnieadamson – and all. #kidlitchat |
| 2:00 am | HornBook: | Yes thank you for inviting me. Maybe see some of you tmw at #bea10 #Kidlitchat |
| 2:00 am | lindsayeland: | Kids need teeth brushed…got to go! Thanks for a tres-interesting conversation! Much appreciated @HornBook #kidlitchat |
| 2:01 am | PattyJMurphy: | RT @KateMessner @kellybarnhill @HornBook: As a writer, Ive learned from rdg. crit aspects of revs (of my books/others) <<me, 2! #kidlitchat |
| 2:01 am | LaFabuliste: | Guys, that was a really good Glee. And now I’m off to type up notes. Thanks for a great chat!! Have fun at #bea10 tomorrow! #kidlitchat |
| 2:01 am | lisa_schroeder: | @RosemaryMarotta Oh, why thank you. *blushes* #kidlitchat |
| 2:01 am | DDHearn: | @RosemaryMarotta As an illustrator, I’m always frustrated when the cover image doesn’t match book. Artist didn’t read carefully. #kidlitchat |
| 2:01 am | himissjulie: | @chasingray yep- helps to know about dead animals, dead parents, graphic sex, and major swearing. #kidlitchat |
| 2:01 am | bonnieadamson: | @HornBook I’ll be there! #bea10 #kidlitchat #kidlitchat |
| 2:01 am | chasingray: | @the1stdaughter High school dramarama or disease-of-week seem to be the key points. (Can you hear my frustration?) #kidlitchat |
| 2:01 am | ReadingVacation: | Kids HAVE to read Accelerated Reader AR books at school. How does a book become an AR book? #kidlitchat |
| 2:01 am | RosemaryMarotta: | thanks everyone…glad I could join the discussion tonight~ #kidlitchat |
| 2:02 am | Shelltex: | @DDHearn I’m not sure if kids prefer photo covers of MCs or not. That would be an interesting survey. #kidlitchat |
| 2:02 am | adamselzer: | @ladypandora16 I would be too! Have to remember not everyone in a school library is necessarily a “good reader.” #kidlitchat |
| 2:02 am | kellybarnhill: | I’m glad I got to peek in for a bit of the chat. It’s been so long! Thanks for all teh smartness folks! #kidlitchat |
| 2:02 am | PaulWHankins: | Thanks, everyone. I love Tuesdays. They’re not just for Morrie anymore. #kidlitchat |
| 2:02 am | DDHearn: | @bonnieadamson I don’t know. It’s personal. One of my daughters wore that glittery makeup, the other wore no makeup. #kidlitchat |
| 2:02 am | wardomatic: | @lisa_schroeder Don’t underestimate the power of cupcakes. #kidlitchat |
| 2:02 am | karenrivers: | Ditto! RT @PaulWHankins: Thanks, everyone. I love Tuesdays. Theyre not just for Morrie anymore. #kidlitchat |
| 2:03 am | AudryT: | @DDHearn Many artists don’t have time to read books thru. Work load means they only read a summary & publisher suggestions. #kidlitchat |
| 2:03 am | hatbooks: | Thanks for the chat everyone! #kidlitchat |
| 2:03 am | the1stdaughter: | @chasingray Loud and clear! Lovely to hear something original soon, maybe? #kidlitchat |
| 2:03 am | DDHearn: | @LaFabuliste Personally, I think Glee is a pretty “glittery” show. And look how popular it is. #kidlitchat |
| 2:03 am | lisa_schroeder: | @wardomatic haha – yes! The power of cupcakes we will never truly know! #kidlitchat |
| 2:03 am | bonnieadamson: | @DDHearn I’m being flippant. But used to irritate me when shopping for daughters: pink building blocks, etc. Ridiculous! #kidlitchat |
| 2:04 am | the1stdaughter: | Great chat tonight, Thanks! #kidlitchat |
| 2:04 am | rj_anderson: | @chasingray Don’t forget the emo supernatural love triangles! #kidlitchat |
| 2:04 am | JennBailey: | Meetings and helping kidlings study for finals kept me from #kidlitchat. |
| 2:04 am | himissjulie: | @ReadingVacation someone writes a test about it=AR. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerated_Reader #kidlitchat |
| 2:05 am | DDHearn: | @AudryT I never was that busy, I guess. I always read the whole book, taking notes along the way. #kidlitchat |
| 2:05 am | jimhill: | are there any star book designers for YA? Who’s the Chip Kidd? #kidlitchat |
| 2:05 am | himissjulie: | I hate AR books. kids won’t look at any other books, only care about the points, chained to the list…horrible. I hate it. #kidlitchat |
| 2:05 am | DDHearn: | @bonnieadamson Actually, I agree with you. My one daughter hated pink, and it was hard to buy for her. Visited boy section. #kidlitchat |
| 2:06 am | PattyJMurphy: | Thx @gregpincus, @bonnieadamson, @hornbook…It’s been a wonderful chat. That’s my review:) PS Have fun at BEA! #kidlitchat |
| 2:06 am | the1stdaughter: | Oh my! That’s perfect! RT @rj_anderson: @chasingray Don’t forget the emo supernatural love triangles! #kidlitchat |
| 2:06 am | RebeccAgent: | ok came in to late to really chat. Happy to talk reviews some other time. Professional reviews still matter! Night all. #kidlitchat |
To see all the #kidlitchat transcripts, please click here.
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Thanks for doing this! Very handy.