Epeolatry Book Review: A Reviewer’s Guide to Writing Book Reviews by Rick Hipson

Books should catch the reader’s attention and hold it long enough to care about what happens. How do we do this? Authors are taught (some intrinsically know) that this is done through empathy, motivation, and voice.

Author Rick Hipson says that reader-captivation is done through practice. Like anything, practice definitely helps.

But at 86 pages, this short how-to definitely employs the author’s voice—I can hear Hipson talking to me. Motivation exists—agreeably. Hipson proposes various scenarios as to why you might want to learn how to write a review. I write them because (and this is one of his empathetic reasons) I want to share my thoughts and what I learned. 

After browsing through the table of contents, I paged through the book, then read it cover to cover. I found myself highlighting, making notes, and dog-earing pages. Though I haven’t written as many reviews as Hipson, I’ve penned my share. I’ve also read and edited many others as the Review Coordinator at Horrortree.com. If I could, I’d send a copy of his book to everyone on the review team. Not that I’m suggesting that our reviewers are in need of correction—no no no! Sharing is caring, and Hipson’s book gives insight, shows where to go when feeling stuck or in a writing-rut. His guidebook made me feel like I was on the right path as a reviewer, and that I could incorporate more reflection. It’s also worth noting that his book isn’t just for professional reviewers; I can see book clubbers (I belonged to one and kept the club’s diary) finding it quite useful. 

Hipson is self-deprecating, relatable, and honest. He provides examples of what to write, what not to write, how to polish, and where to find publishing opportunities. Don’t expect to find outlines, checklists, or illustrations. Not that there isn’t enough material for those items, and I did pencil a couple for myself—I’m the visual-type. There’s also an exercise or two (which I dutifully completed). 

The cover of a guy in a sweatshirt typing away, the generic title, and blurb do not point out that this book is geared toward horror writers. However, I don’t think the targeted genre would be an issue for anyone wanting to learn how to write reviews—the same lessons still apply. Nevertheless, YA and children’s authors, romance writers, and general fiction/non-fiction might not expect nor connect with the horror references.

Regardless, A Reviewer’s Guide to Writing Book Reviews will find a permanent place in my writing tool box. 

/5

Available from Amazon and Bookshop.